As the weather starts to get warmer, pets with long hair and/or thick fur should have it trimmed. Pets with thick fur and an undercoat are especially susceptible to overheating in temperatures that may seem mild to most humans. Their coat traps the warm air, which is ideal in the winter, but during the summer, it can quickly cause overheating.
Grooming is key to your pet's comfort during the warm weather.
Dog breeds sporting thick fur include German Shepherd, Newfoundland, Poodle, Chow Chow, Akita, Sheepdog, Corgi and Great Pyrenees. Cat breeds that have abundant coats include Norwegian Forest Cat, Himalayan and Persian.
In humid weather, dogs with long-haired coats (even if the fur is more silky than thick) may develop an offensive musty odor and should be bathed/groomed regularly.
Having your pet groomed regularly also helps to cut down on the shedding so you'll find fewer fur balls and less hair around the house. Although, some breeds such as the poodle, don't shed at all, so regular grooming is a must for them.
Take a moment to schedule a series of regular grooming appointments at the start of the season to best ensure your pet's comfort throughout what is sure to be a long, hot summer.
As we humans know, a great haircut can make all the difference!
P.S. Don't forget to protect your pet from mosquitoes, black flies, fleas and other annoying pests by using flea and tick treatment regularly. It's easier to prevent problems than to treat after the fact.
March 20th is the first day of Spring, bringing with it longer days, warmer (we hope) temperatures and Spring flowers.
With Easter around the corner, it's important to note that Lilies are highly toxic to cats. The leaves, pollen and flower of lily plants can make your cat extremely sick and can even be fatal. Some signs of lily toxicity are loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy and liver failure.
According to the ASPCA, some varieties of lilies are also toxic to dogs and include lily of the valley, calla lily, peace lily or palm lily (which is the houseplant Dracaena). Dogs who have ingested these lilies may experience stomach upset, tremors and depression.
A few other popular Spring blooms are also dangerous. These include Daffodils (otherwise known as paper whites, narcissus or jonquils), Tulips and Azaleas. Daffodils and Tulips contain poisonous alkaloids that can cause drooling, intense vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea and heart problems. If the leaves of the Azaleas are ingested, they can cause loss of appetite, stomach upset, weakness, leg paralysis, central nervous system depression, cardiovascular collapse and death.
If you suspect your pet has plant/flower toxicity, seek immediate veterinary attention.
Pay careful attention to the type of plants/flowers you bring indoors or plant outside. There are a number of attractive plants that are non-toxic to pets. Consider African Violet, Rose, Begonia or Easter Daisy, to name just a few.
Bathe, trim and beautify! The holidays are an exciting time of year for us because we get to primp and pamper our pet clients more than ever. A number of our clients will request a special haircut for their pets or provide us with beautiful bows or neckerchiefs with which to adorn them.
Having the holiday family photo taken? Be sure to book your grooming session ahead of time, so we can have your pet ready for her/his close-up!
We love that our pets participate in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays - from joining us on the neighborhood Christmas stroll to alerting us of all the UPS gift deliveries and "supervising" the delectable treats we're cooking-up in the kitchen.
And of course…curling up with us in front of the fireplace. There is no place like home when you're with your best buddy.
The holidays are all about giving. A tasty treat or a new squeak toy will certainly be appreciated, but the best gifts you can give your pet are your love and attention.
With the New Year fast approaching, we'd like to take this opportunity to tell all of our pets and pet parents how much we value you and thank you for your continued patronage. We look forward to serving you in the coming year.
Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season from all of your friends at Zoomin Groomin!
Great news! Zoomin Groomin has just signed with The Entrepreneur Source, the nation’s premier Franchise Business Coaches. We are honored to be included in their list of premium Franchise Opportunities. TES is familiar with our segment and we anticipate national expansion with them.
There are a number of reasons why pets develop hot spots - those painful, itchy, red, raw sores on the skin. Hot spots may be caused by fleas, mites, ticks, insect stings, stress, boredom and infrequent bathing. They can become infected, so it's important to monitor hot spots carefully. The worse a hot spot becomes, the more irritating it gets for your pet, and it can become a vicious cycle. The incidence of hot spots can increase during the warmer months, when your pet is often outdoors. Romping in the yard, running through the woods or on the beach, even walking through town can expose your pet to insects of all kinds, dirt, sand, environmental debris and germs. One of the best preventatives for hot spots is regular bathing. Keeping your pet's coat clean is half the battle when it comes to keeping hot spots at bay. Regular bathing also gives you or your groomer a chance to monitor the condition of your pet's skin. Bathing your pet once a week or once every other week and brushing your pet's coat in between will help ensure that hot spots don't develop or get worse. If your pet does develop hot spots that seem to be getting progressively worse, be sure to seek medical advice from your veterinarian. At Zoomin Groomin, we use PURE OXYGEN gentle bath products to help keep your pet's skin and coat fresh and healthy. PURE OXYGEN leaves no residue, removes build-up, is natural and odorless. Our pet parents always remark how shiny and soft their pet's coat is after a Zoomin Groomin visit!
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