LOOK INTO MY EYES...

Did you know that staring into your dog's eyes releases the "love chemical," oxytocin? And that this chemical can make you feel happier? I mean, seriously, just look at that face above: Who wouldn't feel calmer and happier looking at this guy?

Let's talk about the eyes, y'all.  If eyes are the window to the soul, then keep 'em clean so you can see in there!  You can do the easy maintenance in between salon visits, simply by wiping your dog's eyes gently with a damp cloth or moistened cotton ball.  Just make sure to wipe from the corner outward, and make sure not to touch the eye itself so you don't scratch it.

Got eye issues?  

Some of the most common are tear stains and the same kinds of irritations and infections that humans can get (conjuctivitis, clogged tear ducts, styes -- all of which your vet can help you out with).  Tear stains are common in  many breeds, such as poodles, and show up more easily in pups with light-colored fur.  Smart people call tear stains epiphora (you're welcome, now you sound like you know what you're talking about); severe cases need attention from a vet or a veterinary opthalmologist.  If your dog doc determines that the tear stains are not signs of a serious underlying condition, then really they're just a cosmetic thing.  You can help reduce them by regular cleaning of the area around the eye, by keeping fur around there trimmed close so that it doesn't poke into and irritate or injure the eye.  Consider changing your dog's diet, 'cause he might just have allergies that are causing his eyes to run, just like we humans have to deal with in hay fever season.   And we can recommend some products in our salons that keep the eye area looking as nice and clean as it actually is.

So there you have it:  your daily lesson in how to be the person your dog thinks you are.  Now go do it.

A Window To Health

You know how they say that the eyes are the window to the soul? We are feeling very wise and learned (say "learn-ed" and you'll sound even smarter), so we're gonna start an age-old saying that goes, "A dog's fur is a window to his health." Start using that in conversation, nod sagely, and maybe it'll catch on.

ANYWAY, it's true: your dog's coat can tell you a lot about her physical and emotional health!  

1. Her fur should be strong and shiny. This means she's eating a balanced diet and getting the nutrients she needs (just like human hair, a diet rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals means shinier, healthier hair). For dogs, protein and amino acids are the key, so make sure your pup's getting the best food she can. Your vet may have some recommendations that align with your pet's age, breed, and health history.

2. Fur can conceal fleas and ticks, so it's also important to check for those regularly and keep your pet on flea and tick preventives. Ask us for our recommendations -- we can even do it for you!

3. To maintain your wise sage status, you better make sure you know what kind of coat your dog has (yep, there's more than one kind) and what sort of maintenance it requires. (Also something we can help you with.)

4. Too much shedding or losing hair in big patches = see your vet. A patchy, balding coat or even excessive fur loss all over can mean a host of mental and physical issues.

5. Dog smell -- it ain't normal. A dog who stinks even when his fur is dry or after a bath may have an underlying condition, from periodontal disease to skin infection or yeast to impacted anal glands. Bring your pup in and we'll help you make sure you're on top of it.

Say it again: "A dog's fur is a window to his health." Very good, young grasshopper, very good.

Ain't No Fleas On Me

Dude. It can be SO hard to get rid of fleas once you've got them in your yard or house. Especially for those of us in warmer, humid climates, because it has to get -- and stay -- really cold for there to be even a hope of killing off flea pupae. And fleas love warmer temps.

Besides being super annoying, fleas can lead to allergic dermatitis (lots of scratching, which can lead to sores and infections -- and vet visits!), tapeworms, hair loss, anemia (in puppies), and other skin irritation. They can even bug humans (sorry about the pun).

And ticks can be worse: they can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. And what's worse, all these illnesses can spread to us humans as well. They can cause serious complications, even long-term. Be careful when removing ticks: we can show you the best way to safely and completely remove them, so that you avoid also coming into contact with the bacteria. 

So don't even go there -- stay on top of flea and tick prevention year-round. 

In the meantime, all month long we are offering 24% off Advantix in our salons and 10% off all other flea and tick products. So get on it, so they don't get on you.