Grooming Tips: Keep the Pup Cool In The Summer

As the weather heats up in summer, it’s important to make sure that your dog is able to stay cool. Dogs can get too hot, which puts them at risk of heat stroke and other health problems. Use these grooming tips to help your dog feel cool and comfortable all summer long.

Brush Your Dog Regularly

Dogs can get mats and tangles in their fur during summer, especially if they have longer hair and like to roll around outside a lot. These mats and tangles can make it harder for them to stay as cool as possible while also irritating their skin. Brushing your dog on a regular basis with the right brush can help prevent mats and tangles from being able to form.

Bathe Your Dog

Giving dogs a bath from time to time helps keep their hair and coat in healthy condition throughout summer. This can lower the risk of having mats form, which helps them stay cooler. A bath in lukewarm water can also help cool dogs off after they have been out in the heat. Keep in mind that dogs don’t need baths often, though. Aim to bathe your dog once a month or every few weeks as needed. Brush and comb your dog’s hair before bathing and afterwards.

Consider a Haircut

Dogs with longer or thicker coats might have an easier time staying cool in summer with a haircut. Consider having your dog’s coat trimmed if it’s a longer or thicker one, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors with your pup. Have a professional groomer handle this, so that it’s done properly and safely.

Cut Your Dog’s Nails

Trimming a dog’s nails won’t keep them cooler in summer, but it can help them feel more comfortable. If your dog will be running around outside, having shorter nails is important. Longer nails can cause discomfort and get snagged on surfaces, which can cause them to tear.

If your dogs need grooming this summer, please contact DoGone Fun to find out more about our professional dog grooming services.

This article was originally published at  https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-grooming/grooming-tips-keep-the-pup-cool-in-the-summer/

Are There Dog Grooming Standards?

Do professional dog groomers follow standards when it comes to styling and grooming pets? While dog groomers in general aren’t required to do so, there are certain standards that some follow. These standards help ensure that these groomers provide high-quality grooming services in a safe and ethical manner.

Professional Dog Grooming Standards

The Professional Pet Groomers and Stylists Alliance (PPGSA) developed standards of care for professional groomers to follow. This group of organizations in the pet grooming industry created a set of standards to encourage professional groomers to strive for a high level of care. These standards cover safety, sanitation and other aspects of pet grooming, such as facility standards.

Although pet groomers do not have any formal requirements to meet these standards, those who follow them show a commitment to your pet’s safety while under their care. When you bring your dog to a groomer who meets these professional standards, this can provide you with peace of mind.

Types of Grooming Standards for Pets

What kinds of standards do some dog groomers follow? The standards that the PPGSA developed include work standards, facility standards and general standards. For example, pet groomers must treat all pets in their care humanely and maintain a clean facility. According to these standards, pet grooming facilities must use products, equipment and tools that are considered safe for pets.

Standards of care also include keeping track of records for each client and maintaining these records for at least one year after service. Any incident reports that are written up must be kept for at least three years. These dog grooming facilities must have emergency protocols in place, keep a first aid kit on hand and have contact information for local emergency animal hospitals and veterinary clinics. Following the PPGSA standards helps reduce the risk of serious injuries during grooming and also helps ensure that pets are treated with care while being groomed and styled.

If your pets need grooming, contact DoGone Fun for more information. Our groomers follow dog grooming standards to ensure safety and high quality for your pets.

This article was originally published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-grooming/are-there-dog-grooming-standards/

Your Dog's Adverse Reaction To Medication

When your dog needs to take any type of medication, you might worry about possible adverse reactions. In the past, finding this information wasn’t always easy for pet owners. However, the FDA is changing that by providing improved access to adverse event reports for pet medications and medical devices.

Adverse Event Report Changes

The FDA announced in April 2019 that pet owners and veterinarians alike will be able to access adverse event reports from the past few decades online. Only some of these reports were available for the public to read, which made it hard for concerned pet owners to find out whether or not certain pet medications have been linked to adverse reactions. The FDA made this change in order to ensure that the general public would have greater access to medical products that are under FDA regulations.

Where to Find Adverse Event Reports

You can find adverse event reports on the open FDA digital platform under "Animal and Veterinary Adverse Events." The information that you’ll find ranges from January 1, 1987 through April 3, 2019, and more will be added in the near future. Keep in mind that you should still consult your veterinarian in addition to checking these reports if you have any concerns about your pet’s medication.

Reporting Adverse Reactions

You can report adverse reactions, such as severe or unexpected side effects, to the FDA or to the drug company that made the medication. You can also submit a report for medications that are not effective. If you contact the drug company, adverse reaction reports are forwarded to the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA. When filling out a report about an adverse reaction, make sure you include as much information as possible, such as the amount given and any medical information about your pet, such as medical conditions or recent surgeries.

If you need to board dogs that take medication, contact DoGone Fun. Our staff can administer medications safely as instructed during your pets' stay at our dog boarding facility.

This article was originally published at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/your-dogs-adverse-reaction-to-medication/