April Showers Bring...Muddy Paws: Tips for Spring Grooming

Spring is in full swing– it’s time to groom your pets! With most cats and dogs saying goodbye to their winter coats, allergens filling the air, and pests coming out in droves, now is the perfect time to establish a pet grooming routine. Trust us, with some daily brushing, spring cleaning and regular baths, both you and your furry friend will be feeling like your best selves. In today’s blog, we’ll explore various aspects of spring pet care, from grooming techniques to minimize shedding to preventive measures against seasonal pests. 

Dog Grooming Tips for Spring 

Brush Until the Cows Come Home 

As spring makes its debut, some dogs start shedding their winter coat. If your canine has a double coat, they’ll shed their thick undercoat for a lighter one, which is perfect for the warmer seasons. Regular brushing is essential during spring to remove dead hair and prevent mats, which can cause skin issues and discomfort. Brushing also helps remove dirt embedded deep in your pup’s fur and improves circulation for healthier skin. Use a slicker brush to remove loose hair, followed by a comb to keep your canine’s coat knot-free.

Scrub a Dub – It’s Time to Get Your Golden Doodle in the Tub

During spring, pollen and other allergens are everywhere, which can take a toll on your dog’s skin. To help alleviate any itch that may arise, aim to bathe your furry friend every 21 days to align with their skin rejuvenation cycle. Before heading into the bath, give them a good brushing to remove dead hair and mats. Bathing with mats can make your dog’s hair tighter and harder to brush out, causing potential discomfort for your pup. Remember when bathing to always use a dog-safe shampoo and conditioner to keep their coat healthy and clean.

Keep Those Nails in Check Henny 

With spring’s unpredictable weather, it’s important to keep a watchful eye on your doggo’s paws. On colder days, be sure to wash and wipe them with warm water after every walk. This helps remove any deicing chemicals, snow, or ice that they may have picked up from their stroll. After your walks, always check your dog for foreign objects. Remove any debris and clean paws carefully, examining each pad for any unwanted objects or injuries.

Now, onto the nails. Never let them get too long as doing so could make walking uncomfortable for your pet. If you’re not comfortable giving your dog a full mani-pedi at home, don’t sweat it! It’s best to leave it to the professionals. Book regular appointments with a professional groomer that you trust to keep your canine’s nails in check.

When Muddy Mayhem Strikes

Dogs love mud! Whether they’re rolling around in it or dashing through it, their fascination with it is quite something, isn’t it? With spring showers come muddy paws so knowing how to tackle this mess is essential. If your dog is caked in mud from head to paw, you need to act fast and wipe them down promptly to prevent the mud from drying and setting in. Once your dog is dry, brush them with a slicker brush to remove any excess dirt and tangles before bath time.

Thanks to evolution, your dog’s hair is self-cleaning, which helps keep everyday dirt at bay. But when a bath is necessary, start with a rinse, then use a deep cleansing shampoo to thoroughly clean their coat and remove any stubborn dirt and grime. For the days when bathing your best friend just isn’t an option, here are some other ways to get your dog squeaky clean and free of mud:

• Pet wipes. These are great to have on hand. After a walk or romp around in the backyard, wipe your dog down to remove dirt and allergens.
• Ear and eye wipes. These are another type of wipe to keep stocked. Gently removing dirt and debris around your canine’s eyes, these wipes are a great way to clean sensitive areas without washing.
• Dry shampoo. No, we’re not talking about the one on your bathroom vanity. This dry shampoo is made specifically for dogs and is another great way to freshen up their coat in between baths. Just massage the powder through your pet’s coat to degrease and refresh!

Questions to ask Potential Dog Groomers

 With all this talk about spring grooming, you might be thinking of finding a groomer for your dog, if you haven’t done so already. Here are two essential questions you should ask groomers before entrusting them with the full-time care of your pet.

• What type of training do you have? Any salon or groomer should have a certification and it’s up to you to find out what it is.
• What safety protocols do you follow? Groomers must know how to keep dogs safe and quickly spot when things aren’t right. 

Cat Grooming in the Spring: What’s the Deal? 

As your cat trades their winter coat in for their summer fur, you might start to notice more clumps of hair drifting through your house, sticking to your clothes like a Cousin It costume. Seasonal shedding is common, especially for outdoor cats whose coats adapt to changing weather. These felines lose their heavy winter undercoats to keep cool in the summer and in the fall grow new coats in preparation for the cold weather. Indoor cats, on the other hand, may shed consistently throughout the year due to artificial lighting, which tends to disrupt their cardiac rhythm. Regardless of when your cat sheds, the process is healthy and important, removing dead fur and helping regulate body temperature. Several factors influence shedding, including breeding and daylight exposure. Cats that spend more time outdoors may shed more in spring as the days get longer. So, if your tabby spends her days outdoors basking in the sun, expect a bit more shedding as the seasons change.

Tips to Keep You Sane During Your Cat’s Seasonal Shed 

Brush, brush again, and when you think you finally brushed enough, brush more 

First things first, let’s get one thing out of the way: there is no way to completely stop shedding, we repeat, you cannot stop your cat from shedding. That being said, you can reduce the impact your cat’s seasonal shed has on your home. Regularly brushing your cat is the best way to manage excess hair directly at the source. And trust us, you’re going to want to nip this in the bud before you start finding your feline’s hair in places you didn’t know it could reach. A good indicator of how often you should brush your cat is the length and thickness of their coat, which is typically determined by its breed. If your cat isn’t used to being brushed, start with short sessions, and gradually increase the time to make it more comfortable for them.

When brushing, always start at your cat’s head, working your way to its tail, in the direction that the fur naturally grows, using gentle but thorough strokes to check for any skin issues or parasites. Long-haired cats may benefit from a shedding rake or comb to reach their undercoat, while short-haired cats can use a bristle rubber brush to loosen trapped hair near the skin.

If your short-haired cat has a double coat, you may be able to get away with a little less brushing than long-haired cats, with cats flaunting a single coat requiring even less grooming. With cat hair of any length, it’s recommended to finish up with a slicker brush. These have smaller bristles and are ideal for collecting cat fur before it finds its way through your home, helping collect the hair you’ve been dislodging with the above types of brushing.

Blankets and Furniture Covers are your saving grace 

Does your cat have a favourite spot on the couch? Ensure easy cleanup with washable blankets and furniture covers. Simply place it where your cat likes to relax and voila, your furniture will be somewhat reprieved from the seasonal storm of hair that’s sure to rain down. When they start looking a bit too much like a shag carpet, toss them in the wash or give them a good shake outside.

Stay on Top of Housecleaning and Keep a Lint Roller on Hand

Even with the most diligent pet grooming schedule, cat hair is bound to fly! Running an air purifier can help, but you need to make sure you’re replacing the filters regularly, especially during spring shedding. Keep your home clean by vacuuming, sweeping, or using a damp mop frequently.

On top of a dedicated housecleaning schedule, stay well-stocked on lint rollers– as any long-time pet owner knows, you can never have enough! Place them in the core areas of your home so when guests come over, they are always at arm’s reach, ensuring you can quickly grab and de-hair.

 Additional Tips for Spring Pet Care 

Spring Clean Your Pets Favourite Things 

As you get ready to embark on your annual spring cleaning, don’t forget your pet’s things! They too could benefit from a deep clean. Winter brings dust and seasonal debris like grains of salt and deicer into our homes. Plus, with the windows closed during most of the colder months, Fido’s favourite things might be getting a bit stale. Here are some tips to keep your pet’s things fresh and clean, ensuring their optimal health.

• Beds: Wash your pet’s bed at least once a month. Simply remove the outer cover and toss it in the washer and dryer. Wash separately from all other laundry and use a large load setting, cold water, and a pet-safe laundry detergent. Dry on a low-temperature setting for roughly 20 minutes with a pet-safe dryer sheet. To clean your furry friend’s bed in between washes, give it a once over with the vacuum. If you can still see hairs after the vacuum, a lint roller should do the trick.

• Food Bowls: According to the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International, pet food bowls are the fourth dirtiest spot in our homes. Yikes! And since our pets can’t reach the sink and clean the bowls themselves, let’s do them the favour of ensuring they’re thoroughly clean. Whether you decide to place the bowl in the dishwasher once a week or clean it after every meal with some hot water and soap, keep your furry friends healthy and happy with clean food bowls!
• Toys: Cleaning your pet’s toys depends on what they’re made of. For cloth toys, place them in a garment bag and wash them on cold in your washing machine. To clean plastic toys, soak them in a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Once 30 minutes is up, use a nail brush to scrub off any dirt, rinse with fresh water and allow them to air dry.
• Leashes & Collars: If your dog mainly hangs out indoors, you’re likely safe to wash their collar occasionally. But if they’re outside rummaging through sticks every day, it’s a good idea to give these items a good wash once a month. Most collars and leashes are safe to be thrown in the laundry.

Don’t Forget Seasonal Allergies 

Have you noticed itchy skin and recurrent ear infections in your dog lately? It might be seasonal allergies! Just like us, pets are at risk of developing allergies as the weather warms and plants begin to bloom. Seasonal allergies occur when dogs inhale or come in contact with something they’re sensitive to, like fresh grass or tree pollen. The good news is there are plenty of ways to help your pup feel better. From proper nutrition to oatmeal baths, with a little patience, you can figure out how to reduce the impact of seasonal allergens. 

Be on the Lookout for Harmful Pests 

While it’s true that parasites like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can survive year-round, it’s the warm weather that brings them out in packs. These pests can put your pet at risk of diseases like heartworm, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and leptospirosis. Maintaining your pet’s protection with flea, tick, and heartworm control is essential. 

Navigate Spring Grooming with HSGN 

As you embrace the many joys of spring grooming your pets, remember that HSGN is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re caring for a cat, dog, or a small critter, we hope these tips have been helpful. If you’re considering expanding your furry family, don’t forget to explore volunteer opportunities with our various foster programs or browse through the pets currently available for adoption.