How to Ease Your Pet Grooming Experience

Regardless of the pet you have, it is likely they will require grooming at some point. For more traditional pets like cats and dogs, you have options when it comes to how you go about grooming your pet. If you’re handy with the combs and clippers, chances are you can manage your pet’s groom yourself. However, some pets have multiple coats or difficult-to-manage fur, which can require professional attention. Your pet must behave well during the groom, to make the process easier on themselves and their groomer.

Why Should I Groom My Pet?

You may be wondering, why is grooming so important? Much like you bathe and groom yourself, your pet requires similar care to remain fresh, clean, and healthy. Grooming is not merely for aesthetics since it helps with your pet’s health as well as their general appearance. Here are a few reasons why grooming is important for your pet.

• Grooming helps remove matting. This is especially important if you have a pet with a long coat, as once their fur matts there is little choice but to shave the spot. Frequent grooming will prevent matting and the subsequent bald spots caused by it after it is removed. 
• Grooming helps remove loose fur. This is especially helpful for pets with thick winter coats or heavy undercoats and keeps your pet comfortable. It is also a necessary process if your pet is a heavy shedder.-
•  Grooming removes unwanted pests and parasites. Frequent brushing and grooming will help you clean out fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and other undesirable pests from your pet's fur. These pests can cause diseases if left unchecked, so a groom reduces your pet's chances of catching a tick/flea-related disease.
• Grooming helps curb potential infections. Pets with longer hair or fur can have problems with their eyes, paws, or their backside. Since longer hair means more room for unwelcome parasites, it is better to frequently groom these areas. Any dog owner who has a long-haired breed will vouch for the fact that walks and poop time is easier when their pet’s rear isn’t full of long hair.

Commonly Observed Issues During a Groom 

So, if grooming has so many benefits, why don't all pet parents visit a groomer regularly? There are various factors, but the most cited one is that the pet lashes out or is fearful of the grooming process. A groomer comes across pets of all kinds while on the job, and while some pets are extremely friendly and docile, others may be nervous/anxious/angry at the prospect of a groom which could potentially become an issue.

Here are a few commonly observed problems during a groom: 

• Making Noise: Pets who are nervous or anxious can display that feeling in the form of noise. Barking, howling, or whining are all noises that can disrupt the groom and disturb any other animals who are there for a session.
• Anger: Pets may show their discomfort with the situation by displaying anger. Lashing out, biting, scratching, and other unsociable behaviour may be observed if a pet is distressed.
• Squirming: Thrashing, struggling, trembling, or running away are also behaviours a distressed pet shows at the groomers. While more common than an outright aggressive pet, such behaviours can also complicate a groom and make it a longer process than it is. 

Tips to Ensure a Smooth Groom

Any of these behaviours can disrupt the groom and potentially cause problems for the groomer, since other animals in the vicinity may become agitated when in a relatively closed space with a loud stimulus. Groomers themselves reserve the right to refuse to groom an aggressive or challenging pet. Such behavioural issues are also not limited to a groom and can become a potential issue if not addressed. Fortunately, with the right preparation and a little training, your pet should be as comfortable with the groomers as they are at home. Here are a few steps you can take.

1.           Make Sure Your Pet is Happy Before the Groom - It’s a simple fact that a happy pet is more likely to behave than one who is uncomfortable or anxious. If your pet is in discomfort, hungry, thirsty, or tired before a groom, chances are these feelings will display themselves while they are being tended to by an unfamiliar person.
2.          Acclimate Your Pet to Social Situations - Most sights and smells considered normal by us in day-to-day life are unusual to our pets. if a pet is not used to equipment like a nail cutter, a fan, or a pair of clippers and combs, consider socializing them further so they may become comfortable in such scenarios. Groom your pet yourself as a start, clip their nails and comb their fur so they get a feel for the grooming equipment. If your pet is touchy about you clipping their nails, chances are the groomer won’t have a much better time.
3.          Meet the Groomer Before a Groom - Different groomers operate and specialize in different equipment and animals. When you’ve settled on a groomer, visit them, and discuss your pet. Be open and honest about your pet’s general behaviour, temperament, and any potential problems that may arise. An open dialogue will help the groomer prepare for your pet, especially if you’ve chosen a good groomer who understands a pet parent's concerns. You can also familiarize the groomer with your dog’s training commands for an easier experience.
4.        Sit in on a Grooming Session - If your pet is known to be anxious around strangers, your presence during the groom should soothe them and help prevent any undesirable behaviour. Doing so will also have the added benefit of you being able to spot any stressors, which you can then work on later. Most groomers should allow you to sit in on a groom, after which you can consult your vet or a pet specialist depending on the outcome. 

To conclude, a pet being difficult to groom is a common occurrence. The good thing is that with a little patience and just a little trust, your pet will soon be as comfortable with their groom as they are at home. Grooming is an important part of pet care if you frequently embark on pet travel, as an ungroomed pet is more likely to carry ticks and parasites, none of which a country will permit entry to. Make sure to choose a reputable or recommended groomer and train your pet beforehand to have the best possible pet grooming experience. 

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Common Dog Illnesses & How to Spot Them

No living organism is immune to diseases. Our pets are no different, and while most people assume that dogs have inherently strong immune systems, they are still susceptible to certain illnesses. Most commonly occurring conditions are not particularly serious. However, if left untreated, these conditions can become a cause for concern and pose a threat to your dog’s health and well-being.

As expert pet relocators, we understand how important your pet’s health is, even more so when embarking on pet travel. Illness means your pet cannot safely travel, especially if it is suffering from a communicable condition, and since an international pet relocation involves numerous health checks, it is necessary for your pet to be healthy if you intend on travelling together.

Common Dog Illnesses & Ailments

Dental Disease

Dogs require dental care just like people. Oral and dental issues are amongst the most prominent and common issues faced by dogs, which can increase in severity with time. Plaque, tartar, and gingivitis are the early signs of dental disease in dogs, with more severe symptoms of periodontal (gums & bone) disease like abscesses developing if no treatment is administered.

The primary symptom of dental disease is frequent bad breath, even after cleaning or brushing. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, drooling, red or bleeding gums, discolouration of teeth/gums, and loose teeth. Treatments for such conditions are administered by a vet, with cleaning, tooth extraction, or root canals prescribed depending on the disease. Frequent brushing and regular vet visits are the best and easiest ways of preventing dental diseases. Invest in a dog toothbrush and dental wipes to help you maintain your dog’s dental health, which can then be supplemented by a bi-annual vet visit for complete care.

Ear Infections

Ear infections can have a few causes. Repetitive ear infections are typically caused by allergens, especially ones present in your dog’s food like wheat or soy. Common indicators that your dog is suffering from an ear infection are scratching, pawing, or rubbing their ears on different surfaces. More advanced symptoms of an ear infection include pain, loss of balance, loss of hair around the ear, and a reddened ear canal.

Treatment of an ear infection can be done at home, provided you have it diagnosed by your vet and have the appropriate medication for it. Remember to clean and dry the infected ear and consult your vet before administering any medication, be it an anti-fungal or an antibiotic.

Itchy skin/Skin Infections 

A dog scratching themselves is a common sight, so you’ll be forgiven for not picking up on a skin infection instantly.  However, if you notice your dog scratching continuously and restlessly, the chances are the culprit is a skin infection. Such a condition has numerous causes; an allergen in your pet's diet, bacterial infections or a yeast infection are all probable causes of a skin infection, and you should visit your vet if the incessant itching hasn’t ceased after a diet change.

After diagnosing the nature of your dog’s skin condition, your vet can prescribe a shampoo or ointment that is suitable for your pet’s skin condition and fur type. Do not try to diagnose and medicate your dog’s condition by yourself, as even your good intentions can have negative results.

Vomiting and/or Diarrhea 

Upset digestive systems can happen. Dogs spend a lot of time around their owners and inevitably have a nibble of something they cannot digest, which manifests itself as an upset stomach for a day or two. However, if more chronic or persistent vomiting and diarrhoea follow, you should visit your vet immediately as these may be symptoms of a more serious underlying condition.

There are various potential causes for your dog's upset digestive system. Although your dog may have eaten something they should not have, it can be caused by an illness, intestinal worms, or parasites. Head to your vet immediately for a proper diagnosis if your dog's condition does not improve after an initial bout of vomiting/diarrhoea.

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are marked by symptoms like frequent peeing, indoor peeing (despite training), crying or yelping while peeing, or blood in the urine. Head to your vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms, as the vet can diagnose the severity of the issue and the required treatment for it. If an infection is found, an antibiotic course will likely follow.

Stiffness and Pain

Stiffness and joint pain accompanied by difficulty in moving about are things dogs experience at roughly six years of age, depending on their breed and size. If you notice your dog is more lethargic, struggles to get up from a resting position, is slow to climb a flight of stairs, or appears less mobile than before, then it may have stiff joints and the pain that comes with it. Keep your dog’s bones and joints healthy with frequent exercise and keep their weight in check to alleviate stiffness. Some larger dog breeds are known to suffer from joint issues; consult your vet if you own such a breed for a more long-term solution.

Timely Intervention is Key

As you may have noticed, most of these diseases and ailments are easier to prevent than to cure, since you can prevent them by daily maintenance but only a professional can truly cure a serious condition. It is why it is important to know the symptoms of these common illnesses, as recognizing them and acting quickly can prevent any further issues. If you are ever in doubt about your pet’s health, make sure to contact your vet immediately, and maintain vigilance when your dog falls sick to differentiate between a general condition and a serious one.