Care can keep coat huggable

We’re spending more time than ever being up close and personal with our pets today, which helps explain why we’ve never been more interested in things that help them feel, look and smell their very best, with what I refer to as a “huggable coat.”

“Grooming products are very hot right now,” said Joe Fucini, spokesman for the Pet Supplies “Plus” chain of stores. “People are much more aware of how important it is to groom their dogs, and this is reflected in the sale of specialty brushes, combs, shampoos, ear cleaners, pet nail clippers, and even canine colognes.”

With so many grooming products to choose from, keeping your pet looking good should be easy, provided you know how to avoid some common pitfalls.

According to Barbara Denzer, vice president of Cardinal Laboratories, which makes dog shampoos and other grooming products under the Pet Botanics, Crazy Pet and Gold Medal Pet brands, here are the seven most common grooming mistakes:

Mistake No. 1

Not bathing pets often enough – Contrary to the once commonly held belief, frequent bathing does not dry out a dog’s skin, according to Denzer. Thanks to today’s premium pet foods and quality dog shampoos (and better external parasite control, I might add), fewer animals experience skin problems.

Whereas most dogs should be shampooed between two and four times a month, certain breeds with pollen allergies should be bathed daily with hypoallergenic shampoos like veterinary exclusive DermaLyte.

Mistake No. 2

Using a human shampoo to wash their dog – “Human shampoos,” even the baby variety, are far too drying for a dog’s sensitive skin and have a variety of additives – for example, thickening shampoos or those for color treatments – that are unnecessary and perhaps, harmful, to pets. “Because dogs bathe much less frequently and get so much dirtier than we do, their shampoos have to work even harder than ours, so dog shampoos have to be even better quality than human ones,” Denzer said.

Mistake No. 3

Not brushing their pets often enough – Regular brushing keeps the hair in tiptop condition by spreading natural oils throughout the coat and removing dirt and debris (for example weed seeds like foxtails can pierce the skin, causing internal problems). Combing and brushing also removes knots and snarls before they form tough mats that reduce circulation of air to the skin.

Let’s not forget that grooming also gives you a chance to not only to bond with your pet, but to check for fleas, ticks, tumors, skin problems and other medical conditions at the same time.

Mistake No. 4

Not selecting the proper comb or brush for their dog’s coat – There’s a huge variety of brushes and combs out there because there are many different lengths and textures of coat in dogs.

Bristle brushes work best on short, smooth coats. You can start by brushing against the direction of the coat to loosen dead skin and hair, and then follow up by brushing with the hair, so the soft bristles can remove all the loosened material.

Pin brushes are excellent for longer haired breeds, since they allow you to part the hair and brush it in layers. Slicker brushes, which have short, bent wire bristles that grasp the undercoat, are great for removing dead hair and untangling small mats.

Grooming mitts or rubber brushes mold to the contours of the dog’s body to massage the skin as they brush, removing shed hair from short, smooth coats.

Mistake No. 5

Not using flea and tick preventatives responsibly – The Companion Animal Parasite Council, www.capcvet.org, an independent group of veterinary, governmental and association thought leaders, now recommends lifetime, year-round parasite control for all pets, regardless of geographic location.

Don’t mix and match parasite control products such as shampoos, sprays and collars, and certainly don’t use products designed for other species (like horse product on a dog). Use the correct product for your weight of dog and read and follow the administration directions.

My recommendation on which product to use on your pet? Ask your vet.

Mistake No. 6

Overlooking the ears – A dog’s long, deep ear canal is the perfect breeding ground for yeast, mites and bacteria, especially if it’s covered by a big floppy ear.

But whatever kind of ears your dog has, keep them clean and dry at all times, and make a quick ear inspection part of your regular grooming routine. When bathing your dog, make sure to dry inside her ears afterward (some owners like to put cotton balls in their dogs’ ears before a bath, to keep the water out. Don’t forget to remove them.).

Also, be sure to clean the ears regularly to remove excessive wax and debris, as this is one of the most overlooked steps in grooming.

Pet stores carry some safe and effective ear-cleaning products, but MalAcetic Otic (DermaPet) is a veterinary favorite that can be used prophylactically in ears after bathing to prevent “bather’s ear” and treat most microbes before they cause clinical signs.

Mistake No. 7

Not clipping nails – When dogs walk on overgrown nails, it places a great deal of stress on the joints in the paws. This isn’t just uncomfortable for your pet and damaging to your wood floors; it also can lead to more serious medical problems. Although every dog’s nails grow at a different rate, most need clipping at least once a month. If you notice your dog’s nails bearing any weight when his paws touch the floor, then it’s time for a trim. The best time to trim the nails is just after a bath, when they’re softer and easier to clip. Make sure you use pet nail trimmers, not human nail trimmers, which splinter the nail.

If you follow these simple steps, you’ll be well on the way to keeping your pet looking smart, instead of dog-eared.

And after all your hard work, cuddling up to your pristine pooch, with it’s “huggable coat,” will be a reward in itself.