PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Cats do not like to be dirty. Most cats spend a good part of their day licking their paws and face to stay clean and tidy. However, despite this, few cat owners think about grooming their cats.

However, grooming a cat is very important. This process helps remove loose hair from your cat’s body. Without brushing, a lot of this hair would have ended up in your cat’s stomach. Since hair is not easily digestible, it often forms hairballs. While cats can sometimes cough up hairballs, they can clog the intestinal tract, as well. In addition, grooming can remove dirt and debris from your cat’s coat. It is also a great opportunity to check for fleas and ticks.

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If you’ve never groomed a horse before, looking at that pile of mysterious looking equipment, brushes and combs can be overwhelming. How do you use these tools and when do you use them? Should you start with your horse’s mane or with his hooves?

While people may all groom their horses a bit differently, there are some steps that should not vary. The first, and most important, step you should take when you are grooming your horse is to be sure he is safely and securely attached to the cross ties. Be sure that your horse’s halter is properly fastened and hook the halter to both cross ties before you pick up any of the equipment.

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So, you finally have a horse and now you need to buy grooming tools. However, the feed and tack store is crammed with tools and equipment, which of these tools do you need to buy to keep your horse looking and feeling great?

The first thing any horse owner or even someone who wants to ride horses regularly should shop for is a hoof pick. A hoof pick is used to clean dirt and debris out of the bottom part of the horse’s hoof. While you need to use a hoof pick as part of your horse’s daily grooming routine, you also need to carry one with you when you are exercising your horse so that you can quickly remove pebbles or foreign objects that become lodged in the horse’s hoof.

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If you own a dog or a cat, you probably knew that you would have to spend some time grooming your new pet. However, did you know that birds need to be groomed, too? Of course, you won’t be brushing his feathers, but you will need to clip his toenails, clip his wings and give him the occasional misting.

Clipping a bird’s toenails is a fairly simple procedure, but if you are uncertain whether you can handle the job, you can ask your veterinarian or local pet store owner for help. If you do not have his nails clipped, your bird can get his foot caught on his cage bars, his toys or his cage cover, so you really shouldn’t avoid this grooming chore.

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Cats do not like to be dirty. Most cats spend a good part of their day licking their paws and face to stay clean and tidy. However, despite this, few cat owners think about grooming their cats.

However, grooming a cat is very important. This process helps remove loose hair from your cat’s body. Without brushing, a lot of this hair would have ended up in your cat’s stomach. Since hair is not easily digestible, it often forms hairballs. While cats can sometimes cough up hairballs, they can clog the intestinal tract, as well. In addition, grooming can remove dirt and debris from your cat’s coat. It is also a great opportunity to check for fleas and ticks.

If you thought your cat would hate to be groomed, you may be surprised at how much he actually enjoys the experience. Of course, it is much easier to accustom your cat to brushes and combs when he is still a young kitten. Gently brush or comb over your kitten’s coat, following the grain of the fur from his neck to his tail. If he begins to grow irritable, stop grooming him and play with him for a few minutes until he is relaxed. Do not groom his face or paws with the brush or comb, as most cats do not like this.

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Cats do not like to be dirty. Most cats spend a good part of their day licking their paws and face to stay clean and tidy. However, despite this, few cat owners think about grooming their cats.

However, grooming a cat is very important. This process helps remove loose hair from your cat’s body. Without brushing, a lot of this hair would have ended up in your cat’s stomach. Since hair is not easily digestible, it often forms hairballs. While cats can sometimes cough up hairballs, they can clog the intestinal tract, as well. In addition, grooming can remove dirt and debris from your cat’s coat. It is also a great opportunity to check for fleas and ticks.

More →

While almost any animal should be groomed to keep it looking sleek and glossy, grooming a horse is even more important. Grooming a horse regularly can prevent serious medical problems, especially those that are hoof related.

Since a horse is so big and powerful, it is important to have complete control over your animal, even if he is well trained. After all, even the most well behaved horse can become startled by a strange noise and attempt to bolt. This is why you should never groom your horse without first checking to be sure his halter is in place and that he is attached to both cross ties. If you don’t have cross ties in your stable, you may be tempted to simply groom your horse in his stall, but this could be dangerous, as he can move sideways and trap you against one of the walls. You should have cross ties installed immediately, instead.

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It’s easy to find many challenges involved in having a pet rabbit. But there are lots of positives, too. Here are some of the pros and cons…

Rabbits can live a long time, up to ten years or so. That in itself can be either a good or bad thing, depending on your point of view. People often view rabbits as something to amuse the kids when they’re young. But having the life expectancy of a dog makes them a long term commitment. Think ahead.

Rabbits are prone to a few diseases that may be hard to treat. Since they can’t vomit, a hairball can cause them serious intestinal difficulty. Keeping their diet correct in order to minimize the odds takes some effort. They can contract something called RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease), a virus that can cause death. Even if they survive, they can also spread it to other pet rabbits. They can be subject to flea and mite infestations, with all the potential complications that brings.

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Everyone knows that cats absolutely hate water, so why on earth would someone want to bathe their cat?

Well, although cats don’t enjoy paddling in the swimming pool with their doggie pals, they still can get just as dirty or flea infested as dogs. There are times when there is just no other option besides giving your cat a bath. As long as you do not bathe your cat more frequently than once a month, you will not damage his hair or skin.

Before you begin bathing your cat, you will need to gather a few supplies. At the minimum, you will need two absorbent terry cloth towels, a pet safe shampoo, a pet safe conditioner, a sponge, and a sprayer attachment for your sink or tub. If you don’t have a sprayer attachment, you should have a pitcher or large cup that you can use to scoop clean water over your cat’s body. Ideally, you should also have a non-skid mat to help your cat feel more secure.

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By Alex Page

Matted fur - it happens to most dogs or cats occasionally. When you notice matted fur on your dog or cat, it’s very important to remove the matted fur as soon as possible. Not only is it ugly, but it can become very uncomfortable for your pet causing him to pinch and pull at it. Of course, this can just make matters worse.

So, what causes matts and how do you treat matted fur?
There are several things which can cause matting, but the most common cause is lack of grooming. If you haven’t brushed your cat or dong for a while, shame on you. Your pet can’t do it himself. He’s totally dependent on you to take care of him. If you can’t do it regularly, please take your pet to a groomer regularly.

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