April 2017

Does your canine companion run and hide as soon as he hears the dreaded B-word? While we suspect that many dogs enjoy feeling soft and clean, most of our furry pals are definitely not big fans of bathtime. We can help! Here, a San Leandro, CA vet offers some helpful tips on giving Fido baths.

Fido’s Bathing Needs

Every dog has slightly different grooming needs. Fido’s coat will be the biggest factor that influences how many baths he needs, but his age and activity levels will also play important roles in determining his beauty treatment schedule. Needless to say, if your pooch has a penchant for rolling around in mud puddles, he’ll probably need frequent baths. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Basics

When bathing your four-legged pal, always use warm, not hot, water. It’s also important to stick to products made for pets: human shampoos can strip the oils from Fido’s fur, leaving his coat looking dry and frizzy. You don’t want to get suds in your dog’s eyes, nose, or ears, so just use a washcloth on that adorable furry face. To make bathtime a little easier, get a pitcher for rinsing.

Hacks

Do Fido’s bath sessions leave both you and your bathroom soaked? Get a clear shower curtain, and cut two slits in it, going from the bottom up. The cuts should be about two feet apart and four feet high. If you hang this up and use the holes as arm slits, you probably won’t get splashed as much.

Training

Does Fido really hate baths? Try this: call your furry buddy into the bathroom, and have him hop into the tub. Then, instead of giving him a bath, offer him a tasty treat and let him go. Choose something extra yummy to really get that cute tail wagging. After a few rounds, you may find your dog much more willing to jump into the tub!

The Afterbath

As soon as your canine friend puts his paws on the floor, he’ll probably start shaking to get the water out of his fur. If it’s warm enough, immediately take Fido for a walk to help him dry off. Once your furry friend is dry, you get your reward: cuddles from a clean, fresh-smelling dog!

Please contact us, your San Leandro, CA vet, for all your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!

Did you know that April is officially Pet First Aid Awareness Month? While we hope that none of our clients ever have to perform first aid on a beloved pet, we always advocate being prepared for emergencies, just in case. Here, a San Leandro, CA vet discusses pet first aid.

Preparing Your Pet’s Kit

We strongly recommend making a first aid kit for your four-legged buddy. An easy way to do this is to start with a regular first-aid kit, and then add some pet-specific items to it. Some of the things you’d want to include are gauze, non-stick bandages, blunt-end scissors, antiseptic lotion or spray, styptic powder, a muzzle (for dogs), blankets, and splints. In addition to these medical items, you’ll also want to add basic emergency supplies, such as food, treats, bedding, and collapsible dishes. Ask your vet for more information.

Brochures

In addition to specific medical items, your first aid kit should include information on what to do in emergencies. While you should of course immediately call your vet or emergency clinic if your furry pal is ever hurt, you may have to do some first aid before transporting your pet. Download a few apps, and buy or print some first-aid brochures. Keep these in the kit. You’ll also want to add copies of your pet’s medical records.

Contact Information

Your first aid kit should also contain relevant numbers, such as the number for the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline, which is (888) 426-4435. (Note: charges may apply.) Don’t forget to add your vet’s number to your contact list. We can be reached at (510) 278-8440.

Being Prepared

Taking some basic precautions can greatly reduce the odds of your furry friend getting hurt. Do some simple petproofing, and remove sharp and/or small objects. You’ll also want to keep anything potentially toxic, such as plants, chemicals, and medications, away from your furry friend. In addition to petproofing, we also recommend keeping cats inside: Fluffy is much safe indoors! As for Fido, if he has a yard to patrol, make sure the fencing is secure. Last but not least, do some research on both safe and unsafe foods, and make sure to only feed your four-legged pal healthy, suitable treats.

Do you have any questions about your pet’s health or care? We can help! Please contact us, your local San Leandro, CA animal clinic, anytime.