Wintertime Grooming

In most parts of the country, the winter months are really tough on skin and hair - not just for humans, but for pets, as well. A lot of people are surprised that we at Aussie Pet Mobile groom this time of year. You should know that grooming right now is a good idea to keep your pet healthy and comfortable.

Contrary to popular opinion, your pet actually needs regular shampooing during the winter months to keep his skin and coat healthy. In fact, done properly, a bath can help to reduce dryness, matting and related skin problems. After the shampoo, a treatment of our aloe re-moisturizer is a great idea.

If your pet is a breed that requires regular trimming, it's important to maintain his haircut schedule year round. Allowing his hair to "grow in for the winter" can result in increased matting, which is a major cause of skin problems. If you decide to leave his coat longer for the winter, be prepared to brush him daily to prevent matting. If you're concerned about your pet being cold when he's outdoors, a sweater or fleece coat is a better option than leaving his coat long.

With the furnace on and the house closed up, low humidity indoors can make your pet's skin dry and itchy. Regular brushing stimulates the natural oils in the skin and helps to counteract dryness and keep your pet more comfortable. Also, regular brushing will prevent matting, a major cause of skin problems during winter.

Salt used for de-icing roads and sidewalks can cause your dog's pads to become cracked and sore. If your pet won't wear booties, be sure to wash toes and pads with warm water after walks to remove any salt residue. Dry them thoroughly, and apply a protective product like Protect-A-Pad (similar to Chapstick, for paws).

Also, keep the hair on your pet's feet trimmed. Long hair can form uncomfortable mats between and under the toes and can cause snow and ice to become packed in the pads of the feet, causing irritation. Your groomer will trim the feet as part of your pet's regular groom.

Don't neglect your pet's grooming just because it's cold outside. Our mobile grooming vans have heated water and are specially designed for all-weather grooming.

Upcoming Event - International Kennel Club of Chicago Dog Show

Next month is the 2010 International Kennel Club Cluster of Dog Shows

International Kennel Club of Chicago (Benched)
February 27 & 28 * McCormick Place Lakeside
Bring the family to see the one of the largest dog shows in the country, where more than 10,000 purebred dogs from 161 breeds will demonstrate their skills in a variety of competitions.
Meet the dogs and their handlers, visit dog-related vendors, and experience special events and demonstrations like Earth Dog, Search & Rescue and the Puppy Spectacular!
Tickets are just Adults $17 ● Seniors $10 ● Children under twelve get in FREE.

Dudley is getting older

My dog Dudley is getting older, as are we all. For me it's the toughest part about being a pet owner, having to see our pets age so much more quickly than we do. But even with the inevitable outcome of aging, I will always have a dog around. The joy they bring to us every day more than makes up for any of the bad times.

I'm mentioning Dudley because he has been fighting cancer. In his case, he has lymphoma, which is the most common cancer in dogs. He's feeling great right now and getting wonderful care from his vet, but we know that cancer will eventually win. In the mean time, he gets all the extra snacks he wants and still goes to work with me everyday. I bring this up not for sympathy, because I know that most dog owners will have to deal with this at some time. I mention it because there is great work being done in cancer research for our pets, just as there is in research for human cancer. If you would like to learn more or make a donation to help with the research, I recommend taking a look at the Canine Health Research Center at the American Kennel Club website. The link is www.akc.org/doghealth

Also from the AKC, here's the early warning signs of cancer in our pets. If you have questions or suspect your dog has a problem, please make an appointment with your veterinarian.

Early Warning Signs of Cancer in our Pets:

1. Lump present more than 1 month
2. Open wound-with or without bloody discharge
3. Bad odors-especially bad breath
4. Loss of interest in food
5. Difficulty swallowing
6. Weight loss
7. Lack of desire to exercise or weak when exercises
8. Persistent lameness
9. Difficulty breathing or persistent cough
10. Difficulty urinating or defecating

From the AKC: If Dogs Could Talk: A Dog's Top 10 New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Eve traditionally is a time to reflect on our past, and more importantly, look forward to the changes we want to make in the coming year. In addition to your own New Year's resolutions, your dog might have a few of his own. The American Kennel Club® (AKC), the dog's champion, reflects on some resolutions your dog might be thinking about for 2010.
Top 10 Resolutions by Dogs include:
10. Owner on floor, dog in bed.
9. Stop begging and actually get a seat at the dinner table.
8. Give up the dream of ever catching my tail.
7. Bark like a big dog but still get cuddled on lap like a little dog.
6. Get back at cat for litter box incident.
7. Find every bone I ever buried.
4. No more haircuts! (come fall, I can go as a Komondor for Halloween).
3. Become alpha dog in my house. Well, at least stop letting the cat push me around.
2. Invent goggles that allow me to see the electric fence.
1. Finally pass that darn AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
Additional information on responsible dog ownership can be found on the American Kennel Club Web site at www.akc.org.

* Of course, we don't recommend the one about no more haircuts!

Have a Stress-Free Holiday

December is National Stress-Free Family Holiday Month. I imagine December was picked for all the holiday chores and pressures that come into our lives at this time of year. One great way to relieve stress is to spend time with your pet. We all know that it is awfully hard to stay in a bad mood when those big puppy-dog eyes are looking at us, but studies have actually shown that pets can control blood pressure better than drugs do. Pets can provide companionship at a time of year when many people feel lonely and depressed. Pets provide unconditional love, which is something people need but is not always easy to find. So if you’re struggling through your holiday chores and feeling the pressures that come with the season, slow down and take time to be with your pet. Less stress is a great feeling!

Get Ready for Winter

Besides the holiday’s, the other big event this month is the official start of winter. The colder weather means a lot of changes for us, and it means change for our dogs as well. Less daylight this time of year brings on more shedding, especially in northern breeds like huskies. For most of us, more shedding during the holidays is not a welcome gift. If your dog is shedding, take a look at our blog entry on shedding, posted in July. Also, if you haven’t already done so, make sure to get your appointment scheduled with your groomer. The groomer’s schedule fills up quickly this time of year.
Another unwelcome change for your dog this winter may be a bigger appetite. Wild animals need to put on extra fat for the winter, and your dog may be more hungry than usual. With all the extra cooking and baking this time of year, it’s a good idea to watch the treats and make sure your dog doesn’t get too many snacks. If you do treat your dog to an extra goodie, make sure it is safe for them. Remember, chocolate is toxic to dogs. Speaking of toxic, some other winter dangers include poinsettias, which should be kept away from pets, and halite, the chemical salt used to melt ice on sidewalks. Wipe your dogs feet with a damp cloth if you walk on treated pavement.
Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and fun winter!

Aussie Pet Mobile Gift Cards

If you would like a great gift for a friend with a dog or cat, purchase a gift card from Aussie Pet Mobile. For every $25 gift card you buy, you will receive $5 off a future groom for your dog. It’s a great deal and a great way to give a special gift to a fellow pet owner! Just call 1-800-PET-MOBILE to find your local groomer.