As a general rule, every dog needs a certain amount of grooming, some more than others. For some dogs, it is even worth taking them to a professional groomer. As a dog owner, you can also do some grooming yourself at home.
Our dogs are domesticated and live with us, sometimes in very confined spaces. They are our best friends and cuddle buddies. Dirt stuck in their fur or even a matted coat can make this less enjoyable. Coat care is also important for skin health and parasite prevention. An appropriate ritual does not have to take place daily for all dogs, but it should definitely be done weekly. Depending on the coat type, grooming can be more or less time-consuming. In addition to beauty, the following aspects are also important:
You will of course need a few tools to groom your four-legged friend. Which ones you need depends on the structure of their coat. It is good to know whether your dog only has a top coat – which is the case with many short-haired breeds – or whether they also have an undercoat. It is best to seek advice on the right tools from a specialist store. But one thing is certain: you will need a brush and a comb. You may also want to get some scissors and a good shampoo for the occasional bath.
It is best to start grooming your puppy early on and turn it into a ritual that your dog finds pleasant. Find a place where your dog likes to be and familiarize them with the comb and brush. Avoid pulling and scratching at the beginning. Grooming should be like a massage. It is certainly important to remove dead hair from the coat and remove crusts, residues, or even parasites, but do so as gently as possible.
You will feel how your dog relaxes best when you comb them. You may need to motivate them a little extra, for example with a treat as a reward. Regular grooming will also ensure that you don't have to bathe your dog too often. This is a good thing, as bathing too often can destroy the protective film on the skin. For the occasional bath, be sure to use a special dog shampoo.
Long fur in particular can quickly become matted. If the matting is severe, you can use scissors. This is more comfortable for your dog than pulling the hair too hard. For long-haired dogs, keep certain areas—such as around the eyes, paws, and rear end—a little freer with the help of scissors.
If you groom your pet outdoors, always make sure to collect the brushed-out fur and dispose of it in the general waste. This is because the hair contains residues of products used to combat fleas, ticks, mites, lice and flying insects. Birds like to use moss and similar materials to build their nests, but they also like to use fur that is lying around. This can be fatal for the birds' young.
If you are very unsure about grooming at home, don't hesitate to ask for tips at a dog grooming salon or your vet. Some dogs really do need professional help with grooming. If your dog is one of them, such as all breeds with rough coats, whose fur is often better trimmed at a salon, get them used to the ritual at the groomer's early on. Accompany your pet and reassure them that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Vaccinations for horses serve as preventive healthcare and protect against possible diseases and their spread. Depending on what you want to do with your horse, different vaccinations are recommended and even mandatory for competition horses. All vaccinations are correctly documented by your veterinarian in the equine passport.
Summer eczema is a recurring allergic skin disease in horses that manifests itself in severe itching and hairless, open patches of skin. The disease can occur in horses of all breeds, although Icelandic horses, Norwegian horses, Shetland ponies, and Haflingers are significantly more commonly affected, while warmbloods tend to be affected less frequently.
Corneal ulcer, also known as corneal ulceration, is one of the most common eye diseases in horses. It is not a growth, but rather a tissue defect that does not heal chronically and can vary in severity. The treatment of a corneal ulcer can be very frustrating, and untreated or incorrectly treated corneal ulcers can lead to serious visual impairment or even loss of the eye.
Twice a year, our horses have a strenuous job to do: when they shed their coats, they need to perform at their best because their metabolism is working overtime. Some older or sick horses struggle with this. As a horse owner, you can help your horse get through the coat change more relaxed.
Dummkoller, formerly known as star gazer disease, is an incurable brain disease characteristic of horses, which fortunately is rarely seen today. Until 2002, this disease, which severely impairs consciousness, was one of the main defects that allowed a horse to be returned within 14 days of purchase.
Bitless riding simply means riding without a bit in the horse's mouth. There are many different reasons and just as many ways to ride a horse without a bit. Of course, there are always disadvantages as well as advantages. Think about which bitless bridle suits you, your horse, and your riding style in advance. And finally, practice makes perfect.
Almost all of us are familiar with asthma in humans. But chronic respiratory diseases are also becoming increasingly common among our horses. Over the past few years, various terms have been established to describe a similar complex of diseases. In English-speaking countries, the umbrella term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" (COPD) was used for a long time, as it was assumed that the changes affected not only the bronchi but the entire lungs. In German, the term "chronische obstruktive Bronchitis" (COB) was mostly used. Although these terms are still often used today, in veterinary medicine for horses, a distinction is now only made between "RAO: Recurrent Airway Obstruction" and "IAO: Inflammatory Airway Disease." The central component of all terms is always the obstruction or narrowing of the small bronchi, which leads to breathing difficulties and coughing. The precursor to these chronic diseases is usually acute bronchitis.
This rapidly progressing muscle disease, also known as grass disease, has only been known since the beginning of the last century and is feared by horse owners because most of the horses affected die from it and the causes were unclear for a long time. It primarily affects young, well-fed horses that graze on rather unkempt, nutrient-poor pastures.
Heart disease is also relatively common in our four-legged friends, affecting almost one in ten dogs. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood into the circulatory system, meaning that the body is no longer supplied with sufficient oxygen.
Urolithiasis, colloquially referred to as urinary stone disease, refers to the formation and deposition of various concretions in the urinary tract of horses. Although this disease occurs sporadically in horses, it can lead to serious symptoms and significant impairments. The deposits can occur in the form of crystals, grit, sand, or stones and are most commonly found (approx. 60%) in the urinary bladder. Geldings are more severely affected than stallions or mares.
What do these five letters stand for? This abbreviation comes from English and literally means "feline lower urinary tract disease." It describes all diseases of the urinary tract in cats that cause difficulty and pain when urinating. As a rule, almost exclusively indoor cats are affected; outdoor cats almost never develop this condition. Male cats are also more susceptible than female cats.
It's really special when your own dog has puppies – and for us as dog owners, it's probably just as exciting as it is for the animal itself. It's important that you, as the companion of the expectant dog mom, always remain calm – and have the emergency number of your vet handy.
