If your dog is outside for any length of time it is a good idea to provide him with shelter in the form of a dog house. The house appropriate for your dog should not be too big. He should be able to enter the dwelling easily through the door and be able to lie down in it with a little space around him. If the weather is cold, your dog needs to retain his body heat which he will not be able to do in a house too large for him.

Also the dog house you choose should be insulated against winter cold or summer’s heat. However, you need to be careful of the type of insulation used in the house you choose. Fiber insulation (you know the pink kind) can attract and harbor fleas and ticks. A better choice would be a house insulated with foam board. Also, make sure the floor has adequate insulation as well. The house should also be shingled or sealed so that water cannot get in.

An important part of your dog’s pet care routine is grooming. It not only makes him look better, but it also helps to prevent certain diseases and contributes to his overall well-being.

Brushing your dog regularly is important, especially during the shedding season. If you do not keep on top of this task when your dog is shedding, you will find it frustrating trying to brush his severely matted fur later. Trying to brush your dog when his fur is extremely matted can also be quite painful for the dog, and you surely don’t want that to happen.

Brushing will keep his coat clean and shiny, and will result in helping to prevent some canine diseases. A dog’s shedding fur can be quite itchy, and he will scratch frequently to try to relieve his ‘itch’. This can quite often cause him a lot of skin irritation, even to the point where he will scratch until he bleeds. If this happens, it can even become infected and cause other skin problems

It is important to use a brush or comb made especially for dog grooming. Some ‘people brushes’ may be too soft to do the job properly, or others, like a wire brush, may be too harsh to use on your dog’s skin.

When a cat is allergic to something, common indications will be itchy skin, coughing and/or sneezing, or vomiting or diarrhea in the case of a digestive allergy. Allergies to fleas, foods, things inhaled, or something they have come in contact with are the most likely allergies in cats.

Contact allergies generally result in a fairly localized reaction on the skin. The cat may scratch a lot or there may be an indication of irritation at the place of contact. Most common causes of contact allergies in cats would obviously be items with which they come in close contact such as flea collars, bedding, toys, etc. The simplest cure is to remove the contact.

Flea allergies are very common in cats. A normal cat may simply bite or scratch for a while and then go on to other things, but a cat with a flea allergy may scratch, chew, and worry at the spot until large amounts of fur are lost.

Inhalant types of allergies are probably the most common in cats. Your cat can be allergic to the exact same allergens that you are. Tree pollens, grass pollens, and weed pollens along with the rest of the items we humans fear; mold, mildew, dust mites, and dust itself can all trigger allergic reactions in cats.

So Fido is getting a little scruffy. Pet grooming professionals are very expensive and sometimes you will not get the desired results that you wish and first place. Home pet grooming has become a fad in the last 10 years. The question asked most by the novice pet groomer is exactly where do you get pet grooming supplies? You’ll need a variety of clippers, scissors, brushes, and combs. The supplies you need vary with the type of dog you have and whether that dog has long or short hair. The thickness of the coat is important because some clippers may cause pain or irritation to your animal.

Pet grooming supplies can be found at your local but veterinarian. Here you can find clippers, nail clippers, and even small, little clippers that can cut ear hair. This is not your best bet in respect to expense. The veterinarian usually has a high markup in all their pet grooming supplies. The advantage is that you will find but veterinarian close to your home and will not have to mail order or order the supplies off the Internet. You might want to call ahead to make sure that your but veterinarian has the proper pet grooming supplies for your breed of dog. Different breed sometimes require different supplies, and if you have a rare breed for that area of the country in which you live, it may be hard to find the proper grooming equipment.

It is essential for every pet grooming professional to be dressed in the proper apparel. Not only does it show professionalism in the art of pet grooming, but also they are practical uniforms with style and functionality. They should be comfortable and stylish and have reinforcements at all the stress points for long life and durability. The uniform should reflect the personality of the pet groomer, and also should reflect what kind of pets he grooms. The uniform should be easy to wash and they should be able to withstand the scratches from dogs and cats without tearing. The uniform should be stain resistant and come out of the dryer wrinkle free. Each piece of the uniform should be fitted for the person intended to wear it. The uniform should be loose fitting but tight enough so that the loose material will not hinder the pet grooming process.

A house without a pet just isn’t complete. Whether the ideal animal companion is a cat or dog, proper pet grooming is essential. Purebred or mutt, exotic or domestic, eventually that same constant sidekick will need to be bathed. The responsible pet owner will now need to determine if it is time to bring in the pet grooming professionals or to attempt this project under their own discretion.

If the house pet happens to be a cat, many individuals feel that bathing is an unnecessary undertaking. True, a cat will commonly clean themselves to the best of their ability, however environmental and household conditions can determine the need for a full bath. Store-brand cat litter can often hold odor more discerningly than that of premium quality. This litter box odor eventually begins to permeate the general smell of the family pet. Upon noticing this condition, the cat owner will need to “freshen” the feline. This can be best achieved by pouring baking soda under lukewarm running water into a large sink or washtub. Once the baking soda has dissolved, carefully grasp two of the cat’s paws in one hand, while doing the same with the other paws. Slowly lower the feline into the waiting water. The owner must take care in their own demeanor and remain calm and soothing during this process.

Out of the numerous intestinal parasites, roundworms and tapeworms are the most common feline parasites that infest cats. The connection between these two intestinal parasites ends here. Roundworms are round and slimy creatures whereas tapeworms are flat and segmented.

Both the worms shed eggs that are passed out in the feces of the cat. But roundworms and tapeworms look different. Roundworm eggs excreted in feces are microscopic, whereas tapeworm eggs are released as packets from the end segments that detach from the worm. These segments can be seen in the cat�s feces or clinging to the hair near the anus of the cat.

Roundworms

The two common species of roundworms found in cats are:

* Toxocara cati
* Toxascaris leonina

Eggs from both the species are generally eaten by a cat when they are still in their non-infectious stage. They may also be ingested by an intermediate host, say, a mouse or a rat.

Toxocara cati differs from the other roundworm in one feature. It has the capacity to remain dormant in female cats. A queen may harbor larvae from previous infections that remain encysted in various tissues in the body. At the time of pregnancy these larvae migrate to the mammary glands. Larvae transmit through milk too. That the litter of an infected mother will be infected as well is a foregone conclusion.

There is very little worse for a family then living in a house with a cat that is suffering from a flea infestation. It’s bad enough that your cat is always scratching and clawing at itself, even ripping large hunks of hair and flesh from its body in an attempt to rid itself of the biting insects. But unfortunately there is nothing to prevent the fleas from staying on the cat. If the problem is left untreated, you could quickly find that your entire house is full of fleas, and that you are being bitten nearly as often as your pet house cat.

It is important to stop the fleas before they start to take over your home.

Preventive medicine is the best way to make sure that your pet and house stay flea free. There are several topical medications available on today’s market that are designed to prevent fleas from feasting on your cat. Most of the products are quite successful provided the cat owner follow the directions and use them properly.

Of all the body organs, the skin is not only the biggest but also the most problematic organ of the cat�s body. Most medical conditions demonstrate symptoms that relate to skin and coat. In addition external factors like physical trauma and parasites can also affect the skin in a significant manner.
Like dog skin problems, cats can also suffer from skin disorders that are self limiting and chronic conditions that require treatment over a protracted period of time.

Pruritus: The Itchy Cat

Itching brings forth almost an amazing array of changes in a cat�s skin. Constant itching can make it impossible for the veterinarian to ascertain whether the skin condition has caused the itching or whether the excessive itching has caused the skin lesions. Besides itching, pruritus causes symptoms like symmetrical feline hair loss, damage to skin due to intense scratching and Miliary dermatitis. Miliary dermatitis relates to appearance of multiple crusty lesions that are greasy and filled with cat dandruff. It can also lead to Eosinophilic granuloma complex, a condition where linear inflamed crusts are accompanied by oozing red areas near the chin and the trunk.

The Humane Society of America recommends dogs live indoors but sometimes it just isn�t possible. Maybe you own a large dog and just don�t have enough space in your home for the newest, furriest member. In this case, a dog house is a must. Here are a few tips on finding a dog house to suit your pet.

The most obvious factor � geographic location

If you live in an area with freezing cold winters and plenty of rain you should consider a heated dog house or at least one that is well insulated and waterproof. If it�s really cold you can add in a heated bed or pad. Make sure you use a heated pad that�s designed for animals and not humans, as the latter can get too hot for a dog. Heated pet beds operate safely at a lower voltage and are usually built to be chew proof. Look for cedar chip stuffing, too, as it repels the fleas. If you are concerned that other dogs or critters from the neighborhood will take advantage of this cozy, warm haven, choose a dog house with a magnetic door that allows only your dog to enter.