Earth Day 2010

Earth Day is Thursday, April 22. This year is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a day to celebrate the birth of the modern environmental movement and a chance to reflect on how we can better care for our planet. Every day we hear about "going green" and ways to do our part for the environment. As pet lovers, we already have a special bond with the natural world. We can do more by being responsible pet owners. Some obvious ways would be to spay and neuter our pets to decrease the population of homeless and unwanted dogs and cats. We can look for more natural pet foods and pet products, and keep our pets clean and healthy. At Aussie Pet Mobile Southwest Chicago, we only use safe, biodegradable, nontoxic grooming products. We have a full line of natural, specialty shampoos that provide specific solutions to pets with various types of coats.

The Earth is our home. Let's take care of it.

Shave-down Season

Now that the day's are getting longer and (hopefully) warmer, we are starting to get calls for shavedowns. If you are considering getting your dog shaved, you should understand some of the issues regarding shaving. Remember, dogs sweat from their paws, so having a shorter coat doesn't significantly affect the dog's body temperature. Also, if you are shaving due to the excessive shedding, you should know that shaving will make the hair shorter, but it will not completely stop the shedding. If shedding is your only reason for the haircut, you may want to consider a de-shedding treatment such as the FURminator, which we offer.

Still, shaving can make life easier if you dog is a swimmer, has a skin condition or fungus, is matted or the coat is in bad shape. When we shave a dog, we are careful not to go too low. You don't want to shave all the way down for a couple of reasons. First, dogs can get sunburn and even skin cancer, just like people do. It is important to protect their skin. Secondly, some breeds may not regrow their fur if it is shaved too short, a condition called alopecia. Also, with double-coated dogs such as huskies, fur protects against biting flies and mosquitoes.

And remember, Spring is a busy time at your groomers so call as soon as possible to get your appointment set.

February is National Spay and Neuter Month

Spaying and neutering your pet is an important decision for all pet owners. Unfortunately, there are too many homeless animals all over the country, many ending up in shelters. The Humane Society of the United States estimates about 7 million homeless animals end up in shelters every year. Half of these animals are adopted, but the other half are euthanized. Many of the pets that never get adopted would have been loving companions if they only had a chance.

As a pet owner, you should know that the only reason not to spay or neuter is if you intend to be a responsible, knowledgable breeder. Otherwise, the pet is much better off being spayed or neutered, from both a health standpoint and for your own piece of mind. It's not true that females need a litter before being spayed, or that males will somehow be less of a dog if they are neutered. It will not make them less protective or fat and lazy. This procedure is safe, inexpensive, and the right thing to do. It's an easy way to save lives.

For more information, go to the Humane Society of the US at www.humanesociety.org

Labrador Retriever Remains America's Most Popular Dog

From the AKC website:
German Shepherd Makes A Move For The Top Spot
For the 19th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, but could this be the last year for the Lab's reign?

According to AKC 2009 registration statistics, the German Shepherd Dog overtook the Yorkshire Terrier last year and is now ranked second most popular in the nation for the first time in more than three decades. Read more at www.akc.org

A Happy Way to Get Fit

I saw a great little article in last weekend's Parade magazine about a happy way to get fit. This time of year we hear a lot about getting fit and losing weight, since weight loss is a very popular New Year's resolution. And after the holiday's, who can't afford to lose a little weight? Even the dog probably needs some help, and that's the great news about the article. It's called "A Happy Way to Get Fit" and it concerns a study done in Great Britain that surveyed 5000 people and found that those with dogs exercised up to six hours more a week than those who worked out at a gym or on their own. It goes on to say that according to the study the average dog owner walks his pet for less than 30 minutes twice daily and longer a few times a week. Those short walks add up to more than eight hours of physical activity a week, a lot more than the average gym-goer.

Researches also found that the difference in these groups is based on enjoyment. It's just more fun walking with your dog! Most people said they walk the dog even when pressed for time, while those going to the gym are more apt to skip the workout when they're busy. So get yourself and your dog fit and go for a walk.

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.