How to Save Money with at Home Pet Care Tips

This article will save you money and a trip to the vet because there are a lot of simple maintenance type things you can do for your pet at home without having to pay the vet to do something you can do yourself.

I was a Vet Tech for 10 years so I want to share some pet care tips with you.

Bathing:

Are cats really afraid of water ? Have you ever wanted to give Fluffy a bath but did not want to get scratched to pieces doing in the process? Well there is a way to do just that, and it will not be traumatic for you or your cat.

To give your cat a bath, here is what you do. Get everything ready what you will need, a towel, and shampoo. One of the best things you can do is ask your vet for some eye ointment to use during baths just to keep the eyes from getting irritated from the shampoo. I personally always use Johnson's Baby Shampoo. It is gentle and mild and works just fine, and is cheaper than the eye ointment you buy at the vet.

Before you go get your cat, start the water gently running, and make sure it is lukewarm. Then go get Fluffy and take him/her to the sink and gently place in the sink. Then talk to your cat and start wetting down the entire body. Don't turn the water on full force. Just a slow trickle is good. Once the fur is wet, get about a quarter size dallop of shampoo and lather in good. Don't forget to wash the face. To wash the face, you can wet a washcloth and clean the face and eyes so you will not have to pour water in the cat's face. Make sure all the shampoo is completely rinsed out and wrap him in the towel and towel dry him the best you can.

Use the above procedure for you dogs as well. Most dogs love the water, and you can give them a nice massage while they are lathered up as well.

When the weather turns cold, it is best not to bath your animals at home, unless you have a dryer that you can use and get the animal completely dry. Remember that your pets get cold also. I use a hair dryer to dry my pets, but you will have to ease them into letting you use the hair dryer because of the loud noise. You don't want them to be afraid of the bath or the dryer.

Trimming the toenails:

You will need toenail clippers that are sold at your local animal clinic or pet store such as Petsmart.