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First time owning a dog or looking to get that cute puppy in the window?
You might want to take some time to read this comprehensive guide that we have put together before you commit to owning a dog.
There are lots of factors to think about when you want to get a dog. In addition to this, there are some commitments other than just your time and effort. A dog can live for up to about 13 years. By getting the right diet, care, and veterinary attention, several dog breeds may even go beyond that and live a lot longer.
First of all, it is important for you to scrutinize your existing lifestyle as well as consider the adjustments you will be ready to make for your dog. Also, it’s crucial to consider the desires of your family, in particular when you have children and other pets. Those people who like better to have low-shedding dogs or those with allergies may want to consider having the hypoallergenic breed of dogs.
Each dog needs to have routine exercise, not considering its breed and size. Therefore make certain that you are able to provide this for your dog. If you are not able to commit to over 1-2 casual walks for each day, then you are probably are better off getting yourself a dog with lower energy.
Tip: To help keep your high-energy dog engaged all through the day, there are several training schools that offer doggy daycare. The staffs are able to expand your active dog’s energy.
It is important for you to recognize that small dogs are vulnerable and delicate. Being mishandled or even getting stepped on can cause them very serious injuries while large dogs require a little more space for them to move around. The big, happy dogs with whip-like, long tails require “wagging space” to help avoid tail injury and even damage to your household objects.
Tip: It’s important for you to take the size of the dog into consideration together with the amount of space you have in your living area.
All dogs require basic grooming; however specific types of dogs require more depending on the kind of hair coat they have. Even then, there are several dog breeds that may need a lot more effort as far as grooming is concerned. This is due to their long or thick coats. When you choose to get a dog whose hair keeps growing all the time, then giving it advanced regular grooming is essential. The majority of the smooth-coated, short-haired dogs are often major shedders. For this reason, you need to be ready to do a few more extra cleaning up.
Tip: In Singapore, you can easily find expert dog grooming services and these come to you at the comfort of your house to help groom your dog.
All puppies need the most amounts of attention and training and in particular over their first year. Getting an adult dog may be a better option if you wish to get a good idea of their true energy levels, temperament, and attitude of the new dog. Picking a senior dog may make a great companion for someone who is looking for a dog with lower energy.
Tip: Although puppies may be the cutest, senior dogs may just be the lapdog you wish for when you are chilling in front of the TV after a busy day at work. Cleaning after spilled drinks and any accidental poop may not be as cute after all.
For someone living in public housing, you may need to ensure that the breed you choose is permitted by HDB. According to the Housing and Development Board rules for Animal of 1989, HDB permits only a single dog of the approved small breed for each residential unit. Failing to abide by this legislation may result in you being fined an amount of about S$4,000 once convicted.
Whereas if you live in a private apartment building, do make certain that the building management permits dogs.
Tip: When you are renting your home instead, it may be a good idea to confirm with your landlord first on whether he permits pet ownership. Several landlords may frown upon pets and could ask for a home cleaning deposit from you.
It is relatively inexpensive to adopt a dog from SPCA which stands at $180. For those dogs over 7.5 years cost $70, while the pedigrees, as well as their crosses below 7.5 years, cost $250. The grand thing when it comes to adopting is that the dogs come already dewormed, sterilized, microchipped, vaccinated, licensed and registered, hence you will save on nearly all of the upfront expenses.
However, when you are set on having a particular pure breed, be ready to spend at least $1000 and over at the pet shops, breeders, and farms. In addition, you will also have to spend more for microchipping, vaccinations, and the like.
The initial week you get to spend together with your dog is exciting, certainly, however, it’s also probable to be unsettling. To help make the transition a lot easier for you both, here are some things that before the arrival of your dog:
The sooner you start, the easier and faster it is to teach your dog good manners and also the better these lessons will stick.
Having a routine aids in-house training and can be reassuring to your doggie. Come up with a schedule for meals, walks, exercise and bathroom breaks, and attempt to follow them.
It’s particularly important for your puppy’s first visit to the vet to be an enjoyable experience. This way, your dog will enjoy taking trips to the vet. Inquire around for referrals, and then schedule your first vet appointment. Your new dog will require a check-up and maybe some vaccinations.
Look around for an excellent groomer, one that your dog is calm with. The environment, the mannerism, and the costs are important points that you need to take into considerations. A number of grooming companies offer right-at-your-doorstep services thus your pet won’t have to travel to strange environs for grooming.
Grooming for your dog is an essential part of owning a dog since it is among your dog’s fundamental needs. Grooming for your dog is concerning maintaining both the dog’s physical health and her appearance. In order to do this, you have to begin with training your dog to tolerate grooming starting when she is still a pup. When you choose to wait too long before beginning the grooming sessions, your pup may not be as agreeable to the experience later on, and especially when it concerns nail clipping and ear cleaning.
The majority dogs will do fine by having a bath once each month. When you prefer to bathe your dog more often, that is ok as well. Make sure that you are using a soap-free shampoo that is intended particularly for dogs.
You may follow these easy steps to bathe your dog successfully:
Don’t try to make use of professional grooming apparatus on your dog if you aren’t trained to do so. This is because you may end up causing a bad injury to your dog. Giving your dog frequent haircuts is important in the Singaporean humid weather. Thus maintaining the fur well trimmed will help prevent matted fur as well as severe skin conditions.
It is essential to brush your dog’s fur if you would like for him to have a shiny, tangle-free coat. Make sure you pick the right brush type depending on the type of your dog’s fur. Slicker brushes and wire-pin brushes work well for the medium to long-haired types of dogs. Mat breakers and rakes are good for brushing out severe tangles and mats. Regular brushing helps prevent excess shedding as well as fur build up. Not considering the breed of your dog, nearly all dogs enjoy having their coat brushed hence you can do this as often as you like. Also, take this occasion to make a connection with your dog.
A dog’s oral hygiene is an important factor in their overall health, however, it is mostly overlooked. Similar to regular grooming, your dog’s dental care needs to be something it comes to expect every day.
Here you may use a human toothbrush. But you need to choose one which is soft and a size to match the dog’s mouth. Canine toothbrushes come in fingertip style and are more angled. These toothbrushes slip over your finger. Be sure to choose the kind of toothbrush you both like.
Your dog is unlikely to learn how to spit, thus the need for a toothpaste that is safe to swallow. This omits all human formulas, that contain detergent and abrasives that your dog shouldn’t swallow. Plus, your dog will prefer the seafood or poultry options of the canine toothpaste.
Wiping your dog’s teeth and gum can help remove some food and bacteria when you don’t have enough time for a full brushing session. You could use a dental pad for canines, which is obtainable at nearly all pet stores, or wrapping a gauze pad around your finger will also do the job.
Be sure to first test the nail clippers to ensure that the blades are in good working order. Despite the clipper style, always use a firm grip and then use your fingers in separating the dog’s toes this also makes the entire process easier. When this process seems intimidating, you may always have a professional groomer do it.
Undeniably, it might be hard resisting those endearing puppy eyes, that lovable wagging tail and the enthusiastic bark that will greet you when you first meet your pooch. However, you have to always remember that as the chosen or appointed human guardians of your dog, you are the one with better judgment concerning your decision and also actions. You are the one responsible for the decision to have a dog as well as responsible for the general well-being of your dog as soon as he is under your care.
Smaller pets, like guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits love vegetables and fruit. But are you aware that fruits like mangoes, bananas, and oranges, make important additions to your cat or dog ‘s diet?
The same dietary benefits fruits give us, they provide the same for your dog. Some of the benefits include antioxidants, aids digestion, healthy skin and hair, immunity boosts, and better eyesight.
Whether you want to reduce your pet’s waistline. Or you want a healthy alternative to the commercially available pet treats.
We have a big list for you!
Most of the vegetables and fruits humans eat can be given to pets also. But, some are dangerous and need to be avoided entirely.
What vegetables and fruits are safe for your pet to eat?
A pet’s diet needs to be nutritionally balanced. It should also be appropriate for the dog’s life stage and low in fat. Including fruits and vegetables in your pet’s meals will ensure that they get lots of essential nutrients. This includes minerals and vitamins and minerals which helps them stay healthy and strong. Additionally, they help improve their immune system.
So why should you give veggies and fruits to your pet? Some pet treats will have lots of calories, so vegetables and fruits will be a healthier option.
Apples are naturally sweet and high in fiber. They are good for most homemade treats recipes. Be sure to take out all seeds before giving this to your dog. This is because they hold low quantities of cyanide. Apples act as natural teeth-cleaners for dogs and they freshen bad breath. When a dog is on a bland diet, homemade or unsweetened applesauce is a great healthy dessert.
Do not go overboard with this though. The right portion of the banana is an inch-long slice. Feeding your pet lots of bananas may cause elevated levels potassium. This will put your pets at risk of getting constipated or hyperkalemia.
Make some “pupcakes” for a play date or your dog’s birthday! You can also give your pup a breakfast of dog-friendly banana pancakes – hold the syrup.
Never ever feed your pet a peach pit. (other stone fruits to avoid are pears, plums, and apricots!) Other than causing intestinal blockage, peach pits have low amounts of cyanide. When your dog eats one peach pit, the likelihood of cyanide poisoning is low. However, watch out for symptoms such as dizziness, dilated pupils, and excessive salivation.
Additionally, don’t feed your dog canned peaches either. Though they do not have pits, the sugary preservative-heavy syrup may cause intestinal discomfort. Also, it adds no nutritional value.
Leave the skins on for added fiber; blend them for the picky pups or even freeze some slices to make sweet ice cube-like treats.
Each serving has 3.6 grams of fiber, hence blueberries are great for senior pets. Why is this so? Since they contain relatively low sugar this makes them a healthy snack. Since blueberries contain potassium, a kind of electrolyte which keeps pets hydrated and healthy.
For dogs with hypokalemia or reduced blood potassium. They may experience weight loss and equally death. What then can you to avoid this? Make sure that you keep a balanced diet for your dog.
Make sure you remove most of the seeds as they can cause blockage or intestinal discomfort too many are consumed. Because watermelon contains 92 % water, this sweet fruit greatly helps keep pets hydrated and prevent heat stroke. Furthermore, it has lots of vitamin A, B6 and C, that will make the dog’s coat shinier and maintain the teeth in great shape.
By freezing cubed watermelon you will have a quick, frosty treat for summer. You can also blend watermelon, honey, and Greek yogurt to make homemade pupsicles.
strawberries are great bite-sized treats. However, limit your dog’s strawberry consumption to a handful. This is since they will cause gastrointestinal upsets and diarrhea. Great sources of potassium, fiber, iodine, magnesium, folic acid, omega-3 fats, and also vitamins B1, C, K, B6, and K.
For hot summer days, make your dog an ice lick! Freeze up a bowl of different berries or chopped fruits. Put the ice lick in a shady place outside for your dog to enjoy.
These are a great source of potassium, fiber, and are high in vitamin C. Your dog can have a half piece slice or even a single slice. This is a good size of kiwi treat for your dog. Make sure to clean the kiwi fruit thoroughly before offering it to your dog.
Oranges should be fed to your dog in moderation since the citric acid might cause gastrointestinal upset. Do not offer your dog lots of oranges the first time they offer them this fruit. These can cause some pets to diarrhea.
Clementines, oranges, and tangerines all have a high sugar content. This makes citrus fruits an infrequent treat. Also use sparingly the frozen treats to avoid dental issues and prevent obesity. Peel the fruit before giving slices to your pup since it’s hard to digest and not as tasty.
Pears are a great source for niacin, folic acid, fiber, copper, phosphorus, pectin, potassium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E. Before you can feed your dog a pear, make sure it is washed thoroughly to remove any dirt. A single cube or 2 pear cubes are the right size treat to offer your dog.
Mangoes treats have lots of vitamins good for dogs and cats. Similar to all pitted fruits, ensure to remove the pit which has poisonous levels of cyanide. Feeding your dog small pieces of peeled mango treats will make digestion easier. Additionally, it will reduce the chances of fiber from this fruit upsetting the pets’ digestive tract and stomach.
Feed your pet small fruit portions only, particularly the first time you feed them to the dog. Although fruits are good for pets, they are not calorie free. Again, you do not know whether your pet will have allergic reactions or other unfavorable reaction, like gas or upset stomach.
Have you ever noticed stains forming on your dog’s fur close to their eye and it continues all the way to their muzzle?
These stains are called tear stains and they usually look like brown or almost rusty lines that run from the eyes of your pet to their muzzle. Some dog breeds like poodles, schnauzers, Maltese and other similar breeds often develop these marks because these breeds shed their tears from their eye ducts and down to their muzzle. Other breeds usually shed their tears down to their nose and down their throat.
Since the tears spill out from their eye ducts and to their muzzle, it would go on their fur and depend on your pet’s condition, these tears can induce the development of tear stains. Tear stains are common for some breeds, but for those with white facial fur, these tear stains can be unappealing. It can also signal that there is an infection that you need to check out with your veterinarian right away.
There can be many reasons why tear stains can develop and they are as follows:
When you do notice tear stains in your pet’s face, you should first seek the advice of your pet’s vet to see if your pet has an infection that caused the tear stains. After checking your pet up, your vet can tell you how to treat the problem at home or even give you preliminary medication to try out.
You can also try the following methods (or combine them) to get rid of the stain:
If the tear stains won’t come off no matter what you do, it is best you head on to your pet’s veterinarian to see if there is a problem with your pet. They can prescribe special medication that can help with the tear stains, diet change or possible alternative stain removers if your pet’s fur won’t react to the remedies you have used. If there is an infection that causes severe tearing, your vet may recommend surgery to repair your pet’s eyelids or tear ducts depending on how severe the problem is for your pet.
If you don’t want to do it yourself considering how close these tear stains are to your pet’s eyes, you can seek out our mobile dog grooming to get one of our groomers to handle the problem for you. They can be the ones to apply the remedies on the tear stains for you and also groom your pet in the process.
When you see tear stains on your pet’s face, don’t immediately think it is a normal part of your pet’s features because it can indicate something is wrong. When you see the stain, immediately seek out help from your pet’s veterinarian and combat it with the help the tips above.
Pets cannot tell us when they are experiencing troubles and we may confuse the symptoms as a normal occurrence. When we realize something is wrong, it may be too late.
Always remember that early prevention and action can stop the onset of further troubles for you and your pet.
Like human hair, a pet’s coat is an important asset that must be maintained regularly. It is their crowning glory and allows them to stand out from the rest.
Unfortunately, just like human hair, pet hair or coat can be hard to manage depending on its length. Maintaining it is also another challenge that aspiring groomers such you, a new pet owner, would have to contend with because pets can be messy and hyperactive to keep their coat pristine.
It is also a problem for new pet owners to determine when they should brush their pet’s coat and how often it should be done.
To get you started with brushing your pet’s long coat, here are the things you should remember and the tips you can try out while grooming them:
Aside from helping your pets look great, there are other reasons why you need to brush their coat regularly.
When your pet has a long coat, there is a tendency some of the hair would come loose. The loose hair could then land on carpets and furniture, which can be hard to clean. With regularly brushing, you can reduce the chances of these loose hair from going to your furniture.
If your pets often play under the sun or roll on dirt or grass, there is a possibility that they may attract fleas and other insects that can make their nest in the fur. Regular brushing can help you spot these insects from nesting in your pet’s fur and prevent them from infecting your dog with viruses and other problems.
Mats and tangles can cause discomfort to your pets and it can damage your pet’s coat if it is not remedied. Regular brushing can help mats and tangles from developing.
Now that you know the benefits of brushing to your pets, especially for those with long coats, it is time to determine how often you should brush them. If you have a long-haired dog, you need to brush them at least once a week to ensure mats and tangles do not form.
Of course, you can brush them daily if you have time. Ideally, if you want to keep your pet’s coat long, daily brushing is advised.
When brushing your long-haired dog, here are the steps you can follow:
Here are also some extra tips you can apply when brushing your pet’s long coat:
For those who do not have the time to groom your long-haired dogs, you can always go to any one of Singapore’s top pet grooming salons to give your pet a good grooming. They will give your pet the grooming they need and ensure their long coats are shiny and free from tangles. You can also call a mobile dog grooming professional like ours who can visit your pet in your home no matter where you are in Singapore.
However, if you want to do it yourself, you can ask your dog’s breeder or your professional dog groomer to give you tips on how you can groom your pets. They can even sell you the right grooming tools that would fit your pet’s needs.
Just like your hair, you need to allow sometime every day to give your pet a soothing brushing so they will feel comfortable with their coat and look pleasing every day. Take some time to brush your pet’s hair and use it as a bonding time to get to know your pet better and show them how much you love them.
We hope this guide helps you out with your pet brushing problem!
Do you own a schnauzer and then you must know it is pretty hard to keep its white facial fur pristine?
Schnauzers are a German dog breed and well-known for their bearded muzzle and fluffy eyebrows. Some schnauzers come with white facial fur, which adds to their innocent charm.
However, if your schnauzers do have white facial fur, it is ideal you regularly check the fur because oxidation caused by saliva, artificial coloring coming from dog food, tear stains and diet can cause stains to develop on their beard and face.
Fortunately, there are ways to help keep your schnauzer’s face white and here they are below:
Certain diets can trigger beard stains for schnauzers, like grains and cereals. Ask your vet as to how much grain and cereal should be included in your pet’s diet to prevent stains from occurring.
If you tend to give your schnauzers commercial dog food, you may need to consider their content because a majority of commercial dog food come with artificial coloring. When it comes into contact with your schnauzer’s fur, the artificial food color may die the fur completely.
Try giving them alternative treats without artificial coloring.
Water comes with various minerals and the higher the minerals are, the more it can stain your schnauzer’s beard. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to determine which type of water your schnauzer has a bad reaction to so you may need to test it. However, if you want to save your schnauzer’s fur and reduce your headache, it is ideal you feed them bottled drinking water due to its low mineral content.
While you feed your pet some water and their food, it is ideal that you use a stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowl to prevent further fur staining.
Plastic bowls would often absorb the color and scent of the food and water you would like to feed to your pet. When your schnauzer uses these types of bowls, the color the plastic bowl absorbed would be transferred to their fur and cause staining.
As you change your pet’s diet, you should also support it with probiotics to keep their coats shiny and healthy. Ask your vet for their advice with regards to the probiotics you should give to your schnauzer before you give them some supplements.
You can also use milk of magnesia to help you keep their faces white.
Simply combine milk of magnesia with an equal amount of hydrogen peroxide and starch. Once it is a paste, you can apply the paste directly on the stained part and let it sit overnight. The following day, wash the affected part with warm water.
Make sure you take care when applying the paste to your pet’s face because it should not reach their eyes. The component of the paste can irritate your pet’s eyes and cause further tearing.
Repeat the procedure every other day until your pet’s face is back to its pristine color.
Baby wipes are actually another great way to clean your pet’s face and ensure it doesn’t get stained after every meal. Some schnauzers also tend to tear up a lot, so you need to wipe it gently before it stains their face.
Make sure you use unscented wipes and keep using it daily to reduce the stains from growing further.
You can also use whitening shampoo to keep your schnauzer’s hair white.
Follow the instructions prescribed in the shampoo since some shampoos would need to be diluted before you use it. When you apply the shampoo to your pet, squeeze it gently to your pet’s fur and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
You should also use a detachable shower head when washing your pet’s face since it will help you direct the water directly on the beard.
Once you are done giving them a bath, dry the beard properly with the help of a towel and squeeze the excess water out.
While you groom your dog, it is ideal you also keep its facial hair trimmed to prevent potential irritation and tearing. Try to keep their facial hair trimmed every five to eight weeks, or if you are uncertain, ask your groomer to check it for you so they can trim it if necessary.
Trimming your schnauzer’s facial hair would also enable new hair growth.
If you need further help in keeping your schnauzer’s face white, you can seek the assistance of one of Singapore’s numerous pet grooming salons. These pet grooming salons have professional groomers available to help you groom your Schnauzer and help you keep their fur in pristine condition.
If you want your pet to be groomed at home, you can hire a professional mobile dog groomer to do a home service. No matter where you are in Singapore, these groomers would come to the rescue if your pet needs grooming!
When you are grooming your schnauzer, observe if their face is discolored because it may be a sign of red yeast infection. Usually, red yeast develops in dogs due to excessive tearing and as it grows, your pet’s fur would get a red-brown color under their eyes.
If you see any sign of such discoloration, consult your vet immediately since you may need medications to get this problem sorted out.
Like other dog breeds, schnauzers deserve your tender loving care to ensure that they remain happy even if they do have certain features that require strict monitoring and extra love.
For schnauzers, their facial fur is one of their defining features and allowing it get tears may indicate to others that we do not know how to take care of them.
With the guide above, we hope that your schnauzer’s fur remains pristine and that you will be able to prevent further staining from happening!
Do you regularly take your dog to a professional groomer while you are out to explore Singapore?
If your answer is yes, you may notice that your dog would often come back to you with a fresh and fluffy fur that makes them look more adorable than before. Onlookers would definitely stop and take a photo of your pet when they see you together.
However, when you try to home pet grooming yourself to achieve the same look, the result is often different than the ones from the pet grooming salon.
Is there a trick to getting that fluffy fur groomers are so proficient on doing for our pets?
In order to achieve fluffy fur, groomers use a special technique known as fluff drying as they groom our pets. With the use of a blow dryer, the groomer would then use it to straighten the fur for better cutting and give your pet’s fur some volume as they finish up.
Sadly, the technique can be difficult to master despite the fact it sounds similar to how you blow dry your hair. You need to know how to brush your pet’s fur properly to give it volume and the things you need to consider before you attempt fluff drying.
However, it is actually possible to do it at home.
If you don’t want to take your pet in one of Singapore’s pet grooming salons or to a groomer to give your pet that fluffy fur every day, here are the steps you should try out to practice fluffy drying.
Before you begin with the blow-drying process, you need to give your dog a thorough wash and shampooing to ensure their coat is clean and free from tangles. A clean coat also ensures your pet’s coat will be easier to fluff as you blow dry it.
Once you have shampooed all of your pet’s coat, make sure you rinse all of it completely to ensure no suds can cause matting.
After the bath, dry your pet’s coat by patting it dry with a towel. Although you can dry the coat by rubbing the towel on the fur, it can produce fur matting since you rub the fur together. If matting does exist on your pet’s fur, it would be difficult to fluff and brush the affected area once you start blow drying it.
Once you pat dry the coat, run through the coat again with the help of a slicker brush to ensure that all the water has been taken out of the coat as much as possible. Excess water would make the fur harder to blow dry.
Once your pet is dry, you can now start blow drying your pet’s hair.
You can start by using a slicker brush and lift the fur up by the roots. Once you do that, you can point the hair dryer at the brush where the fur is and slowly brush through it to make it fluffy. The step is actually quite similar to how you blow dry your own hair so you can use that as a basis on how you can blow dry your pet’s hair.
Make sure the air is not too hot for your pets because if they do feel the hot air, it can irritate them. It is also possible it can cause skin burns if your pet has a sensitive skin.
In order to make sure every part of your pet’s fur is fluffy, volumize each part slowly and do it in small portions.
Once you are done making the coat fluffy, check if there are mats you may have missed during the blow-drying procedure. If you find one, turn the blow dryer’s settings on cool and blow on the low part of the fur’s grain while brushing it. This will ensure the fluff of the coat is not affected while you brush and get rid of the matted part easily.
When you get rid of the mats, brush against the fur’s grain to hold the fluffy fur together. Make sure to do it gently so you don’t irritate your pets while you do it.
While trying to practice fluffy drying, make sure you take note of the following points to make your technique more refined.
Pets with very fluffy fur have a magnetic feel to them that you would definitely find irresistible, which is why it is appealing to have our pet’s fur have the look every day.
However, the look can be difficult to attain since there are techniques and things to remember while trying the look for your pets at home. Despite this fact, don’t immediately be disheartened if you cannot achieve that fluffy fur look while you do home dog grooming because even groomers had to practice how to get the look right.
With continuous practice and tweaks to your grooming technique, you will also be able to get your pet’s fur to be fluffy all the time and make them feel like a star each time they walk around your house and on your neighborhood.
There are certain aspects of pet grooming that both pet owners and even groomers would agree that it is not their favorite thing to do when taking care of their pets.
One of these unmentionable things in pet grooming is emptying your pet’s anal sacs.
Just like a human’s anal sacs, a dog’s anal sacs must be regularly emptied. However, unlike human anal sacs, a dog’s anal sacs carry a special smelly fluid that enables them to mark their territory.
Unfortunately, if your dog doesn’t get enough fiber in their diets, they are unable to defecate properly and it causes the glands to produce a foul odor. If left untreated, your dog might get chronic infections to the point your vets may be forced to remove the glands.
Fortunately, there is a way to determine if your pet is having trouble with their anal glands and they are the following:
If you notice any one of these symptoms, you may need to clean their anal sacs manually.
Before you do attempt to manually clean your dog’s anal sacs, it is best you ask your vet or your pet groomer the right way to do it. If you make even the slightest mistake or too frequent in cleaning your pet’s anal glands, it may cause impacted anal glands and possibly rupture it. If this occurs, you may trigger further infections that can be fatal if not properly treated.
If you wish to help your pet by yourself, here are the ways you can clean your pet’s anal sacs:
Before you go set out to clean your pet’s anal sacs, you must ensure you are wearing the right gear. Wear some old clothes, a pair of heavy duty rubber gloves and a nose plug to ensure you don’t get the fluid in your clean clothes and in your hands directly.
Nose plugs are actually optional, but your dog’s anal fluids can be very stinky so you may need to wear one as a precaution.
Before you begin in cleaning your pet’s anal sac, you need to prepare an absorbent pad that you will use to clean off the fluids. You can fold up several paper towels and put them all together to create an absorbent pad then use it to catch the liquids that would come out of your pet’s bottom.
Cleaning your pet’s anal sacs can be very irritating, and sometimes painful, for your pet. Get a family member or a friend to help you hold your pet while you clean so they won’t move around while you do the act.
To begin the cleaning process, first, lift your dog’s tail and place the towels over their anus. Make sure you take note where the anus is located since it would be covered by the towel for the next step.
Place your thumb and forefinger over the location of your pet’s anal sacs and squeeze gently towards each other to entice the fluids to flow out of the anus. Some experts also recommend squeezing at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions of your pet’s bottom, using the anus as a reference.
As you squeeze gently, make sure you keep your face away and only use light pressure similar to how you use an aerosol spray.
Just continue applying light pressure until all the fluids have been removed from the glands.
As you squeeze your pet’s anal sacs and the fluids come out, wipe it off your pet’s bottom with the paper towels you folded. When you are done, properly dispose of the used towels and the gloves you used in a covered trash can since the scent can waft out of the trash can if it is not covered.
When you are sure that no more fluids are coming out, wash your pet’s bottom thoroughly to ensure no fluids can cause infections.
Even if your pet does not exhibit signs that they are having problems with their anal sacs, some experts and pet owners recommended cleaning your pet’s anal sacs during bath time to ensure they are regularly clean.
However, if you notice that your pet’s anal sacs tend to fill up more frequently, you may need to bring your pet to the vet to see if there are no problems causing it.
Alternatively, you can also change your dog’s diet to assist in emptying their anal sacs. Add fiber-rich treats in your dog’s diet so it can help improve their stool’s size and firmness.
Exercise can also assist in emptying your pet’s anal sacs because they can malfunction if your pet is overweight.
If you think you can’t do it yourself, you may opt to ask the staff of your pet’s veterinarian or a professional groomer to tackle the issue for you. Like Singapore’s numerous veterinary centers, Singapore has a lot of pet grooming centers that offer full pet grooming. You can also request a groomer close to your home to make a house call to assist you with the problem.
Whichever choice you pick, it is important that you immediately act when your pet showcases the symptoms of anal sac problems. Even if you may find the symptoms cute and perceive it as normal, such symptoms should not be treated lightly.
If you do not act immediately, the discomfort your pet may feel may become unbearable for them to handle and it may lead to them getting their anal sacs taken out. Without their anal sacs, they won’t be able to mark their territory well and put them at risk to other complications. So, act immediately and carefully when it happens!
When pet owners need to go to work or on a holiday, pets often end up staying indoors so they won’t get lost or end up messy for the owner when they get back. In Singapore, for instance, pets are often left indoors in condo units or in pet daycare by their owners during the day and they play with them at home at night.
As a result of this practice, the pets slowly start to get used to staying indoors and prefer being indoors rather than outdoors.
Since these pets are often indoors, a debate has sprung between pet owners and groomers if indoor pets are cleaner than others. Some would say pets who mostly stay indoors would not be as dirty as compared to their outdoor or indoor/outdoor counterparts.
Since these pets do not go out a lot and play in the dirt, some believe they will not get dirty at all and do not need to get a bath regularly. They are also not exposed to harmful elements like pollution and smoke, which can affect their health.
Others say indoor/outdoor pets are better because they get to exercise and stay active. Even if they do get dirty, they can be cleaned up easily and the pets would also learn how to become immune from the elements. Allowing them some outdoor time is also good since they would be able to swim and run in the rain to cool themselves off.
However, some experts – especially professional groomers – would be immediate in saying indoor pets are dirtier than their indoor/outdoor counterparts and it is also essential they are given a bath regularly. This holds true for indoor cats.
Every animal deserves to be clean since it is important for their health. If you would take notice, animals would often try going on puddles on their own, play under the rain and clean themselves on their own with the help of their tongue.
For cats, it was once said that they would seek a bath themselves to remain clean and not just rely on their spit to clean dirty areas. They would even go on rivers, ponds or tubs filled with water to swim and cool down. This belief is further supported by images or videos of cats going out leisurely on light rainy days, do some light swimming and roll in the snow. When they do this, they are trying to rinse away all the dirt in their bodies that cannot be cleaned easily by saliva and help them cool down.
Since indoor/outdoor cats would seek out cleaning themselves, they would only need to be cleaned or given a bath occasionally. Of course, they would have to be given a bath if they come across substances like oil or mud and if they have long hair.
By comparison, indoor cats can’t easily find means for them to clean their bodies aside from using their tongues. Since they are confined indoors, they cannot step outside for a bit to get drizzled by the rain or go for a swim unless you left your bathtub slightly filled with water that they can manage. They may even develop an attraction to any dripping sink since the urge to stay clean grows stronger and they like to soak the dirt off.
Without a water source to help them clean the layers of food, dirt and litterbox debris, the cat has no choice but to use his tongue to lick it away. However, saliva can only do so much for the cat’s cleanliness since it can combine with the natural oils in a cat’s hair and cause fur matting.
Aside from fur matting, indoor lighting triggers the onset of constant shedding for an entire year. Shed hair from cats is one of the most notable allergens for humans, as well as their saliva.
If this is the case, wouldn’t you want them clean so it reduces the health risks posed to you and your family?
Fortunately, even if your cat mostly stays indoors, you can easily clean them through regular grooming. While grooming your cat, you will be able to remove fur matting on your cat’s coat, release loose hair and also get rid of the grime that might have accumulated in their fur. There are now several grooming tools and guides available in pet stores, bookstores and online sites to help you get started.
If you do not have the time to groom your pets or you are not sure on where to start cleaning, fear not!
In Singapore, there are a lot of pet grooming salons, spas or clinics that offer to groom for all kinds of pets. Some of these clinics even have cat grooming professionals ready to give your cat the pampering and cleaning they need. They would also be happy to provide advice on how you can keep your cat clean even if they only stay indoors. Some of these clinics can even provide you advice on what grooming tools to get for your cats and which shampoos to get. They even sell it directly on their shop.
If there’s any chance you are unable to visit the salon with your cat, groomers can make house visits to check up on your pet and clean them there. They can even answer your questions regarding grooming and even give you a quick tutorial on how to clean your indoor cats at home.
As a pet owner, it is your choice as to whether or not you will keep your pets indoors or have them also go out and explore. However, you must remember that there are dangers outdoors that you need to consider when you do let out your pet play. The same goes when you leave them indoors.
Whether you let them play outdoors or not, it is your responsibility as their owner to schedule regular grooming sessions (see Likeable Pets) because if they are always clean and healthy, it shows that you care for your pets.
Owning a pet is a dream for many, especially if they are looking for companions that would be them for a long time.
Nowadays, it is a trend to own pets since many see the benefits of owning one. In Singapore, for instance, at least 824,000 pets are expected to be owned by its citizens by 2016 from the 816,000 pets recorded in 2014 by Euromonitor, marking the popularity of pet ownership.
Although there are benefits in owning pets, there are instances when some pet owners may be regretting their decision. By the time your pet starts shedding their fur, it is a total nightmare to clean out of carpets, furniture and in the sink. If your pet has long fur or if they are prone to shedding huge amounts of fur, the more difficult it is to control.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the process of shedding and make it more manageable for you to handle. Here are the five best ways to control your pet’s shedding:
One of the most effective ways of sorting out your pet’s coat and preventing too much shedding is by frequently brushing their coat. Pet grooming brushes are now available in any pet shop and some are designed for specific breeds or fur types. When you pick the ones fitting your pet’s fur type and length, you can begin with the brushing. As you brush their coat, you can catch the stray hair with your brush and easily shake it off your pet. You can also use a lint roller to get the ones you missed.
However, it is ideal to do your brushing outdoors because the stray hair may end up sticking to your carpets or flying into hard to reach areas. If it is unavoidable, make sure to have a vacuum cleaner on hand to clean up the area after brushing. You should also look into the proper ways to brush your pets so you can pamper them at the same time.
If it seems like you may need some extra help, don’t hesitate to go to a grooming service or salon for your pet. The groomer assigned to your pet will easily help you brush your pet and if you request it, they will even use a lint roller to get the stray hair. They can also use a wire slicker brush to pamper your pets.
Like us humans, pets should also be given regular baths to ensure they are clean. Give your pets warm water baths after brushing and use pet-friendly shampoos. Make sure you brush them first because it will prevent possible fur matting.
Get some advice from your pet’s veterinarian or from a pet grooming provider as to what shampoos and equipment you will need to prevent massive shedding for your pets. There are also online guides that can help give you new ideas on what to do while giving your pet a bath.
If you watch professional groomers when they groom your pet in their salon, you may notice they are wearing rubber gloves. Rubber is excellent in picking up loose pet hair since it can produce mild static to capture it. Of course, you have to make sure your rubber gloves are clean and not too coarse for your pets.
You may also check out specialized rubber gloves designed to catch loose pet hair and even double as a brush for grooming.
While grooming your pet, it is important you also check out the areas you may miss like their paws, joints or behind their ears. Trim them off or brush them regularly to get rid of the loose hair.
However, before you do trim those fur off, especially the ones on their paws, make sure the situation calls for it and your pet’s breeder and groomer recommend it. Some dogs, like the Charles Spaniel, must keep their ‘hair slippers’ long since it reduces the noise their nails make when stepping on hard floors. Their hair slippers must always be brushed as well to keep it fluffy because it is one of their assets as a ‘palace breed.’
For cats, the fur on their paws acts as a radar, giving a feedback to the cat’s brain on whether the ground is hot or cold or if there are obstacles in the way. The fur also doubles as a protective cover for their paw pads in certain environments. If you like bringing your cat in cat shows, you may notice the cats have very fluffy paw hairs and it is a plus point in such events.
For cats, you can trim off their paw hair up to the level of the paw pads to retain its functions when they start licking their paws excessively, when you notice fur matting, and if your cat cannot walk properly.
If you are unable to control your pet’s shedding or you need extra tips on how to manage it, you can ask the help of a dog grooming professional. With the popularity of pet ownership in Singapore today, several pet grooming salons and clinics have been open to accommodate the demand for pet grooming. Some of these grooming salons can even have a groomer sent to your house for a personal appointment.
Once they are with your pet, the groomer would easily identify what your pet needs and cater to it. They may even give you some advice on what to do for your pets when you groom them, especially when it is time for them to shed.
Shedding is an inevitable part of every pet’s life and as their owner, you need to be patient when it happens. Don’t see it as a nightmare to do because your pets cannot control how much they shed. With some effort, good grooming and love, you will be able to reduce your cleaning nightmare and help your pet maintain their lush fur.
When it comes to pet grooming, the usual thing you may notice is that the guidebooks about the topic would often be about grooming dogs. Dogs are the most preferred pet for many people and in Singapore, there are at least 62,000 canines are currently adopted by many citizens since 2015. Many believe dogs are very affectionate and great as a companion pet.
However, not all people can take care of dogs because of their temperament and needs. Instead, they look into cats as their companion pet. Cats are not as active as dogs, but they do make great companions when they are properly taken care of by their owners.
Unfortunately, while there are some citizens who have cats as pets, getting Mobile Cat Grooming professional advice in Singapore can be difficult. Cats are not very common in the country due to the current cat ban laws on HDB flats, preventing ownership for those who live in these residences. According to recent statistics, only 18% of Singaporeans own a cat.
Like dogs, cats should always be kept clean and groomed to make sure they don’t get infections and remain healthy. Contrary to popular belief, they can be given a bath too to keep them clean. Some of the grooming techniques and rules used in dog grooming can also be used in cats; but, there are some major differences.
In dogs, it is standard to trim the hair on their paws since they tend to get dirty easier. They are also heavier and larger than cats, causing them to be heavy in their feet and their deeper paw pads to dig deeper into the ground. Dogs also sweat a lot, causing their paws to collect more dirt and debris as they walk or run around. In order to keep their paws clean, it is important to trim the hair on their paws.
However, there are dog breeds that should have their paws’ hair trimmed. Two of them are the Pekingese and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Both breeds are considered “palace” breeds and as such, their ‘hair slippers’ are left long and brushed. These hair slippers even help them reduce the sound of their nails hitting hard floors.
In comparison, cats are very light with their paws and have shallower paw pads. As a result, they do not attract dirt and debris easily unless the paws are really dirty. Fortunately, paw debris can be reduced with regular bathing.
It is not a common knowledge that a cat has tactile hairs or whiskers between its paw pads. These whiskers then send a feedback to the cat as they touch the ground. It could tell them if the ground is cold or hot. The fur also doubles as a protective covering for their paw pads, ensuring that it is protected from skin trauma and exposure to the elements. If they are always inside, the fur on her paws will protect him from indoor debris like chemicals and small toys.
Some cat breeds also see a cat’s paw hair as a crowning feature in cat shows. They can be accentuated or fluffed up for these shows and the fluffier and more distinct, the better it will be.
However, there are cases when you should trim your cat’s paw hair and here are some good examples:
If you do end up trimming the paw hair, make sure you use a small pair of rounded scissors or clippers to cut the fur. You must be very careful when you do clip long paw hair because you may accidentally cut your cat’s feet or paw pads. It is also advisable to trim only up to the pad’s levels so the cat won’t have problems when you trim it all off.
If you remain uncertain as to whether you need to trim the hair on your cat’s paw, you can bring them to a professional groomer in any of Singapore’s top pet grooming spas or salons or book a personal appointment with one to your home. However, make sure they have certified cat groomers because dog groomers may just snip the hair without considering your wish. If you get a cat groomer, they would be able to determine if you need to get it trimmed and if they do, they will ask you if you want it trimmed.
Remember, you need to consider if it is appropriate to trim the tuffs because they may play a second purpose for your cat. If you cut them haphazardly, you may give your cat a disadvantage and it ultimately affects how they move.
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