No cat wants to be dirty, and it’s up to you to ensure that your cat stays clean. Grooming is very important, as it helps your cat remain clean and healthy. Grooming starts with brushing, as brushing helps to keep the cats hair from becoming hairballs. Brushing will remove loose hair, and help prevent the risk of hairballs. A lot of cats have trouble dislodging hairballs. If the cat isn’t able to get a hairball out, it could result in a blockage of the intestines. Blockages are very serious, and can quickly become life threatening for your pet. Cats that have long hair need to be brus... [continue reading]

Here’s a spot remover that will help you get rid of grease spots in your pet’s fur between baths, especially those spots that cats get on their heads from prowling under cars. Rub a few drops of Murphy Oil Soap and a small amount of warm water onto the greasy spots. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. From Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. ... [continue reading]

For pets that just won’t put up with water baths, try this simple dry shampoo. Place 1/2 to 1 Cup bran, oatmeal or cornmeal on a cookie sheet. Put the oven on low for 5 minutes to warm the grain. Removing a little at a time, so that the rest stays warm but not too hot, rub the grain into the fur with a towel. Concentrate on the greasy, dirty areas. Then brush these areas thoroughly to get the grain out. From Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. ... [continue reading]

Rosemary tea makes an excellent conditioner that promotes a glossy coat and helps to repel fleas. 1 tsp dried rosemary or 1 Tbsp fresh 1 pint boiling water Combine and steep for 10 minutes, covered. Strain and cool to body temperature. Pour it over your pet after the final rinse. Rub in and towel dry without further rinsing. When you’re finished with the bath, use several towels to blot off excess water. Then let your pet do what comes naturally, shaking and licking off more of the water. Make sure your pet has a warm place to dry off. From Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural ... [continue reading]

Cats are excellent at self-grooming. Besides other reasons, they groom to heal wounds and minor abrasions with the ‘antiseptic saliva’. However, the cat tongue is rough and during the process quite a few loose or dead hair tend to stick to it, which are then swallowed. Hair tissue is not easily digestible and accumulates in the cat’s stomach or intestinal tract, forming what we know as a ‘hair ball’. A cat retches out the hair ball when it irritates the stomach. If the hair balls do not pass out with stools, they can block the intestinal tract leading to loss of appetite, constipatio... [continue reading]

What are tear stains? Tear stains are reddish/brownish marks found on the inside corner and just below the eyes of pets. These are most often found on animals with light-colored fur as this makes them more visible. Tear stains are caused by an overflow of tears which then react with normal bacteria found on the skin to produce the darkened color. Red Yeast is a common culprit in producing tear stains as this organism – like most fungi – thrives in the warm and damp environment just below your pet’s eyes. Although tear stains do not generally pose any serious health risk, in s... [continue reading]

Although your cat doesn’t realise it right now, after some tender loving care and a little shampoo, he will appreciate it. Cats hate water, that much is easy to see as he lashes out at you with his claws when he gets anywhere near it. Why would someone want to bathe their cat, then? Well, they are dirty and can become flea infested just like a dog, so they do need them. Sometimes, you’ll just have to do it. The key is to not bathe your cat more than once a month as you will damage his skin and his hair if you do so more than that. And, you can do it. The Supplies To do the task, yo... [continue reading]

After trying various methods over the years, the best one I have found is to simply rub your dog vigorously with hay. You can even convince the dog to roll himself in it! I have no idea why this works but it does! ... [continue reading]