Winter Wear and Hair Care for your Dog
Carol Koepping
The cooler seasons present some challenges for Pets and their owners. Consider this:
Coats, Boots and Sweaters are great items for short haired dogs, but what about the dogs that have more than a little yet not enough hair to keep warm?
BEWARE of the DOG! (Hair knots and matting that is.)
If you choose some sort of winter wear for your four legged friend, please note that there are a few cautions you need to heed. Wearing clothes will make a dogs hair mat, knot up, dry out the skin and can generate static electricity in the the hair (causing even more knotting and those nasty little static shocks).
Remove the clothing when you bring your dog indoors and brush or comb out immediately. It is helpful to use a hair moisturizing spray (Your pet supply store should carry an assortment of "leave in" conditioners or moisturizers) although plain water applied in a fine mist will be sufficient. Apply just enough to keep the static down as you brush or comb.
If your dog spends extended periods outside in his coat or sweater you may find hair matting has already formed. Should these mats be too difficult to work out gently your best course of action would be to have a groomer "spot shave" the problem area.
A GREAT IDEA!
A preventive measure would be to have your dog groomer cut the body hair very short (not the legs, tail or rear and ears) including under the legs and get a few outfits for the dog. Enjoy the winter season in style! Your worries about matting and comfort will be eliminated! You will want to continue your normal hair care routine, but no more hassle of brushing your buddy before he mats. Not to worry about your dogs comfort indoors- if you keep your home warm enough for yourself it will be warm enough for your pet too!
If you have questions regarding your dogs winter coat care, please visit my website http://www.carolsbows.com
About the author: Carol is a Nationally Certified Master Groomer, certified by the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. A pet groomer since 1993, she attained National Certification in 2002. To visit her website, click http://www.carolsbows.com Here you will find her selection of dog bows, dog collar charms and further articles on care for your pet.
The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice :
A rare and potentially deadly illness has wreaked havoc on the city animal shelter system, killing several dogs and leading officials to shut down a Brooklyn facility for almost a week.
Dogs hunted after sheep killings (BBC News)
Night vigils to search for dogs responsible for killing dozens of sheep and an ostrich are carried out by Kent Police.
3-year-old Australian girl killed by dogs (AP via Yahoo! Philippines News)
Officials say a 3-year-old girl has been killed in an attack by four dogs that also left a toddler and a woman injured.
Girl mauled to death by pack of dogs (Times Online)
A three-year-old girl was killed and her 16-month-old sister seriously injured when they were savaged by a pack of dogs at a home in a small country town in eastern Australia this morning.
Dogs that attacked Molalla man will be euthanized (The Oregonian)
Two dogs that attacked and injured a Molalla man on Christmas Day will be euthanized, probably this week, Clackamas County Dog Services officials said today. Molalla Police on Sunday cited the owner, Prudencio Escobedo of Molalla, on two counts of...
Cyclists Collisions With Dogs So Similar, So Different (Bristol Herald Courier)
In the last six months of 2008, two area cyclists were seriously injured after similar collisions with dogs ? but the outcomes of those incidents couldn?t have been more different.
Woman strangled pet dogs in bath (BBC News)
A mentally-ill woman strangled two dogs in the bath at her home after hearing voices, a judge is told.
Special dogs up for adoption Saturday (Tucson Citizen)
A special adoption this weekend is planned by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona with dogs available at two locations in Tucson, according to a news release from the Society.
Donations for Dogs (KULR-8 Billings)
Donations are pouring in to help nearly 200 dogs temporarily housed at MetraPark. The dogs were seized from a Ballantine breeder last week.
Ore. dogs in Christmas attack to be euthanized (KATU Portland)
Meanwhile, Molalla Police have cited the owner for maintaining dangerous dogs. Prudencio Escobedo of Molalla is scheduled to appear in municipal court next month.