KEEPING COATS UNDER CONTROL
Shedding. It’s one of the least pleasant aspects of pet ownership, often sending the fur flying throughout the home and all over clothes.
While inconvenient, shedding is a natural process by which pets lose old or damaged hair. The amount is determined by factors such as breed type, health, and whether or not a pet is kept indoors or outdoors.
During the warmer months, shedding can be an especially hairy situation to contend with.
“Dogs molt twice a year and summer is one of those seasons,” said Chris Anderson, owner of Chris K-9 Clippery in Canyon Country (which offers groomers who speak Spanish and German, as well as sign language).
The condition isn’t limited to dogs, according to Deborah Hansen, owner of Kitty’s Purrfect Spa, a mobile cat grooming business based in Valencia.
“Shedding is a big problem,” Hansen said. “Like you can’t build a house in a day, you can’t control shedding in a day, but it can be controlled over time.”
Step one is regular and grooming.
Anderson has regular clients who come in for a professional groom one month, followed by a bath the next.
bathing
“You don’t want to do much more than that, otherwise you’ll strip your dog’s natural oils,” she said.
For a simple bathing session, clients at Chris’ K-9 Clippery can opt for a full service or do it yourself session that includes a shampoo kit and blow dry for $10 to $15 depending on the size of the dog.
“Use my tub to save your back and your drain,” Anderson said.
Cats, who are notorious for not liking water, usually require a professional for bathing as well as grooming.
“People approach it like giving a dog a bath and throw the cat in the shower,” Hansen said. “That cat is going to use its claws and climb up you. That’s highly dangerous for someone’s who’s not trained. They don’t know how to pick up on small signs and react to their cat’s next movement.”
Hansen, a certified feline master groomer, comes to the home for the process. Like Anderson, she recommends a grooming or bathing session every four to six weeks.
“A bath opens up the pores and I’m able to massage out the dead coat or the coat about to be released from skin,” Hansen said. “If a cat is well maintained with a regular bath and comb out, you will not notice more shedding in the summer.”
In between bathing and grooming, Anderson recommended brushing dogs at least every other day.
“My dogs love it. They stop, drop, and drool when they see the brush come out,” she said.
If your dog isn’t so fond of being brushed, Anderson had a suggestion.
“Lots of treats,” she said with a smile.
Hansen recommended combing for cats and has trained clients on the proper technique at home, but finds that many owners just aren’t able to be consistent.
“It’s easier to pay someone to do it and have it done right, since combing takes time, energy, strength and repetition,” she said. “It’s a chore and no one likes chores.”
Both Anderson and Hansen emphasized the importance of a healthy diet.
“Feeding a brand without cornmeal or byproducts means a healthier coat. If your dog has dry skin, ask your local pet supply store or a veterinarian for the best supplement to add to the food,” Anderson said.
Hansen recommended a premium quality cat food.
“Not top of the line or human grade, but not the cheapest you can buy at the grocery store,” she said.
Also, consider the water source for your pet.
After a Kitty’s Purffect Spa client had a water softener put into the home, her cat’s coat quality diminished to the point where Hansen was about to recommend a veterinary visit.
First, the client tried bottled water for her cat.
“The situation resolved in two weeks,” Hansen said.