Dog Shedding: How to Maintain the Mess
It’s that time of year! Shedding season is in full swing and while we love our furry best friends unconditionally, the fur they shed leaves a lot to be desired. One of the most frustrating problems dog and cat owners face this time of year is trying to maintain the shedding fur their pets leave behind. As winter departs, so do the nice thick undercoats that kept our fur babies warm. Shedding season usually lasts from early spring throughout the summer. Our pets shed their thicker coat and make their fur more suitable for protection from the heat instead of insulation from cold. Dogs and cats, unlike humans, cannot sweat to cool themselves. Their fur insulates their body in winter to protect from cold, and in the warmer weather it slows down heat absorption and helps keep their body cool. For this reason, it is a bad idea to shave or dramatically shorten the hair. It may seem that it would be cooler, but in actuality makes the animal hotter and leaves them susceptible to sunburn, dehydration, and insect bites. While eliminating the hair all together is not a good idea, there are some steps you can take to make shedding season more bearable. Here are a few ideas:
1. Invest in a strong vacuum with a HEPA filter. Vacuum daily and change the filter often. Make sure that it has an upholstery attachment. Some companies even make vacuums that are specifically for households with pets.
2. Brush your dog outdoors at least once a week. Twice a week is ideal. Use a combination of dog brushes to get to the undercoat. A rake dog comb is great for getting through fur, to the undercoat. A slicker dog brush is perfect for the top layer of fur.
3. Feed your pet a high quality dog food with little to no filler. This will improve the condition of your dog’s coat and will help cut down on excess shedding.
4. Bathe your dog regularly. Bathing loosens dead fur and brings it to the surface, making the coat look and feel much healthier. A shampoo with Omega 3 as an ingredient will help improve the condition of fur. Using dog conditioner will moisturize both the fur and skin. This will not help stop shedding, but it with a healthier coat comes better overall shedding.
Trend Alert: Brightly Colored Hues For Your Furry Fashionista!
One of the biggest trends sweeping the fashion world this year is bright hues for your hair – Streaks, bright dyes, pastel washes, dip dyes, oh my! Celebrities including Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Avril Lavine, Juliette Lewis, and Jordan Sparks have been sighted on the red carpet with daring dye jobs. This fun trend doesn’t have to be limited to just humans – Let your dog join in the fun with our completely non-toxic and odor-free semi-permanent hair dye gels for dogs! These vegetable based dyes are specially formulated for dogs and will not harm them in any way. The easy to work with gel formula is less messy than similar liquid formulas. These usually last 4 to 6 washes, depending on the type of coat and breed and come in 15 fun colors. Independence Day is just around the corner and our Wicked Red and Midnight Blue are perfect choices for your festive furry friend!
Our dye gels for dogs work best on lighter colored coats – The lighter the coat, the brighter the color will be. Before dying your dog’s fur, brush out the coat to remove any mats or tangles. Like any other product, test the dye on a small patch of fur before proceeding, to ensure that your dog will not have an allergic reaction. Shampoo your pet and rinse thoroughly, and then apply the dye to wet fur and let it sit for 15 minutes. Avoid areas too close to the eyes – You don’t want to get the dye in them. If the color is not dark enough, leave the dye on for a longer amount of time to increase the intensity. Rinse the dye completely out until the water runs clear and then dry your dog’s coat. You can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to set the color. Make sure you wear protective gloves to prevent stains on your skin!
FYI: For added fun, we have Stencils for Dog Hair Dye! Add fun designs to your dye job with one of our 8 stencil options. Our Dog Hair Styling Gel is perfect for molding your punky pup’s mohawk! If you need a little assistance, our Dog Hair Dye Accessory Kit has clips, combs, brushes to apply the dye… Everything you’d need to make your dye job a breeze!
National Pet Dental Health Month
Maintaining your dog’s dental hygiene is always important. February has been acknowledged as National Pet Dental Health Month and encourages pet owners to practice good dental hygiene with their furry friends. Keeping up with your pup’s teeth not only prevents bad breath, but also aids in avoiding any dental diseases that may otherwise occur from plaque and tartar build-up. Many owners are oblivious to the dangers that unattended teeth can create; gingivitis and periodontal disease are no joke. Recognizably bad breath, known as halitosis, is a sign of deeper underlying dental issues that your pooch may be suffering from. Gingivitis has stages ranging from mild to severe, and can develop into irreversible periodontal disease if left untreated. In extreme cases a pooch may require tooth extraction. Bring your pup to the vet if you notice symptoms including halitosis, gum bleeding, red gums, drooling, or loss of appetite. Invest in at-home doggie dental care; a dog toothbrush, dog toothpaste, and dog chews. Make it a habit to tend to your pup’s teeth and gums at least once a week to fight off any tartar and plaque building up. Infection and bacteria found in the mouth could extend through the bloodstream to cause heart, kidney, or liver disease. Such diseases could create serious harm to the organs and lead to early death. Make good dental hygiene a habit from the beginning to ensure a healthy, happy dog.
Five Fun Dog Facts
Canines are miraculous creatures with quite an abundance of fascinating facts. Here are five fun doggie facts for all of you dog lovers to enjoy:
1. A one-year-old dog is as physically developed as a fifteen year-old human; this means exercise is vital for dogs. Provide daily walks and playtime for your energetic pooch.
2. Brushing your pooch three times a week during the spring time will conclude in a summer free of shedding; not only will grooming your pooch help keep shedding to a minimum, it will attribute to a healthier hound.
3. If teaching your dog to catch a ball is harder than it should be then switch the tossing item to something softer, some dogs find it easier to catch softer items; invest in one of our plush dog toys for a softer playtime.
4. Typically, when a dog howls in the wild it is to bring the pack together. If you notice your pooch howling it may be because they are lonely and instinct kicks in. To avoid a lonely canine companion, be sure to show much love and attention. When you aren’t at home, keep the television on for sound.
5. Dogs have been loyal pets to people for the past 12,000 years!
11 Facts All Dog Owners Should Know
Having a new furry friend in the house is a very exciting, yet somewhat overwhelming, change of pace. Canines everywhere are finding homes around the holiday season. If this is your first time caring for a pup in your home, or even if you’ve been an owner for a while, here are 11 facts you should know.
1. Dog shampoos are available in various types and scents, but many dogs are slightly allergic to perfume scented shampoos. Mild oatmeal based dog shampoos get the job done while not leaving your pooch itchy.
2. Phobias are prevalent in dogs just as they are in humans – work with your pooch to eliminate fears of thunder, water, hair dryers, vacuums, lawn mowers, etc.
3. Dogs use their tails to communicate – a wag can express aggression, playfulness, or fear. Get familiar with your pup’s tail talking techniques to have a better understanding of how your friend is feeling.
4. Deep wrinkles in dogs should be cleansed daily to avoid dirt accumulation that can cause odors, or even infection.
5. Fleas aren’t the only reason Fido may be scratching his ears. Your pup could be experiencing anything from ear mites to yeast, so bringing your itchy pooch to the vet is the best idea.
6. Mental stimulation is just as important for a dog as physical stimulation – agility training is a great way to knock out both.
7. Canines love a good car ride, just be sure your playful pal is secured to ensure protection.
8. When you point, your dog focuses on the tip of your finger versus the item you are pointing at. If you want your pup’s attention, teach verbal commands for better understanding.
9. Bored dogs create mischief. Be sure to provide the needed attention, love, and stimulation your pooch needs to stay out of trouble.
10. Table begging is usually a bad habit spoiled pups have picked up because of their success in scoring table scraps in the past. Discourage bad table manners by skipping the scrap sharing.
11. It’s a fact: dogs bark. Your pooch may be exercising their vocal chords for a number of reasons; to protect their territory, express a need, or initiate playtime. Excessive barking may either be a warning or a cry for help. Pay attention to your dog’s barking and enforce commands if needed.
Solutions for Dirty Dog Eyes
Solutions for Dog Shedding
Scrub-a-Dub-Dub: Bath Time for Your Dog
Dog Nail Polish: Time for a “PAWdicure”!
Keeping stylish nails on your dog may sound crazy, but the trend is catching on quick! Companies have started investing in doggie nail polishes, with quite an assortment of colors and glitters to play around with. There are even dog nail polish pens for easier application. Get creative and alternate colors on each nail – orange and black is always fun around fall time. Greens and reds are festive during the winter holidays. Or, if you’re heading to a bonfire everybody will not only get a kick out of your pooch’s glow-in-the-dark nails, but your furry friend will be easier to spot. You could even have some fun in breaking good news, paint nails pink and put a sign around your pup to let your family know “It’s a Girl!” Attending a big event? Jazz up a plain color by adding some glitter dog polish to the mix. Whatever the occasion, finding the right dog polish for your pup is just a click away!
How to Groom Your Dog at Home
Regular grooming for your dog is very important to their health and your home. However, taking your furry friend to the groomer can get quite expensive and time consuming. Many groomers get overbooked during the holidays as well. With these few at home tips, you can keep your dog healthy and smelling fresh, making everyone happy!
Whether it is a special occasion or just time for a bath, there are many dog grooming products that can be easily used to keep your dog clean and fresh. The first step to grooming is to untangle matted fur with a good brush. If you don’t brush your pup first, the hair will become even more entangled during the washing process. Dogs with short hair probably only need to be gone over a few times with a rubber curry brush, while dogs with longer hair need to use a slicker brush or pin rake style dog brush. The next step before getting your dog in the tub is to clean their eyes, ears, and teeth. While that initially may sound like a hassle, there are many products that make that process a breeze. Dog ear, eye, and dental wipes make grooming your dog a much simpler task. They are easy to use and gentle on your puppy.
Now you are finally ready to get your dog in the tub! Make sure to choose a dog shampoo that is best suited for your dog’s coat. For sensitive skin, a hypoallergenic formula would be best, or for dry skin, an oatmeal formula would be very beneficial.
After giving your dog a good shampoo, condition, and rinse, you are almost done! Drying your dog is an important part of the grooming process. If your dog has short to medium hair, simply towel drying or using Microfiber Dog Drying Gloves will be just fine. If your dog has longer hair, you may want to blow dry their coat. Make sure the blow dryer is on a cool setting and also do not blow dry completely, as that will dry out their skin. After following these steps, your furry friend will be fluffed, buffed, and ready to go! Now that they are all clean, treat them to a new outfit to show off their new look!
