Month: August 2022

Cat Grooming: Brushing, Bathing, Nail Clipping, and More

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date August 26, 2022

It’s certainly not uncommon to see cats licking and grooming themselves daily. However, their work doesn’t remove the need to see professional cat groomers. Issues such as overgrown nails, matting, and skin irritations can occur in cats of all breeds and it’s not something your cat can resolve on their own.

Before you search for professional cat grooming near you, it helps to have an understanding of what type of grooming needs your cat may have and what services would benefit them the most. Keep reading to learn more about basic services performed by cat groomers and how they help keep your pet clean and healthy.

Find the Right Professional Cat Grooming Near You

Not all pet groomers will have experience dealing with cats. As you search to find the right Indiana cat groomer, make sure they can handle performing all of the following services:

Brushing

Even short-haired cats can use some extra brushing attention. When you take your cat to the groomers, they’ll go above and beyond a regular brushing session that you might do at home. From dealing with matted fur and knots, they’ll also handle fur that can grow between toes and aggravate your pet. A trained groomer will also keep an eye out for any skin concerns, such as lumps, bumps, irritations, or missing patches of fur.

Bathing

Trained cat groomers know how to properly introduce your cat to a bath and know how to hold them to help them feel secure. Not only can a professional bathe your cat competently, but they’ll also know whether they’d benefit from flea shampoo or other specialty shampoos designed to meet a cat’s specific need.

Nail Clipping

Clipping your cat’s nails can feel overwhelming, which is why many pet owners search ‘cat nail trimming near me’ to have a professional handle the job. Cat nail trimming is an essential part of caring for your pet. Proper nail maintenance helps support your cat’s balance and avoids overgrown nails which can become quite painful.

Other

In addition to these three main areas, a quality groomer can also help with your cat’s ear care, by assessing both the inner and the outer ear. Issues they’ll watch for include redness, discharge, odor, bleeding, or swelling.

Smoochie Pooch: Cat Grooming and Cat Nail Trimming Near You

At Smoochie Pooch, our trained cat groomers will pamper and care for your kitty, allowing them to feel their best. With several Indiana locations, we’d be happy to welcome them into our cat boutique or provide our top-quality services right at your doorstep in our mobile pet spa. Cat grooming gives your cat a better clean than they can get on their own and helps them maintain their health. To find out more about our cat grooming services, contact us.

Skin Care

Summer Skin Care for Your Dog

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date August 19, 2022

There’s nothing better than sunny summer days! Whether you head to the lake, spend time by the pool, or just enjoy long walks around your neighborhood, you should be aware of skin care concerns that may pop up for your dog over the warmer months.

Pet skin health plays a big role in their overall happiness, and some extra issues may pop up while you’re enjoying all that summer has to offer. It’s best to start the summer off with a fresh groom so that your dog’s coat and skin are in good condition, so be sure to book that appointment at your Indiana groomer.

Supporting Your Pet’s Skin Health This Summer

It’s natural for your dog to lick and scratch from time to time, but what do you need to watch for when it comes to their skin health? Skincare for your pet starts with monitoring for any extra licking or itching and doing a quick scan to check for redness, hot spots, or parasite bites.

Here are some of the top summer concerns that can affect your pet’s skin health:

Swimmer’s itch – This is an itchy rash caused by parasites that live in the water. These parasites can live within a dog’s body and reproduce, making them a serious concern for your pet. To avoid getting swimmer’s itch, dry your dog off with a dry towel as soon as they exit the water and avoid murky areas where there are a lot of weeds.

Allergies – If you notice a red rash or hives, your dog may be suffering from summer allergies to things like grass or pollen. Skin treatment for dogs with allergies can range from topical creams to oral antihistamines. Be sure to find something that offers them relief to avoid excessive licking or scratching that can lead to mats and hot spots.

Heat – Did you know that dogs can suffer from heat rash? In particular, breeds with skin folds, like pugs, are especially vulnerable to heat rash, but it can also affect any dog that’s been out in the sun for too long. Even if your pup loves to lounge in the sun, make sure you help them find relief in the shade or cooler temperatures indoors.

Matting – Mats occur more frequently in the summer due to dogs shedding their winter coat, being wet more often, or rolling around in the grass. Matting can be very detrimental to pet skin health since it can cause skin irritations and make it difficult to find parasites that might be causing pain and discomfort. Make sure you brush your dog frequently throughout the summer and keep those regular appointments with your Indiana dog groomer.

Quality Pet Care and Grooming in Indiana

At Smoochie Pooch, we offer top grooming services, including skin treatments for dogs. From shed relief to skin hydration therapy, we can help your pet’s skin be the best it can be. With six locations throughout Indiana, we’re ready to provide top-notch grooming and skin care services to dogs of all breeds. To find out more about our dog grooming services, contact us!

Skin Care

Ultimate Guide to Fleas and Your Dogs: Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date August 12, 2022

Questions about your dog’s skin care can come as a result of allergies, matted hair, injury, or pesky parasites. Since fleas love warmer weather, they’re certainly something you need to watch for all summer long as they can cause issues for your dog’s skin.

If you suspect that your dog may have fleas, seeking out a dog flea removal service is a good idea. Unfortunately, fleas can cause several issues if left untreated. Trust us when we say it’s best to get rid of these pests as soon as you can!

What Is a Flea and How Does It Impact Dog’s Skin Care?

Fleas are parasites that live outside their host but feast on their blood to survive. Fleas are very small, only about 2 millimeters in size, making them tricky to spot. As such, you may not notice the fleas themselves, but the effects they have on your pet, their health, and their skin.

An experienced dog flea removal service can tell you that fleas are built to survive your dog scratching, so even with their best efforts, they won’t be able to get rid of these parasites on their own. An adult flea can live a few months and female adult fleas lay thousands of eggs at a time, so their presence can grow very fast in a short amount of time.

A flea bite will produce a raised bump on your dog that is itchy, red, and swollen and can last for weeks. All it takes is one flea bite to send your dog into itchy misery and require their skin to have some much-needed care to relieve the discomfort.

How to Prevent, Treat and Watch for Fleas

The best way to handle fleas is to avoid getting them in the first place! Flea grooming for dogs, meaning regular grooming appointments, is one of the best ways to prevent fleas. Your dog’s coat will be manageable, making it easy to do a flea check, and your groomer will also be able to alert you to any concerning bites or irritations they notice on your dog’s skin. You can also ask your vet about bug spray and oral or topical flea protection.

Even with prevention, it’s best to know what signs to look for. You should be concerned about fleas if you notice:

Flea bite marks.
Flea “dirt” – take a wet paper towel and see if the dirt you see changes from brown to red.
Hair loss.
Scabbing or hot spots.
Light or white gums.

If you have any suspicions, take your dog to the vet. It’s important to get confirmation and then choose the right type of treatment to deal with fleas quickly and effectively.

Flea Grooming for Dogs at Smoochie Pooch

At Smoochie Pooch, we know that pet grooming isn’t simply about having your pet look good. It’s about supporting their overall wellness by ensuring their skin, coat, ears, and eyes are well maintained and healthy. With knowledgeable groomers that have breed-specific knowledge and training in pet skin care, you can count on us to be the partner your dog needs to feel their best. To find out more about grooming your pet to prevent parasites, contact us.

Dog Grooming

What Kind of Grooming Does a Chihuahua Need?

Post author By Smoochie Pooch
Post date August 5, 2022

Even the smallest of dogs still requires proper grooming. Chihuahua dog grooming can be a little tricky since these tiny pups tend to only weigh between two and six pounds. Grooming needs will differ depending on if you have a short or long-haired chihuahua, but either way, don’t neglect their grooming needs just because of their size!

Dog groomers in Plymouth can tell you that chihuahuas are relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming. However, it’s important to realize that grooming isn’t just about keeping their coat shiny, but about keeping their skin, ears, paws, and eyes in good health as well.

What to Know About Chihuahua Dog Grooming

Chihuahua dog groomers will be able to handle either the short or long hair that can come with this breed. Regardless of hair type, their coat is known to be soft and doesn’t tangle easily. Regular brushing with a soft bristle brush is suggested, along with these other grooming tips:

Hair can grow quickly around their paws and legs, which becomes irritating to your dog. Make sure they’re groomed regularly to keep these areas trimmed and tidy.
Due to their small size, one of the most difficult jobs a chihuahua dog groomer has is to trim their delicate nails. Ensuring the right tools are used is imperative.
Since these dogs are so low to the ground, they are more susceptible to picking up dirt and can be more prone to fleas. As such, regular baths are important to keep them clean, healthy, and feeling good.
Even though chihuahuas aren’t as prone to ear infections as other breeds, it’s important to clean out their ears regularly and to watch for any greasiness inside the ear or any signs of sores or parasites.

Long hair chihuahuas will have more choice when it comes to a styled cut. Dog groomers in Plymouth should be able to provide you with some options such as a lion’s cut or a show cut. It comes down to personal preference and you can discuss what you’d prefer with your pet groomer.

Top Quality Dog Grooming at Smoochie Pooch

Just because their size may be small, that certainly doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t get top-quality grooming services. At Smoochie Pooch, your chihuahua will have a positive grooming experience that will not only take care of all their grooming needs but leave them looking and feeling their best. Our groomers are trained in breed-specific grooming, so you can rest easy knowing that we’ll deliver the style and service your chihuahua needs. To learn more about Smoochie Pooch or to book an appointment, contact us.

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