Grooming: Brushing Your Petby Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 04 Jan 2006 09:52 PM I don't know about you, but I love going to the hairdresser. My favorite part is getting my hair washed and the little bit of scalp massage that comes with it. Really, I don't need the haircut, I just want the wash. For like an hour. Of course, I also love to have my hair touched, played with, braided, styled... you get the idea. And some animals love to be groomed, too. My Moose would be perfectly happy to sit and get brushed all day. Square slicker brush, long tooth metal comb, shedding blade, he doesn't care what it is. As I'm writing this, as if he can read the words I type, Mr. Moose has come over for some attention. Regular brushing is actually good for dogs and cats! Many dogs (and cats!), like the Moose, have an outer coat and an insulating undercoat. Naturally, dogs shed seasonally, especially in spring and summer when they are getting rid of their warm winter fuzz. Moose sheds uniformly year round. I guess he's an over-achiever! A lot of indoor dogs have the year-round shed, because they are protected from the dramatic temperature changes that go on outside. If you have the time, make brushing part of your daily bonding. You don't have to spend hours at it; ten minutes per day goes a long way to cutting down on pet hair tumbleweeds in the hallways. Brush your dog or cat in the direction the hair grows, not against. Against the grain is tempting, because it usually gets more hair off, but it's not very comfortable for prolonged periods. Another benefit to regular brushing is that you'll notice any changes in skin, bald spots, flakes, cuts, bumps, etc. A little doggy dandruff probably isn't cause for alarm, but you should always call your vet if you have any questions or concerns about something you find. (And if you want to cut down on that dandruff, try adding a little fish oil or vitamin E oil to their meal.) Do you need one more good reason to brush your dog or cat regularly? Do it because he likes looking good! Aimee Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevantpets tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags brushing, cat care, dog care, grooming, pet care Discuss this article
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