How to wash your dog

Dogs rarely enjoy the bathing process but frankly, if you can smell your dog coming before you can see him, it is time for a wash.

First of all, gather the equipment you need and put it into the bathroom. This will include your doggie shampoo, a brush or comb and plenty of old towels. You may even want to include a hairdryer if you don’t want a semi-wet dog running around your house. Then you need to find the dog in question. Bring him into the bathroom and close the door so he cannot escape!

It is a good idea to brush through the dog’s coat before a wash. Not only will he love it but you can remove any bits of debris that have got stuck like leaves, twigs or even sticky bits that are matting the fur. You can also use this time to inspect for any signs of skin or coat problems. Once this has been done thoroughly, place your dog in the tub.

The best way to wet him is to use a shower head, however if this is not possible then filling up the tub with warm water and using a jug is possible too. Make sure you avoid your dog’s eyes and inner ears when you are wetting his fur. Due to a difference in pH levels between humans and dogs, you shouldn’t use human shampoo on your dog as it could irritate the skin, so make sure you have a special dog shampoo to hand. Lather him up, and if you are using a flea treatment, leave it on for the prescribed amount of time.

When it is time for rinsing, use the shower head or jug to thoroughly remove all traces of the shampoo. This process should take twice as long as applying it. Be careful not to wash the shampoo into ears and eyes which will sting and irritate your dog. Once you are satisfied it has all gone, allow your dog one big shake whilst he is still in the tub and then remove him. Use the towels to dry him off as much as possible. You can use the hairdryer to completely dry the fur if you wish but make sure the setting is not too high.

Your dog will enjoy being toweled down, and may even forgive you for washing him! Do any of you have any specials tricks on how to wash your dog? Send in your comments below.

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Is your pet in pain?

Unfortunately, because animals are unable to tell us if they are in pain or where it is hurting, pet owners have to be particularly vigilant at watching for changes in behaviour as this is the only clue we are given. Because animals are quite good at masking pain and often do so until it is no longer possible to hide, it is often only the very subtlest of changes that occur which makes it especially important (not to mention difficult) to notice them.

There are a wide variety of ways the suffering can be communicated to us. If your normally placid dog becomes a little aggressive, this could be a sign of pain. If your normally energetic pet seems lethargic, they could be trying to tell us something. Look out for any noticeably unusual signs such as restlessness, hiding, holding an unusual posture, lack of appetite, decreased grooming (in cats) or forgetting all house training! Any of these could be a sign that your pet needs a trip to the vet for some medication.

Other signs are constant licking or chewing at a particular area of the body, whining or whimpering constantly, seeking more affection than usual or flattening their ears against their head. If you do notice any of these symptoms and are worried, you should contact your veterinarian for advice on what to do.

Animals feel pain just the same as humans do, and they do not benefit from it one bit. Additional stress to an animal has shown to increase their pain levels, so keeping your pet in a calm and soothing environment is very important when they are suffering. Never give an animal a pain killer designed for a human, as they can be poisonous for a pet and do a lot more harm than good, and always make sure the medication prescribed by your vet is continued throughout the allotted time frame. Do not finish the course early, even if your pet looks better.

Have any of you any information about what to do if your pet is in pain? How can you tell if your furry friend is even in pain? Send in your comments below.

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10 signs that your pet is unwell

There are plenty of indicators that your pet is not feeling its normal sparkling self, and it is important to look out for them. If your pet displays any of the signs outlined below it may be important to consult your veterinarian.

Below is a list of some of the most common warning signs that your pet it unwell:

• Change in appetite - look to see if their food is no longer being wolfed down.
• Weight loss or weight gain - a noticeable weight change can be a cause of illness.
• Loss of house training - pets don’t simply ‘forget’ their training.
• Bad mobility - in particular if your pet is having trouble climbing the stairs.
• Persistent cough - if a cough hasn’t gone within a few days, seek attention from your vet.
• Bad breath or bleeding gums - particularly harsh smelling breath.
• Diarrhoea or vomiting - one off occasions are not generally something to worry about, but continued vomiting or diarrhoea is.
• Change in sleep patterns - sleeping all day or changing patterns are something to look out for.
• Excessive scratching or head shaking - this may be allergies, or something more serious.
• Excessive drinking and/or urination - pay attention to how much water your pet is drinking as this can be a sign they are unwell if it is a larger amount than normal.

If your pet is showing any or all of those symptoms, don’t wait until it is too late, act straight away. VioVet is a leading retail site that has been set up in conjunction with a professional veterinary practice in Hertfordshire. Not only can you purchase medications and other supplies for your pet, but you can also seek advice and information about their health and well being.

Have any of you other symptoms that should be looked out for? Send in your comments below.

The benefits of buying pet medication online

There is a new trend emerging with regard to pet food and pet medications – buying online. With time being such a valuable commodity in today’s modern world, being able to avoid a trip to the vet or pet store is a much desired option by many. Often veterinary surgeries are open during business hours, which may mean taking time off work in order to collect medications. And why drive to the pet store to buy heavy tins and sacks of food, when it can be cheaper to have them delivered to your door?

These days people are turning to the web for simplicity and convenience. Not only can you receive good medical advice regarding your pet, but at the same time you can order medication, supplements and top quality diets too. There are also plenty of useful hints and tips to help keep your pet strong and healthy in a very efficient way.

VioVet is a leading retail site set up in conjunction with a professional veterinary practice in Hertfordshire. VioVet acts as your one stop shop for all things pet related and because the overheads are kept to an absolute minimum, the savings are passed on to customers. You can purchase everything from prescription medicines to dog beds for a fraction of the price of your local veterinary practice or pet store. Most drugs do need to be actually prescribed first by your own vet, but then they can actually be bought simply, quickly and cheaply from VioVet, along with food, supplements and a huge range of pet care products.

When buying online you’ll therefore save both time and money and all of your questions can be answered from the comfort of your own home. Customers also benefit from special deals, discounted prices and other promotions on offer from time to time, which helps greatly reduce monthly outgoings. The difficult economic climate has meant that people are looking for ways in order to keep costs to a minimum and purchasing pet products online is one way this can be achieved.

Let us hear your comments on whether you think buying online is a good idea. Do you benefit from saving time and the pennies?