Grooming FYI

Grooming your pet is a highly trained skill that many have chosen as their profession. And for good reason! The details are many and often health is a combined factor in grooming detail, so noticing the little things is extremely important. But with the right information and a little practice, you can groom your pet and maybe even help the vet keep your furry one in good health.

First, keep records. This will help you remember the state of your pet's skin and fur from one grooming session to the next and keep track of suspected abnormalities, watching for changes. Each time you groom note whether or not the following areas are normal or abnormal and take notes on the details:

• Coat or Fur
• Skin
• Teeth
• Ears
• Eyes
• Nails
• Lumps
• Behavior

No one know your pet the way you do. Therefore, you will notice if your pet whimpers in pain when you pick her up, recognize skin abnormalities, or problems with her eyes, teeth, mouth, or coat right away. Take notes on what is normal and what is not and take your pet to the vet if you suspect serious problems.

Even if your pet has 'wiry' fur, she should still be soft to the touch. Her coat should not be dry or stiff, nor should it be thinning in spots. Make sure there are no scales or scabs on her skin and that her fur has no smell of its own, carrying only the smell of whatever is making her dirty.

Grooming alone cannot fix problems with the skin or coat if your pet has them. Your vet may prescribe special shampoos if your pet's coat has a few too many bacteria colonies on her skin. What you feed your pet will contribute the most to the state of her fur, so make sure that she is getting her nutrients. That means food that includes meat, such as chicken or fish. Grain-based food is not enough nourishment for cats and dogs.

After a good bath and brushing, nails should be your next major concern. If your pet's nails are cracking or brittle, it could be caused by a nutrition deficiency or an infection. Ask your vet.

Otherwise, all you need to do is get out your clippers. A dreaded task, it's true, but none too difficult if you're careful.