Monday 12 November 2012

Taking care of pets during Diwali!



Diwali, the festival of lights and happiness is here! It is a festival full of celebrations, lightings and sweets. Enjoying this festival with family and friends is something everyone takes pleasure in. Pets are also a part of the family for animal lovers. But Diwali can be a distressing time for the animals due to the loud noise and lights all around. Dogs and cats have stronger hearing power. So, what we recognize to be loud is even louder and unbearable for them. Besides, dogs are also susceptible to vibrations caused by loud noises. Hence, one needs to take extra care of pets during Diwali season.


Here are a few calming tactics to help your pets when the noise levels are high.

  • Try to sensitize your pet to the noises by playing similar sounds ahead of time.
  • Take your pet for a good walk during the day before the fireworks start.
  • Do not leave your pet alone and keep them away from firecrackers.
  • Never burst crackers in front of pets.
  • Do not let your pet enter any common area like terrace or walkway where crackers are being burst.
  • Keep your pet distracted by playing with him.
  • Let your pet stay in a closed room with soft music playing and the family members accompanying him/her.
  • Keep the windows shut and curtains drawn to mask sounds and flashes from fireworks.
  • Put on the TV or radio to cover the sounds of fireworks.
  • If your dog hides under a sofa, let him be. Forcing him out causes more stress.
  • Give your pet his favourite treats and a bowl of water.
  • Do not comfort your pet if he is showing frightened behaviour. Act normally and tell him that there is nothing at all to be scared of.
  • Reward your pet when he is calm and not looking afraid.
  • Do not rebuke or punish your pet for being fearful.
  • Take medicines if any from your veterinarian beforehand.
  • First aids for burns must be kept handy.
  • Licking and sniffing the crackers can lead to toxicity to your pet. So, keep the firecrackers away from your pets.

The other risk during Diwali is when pets run away in fear and go missing. Engraving your mobile number on your pet’s collar, or, adding a pendant with his name and your number before the celebrations begin is strongly recommended. Do not leave your pets unattended even for short periods of time. While taking care of your pets, do not forget the stray animals in your locality. Take a round twice a day. Leave food and water for them. Try and keep them in your compound or garden or housing colony for a couple of days. If you see any of them wounded, take them to a veterinarian immediately or call for an ambulance. 

Wishing you and your family (includes pets) a very happy and safe DIWALI!

Thursday 25 October 2012

Pet care with a natural dry shampoo.





“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole” – as the saying goes, pets form an integral part of our lives. A clean and odour-free pet is a joy to be around with.

Its shower time again! “Bow wow, not now!!” said the dog to bathing. Images of the last unsuccessful bathing sessions immediately flash your minds. Chasing him down, whining, panting, drooling and at the end only leaving you more soaked than he is!

Pets are also vulnerable to body odour just as humans. Their typical doggy odours are just like we humans have a typical scent. Maintaining your pet and keeping your dog well groomed will help lower his natural odour as well as reduce the canine scent in your house.

The quality and texture of the dog’s hair (whether it’s long, silky, curly, smooth, or wiry) determines how much dirt it collects and frequency required to bathe the dog. Your dog’s lifestyle and activities will also influence how often he gets dirty and needs a bath. If you own a dog with special coat requirements, you may wish to consult a breeder or a professional groomer for specific recommendations. Below are a few tips for a fuss free pet shower:
·         Walk the dog: Before bathing a dog, make sure you give your dog a long walk. This will help drain his energy and reduce his stress. Your dog is much more likely to surrender to a bath if he’s too tired to put up a fight.
·         Gather supplies: Collect everything you need for the bath in advance like shampoo, conditioner and a towel. Keep them within your reach. Place a nonstick bath mat in the tub to keep your dog’s feet from slipping out under his feet. Also set the water temperature to lukewarm for your dog’s comfort.
·         Brushing and bathing: Also brush out all snarls and tangles and remove mats. If this step is omitted, the wet, matted hair will set and be most difficult to manage. It is important to select a shampoo labeled for “dogs.” The pH of canine skin is neutral (7 to 7.4). Most shampoos for humans are on the acid side and are therefore unsuitable for dogs.
Regular bathing and brushing keeps hair shedding to a minimum as well. This ritual also helps you be aware of any new unnatural lumps and bumps on his skin that might need a veterinarian to check. So bathing is a good thing! Bathing also removes accumulated dirt and debris. Oily coats are rinsed off thus improving the appearance of the coat. However, frequent bathing is not necessary for the health of the coat or the dog. In fact, frequent bathing can rob the coat of its natural sheen and make it harsh and dry. For most dogs, regular brushing will keep the coat and skin in good condition and eliminate the need for frequent baths.

There are many dry shampoos available commercially. ‘Bathe Me Dry’ is a natural dry shampoo which does not require water. Hence rinsing is not necessary and causing less whine and fuss for your pet. Bathe Me Dry is a unique concept of dry bath for dogs. It is a natural powdered dog shampoo that gives the dog a pleasurable bathing experience. Its citrus fragrance removes bad odour and makes your pooch smell fresh.


As most pet owners know, bathing a canine excessively can cause skin problems. Fortunately, you can dry bathe your dog considerably reducing skin irritations, dirty fur and the wet dog smell. While nothing replaces the traditional bath for deep cleaning your dog's coat, dry shampoo is a quick way to absorb excess oil and to remove odour. Dry shampoo is also handy during those cold winter months when exposing a wet dog to the elements is out of the question. After all, “Every dog must have his day.”