The Mirror's Health , Lifestyle and Fashion
Grooming your pet
As humans, much attention is given to ablutions, dressing, hair, nails and so on. Absence of these leaves an impression of a sick, uncouth, probably insane individual.
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Animals are no less and also pay particular attention to themselves. Though we may not appreciate the distinctive smell of animals from the wild, a close observation will reveal how they take interest in the removal of dirt and dead skin by wallowing in water or rolling in dust.
Others lick their fur clean whilst some others peck insects off their bodies. If wild animals are careful to keep themselves neat, then we as pet owners have greater responsibilities towards the animals we have brought under our care - pets.
To achieve this, we ought to be watchful of the following routine activities.
Bathing and drying
A clean pet paves way for a healthy pet. Cats groom themselves often and so would not need frequent baths compared to dogs.
Averagely, bathing your pet twice a month not only keeps your pet clean but prevents the coarseness and dryness of fur, negatively affecting skin health.
In the event of skin infections, kindly consult your veterinary doctor for the necessary treatment and advice.
Proper drying will prevent accumulation of moisture in the fur
It is also important to note the kind of shampoo suited for your pet and stick to it as much as possible. Ensure to block the ear canals with cotton buds, to avoid water entering the ears.
Gently but firmly rub the shampoo against the fur, to take out all dirt and dead cells. Wash off the soap with running water and towel dry or use a blower.
Proper drying will prevent accumulation of moisture in the fur which could have served as a breeding ground for microbes and later infections.
Fur combing and brushing
Brushing of the hair coat helps to remove old hair and dead cells and straighten out matted fur, leaving out a shiny and healthy coat.
For pets with short fur, such as French bulldogs, Dalmatians or even the British short haired cat, periodic combing and brushing is ideal.
Those with excessive fur, for example, the Persian breeds of cats and chow chow in dogs would need regular care and possibly clipping to prevent the fur from getting matted.
Varying types of combs and brushes are available at pet shops and malls.
Nail and hair clipping
Clipping nails and fur helps keep your pet’s nails and fur looking clean, neat, attractive and most importantly clipping nails, protects the pet from wounds resulting from overgrown nails, as well as saving the owner from scratch marks.
Nail clippers for pets and pet hair clippers are available in various pet shops and malls. Care should be taken to ensure that the nails are not cut too deep as it would bleed. Hair clipping will require time and expertise. If you are having challenges, kindly contact the nearest grooming shop for pets near you for assistance.
There are various styles available for different breeds of pet which could be discussed with your groomer when you take your pet to the grooming shop.
Ear cleaning/ plucking
Ear cleaning is one of the most important practices for keeping your pets fit. Smaller breeds of dogs such as poodles and Maltese have excess fur growth in their ears which easily trap dirt and microorganisms, serving as a conducive environment for ear infections.
Ensure to block the ear canals with cotton buds, to avoid water entering the ears
Ear cleansing lotions for dogs help you clean out the external pinna and prevent excess dirt from entering the ears particularly with breeds having long ears.
Products exist to loosen fur, making it easy and less painful to pluck out excess furs from the ears.
However, it is necessary to pay a visit to your veterinary doctor periodically for a thorough ear cleaning.
The complete health and happiness of our pets lies with how we treat them. For a happy, fun-loving home, own a pet today.
The writers, Drs William Tasiame, Ekua Esuon Thompson, Yesutor Kojo Soku and Benjamin Kissi Sasu, are a team from KNUST writing articles on animal health and related issues.
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