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Weekly Creature Tip 1/21/12
This week’s creature tip on dogs is titled, “Matted Fur”
Weekly Bible Verse: Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
There are many breeds of dogs that require a lot of grooming to prevent matting. When you considering getting a dog it is very important to look at the grooming requirements. Here is a list of some breeds that require a lot of grooming; Bichon Frise, Chow Chow, Collie, Great Pyrenees, Maltese, Old English Sheepdog, Pomeranian, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and the list goes on. It is NOT an option to let these breeds go un-groomed!
Matting can cause both minor and serious health issues depending on the extensity of the matting. Because I am a groomer I frequently see, first hand, dogs in poor condition. When a dogs coat becomes matted it tightens up against the skin causing pain. When a matted dog becomes wet the coat often does not completely dry sometimes for days. Can you imagine having wet dirty hair against your skin for days? Yuck! Also, a matted coat does not allow adequate air circulation to the skin so bacteria can grow. The matted coat keeps in all the dirt and oils against the dog’s skin constantly and this leads to skin problems! The skin can become infected and need veterinarian attention. Another thing that is very, very common with matted dogs living here in the desert is small thorns and fox tails underneath the mats. When I groom matted dogs I always see several (sometimes even hundreds) thorns and foxtails imbedded right into the dog’s skin! Ouch! The owners rarely know of the dog’s condition because the mats hide them.
Please don’t let your dog suffer from matted fur or hair! If you can’t afford having a dog professionally groomed, especially a breed that requires a lot of grooming, think twice before adopting one. Another option, if you can’t afford to have your dog groomed is learn to do it yourself. This is not for everyone and you should have someone teach you the basics of grooming before starting. Also, before starting to groom your own dog, you will need to buy some supplies and equipment. After grooming your dog, you will understand why dog groomers can be so expensive.
If your dog has matted fur now, don’t be embarrassed to get professional help; make a grooming appointment today. This is the best thing you can do for your dog.
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Weekly Creature Tip 12/3/11
This week’s creature tip is on dogs, titled “When to trim your dog’s nails”
Weekly Bible Verse: Proverbs 26:17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Most dogs require their nails to be trimmed on a regular basis. The environment and life style your dogs lives will determine how often they need to be trimmed. Dogs that are active or outdoors a lot will require minimal care, if any care at all. Things like digging and going for frequent walks help wear down the nails. On the other hand, pampered house dogs (like my Bichon Frise) need regular trimming. Most dogs require 1-2 trims a month. Dogs are like people; some grow nails faster then others.
If you have a small dog, place him or her on the table (for large dogs place them on a hard floor). With your dog standing, look at the nails to see if they are touching the table/floor. If the nails are touching, they need to be trimmed. When nails grow out to far it causes pressure on the dog’s bone structure and tendons to the point that the toes bow out. The next worse thing that can happen when nails become very overgrown is they curl back into the dogs pads.
Keep an eye on your dog’s nails. Make sure you pay special attention to dogs with a lot of fur on their feet because it is harder to see the nails. Your groomer or vet can trim your dog’s nails if you do not know how far to cut them. If you live near Apple Valley, California, we at God’s Creatures Grooming would be happy to take care of your dog’s nails.
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Weekly Creature Tip 10/8/11
This week’s creature tip is on dogss titled “Dog Dental Hygiene”
Weekly Bible Verse: Proverbs 12:10 “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”
Yes, your dog’s dental hygiene is important! Poor dental hygiene can lead to a bacterial infection that can enter the bloodstream and can cause problems with your dog’s kidneys, liver, and heart. Poor dental hygiene can also lead to tooth loss.
It is important to have your dog’s teeth checked by your veterinarian. At age 3 most dogs have signs of periodontal disease. If your dog’s teeth go untreated, there can be big health consequences later on and it can even shorten your dog’s life!
Signs of poor dental hygiene:
Bad breath
Yellowish or brown teeth (tarter build up)
Tooth loss
Chipped teeth
Inflammation or reddening of the gums
Having your dog’s teeth cleaned by a vet is not cheap because your dog must be put under anesthesia. But, in the end it is worth it so that your dog can live a happier and healthier life. Don’t let your dog’s teeth go without treatment. Treatment that is given too late will not be able to correct damages to your dog’s teeth or internal organs. Periodontal disease is preventable.
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is important just like brushing your teeth is important. Having your dog’s teeth brushed only by your dog groomer is like getting your teeth brushed only when you get a haircut. If possible brush your dog’s teeth daily or at least 3-4 times a week. Brushing your dog’s teeth will save you money because you will not need to have your veterinarian clean them as often. Every dog is different but your dog’s teeth should be cleaned every 1-2 years depending on how much you brush your dog’s teeth and what you feed your dog.
Train your dog from puppyhood to accept tooth brushing and only use dog toothpaste. Never ever use human toothpaste for animals! Older dogs can be trained to accept tooth brushing but it can be harder. Start training with some dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick it off. When your dog has accepted the toothpaste rub it on your dog’s teeth with your finger. The last step is adding the toothbrush, start by only brushing a little bit at a time and gradually increase the time over several days.
It may sound crazy brushing your dogs teeth but just remember it is important to your dog’s health.
These are photo of the same dog’s teeth. Photo on the left was taken right before dental cleaning. Photo on the right was taken right after dental cleaning by a veterinarian. Brushing this dog’s teeth could never clean them like the vet could, that is why getting them cleaned by a veterinarian is so important. Now that the teeth are clean it is important to brush them to keep them clean longer.
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Weekly Creature Tip 8/13/11
This was our very first Weekly Creature Tip. Feel free to leave comments and or ask questions.
This week’s creature tip is on dogs titled “Dog Food”
Weekly Bible Verse: Exodus 22:31 “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
When selecting a food for your dog at the store, look at the ingredients. Find a food that has a meat as the first ingredient (but not chicken meal or some other meal meat). Avoid food with cracked yellow corn as one of the first ingredients. One last thing, do not choose a food because it looks colorful in the photo. Dyes in foods are not the best thing for your dog. The colors are there to look appealing to the owner and not the dog lol. My dog does not care if it is green, orange, or bright pink dog food, and your dog does not care either.
