Tell Tail AugustNovember 2017

cuT In TIme

28 http://www.facebook.com/TellTailMagazine Tell Tail^ n^ Aug 2017 - Oct 2017

A

s a professional groomer,

I have to answer a variety

of questions on grooming

• some funny, some serious.
  Beginning with this column, I will
  answer some FAQs and in the
  process dispel myths.

Short coat dogs don’t shed

Of course they do, all dogs and

cats shed. Diet, shedding cycles,

hormones, an illness etc play an

important role in shedding. The length

of the coat doesn’t matter. You may

not be able to “see” short coat fur as

much as you can long coats simply

because the strands are long.

Short coat dogs can shed heavily

because of photo sensitivity when

exposed to a lot of sunlight.

They don’t need baths every seven

days. Dogs with healthy coats need

a bath every three weeks. Frequent

bathing strips dogs of essential oils

from their skin and fur and causes

dryness and dandruff issues. Don’t

use a harsh shampoo or one that has

a lot of chemicals or strong perfume.

Cats need

baths only when

they are greasy

or really dirty

since they groom

themselves very

often.

Always pat dry,

don’t use a hair

dryer, especially a

hot dryer.

Human shampoos will do for pets

Never use your shampoo on your

pets. Human shampoos are sodium

lauryl sulfate (SLS) based and more

alkaline in nature. Dogs and cats need

neutral or slightly acidic shampoos

and should be oil based and mild, and

preferably, SLS and paraben free.

Massage or topical oiling helps

Massaging your pet gently is a

feel good factor for him and adds to

the bond both of you share. Oiling

before a bath is a good idea as it

will trap fleas in the coat and will

also retain natural oils in the coat

when you give a bath. Oils like

coconut (mixed with a few drops of

eucalyptus or rosemary oil), karanjel

work well. You can use a bit of oil on

the muzzle and head too.

Earbuds for cleaning ears

Never use earbuds as they may

damage the ear canal. Always use a

swab of cotton dipped in ear cleaner

or coconut oil. Cats are susceptible

to ear mites so clean twice a week

with your veterinarians OK.

Collars are never to be taken off

Regular washing of collars is a

must. Take the collar off as often as

possible so that you can check the

area under the collar for ticks and

skin issues. Wash collars with strong

disinfectants. Use of chokechains

can lead to skin damage so oil and

moisturize the area regularly. Dust

with anti fungal powder as required.

The tail

The most neglected part of a bath

and grooming is the tail. Check the

tip for any redness or skin lesions

and abrasions. Tails are a storehouse

of ticks and fleas and infections.

— SANDEEP MulyE,

Proprietor, Fine Furs,

Premier grooming salon for pets

Sandeep Mulye

All dogs shed, and so do cats

Dogs and cats need baths

every week