Many dogs do best with a professional haircut. Youโll see
stylized trims for some dog breeds like Poodles that can be
difficult to duplicate at home. Other breeds, like some
terriers, also may have fewer fur problems if kept clipped.
Double coated dog breeds designed for living in cold weather,
like Alaskan Malamutes, probably wonโt need a haircut. In most
cases, dogs that spend time outside in winter weather need that
extra fur protection to keep them safe from frostbite.
But too much fur may be a problem. For instance, dogs that play
outside can get snow and ice buildup in the fur of their paws.
Mats in the armpit regions can be painful for longhair dogs.
Waste that collects in long fur under the tail is unsanitary.
Giving your dog a haircut can reduce your coat care.
Ask the vet
Many veterinarians may have a professional groomer on staff.
But even if they donโt, your veterinarian has the equipment to
give your dog a haircut. Dogs that object to trims can be
difficult to manage and a veterinary staff has the extra hands
for restraint, treatment bathtub, electric clippers and (if
needed) tranquilizers. The veterinarian also can recommend a
professional groomer for the โshow dogโ look if thatโs what you
want.
Local groomers
Local groomers have different levels of expertise, so ask
family and friends with dogs where they get their pets groomed.
You can look in the local yellow pages, or go online. National
organizations like the National Dog Groomers Association of
America offer online search options to find someone in your
neck of the woods.
Pet products stores
Your local pet products stores also may have groomers
available. Donโt hesitate to ask them about how they handle the
dogs. If they have a veterinarian on staff, they may also be
able to safely sedate unruly dogs for haircuts.
Do It Yourself Haircuts
You may wish to learn how to cut your dogโs hair yourself. Ask
your vet or groomer to show you how so that you avoid injuring
a wiggly dog. Youโll need a leash/tether and something to
attach it to so your dog doesnโt run away, or an extra pair of
hands. For mats, instead of using scissors which can easily cut
the dogโs skin, use a mat splitter to break down the knot.
Use Clippers
The safest way to give your dog a haircut is with electric
clippers made for dog grooming. Clippers generally come in
various blade sizes with โcombโ attachments to help keep the
trim an even length.
Tips For Vacuuming Pet Hair
Furry pets are a big part of a majority of American households
and if you are a pet owner, you know how difficult it is when
Fidoโs hair winds up all over your house. Pet dander and hair
arenโt just annoying; they are dangerous if there is someone in
the household who suffers from allergies. According to a
scientific study, three out of ten people who have allergies
suffer from dog and cat allergies. Fortunately, preventative
maintenance and vacuuming can reduce the allergens in your home
and improve the air quality.
The problem spots in your
house
The places that have the most static charge are the places that
tend to collect most pet hair. If the air flow is less in a
particular area, you will find more pet hair there. These
places include areas around the laundry baskets, pet crates,
carriers, floor lamps as well as under sofas, beds and chairs.
Hair also tends to cluster in basements, around the bottom
hinges of doors and door jams.
The tools you need to clean
up pet hair
Make sure that you have a good vacuum cleaner with a powerful
suction. If someone in your household suffers from allergies,
use a vacuum with a HEPA filter so that the dirt and dander
does not blow back into the air. If the room is not carpeted,
you can also use a dry mop. You can supplement it with
microfiber mops for the high traffic areas. Do not use brooms
as they kick up more dander and hair into the air than mops. If
you want to get to those hard-to-reach areas of your carpet
floor, the following attachments might come in handy:
-
Stair
attachment โ This looks like a smaller version of
the vacuum head and it helps to clean up the curtains,
stairs, small carpeted regions and furniture.
-
Crevice and rectangle
attachment โ This attachment is long and has a
narrow end and is extremely handy for cleaning the
hard-to-reach areas. If the rectangle attachment does not
work for a particular area, the crevice attachment should do
the job for you. The crevice attachment is useful around
hinges and door jams.
-
Scrubbing
attachment โ This has harder bristles than a
typical bush attachment. It allows you to scrub all the hair
into a ball so that you can vacuum it up easily.
-
Brush
attachment โ This has soft bristles and is
extremely useful on small and hard surfaces like baseboards.
They can also be used for delicate and hard surfaces.
Once you have cleaned up the hair, make sure that you clean the
vacuum. Do not wait for the vacuum bag to bulge up before you
throw it away. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the vacuum
bag before you start cleaning. It will neutralize the smell. If
you have a bag-less vacuum cleaner, make sure you empty the
container that catches the fur and dirt every time you vacuum.
