How Important is Proper Dog Grooming?

Grooming your dog is a pleasant bonding experience that goes beyond making he or she look good - it is essential to good health.�Your dog cannot tell you when things don�t feel right or beginning to go wrong.�Grooming is a preventative medicine technique that will pay off with a healthy and happy pet.�The essentials are regular brushing, bathing, dental and ear care, and toenail clipping.

What makes Brushing Essential?�

Your dog has an eventful life full of poking into bushes, digging up things, hopefully not the roses, and rolling in whatever!�Brushing with a soft brush distributes lanolin through the fur and pinpoints any problem areas of matting.�These mats need to be cut off with a clipper, then your pet should be rebrushed with a wire brush.�This will remove ticks and any loose fur.�A dog regulates body heat by perspiring just like a human an excess fur gets in the way of this necessary process.

Why is weekly bathing good?�

Aside from the obvious, a smelly dog, redolent of the compost heap he has just rolled in, bathing removes build up perspiration, loose hair and excess skin oils, all of which keep your pup�s coat healthy and prevent mange, an ugly and costly doggie affliction.

Why is dental care more than just chewing bones?�

Dogs can get cavities just like humans and are also subject to Gingivitis.�They need yearly professional dental assessments and teeth cleaning.�In-between, you should brush the teeth with a canine dentifrice and give bones, and chlorophyll chews to promote healthy gums and better breath.

Is it a good idea to clip a dog�s nails?

In a word, yes. It is essential.�Regular clipping protects your floors as well as the pet�s feet and prevents nail splitting.�Long toenails can actually get in the way when a dog walks and distort its balance.�And while you are clipping with a quality clipper, check out the footpads and look for any cracking.�If you find this, apply Vaseline and a sock to help keep the treatment on the foot, not your couch.

Is Pantene good for dogs?�

NO, NO.�Your favorite shampoo is probably far too drying for a dogs skin.�Please find a good dog shampoo formulated for the correct breed and use it weekly.�Supplements such as olive oil, fish oil and brewers yeast added to the dog food will also help make the coat shiny and fresh.

Is it necessary to clean a dog�s ears?�

Most definitely, yes.�Many breeds are susceptible to ear infections and can have hair grow into their ear canals.�Gently pull any hair growing in the ear to the outside and clip away, if necessary.�Clean your dog�s ears with a cotton swab and alcohol several times a month.�Be on the lookout for an odor from the ear or excessive head shaking.�If you notice either, head straight for the veterinarian.

Establishing a regular grooming routine will ward off many health problems and can become a fun time for you and your pet.

Dress up your dog (Niles Daily Star)

VANDALIA - Come celebrate the spirit of the harvest and the beauty of autumn during the third annual Harvest Festival at Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, today from 4 until 7:00 p.m., sponsored by Cass County Parks, Cass District Library and Cass County Conservation District. Rain date is Oct. 18.

Credit tightens in Midlands (The State)

Businesses and shoppers find it harder to get loans Mark Lambright, owner of Make It New in Columbia, could use a small business loan to help his furniture refinishing business make it through hard times. But he declared bankruptcy in the mid-1990s and can’t find a bank willing to give him a line of credit to buy fabrics and paints. “There’s not a lot of room for the average person,” Lambright ...

Skirting a Home-Decorating Dilemma (WallStreet Journal via Yahoo! Finance)

Custom-sewing services are an option for casual home decorators seeking a special look. The Journal tasked a sampling of companies to dress a sink.

Comedy: Last Comic Standing Tour comes to Lincoln Center on Thursday (The Fort Collins Coloradoan)

In August, Iliza Shlesinger became the first female winner of NBC's "Last Comic Standing."

Bizarre Morgellons remains a mystery (MSNBC)

The symptoms include rashes, weird hairs and fibers and itches. The syndrome is called Morgellons, and the CDC is investigating whether it's a real condition or imagined.