Petmanacs.com
Pets Articles Complete List of Pet Articles @ PetManiacs.com | Home

SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Birds Cats Dogs
Fish & Aquatic Pets Reptiles & Amphibians Small Animals

5 Common Grooming Mistakes Made by Dog Owners


1. Clipping the quick when cutting nails.

Don't be in a hurry to finish his nails even thoughyour dog wants you to finish quickly. Take baby clips using a SHARP nail clipper (my preference is spring style or cat clippers for small dogs).

Don't use a Dremel or other electronic/motororized tool unless you've had some training in using it.It's too easy to overcut.

If your dog has white nails, the quick should look pink. STOP clipping before you get there.

If your dog has dark nails, you should see a black circle in the clipped part of the nail. STOP clipping before you get there.

If you do draw blood, apply pressure and styptic powder. A product called QuikStop can be purchased at most pet stores. If you can't control the bleeding, get to a veteranian or animal hospital immediately.

2. Getting shampoo in his eyes during baths.

Dogs love to shake their wet heads and it's easy for shampoo to sting his eyes.

Buy some sterile ophthalmic ointment (at pet store or www.1800PetMeds.com) and dab in each eye before bathing.

If shampoo gets in his eyes, rinse with cool water or saline eyewash. Do NOT put more ointmentin his eyes. If his eyes remain red or he's squinting long after he's dry, he needs a vet's attention.

3. Causing electric clipper burn.

It looks like a rash and results from using overheated clipper blades or damaged blades.

Inspect your clippers before each use and replace missing or dull blades and blades with broken teeth.

If your dog is affected, he'll try to scratch or lick the areas, which only worsens the irritation.

It's a good idea to keep an Elizabethan collar on hand (or make one) for such problems as they prevent the dog from reaching irritated areas. Keep the area clean and use an antibiotic ointment on the skin until it heals.

4. Unintentionally encouraging allergic reactions.

Allergies seem to be on the rise and some dogs are more sensitive than others. If your dog is very itchy after a bath or his skin is red and irritated, it may be an allergic reaction. Try products with oatmeal or use all natural products. And always rinse thoroughly to prevent residue build-up.

If your dog develops a serious reaction such as hives, diarrhea or pinpoint-sized pupils, he needs immediate medical attention. If he's just itchy, try different mild products until you find one that he likes.

You can work with a vet to pinpoint allergens but this a time-consuming and expensive process. I'd try various products first.

5. Leaving him unrestrained or unattended.

Dogs, especially those who hate being groomed, can try to make escapes by jumping off a table or off a lap. Serious injuries can result to small dogs.

Never leave a dog unattended. Groom him on the floor or restrain him if he's on a table or in a sink. Create a barrier around him sohe has no place to jumping off spot.

You can have a second person hold the dog while you wash him if you're using an area too large to fence him in.

Be patient, stay calm and offer lots of praise as you groom and you'll avoid most problems.

Louise Louis is a long-time dog person andcreator of http://www.ToyBreeds.com


MORE RESOURCES:
familypets - Google News
The tale of a post-Katrina pet rescuer - KATU

KATU

The tale of a post-Katrina pet rescuer
KATU
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of family pets were left to behind in the ruins of New Orleans. No one was coming back for ...

and more »
If a hurricane watch is called - UPI.com

CBC.ca

If a hurricane watch is called
UPI.com
Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. -- Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the ...
NY hurricane expert: Still cause for cautionLong Island Business News (blog)
Earl expected to soak MetroTimes and Transcript
Hurricane Earl: East Coast residents should have an evacuation planChristian Science Monitor
Fall River Herald News
all 12,298 news articles »
Police warn residents: Roaming pit bulls are attacking family pets - Ct Post

Police warn residents: Roaming pit bulls are attacking family pets
Ct Post
ANSONIA -- The Police Department has set up traps to capture three roaming pit bulls believed to be involved in attacks on domestic animals, according to ...

and more »
Family pets perish in morning fire - WISH

Fox 59

Family pets perish in morning fire
WISH
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A family of three escaped their burning home on Indianapolis' east side Friday morning. Firefighters are crediting an Indianapolis ...
13 WTHRFamily loses several pets in house fireWTHR

all 6 news articles »
Benefit for Justin Arlt and Allison Breuss - Quad-Cities Online

Quad-Cities Online

Benefit for Justin Arlt and Allison Breuss
Quad-Cities Online
Their three family pets were hospitalized, suffering greatly from smoke inhalation, eye abrasions and pneumonia. We are reaching out to the community to ...

OTC meds pose great danger to family pets - Jackson Clarion Ledger

OTC meds pose great danger to family pets
Jackson Clarion Ledger
Having a pet sure can change a person's life. Let me rephrase that. Having an energetic, frisky puppy is a test of wills, commitment and finances. ...

and more »
Couple takes in abandoned cats, hopes to find them homes - Middletown Journal

Couple takes in abandoned cats, hopes to find them homes
Middletown Journal
Some were feral, but the overwhelming majority once were family pets ? friendly but malnourished, hurt or diseased. The lucky ones ended up on the doorstep ...

and more »
Our thoughts: Keep family, pets safe from urban wildlife - The Coloradoan

Our thoughts: Keep family, pets safe from urban wildlife
The Coloradoan
Coyotes, to many people living along Colorado's Front Range, are wonderful to watch as they make their way across the landscape. To others, they are pests, ...

and more »
Three-alarm fire destroys several townhouses and kills family pets in ... - ABC2 News

ABC2 News

Three-alarm fire destroys several townhouses and kills family pets in ...
ABC2 News
URBANA, Md. - The Frederick County Fire Marshal's office is investigating a three-alarm fire that happened Sunday night destroying three townhomes and ...

and more »
Family pets perish in Heidelberg unit fire - Heildelberg Leader

Family pets perish in Heidelberg unit fire
Heildelberg Leader
Two people escaped the fire in the Hodgson St unit, but the family pets remained inside while emergency services fought the fire, which started about 10pm. ...

and more »
RSS integration by RSSinclude


PetManiacs.com's Free! Pet Classified Ads
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject
Click here to Post your ads | View by Location | View by Subject


Pet Website Owners Wanted



SHOP for PET SUPPLIES
Birds Cats Dogs
Fish & Aquatic Pets Reptiles & Amphibians Small Animals


Pet Maniacs home | site map | Pet Article List
© 2006