by: Richard Delgado



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In this issue:



1) "The Importance of Brushing Your Pet's Teeth"



2) "Simple Grooming That You Can Do on Your Pets to Keep Them Healthy"



3) "Tips on Capturing Your Pets on Film for Great Photos"



4) "Tell Us What You Think!"





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1) "The Importance of Brushing Your Pet's Teeth"



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Brushing your teeth is something you probably do without even thinking,

right? It has most likely been a part of your wake-up and bedtime

routines since you were a kid. Just as we do our best to keep our

teeth healthy into old age, we should give the same consideration

to our hairy companions. Without a little help from us, your dog or

cat can suffer from plaque build-up, gum disease, cavities, and bad

breath, just like we can. Also, bacteria from a diseased mouth can travel

from your pet's mouth, and travel to their organs, causing disease in the

liver, heart,and other vital organs, shortening their lives.



Since they can't brush their own teeth, we have to give them a helping

hand. If you've never brushed your pet's teeth, it might sound like a

formidable task, but if you're patient and take it slowly, it's

certainly do-able and your pet would thank you if he or she could.



Whether you have a canine or feline friend at home, the procedure will

be the same. You'll want to gather all your needed tools: gauze or

washcloth, a finger toothbrush or one with a handle that is made especially

for pets, pet toothpaste, treats, and plenty of patience! There are even

sponges or pads for sale that are made especially for pet dental care.



The first thing you want to do is get them used to you touching their

mouth and teeth. You can start out by making it part of a petting session.

When you're stroking their head or under their chin, touch their muzzle.

Make it pleasurable for them and take it slow and easy.



When they get used to being touched around their mouth and lips, you can

try gently putting your finger on their teeth, again stroking and keeping

it a fun exercise. You might try dipping your finger into something tasty,

like tuna water for kitties or beef stock for doggies. Gently move your

finger over the teeth and gumline in a circular motion. Do this for short

sessions and stop before the pet starts to protest or tries to get away.

You don't want them to associate this exercise with anything negative.

Praise your pet and give them a low fat treat after you're done with a

session.



When they are used to your finger, you can graduate to using something

like a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. Again, your goal is to

move the gauze over the teeth and gumline in a circular motion to clean

them. You don't have to get all the teeth in one session, and concentrate

on the outside of the teeth, especially the larger canine teeth, and the

premolars and the molars in the back. That's where most of the tartar

buildup will occur.



For the next step you'll want to use some toothpaste. DO NOT use human

toothpaste on your pet. Use ONLY toothpaste specially formulated for

animals. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that are not meant to be

ingested. Since Fido or Fluffy can't spit like we do, they will eat the

toothpaste. Go to your pet supply store or your vet to get flavored

toothpaste for your pet.



Now it's time to introduce the toothbrush. There are many types of pet

toothbrushes out there for sale, so be sure to check them out to see which

one will be the best for your pet. Obviously, a little toothbrush meant to

fit over your finger would be fine for cats, but might be too small for a

larger breed dog. And it's probably best not to use a human child's

toothbrush instead of a pet toothbrush because pet toothbrushes are

ergonomically designed for this special task.



Again, with lots of patience and praise for cooperating, gently use the

toothbrush soaked in warm water with a dab of toothpaste to clean the teeth.

Try to get up to the gumline at about a 45 degree angle and move the brush

around in a circular or oval motion. Brush the teeth, up into the gumline,

and in between teeth. Try to get about four teeth at a time and brush about

10 times per section. This is something you have to work up to, so try a

section per brushing session at first, not all their teeth. Keep tabs on

how your pet is reacting and remember to stop before they start to squirm

and protest. You want to keep this as positive an experience as possible.



Working your way up from your finger with gauze to a toothbrush may take

several weeks. If your pet can tolerate it, it's best to clean their teeth

every day. If you can't do it that often, try for at least once a week.



When you're brushing your pet's teeth, be sure to check things out and note

anything unusual, like foul breath, discolored or chipped teeth, inflamed

or red gums. A trip to the vet may be in order if you find anything unusual.



As with any exercise with cats or dogs, practice patience, give lots of

positive reinforcement and praise, and always have an upbeat yet calm

attitude. Your pet knows you and your moods, so stay positive and happy!





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2) "Simple Grooming That You Can Do on Your Pets to Keep Them Healthy"



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As responsible pet owners, we want to do all we can to keep our companions

healthy and happy. The routine things we do for our pets, like providing

nutritious meals, fresh clean water, and exercise, should always include

proper grooming. I'll cover some of the basic needs of our pets and how we

can take care of them.



BRUSHING HAIR



It's ideal if you can take a few moments out of every day to brush your cat

or dog. All types and sizes of brushes are available for purchase online or

at your pet store. Not only will it keep their coats shiny and healthy, it

will help remove dirt, untangle knots, and distribute their natural body oils

along their hair. This is especially important for long-haired breeds of dogs

and cats. Consistent brushing also helps during the warmer summer months when

our pets shed extra hair. Because cats groom themselves, they end up swallowing

a lot of extra hair, creating hairballs that can make them vomit or cause an

internal obstruction. You can help keep hairballs to a minimum by daily brushing.



Be thorough, brushing the head, back, sides, stomach, tail, and legs. This is a

perfect time not only for bonding with your pet, but to also check their hair and

skin condition. Hair should be shiny, full, and pliable. Dull, dusty-looking,

thinning hair may signal a problem. Skin should be clean and free of dry spots,

scabs, or scales. You can also pay attention to how they smell. Normal, healthy

skin and hair shouldn't have much odor. Even if your dog or cat got dirty, they

should just smell like whatever made them dirty in the first place. If they smell

oily or rancid, they might have a problem that should be checked by your vet.



TRIMMING HAIR



Some breeds of cats and dogs grow very long hair. This can sometimes become

uncomfortable and potentially unhealthy if left unchecked. Regular trips to a

professional groomer will keep hair from tangling and keep animals from

overheating during the warmer months. If you're going to tackle the task

yourself, be sure to educate yourself on how to trim your pet and gather the

appropriate pet grooming tools.



TRIMMING NAILS



It's a good idea to keep your cat's nails trimmed if he/she is strictly an

indoor cat. Use appropriate nail clippers (available at any pet store) and

trim only the tips of the nails. The best time to do this is when they are

relaxed and sleepy. You should also stay relaxed and keep it a positive

experience. Give your kitty a treat afterwards.



Dogs also need their nails trimmed. If they get too long, it will be

uncomfortable for them to walk. Again, get an appropriate trimmer for your

dog. Keep it a positive experience and give treats afterwards. For both dogs

and cats, DO NOT clip too close to the quick or colored part of the nail.

Your pet will feel pain if you accidentally clip too far and the nail will

bleed. If that happens in either your cat or dog, use a styptic pencil or

powder to stop the bleeding.



If you've never clipped nails before, you might want to have your vet or groomer show you how to do it before attempting it yourself. Again, get the proper

tools for the job. There are special nail trimmers made for dogs and cats

available at pet stores.



BATHING



Regular bathing with water and pet-friendly shampoos (don't use human soaps/

shampoos) is also an important part of pet grooming routines. For dogs, a bath

every month should be adequate. You don't want to over bathe because that will

strip the natural oils away and dry out the skin. Brush your pet before you bathe

him or her. You can put a cotton ball in each ear to prevent water from getting

in. Fill your tub, sink, or buckets of water beforehand.



First rinse with warm water, and avoid spraying water directly into your pet's

face. Use a shampoo designed especially for pets and work your way from head to

tail. Leave your pet's face for last though. Be sure to wash under the chin,

behind the ears, between the toes, and around the rectum. You can use a washcloth

and warm water to wipe the face area. Rinse your pet well with warm water because

shampoo left on your pet will cause skin irritation. Then dry him or her off with

a towel or a pet dryer, or hair dryer. Make sure you do not use too hot of a

setting for drying them. You do not want to burn them.



Of course, most cats don't really like being bathed, so it won't be as simple.

Cats are generally clean animals because they groom themselves, but there might

be a time when you need to bathe them. They might have something on their hair

you don't want them to lick off, like car oil or grease, or you might need to

give them a medicated bath to kill pests or to care for a skin condition. Clip

the cat's nails before you bathe him/her. Wear long sleeves and maybe gloves.



I used to bathe my cat Emily in a glass-enclosed shower so she could not escape

before her bath was completed. You will also benefit from having an assistant!

One person can hold the cat while the other one shampoos/rinses the cat. It depends

on the cat. Emily was a rampage if you tried to do anything like that normally,

but in the shower she was gentle as an angel. Again, rinse off all the shampoo well.



BRUSHING TEETH



Dental hygiene is as important to pets as it is to us. Regular brushing can prevent

plaque build-up, gum disease, cavities, and bad breath. Also, bacteria from a

diseased mouth can travel from your pet's mouth, and travel to their organs, causing

disease in the liver, heart,and other vital organs, shortening their lives. (See more details on how to brush your pets teeth in the previous article: "The Importance of

Brushing Your Pet's Teeth.") Be sure to check the condition of your pet's teeth and

gums when you brush them. Look for inflamed or red gums, chipped or discolored teeth,

or foul breath. Be sure to consult with your vet or have your pet looked at if you see anything unusual.



CLEANING EYES/EARS/NOSE



You can clean eyes gently with a soft washcloth dampened with warm water, but don't

put anything into their eyes. There are also pet eye cleaning solutions available.

Look into your pets eyes and check for excessive tearing, discharge, redness,

discoloration, or irritation. Some dog breeds with protruding eyes like the Shi-Tzu and Pekinese produce a fair amount of tears for lubrication. This can cause "staining" of

the hair, which can be removed with a commercial tear stain removal product. Some pet's

eyes might get irritated because long hair or eyelashes may scratch the cornea. Make

sure hair is kept clear of their eyes.



If an eyelash is curling into their eye, you should take your pet to the vet. Also,

keep a lookout for cloudiness in your pet's eyes. This could be a symptom of cataracts

or glaucoma and needs to be treated by a vet. Other reasons you should go to the vet include: red eyes, if your pet is excessively tearing, rubbing, or squinting, blood

in or around the eye, swollen eye, or a dilated pupil. There are a number of common

eye disorders that your pet may contract, so if you notice anything unusual, get it

checked out immediately.



Check your pet's ears every so often to make sure everything is okay. You can keep

your pet's ears clean by using ear wipes designed especially for dogs and cats. Wipe

the inner flaps of the ears and slightly into the ear canal, but not too deeply. Some problems to watch for include redness or irritation, excess wax, discharge, or foul

odor. Another sign of something wrong is if your pet is excessively scratching and

shaking his or her head. Late Spring to Fall is the season for foxtails (a spiky grass

also known as "spear grass"), so keep an eye out for them on your pets. If they get

lodged into the hair, they can make their way into the skin, causing infection. You may

have to have them surgically removed. Look for them especially between toes and in the

eyes, ears, nostrils, and genitals. Of course, if you see any problems, the best bet is

to take a trip to the vet to diagnose the problem and get the appropriate treatment.



As for noses, check for anything unusual. Discharge from the nose, swelling, and

difficulty breathing might be a symptom of a foreign object in the nose or some type of respiratory or sinus infection. Also look for dry, scaly, or cracked skin on the nose.

Pet's noses can also get sunburned and could develop skin cancer. Just keep an eye out

for what your pet's nose looks like normally and if anything looks different, take a

trip to the vet.



CHECKING FOR ABNORMALITIES



When grooming all parts of your pet, it's the perfect time to check for abnormalities.

When you're brushing your pet, check their hair and skin condition. When you brush their teeth, look around and check for teeth that look discolored or chipped/fractured. Look

also for red or inflamed gums. When trimming your pet's nails, look at their toes as

well as their nails to see if they look healthy and normal. One dog owner I know noticed

a lump between her dog's toes when trimming his nails and it turned out to be a tumor.

When cleaning eyes/ears/nose, look for any unusual discharge. Again, if you see anything unusual, take your pet to the vet for a check-up and any necessary treatment.



Maintaining a regular grooming schedule for your pets will ensure that they will be at

their healthy and happy best, and also allow you to keep on top of any problems or

illnesses that present themselves.





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3) "Tips on Capturing Your Pets on Film for Great Photos"



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Most pet owners view their companions as family members, so it's no surprise that

having that perfect photo of our pooch or kitty is just as important as having one

of your sweetheart, your kids, or mom and dad to show off to others. Here are a few

tips on how to get that perfect shot of your beloved pet.



LIGHTING



Most of us take photos for fun, not as a profession, so our equipment can be pretty

basic. Although you may only have a point and shoot camera, you can get pretty nice

photos by making sure you have the best lighting possible.



* Natural outdoor light is the best. If you can't photograph your pet outside, pick

a spot indoors that provides plenty of natural lighting. Early morning or late evening

is best for natural light.



* Don't use a flash as it is too harsh and will cause the dreaded "red eye." If you

have a red eye filter on your camera, use it.



* It's best to photograph on an overcast, but bright day instead of a sunny day. Direct sunlight will be too bright and there will be too much contrast between light and dark features. If you do photograph on a sunny day, be sure to find a shady spot to take your photos.



* An exception to the no-flash and no-direct-sunlight rule: some very dark-coated

animals might do well with a flash or sunlight to bring out the different shades and textures in their hair. Also, if it's difficult to get your animal to sit still, you

may want to use the flash. If you can adjust it, try it at the lowest setting and be

sure to turn off the auto red-eye feature which delays the flash.



POSITION



* Get down to your pet's level. They're a lot shorter and smaller than we are, so

don't be in a position where you are pointing your camera down toward them. Sit or

crouch down, or even lie down to get the best shot.



* Don't be afraid to fill the frame with your pet. Zoom in for tight headshots or

make sure their whole body fills the frame.



* Keep the background in mind. You probably don't want to shoot your all-black cat

on a dark couch. Solid colors are usually a better choice than very textured or multi-colored backgrounds because they can distract from the star of the photo.



EXPRESSION



* I'm sure we all see our pets as having different expressions. Try to capture that

special look only your companion has by making sure he or she is comfortable, relaxed,

and having fun. This shouldn't be an ordeal for them.



* You can get your pet's attention by using their favorite treats and toys, or making

silly noises to them.



* Don't forget that candid shots can be the best ones. Let your pet loose to do what

he/she wishes with a toy, with a treat, or with an animal or human friend. If you can, increase the ISO settings of your camera to a fast shutter speed to better capture your animal in motion. This may increase graininess in the photo, but you will have captured

the shot.



* If your camera's various sounds (beeps) distract your pet, turn the audio alerts off.



* Experiment! Try different angles. Use unusual props or backgrounds.



PATIENCE



As with anything pet-related, you have to practice a lot of patience. Be gentle and

have a happy attitude about what you're doing. If you pet just doesn't want to

cooperate, just end the session and try another time. With some practice, and trial and error, you'll be able to produce a pet photo you'll be happy to show off.





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4) "Tell Us What You Think!"



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We'd love to hear what you think of this issue! This is

just one issue, with much more important information

coming in future months.



Please send your comments, questions, and ideas for

upcoming issues to us at:



rdelgado@thewoofpack.com



Your feedback matters to us!





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Copyright 2007 by The Woof Pack.

All rights reserved.



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If you struggle to trim your dog's nails, and you want to be

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LEARN THE SECRETS OF A PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER!



Train your dog the way the professionals do and have the most

well behaved dog in your area. Get your dog to listen to you

EVERY time!



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