Grooming: Sanitary Clip

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

26 Mar 2009 08:32 AM

For long haired pets, a sanitary clip may be a good grooming option.

What is a sanitary clip? A vet or groomer will remove hair from areas that can get stinky and dirty from urine and feces. The area may be entirely shaved or simply trimmed to make cleaning easier and prevent cling-ons.

Who might benefit from a sanitary clip?

• Very young animals. Kittens, for example, learn how to groom themselves between the ages of one and four months. A sanitary clip can help keep them clean until they learn how to handle things themselves.
• Pregnant animals. That round belly may make it hard to get into the right position for self-cleaning.
• Obese animals. The extra pounds may make it difficult to maneuver around for grooming.
• Unaltered male animals tend to have very pungent waste that can leave odors on the fur. A sanitary clip can help cut down on the stinkies!
• Older animals. Senior pets may not be as graceful at potty time -- and may have trouble getting into the right position for self-cleaning.
• Sick or injured animals. If your pet doesn't feel well, they might not feel up to grooming. A little help in the form of a sanitary clip can help your pet feel cleaner and more comfortable.

Some owners choose to perform a sanitary clip at home. It is possible to carefully use hand scissors to trim the feathers around the rump and on the back of the legs so they don't get messy when your pet goes to the bathroom. If you do want to try this type of grooming at home, it's always helpful to have a pair of extra hands around. One person can hold the pet and the other can do the trimming. Be very careful to not cut too close to the skin -- you could accidentally cut the skin instead of the hair. A squirming pet is much harder to clip than a calm one!

If you're not feeling up to the task on your own, talk to a groomer or vet about a sanitary clip. It can be a relatively quick and painless procedure that will leave you and your pet feeling cleaner and more comfortable!

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger