Care tips for your pets.

Car rides with your pet

We wish to remind you that your pet needs to be in a kennel, restrained with a collar/seatbelt or in the trunk with the net divider.
This is for your safety, their safety and the Italian law!!

Q: How often should you bathe your pet?
A: The vast majority of cats and dogs live in the house and I am sure a dirty or smelly pet does not please anyone. So cat and dogs are generally washed when dirty once or twice a month. This is the general rule; however, there are some exceptions.
The first concerns the age of the pet. Advanced age reduces the elasticity and resistance of the skin, so pets need to be washed with care and using only high quality products.
The second exception concerns the environment in which the animal lives. If the dog or cat lives mostly outside of the home, frequent baths may take away too much of the protective natural skin fats, leaving the pet unprotected against the elements.
Finally, another consideration to keep in mind is your pet's coat. The type varies depending on the breed; for instance, a dog with an undercoat will be much harder to dry in cold weather; leaving him wet for a long period of time may be dangerous. On the other hand, a dog without an undercoat, can be washed more often without danger. It should be noted that even within the same race, genetic differences and poor grooming may affect the type of hair. For instance, a shih-tzu regularly clipped, will have a better and more of a wooly coat, as compared to one who is not groomed regularly.
In conclusion, your pet can be safely washed up to 2 times a month; however, age, environment, and type of coat will play a large part in your decision.

Q: When should you bathe your new puppy or kitty for the first time?
A: Generally, puppies and kitties can be given their "first" bath after they have been vaccinated. This means that they will be about 10 to 12 weeks old. Do not wait much longer because the puppy/kitty needs to get used to the new environment of the grooming salon, with its different noises and strange people. The puppy needs to be handled, groomed and clipped fairly soon so that he/she will not be afraid. Additionally, there are certain breeds of dogs such as poodles, dachshunds, terriers, schnautzers, bichons, etc., requiring early proper grooming to develop a good coat. This means that your puppy will need to be introduced to your favorite groomer as early as possible to ensure the best outcome.

Q: What does it mean to "shave" your dog?
A: Shaving a dog does not mean your pet will be totally hairless. Shaving refers to shortening the hair using either scissors or clippers. The length of the hair can be determined at will - - Generally, the hair will be longer in the winter, while a summer cut will be shorter. However, even in the summer, your groomer will not cut your pet's hair too short, as that could result in painful sunburns.

Q: Are there any products to loosen the knots?
A: The market is filled with "miraculous" products; however, there is no potion that magically detangles the hair. However, there are commercially available balms, oils, silicones, which, when used correctly, along with frequent grooming and brushing, will leave the hair shiny and silky. So the best policy is to avoid costly "magic potions" and brush our little friends with greater frequency.

Q: Should the nails of our pets be cut?
A: The nails of both dogs and cats should be checked regularly and should be cut if necessary. In the cat, the operation is easier because the nail is light in color and the capillary is visible. For dogs with black nails, the task presents higher difficulties. The capillary is not visible, so the groomer will proceed in stages, attempting to avoid the capillary.

Q: Why does my pet rub his "rear" on the floor?
A: It's a behavior that may indicate one of two problems:
1) The dog's anal glands are full and your pet is attempting to empty them, to alleviate the discomfort. If you do not want to empty them, take the pet to your groomer.
2) The dog may have worms; take your dog to the vet.

Q: Why does my pet have bad breath?
A: The bad breath of the dog or cat is often derived from the presence of tartar on the teeth. The teeth become covered with a yellowish plaque, which, if not treated, in time undermines the stability of the tooth itself. Make an appointment with your vet to have the tartar removed. This is a process usually done under anesthesia; the vet will use appropriate tools to clean the tooth under the gum as well. To prevent the formation of tartar, feed the dog dry food, rather than wet and periodically brush your pet's teeth with appropriate products. Your groomer can make the appropriate recommendations.