How Do I Know If My Dog Needs Grooming?

How Do I Know If My Dog Needs Grooming?

The simple answer to this question is that all dogs can benefit from grooming. It is true, however, that some dogs require grooming as a necessary part of keeping them healthy. Small dogs typically need to be groomed if they are a short-haired breed. A misconception with grooming is that it only consists of a bath and haircut. So why pay someone else for something you can do at home? Because grooming is not just bathing and haircuts. The service also provided anal gland relief, which is something best left to the professionals as well as ear cleaning and trimming their nails. If done by someone who does not know what they are doing, they could possibly cut too short and nick the cuticle which is painful and can quickly turn into an infection. Daily brushing not only makes them look good but is beneficial for all breeds. It helps removes dirt, dead hair, and dandruff. Regular brushing also helps bring out the natural oils in your dog’s fur, this coats your dog's fur in a healthy sheen. Professional grooming can help find any abnormalities, such as ticks or fleas, dry patches, inflammation, or infections. You can find issues with their teeth, ears, and eyes. When found early, problems can be treated before they become more serious.

I Take Good Care of My Dog

I am sure that most pet owners feel that they are meeting all the needs of their pet and treat them with the utmost care, but sometimes particular breeds of dog require special care that not everyone is aware of. For example, a friend of mine adopted a Maltese from someone who did not take very good care of him. He was a happy, healthy, and loved dog who seemed to never shed. He was brushed regularly, and finally, when his hair got way too long they took him to the groomer who was surprised at the condition he was in. The groomer was able to explain to my friend that Maltese, in fact, do shed, but not in the same way most dogs do. They shed down to their coat until; eventually, the hair matted to their skin forming a very thick matted coat and brushing only packs it down tighter. They require combing from the skin up to remove the excess hair. This is not something everyone would know. This is why it is important to visit a groomer.

A few things that can be done at home are cleaning your dog's ears, trimming their nails (if you feel comfortable and have the proper tools), brushing their teeth, wiping their eyes (depending on the breed), and trimming their fur around the ears, paws, and anus. Trimming the fur around the anus is important because if the fur is too long, feces can stick to it after a bowel movement.  

Dog Groomers In Abilene, Texas

Grooming keeps our dogs happy and healthy. Not only do we offer relaxing bubble bath massages and haircuts, but we also offer other hygienic services for your dog. At Diamonds in the Ruff, our experienced licensed staff knows just how to spoil your dog and provide them with the utmost care. Our dogs deserve to be pampered every once in a while so book an appointment with us today! Come by today or visit us at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com for professional grooming in Abilene.

Wanting To Have Your Pet Looking Their Best For The Holidays?

Wanting To Have Your Pet Looking Their Best For The Holidays?

Many of us consider our pets to be family. They can be our best friend, constant companion, and sometimes are even considered our children. We want them to look and feel their best, so we feed them gourmet food, we take them for walks and car rides, and spoil them every chance we get. Sometimes we throw them doggy birthday parties and buy them Christmas presents to put under the tree. Keeping them clean and well groomed is a necessity. This should not be a torturous process for our pet. Grooming should be an enjoyable experience for them. They should feel as good leaving the groomer as we feel leaving the salon.

Family Ran Grooming Business

There are many grooming businesses out there, and many of them do an exceptional grooming job with pets. The benefit to using a family ran groomer is that not only do we do an outstanding job on your pet like the big corporations, but we really love what we do, and it shows. We interact with your pet throughout the entire process and show them the utmost care during their grooming. They are pampered and treated like a part of our family from the moment they walk in the door until the moment they walk out. We make sure that not only you are happy with our services, but your pet also. It is important to us that your pet is excited to be dropped off with us. We want them to recognize that they are about to be pampered and spoiled!

Dog Grooming in Abilene Texas

If you are looking for a groomer that will love your dog as much as you do, come see any of our licensed groomers at Diamonds in the Ruff and let us pamper your pet. We offer several different packages that will fit the needs of any dog, whether they need a full groom or just a bath and touch up service. Grooming is such an important process to keep your dog happy and healthy, and we take all necessary precautions when bathing and grooming your dog. There is no doubt your dog will leave happy and ready for their next visit. Stop by and see us or visit our website at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com for all your professional pet grooming in Abilene.

Does Your Dog Need to Wear Winter Wear?

Does Your Dog Need to Wear Winter Wear?

BarkPost- Winter is finally upon us, and if you live in Texas, you understand. It is after all the beginning of December, and most of us are still wearing flip-flops. But when it comes to our furry family members, those long days at the lake are over, and cuddles by the fire are a necessity. You may ask yourself, “Does my dog need to wear a sweater?” Some of use may hesitate to put clothing on our dogs, could be they think dogs don’t get cold because they have fur or they are afraid they may look silly. But if you are concerned about your pet being cold this winter, then, by all means, put a sweater on them.

It’s easy to see that dogs are equipped with their own layering system, but some dogs have a lighter/thinner layer of fur than others. Also, some dogs are not genetically suited to the environments they are planted in. So it is possible your dog may be uncomfortable with the current temperatures, just as we would be wearing a light sweater in Colorado at the beginning of December.

It All Depends on the Dog Breed

According to dog trainer Shelby Semel, it all depends on the dog on whether they need extra layering during the winter. Note: You should always consult with your vet or your dog breeder about anything your pup may need for their health! Breeds like Ridgeback Terriers have short-haired coats and are less protected from the cold. So it’s a good idea to cover them with a coat in the dead of winter. Similarly, dogs who have hair and not fur like Maltese and Havanese also tend to get chilly during the colder seasons. Semel also points out that the size of your dog won’t protect them from the weather. “You can have a large dog—it can be a Great Dane—but they don’t have a ton of hair and sometimes you may notice at certain weather points that they do get a little bit shaky, in which case they are likely cold and it would be helpful for them to have a sweater or a coat,” Semel said.

Winter may not be the only time to put a sweater on your dog. Dogs that have skin allergies, more commonly Boston Terriers or Pugs, may benefit wearing a cotton shirt to keep them from breaking their skin from scratching.

How to Tell If Your Pup Needs Protection

If you can’t decide if your dog needs a sweater during the cold months, Semel said there are visible signs to look for. “The most obvious [sign] that you would notice that is correlated with being cold is [your dog] being a little bit shaky,” Semel said. If it turns out your dog needs clothing to protect them from the elements, try to pick something that won’t cause emotional trauma when they wear it. “Figure out what works best for your dog and what they are and aren’t comfortable with,” Semel said. Dogs who don’t like having a harness over their head would be better off with a sweater that fastens around the waist. Your dog might need to get used to wearing their sweater in the house before you can take them outside in it. Overall, Semel recommends just “knowing your dog in general” and paying attention to the signs. For the most part, our dogs are accustomed to all sorts of weather conditions, and they’re happy to frolic in the snow for hours at a time without a care in the world!

Diamonds in the Ruff

Our pets are an extension of our family, and just like our human family members, we want the best care for our furry members. It only makes sense to treat them as such. Provide healthy meals, a dry place to sleep, and warm clothing. Here at Diamonds in the Ruff, we understand how important it is to provide your pup with the best. Our groomers are trained professionals that use quality shampoos and grooming equipment. Our boarding facility can house dogs and cats with play time, potty breaks, and nutritious food. Stop by today or visit us at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com to view all that we have to offer in pet grooming in Abilene.