DOG TRAINING EQUIPMENT

I don't know about the area you live in, but it costs close to $30 for the most basic trip to the pet groomer in my town. And I don't even have a dog with long fur or any special needs. For more deluxe treatments, the prices quickly go up.

Even if you do the grooming yourself, you can spend a lot at the pet stores for special dog soaps and shampoos and toothpastes and brushes and what not. There are all sorts of toys, care items, and luxuries for pampered pets, and the pet stores want you to buy them--for a small fortune.

But what if you want your dog to be clean and look good, and you don't have a lot of extra money to spend? You might be surprised at how many simple household items can be helpful in pet grooming and care. Here's a look at some specifics:

Baby Powder

Baby powder is one of those cool (and expensive) things that has a ton of uses around the house, and you can even dry-shampoo your pet with it. Vigorously rub a couple handfuls of baby powder into your pet's fur and let it set for a couple minutes. Then brush it out, and your dog will look and smell good.

Baking Soda

Here's another powder with a lot of uses. If your dog has been rolling in something he shouldn't and you can't get the odor out, you can use baking soda to freshen him up. As with the baby powder, just rub a few handfuls in his coat, and then give the fur a thorough brushing. It should remove the smell and also leave the dog's coat shiny and clean.

Baking soda can also be used to clean your pet's ears. If your pet is scratching the area a lot, it could indicate an irritation or ear mites. To ease the itch, or wipe out mites, douse a cotton ball with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking powder in 1 cup of warm water, and then gently wash the inside of the ears (okay for cats and dogs).

Dryer Sheets

If your dog comes in wet from an outing in the rain, try wiping him down with a used dryer softener sheet to get rid of that wet dog smell and leave him smelling as fresh as a newly washed batch of laundry.

Peanut Butter

If your pet stepped or rolled in something like tar or gum, it'll take more than shampoo to get that out of his fur. And if you have a short-haired dog, you don't have the option of simply cutting the clump out. Try rubbing some peanut butter on the spot; the oils will help work the sticky stuff free. The only hard part is keeping your dog from eating the peanut butter before it's done its work!

Tomato Juice

If your pet has a run-in with a skunk, that odor will stink up your whole house and cling to the pet for days. Fortunately tomato juice can help take care of that smell. Douse your pet with undiluted juice, avoiding the eyes, and let it set for a bit so the acid from the tomatoes can do their work. Afterwards, use soap or shampoo to wash it out of the fur.

With these household items, you can keep Fido looking good without spending a fortune!

Summer is here and with it comes the hot weather. As much as we suffer due to the heat, it can be much worse for a pet that wears a fur coat all the time. Fortunately, some easy things will make the summer much more enjoyable for your pet!

Never Leave Your Pet in the Car

As cool as it may seem outside the car, leaving your pet in the car can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. Even in the shade, the temperature inside a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. That is unhealthy for any dog or cat to be in. Dogs can't sweat and so all of their ability to cool off comes from panting and through the pads of their feet. An animal can suffer from heath stroke, heat exhaustion, and a variety of other ailments in a matter of minutes. As hard as it is to see the pet left at home, it's safer for them in the long run.

Always Have Plenty of Water Available

In the summer, everyone needs more water, humans and animals alike. It is very important to give your pet plenty of water and always have lots of water available. Even if an animal is inside all day, he or she will still appreciate extra water.

Avoid the Sun

While it may sound funny because of their fur coats, animals can get sunburns too. This is particularly common in animals with light fur and not a lot of it. Animals can experience peeling, pain, and itchy skin due to sunburn just like people. For this reason, it is important to apply sunscreen to the tips of a dog's ears, its nose, and the edges of the lips. Even with sunscreen, it is safer to keep your pet inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Get Rid of Tangles

A dog's fur is designed to assist the dog in staying cool by releasing heat from the body. Unfortunately, when the fur is tangled or matted, it can't keep the dog cool and will actually trap heat close to the body. It is very important to keep the fur tangle free so that the dog won't get overheated. If you don't have the time to keep the dog's fur perfectly brushed all the time or the fur is extra thick, it may make sense to save the dog for the summer.

Be On the Lookout for Anti-Freeze

In the heat, a dog may be tempted to drink from puddles. This is not recommended as puddles can contain many harmful fluids like anti-freeze, oil, and gasoline. It is easier to carry water with you than rush the dog to the emergency vet because it has ingested something toxic.

If you would like more information on caring for your pet in the summer, please visit http://www.austinveterinarianclinics.com.

If you're taking care of a small dog, the basics are much the same care as we would dogs of larger sizes, basics such as food, water, shelter and good deal of love. But it's easier to prepare their meals since smaller portions are required and their smaller body size makes bathing and grooming easier, and the mess to clean up is smaller as well.

Food Tips For Taking Care Of A Small Dog

Dry food with small bits are the best choice for a smaller dog, because the bits are easier for them to bite and chew. Smaller dogs seem to have some difficulty with chewing larger bits of food since they have a smaller mouth. Their teeth can also break easier since their teeth are smaller than the teeth of larger dogs.

While taking care of a small dog, be sure to give them the appropriate portion of food, since some dogs will eat whatever food is in their bowl. Over eating can distend their stomachs and cause discomfort. One cup of food will usually suffice and provide all the nutrition they require.

Taking Care Of A Small Dog - Grooming Tips

Grooming basics are pretty much the same, regardless of the size. However, grooming a smaller dog is easier since it's easier to lift or turn them around. If your dog spends lots of time resting or you carry the dog around a lot, their nails should be trimmed more frequently. Their nails will wear down if your dog is more active or runs around a lot. The nails of larger dogs tend to wear down faster since they are heavier as well.

Another tip for taking care of a small dog is daily brushing. If you brush or groom them frequently, their hair doesn't tangle as much, so it makes the job quicker and easier. The brushing routine is pretty much the same as it is for larger dogs, but you should brush more gently. When choosing a brush or comb, you should choose brushes and combs of a smaller size. In other words, choose a size that best fits the size of your dog. Also choose a brush with softer bristles since these are also more comfortable for the dog, and they don't scratch the skin as much.

All in all, we can conclude that taking care of a small dog is a little different than the care afforded for larger dogs. One would think that a small dog is not as expensive since they don't eat so much food and so on, but the owners of smaller dogs tend to pamper them more, so they might end up spending more on them.