From long-haired Afghan hounds and Persians cats to mid-length coated golden retrievers to smooth coated kelpies, it doesn’t matter what kind of animal you decide to have as a companion, all require a programme of basic grooming maintenance throughout their life. Before selecting an animal companion, consider what breed is best suited to your lifestyle and the people in your life. For example, do you have family member’s allergy to animal hair? If so, you may want a dog or cat that has low-allergenic fur, such as the poodle or hairless cat. Do you live on a property? Medium haired dogs such as boarder collies tend to get grass seeds between their toes and tails during summer, so consider getting a dog with a short coat or set aside time on a regular basis to check for grass seeds and groom them.
Once you have a dog or cat, you need to get to know your breed and what general grooming advice is available from your vet, groomer, breeder and/or canine rescue places. In addition, there are a number of courses that the everyday animal owner can take to learn basic grooming and most local libraries stock a number of dog grooming books. If you don’t have time to do your own grooming, find a qualified dog groomer who can maintain your animal’s coat and pamper your animal companion for you.
When finding the right groomer for your animal companion, look for someone with professional qualifications in animal grooming and handling as well as a nice manner with your animal. Most professional groomers are taught to clip claws, clean and trim ears and wash and clip a dog if required. If your groomer doesn’t clip claws or clean ears, you will need to either book in with a local vet to have it done regularly or do it yourself.
If you decide to undertake the grooming yourself, be aware that most dogs do not like having their claws trimmed. It is best to start trimming claws when an animal is young so that they get used to the process. Clipping claws can be difficult, depending on the color of your dog’s claws. Be careful to only clip the tip of the claw. If you cut the quick (blood vessels and nerve endings) inside the claw your dog will bleed. If your dog has long claws often walking on tarmac will shorten the claw length as they are worn down by the rough surface. Claws that are left unclipped can grow into the toe-pad and cause an animal pain. This most often happens to dew claws, the claw on the inner side of the paw, because dew claws do not touch the ground and are not worn down as the dog walks.
Cleaning ears can be easily done using a small cotton wool to wipe away any wax. Soak the tip of a cotton swab and run it along the external nooks and crannies of your dog’s ears, however it’s best to avoid inserting anything in the ear canals. If the animal’s ears are very dirty it is advisable to have them checked and cleaned by a vet.
In summer, it is important to regularly check for grass seeds between the toes, under the legs and belly, in the tail, and around the eyes, ears and nose. If you suspect your animal may have a grass seed in the eye, ear or nose, take them to the vet as soon as possible to remove the seed and make sure there is no infection.
Most dogs have natural essential oils in their coat, so when washing your dog, try to use products that are as natural as possible, especially if your dog has sensitive skin. One often used natural product is diluted apple cider vinegar to wash their skin. When washing you cat, avoid tea tree oil as it can be toxic if ingested during a cat’s own daily tongue bath.
Helpful Hint – Natural Flea Control
- Internally: Add half a clove of garlic to your dog’s food to help fight fleas and also boost their immunity.
- Externally: Place some tea tree, peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils onto your dog’s collar to create your own home made herbal flea collar. Note: Do not place essential oils directly onto your animal’s skin.
Dog Breeds and Grooming Maintenance
Low maintenance grooming – Boxer, English Bulldog, Pug, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Whippet, American Bulldog, Basset Hound, Beagle, Border Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bullmastiff, Chihuahua, Corgi, Dalmatian, Australian Cattle Dog, Dachshund, Doberman, French Bulldog, Great Dane, Greyhound, Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Pointers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Springer Spaniel, Toy Poodle, Weimaraner, Yorkshire Terrier
Medium maintenance grooming – Airedale Terrier, Alaskan Malamute, Border Collie, Cairn Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, English Setter German Shepherd Dog, Giant Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Husky, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, King Charles Spaniel, Miniature Poodle, Newfoundland, Pomeranian, Saint Bernard, Standard Poodle, Standard Schnauzer, West Highland Terrier
High Maintenance grooming – Afghan Hound, Australian Shepherd Dog, Bearded Collie, Bichon Frise, Borzoi, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Rough Collie, Fox Terrier, Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog, Llaso Apso, Old English Sheepdog, Pekingese, Sheltie, Shihtzu
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Sylvana Miller of All Creatures Healing (www.allcreatureshealing.com) is a certified Bowen therapist who has also trained in a range of other natural therapies and takes a holistic approach to animal healing. If you have any questions you would like answered in relation to natural therapies and training for your animals, email her – creatures@www.outinperth.com.
