We have a new website! WOOHOO!
The Woofers Grooming & Goodies website got a new face lift this week! This much needed new layout has been in the works for awhile, and we've been itching for the chance to show it off.
The new layout is not only much better looking, it also easier to navigate and has all our information consolidated into one location. Please take a look at all the new features and bookmark us!
Summer Safety With Your Pet
As summer gets into full swing, it's helpful to remind ourselves about
the importance of the safety of our pets. Most of us know not to leave
our dogs in the car on warm days, but did you know that dogs with less
than half an inch of hair can easily sunburn?
To protect your dog, here are a few safety tips to keep him cool and comfortable on these hot summer days:
#1. Always make sure your dog has access to cool, clean drinking water.
No, the toilet doesn't count. Dog's do not have the ability to cool themselves by sweating like we do. Dogs stay cool by panting and drinking water. To help your pet stay cool, make sure he has plenty of cool water, and you can even add ice cubes to help keep the water cold.
#2. Make sure your dog can escape the heat when outdoors.
Surprisingly, dog houses don't provide protection from the heat, and can actually keep heat in. A tarp or a shady tree make great shelters from the heat, and a child wading pool can also help give your dog relief.
#3. Skip the summer shave down and leave the coat a little longer to protect his skin.
A dog's coat is designed to protect his skin from sun and heat, and it can't perform if it isn't there. Short shaved coats leave your dog's skin exposed to the sun and can result in sunburn as well as leave him unprotected from insect bites and other injuries.
If your dog is already shaved or his coat is naturally shorter than half an inch, consider using dog sunscreen to keep your pet safe.
#4 Watch for signs of stress from the heat.
By the time your dog shows signs of heat stroke, it is often too late to save them. Instead, look for signs that your dog is feeling the heat and take action immediately. Signs your dog might be suffering include:
If your dog is showing any of these signs, cool him down as quickly as possible by taking him out of the heat, offering cold water, or placing cool (not cold!) damp towels on his belly and feet.
Your dog will appreciate the extra effort you take to help him enjoy the summer months. Stay safe with your dog and enjoy the sun!
To protect your dog, here are a few safety tips to keep him cool and comfortable on these hot summer days:
#1. Always make sure your dog has access to cool, clean drinking water.
No, the toilet doesn't count. Dog's do not have the ability to cool themselves by sweating like we do. Dogs stay cool by panting and drinking water. To help your pet stay cool, make sure he has plenty of cool water, and you can even add ice cubes to help keep the water cold.
#2. Make sure your dog can escape the heat when outdoors.
Surprisingly, dog houses don't provide protection from the heat, and can actually keep heat in. A tarp or a shady tree make great shelters from the heat, and a child wading pool can also help give your dog relief.
#3. Skip the summer shave down and leave the coat a little longer to protect his skin.
A dog's coat is designed to protect his skin from sun and heat, and it can't perform if it isn't there. Short shaved coats leave your dog's skin exposed to the sun and can result in sunburn as well as leave him unprotected from insect bites and other injuries.
If your dog is already shaved or his coat is naturally shorter than half an inch, consider using dog sunscreen to keep your pet safe.
#4 Watch for signs of stress from the heat.
By the time your dog shows signs of heat stroke, it is often too late to save them. Instead, look for signs that your dog is feeling the heat and take action immediately. Signs your dog might be suffering include:
- Heavy Panting
- Excessive Drooling
- Either pale or very red gums
- Dehydration
If your dog is showing any of these signs, cool him down as quickly as possible by taking him out of the heat, offering cold water, or placing cool (not cold!) damp towels on his belly and feet.
Your dog will appreciate the extra effort you take to help him enjoy the summer months. Stay safe with your dog and enjoy the sun!
The Great Summer Slim Down!
Most of us don't pay too much attention to how much our dog weighs,
or what that means in terms of pet health. It can be a touchy subject to
bring up, so you may not learn your dog is overweight until getting the
weight off turns into a huge ordeal. Luckily, slimming your pet down
can be as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Portion Control.
Dogs who are given unlimited access to food will usually end up eating more than they should. You might not think much about how often you fill up the bowl, but it can really add up. Depending on how small your pet is, he might just need 2-3 ounces a day.
Check your dog's food label, and follow the instructions carefully. If you decide to feed your dog a treat, reduce the amount you feed for his meal equal to the amount of the snack.
2. Exercise.
Even a short stroll to the end of the block and back can help your dog lose weight. If your dog can't go very far without becoming exhausted, choose frequent short walks rather than one long one. If you have a pool, swimming is also a great way to help a dog lose weight without stressing his joints.
3. Research.
This might sound like a funny step, but it truly is the best one for your dog's well being. Never take one person's word for it in regards to your dog. Research everything about your dog, from breed activity requirements, to supplements, to what is in the food your dog is eating. Talk to your vet, your groomer, and everyone else who handles your dog, and ask them for help with your dog's weight. You don't have to do anything they say, but you never know when a nugget of advice will prove useful.
I hope you find these tips useful, and your dog ends up with a slim and trim figure in time for summer!
1. Portion Control.
Dogs who are given unlimited access to food will usually end up eating more than they should. You might not think much about how often you fill up the bowl, but it can really add up. Depending on how small your pet is, he might just need 2-3 ounces a day.
Check your dog's food label, and follow the instructions carefully. If you decide to feed your dog a treat, reduce the amount you feed for his meal equal to the amount of the snack.
2. Exercise.
Even a short stroll to the end of the block and back can help your dog lose weight. If your dog can't go very far without becoming exhausted, choose frequent short walks rather than one long one. If you have a pool, swimming is also a great way to help a dog lose weight without stressing his joints.
3. Research.
This might sound like a funny step, but it truly is the best one for your dog's well being. Never take one person's word for it in regards to your dog. Research everything about your dog, from breed activity requirements, to supplements, to what is in the food your dog is eating. Talk to your vet, your groomer, and everyone else who handles your dog, and ask them for help with your dog's weight. You don't have to do anything they say, but you never know when a nugget of advice will prove useful.
I hope you find these tips useful, and your dog ends up with a slim and trim figure in time for summer!
Review of Our Anesthesia Free Dental
Written by A.M. Kuska, a groomer at Woofers
On April 1st, a steady stream of dogs entered Woofers Grooming & Goodies, not for the usual bath and haircut, but to get their teeth as clean and shiny as their coats. A mobile Anesthesia Free Dental set up camp in our break room and gently and painlessly cleaned the teeth on 20 pets ranging from Dachshunds to Keeshonds.
The results of the cleanings were dramatic. Many of the dogs had never had a professional cleaning before, and the tartar build up was fairly heavy. They came out wagging their tails with teeth as white as when they were puppies.
The veterinarian, who assists with the dental, cheerfully answered the questions of each owner individually, and also went over problem areas unique to the dogs. A few dogs had serious dental problems like broken teeth that could not be addressed without anesthesia. These dogs were referred to a clinic for a cleaning under anesthesia.
The anesthesia free cleaning was such a positive experience that we have invited them back, and when we did I brought my dog in to have a cleaning.
Leia is a chihuahua, and only had a very small amount of build up, but I decided to get her teeth cleaned anyway because she isn't a big chewer like my other dogs. The veterinarian made friends with Leia right away. Leia came out wagging her tail and happy as can be. Her teeth look beautiful, and Leia went from never chewing anything to enjoying bones just like all my other dogs.
The difference in her happiness is striking, and she only had a little bit of tartar on her teeth. I am very happy with my dog's anesthesia free dental, and I highly recommend it.
The anesthesia free dental clinic will be coming once again May 6th. Dogs need to be scheduled with a $25 deposit before this date.
On April 1st, a steady stream of dogs entered Woofers Grooming & Goodies, not for the usual bath and haircut, but to get their teeth as clean and shiny as their coats. A mobile Anesthesia Free Dental set up camp in our break room and gently and painlessly cleaned the teeth on 20 pets ranging from Dachshunds to Keeshonds.
The results of the cleanings were dramatic. Many of the dogs had never had a professional cleaning before, and the tartar build up was fairly heavy. They came out wagging their tails with teeth as white as when they were puppies.
The veterinarian, who assists with the dental, cheerfully answered the questions of each owner individually, and also went over problem areas unique to the dogs. A few dogs had serious dental problems like broken teeth that could not be addressed without anesthesia. These dogs were referred to a clinic for a cleaning under anesthesia.
The anesthesia free cleaning was such a positive experience that we have invited them back, and when we did I brought my dog in to have a cleaning.
Leia is a chihuahua, and only had a very small amount of build up, but I decided to get her teeth cleaned anyway because she isn't a big chewer like my other dogs. The veterinarian made friends with Leia right away. Leia came out wagging her tail and happy as can be. Her teeth look beautiful, and Leia went from never chewing anything to enjoying bones just like all my other dogs.
The difference in her happiness is striking, and she only had a little bit of tartar on her teeth. I am very happy with my dog's anesthesia free dental, and I highly recommend it.
The anesthesia free dental clinic will be coming once again May 6th. Dogs need to be scheduled with a $25 deposit before this date.
Vexing Vaccines - Are Annual Shots Necessary?
We don't vaccinate our children every year for their entire life, so why
the heck would we vaccinate our dogs every year for their entire life?
Every year they show up in the mail - brightly printed post cards informing you that your dogs are due for their annual vaccinations. We may moan and groan, but most of us will set up an appointment because we love our dogs and don't want them to be sick. Unfortunately, recent research shows this may be more harmful than helpful.
The recommendation to vaccinate annually has been under scrutiny since the early 1980's when veterinarian Dr. Ronald Schultz began checking the immunity levels of vaccinated dogs. He found that vaccines last a very long time. Even as long as the dog's lifetime!
His studies resulted in the AAHA revising their vaccine schedule from vaccinating annually to vaccinating only every three years. These changes in protocol are not only based on how long the immunity lasts, but on how best to reduce the often unpleasant and little known side effects of over-vaccinating, such as cancer and allergies.
These concerns have lead some people to forgo shots altogether. We do not advise this. This practice could lead to outbreaks of diseases that were previously under control. Titer testing is a method of testing your dog's blood to see if your dog has antibodies to diseases such as parvo and distemper.
With so much controversy surrounding shots it can be hard to decide what the correct course of action is for your dog. The answer is individual for every animal. Please do your own research to determine what is best for your pets.
We suggest these links to get you started:
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/trust-me-im-a-vet/?inf_contact_key=bbaff4c5ec4e7d710fd57f19a9a7a1d9e5975f1dcce3e1c5ba84dae064eeb03e
http://pets.webmd.com/features/pet_vaccination
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_8/features/Annual-Pet-Vaccinations_20036-1.html
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/08/20/pets-over-vaccination-disease.aspx
For the cats:
http://maddiesinstitute.typepad.com/chewonthis/2014/03/should-we-be-vaccinating-cats-in-the-tail.html
Every year they show up in the mail - brightly printed post cards informing you that your dogs are due for their annual vaccinations. We may moan and groan, but most of us will set up an appointment because we love our dogs and don't want them to be sick. Unfortunately, recent research shows this may be more harmful than helpful.
The recommendation to vaccinate annually has been under scrutiny since the early 1980's when veterinarian Dr. Ronald Schultz began checking the immunity levels of vaccinated dogs. He found that vaccines last a very long time. Even as long as the dog's lifetime!
His studies resulted in the AAHA revising their vaccine schedule from vaccinating annually to vaccinating only every three years. These changes in protocol are not only based on how long the immunity lasts, but on how best to reduce the often unpleasant and little known side effects of over-vaccinating, such as cancer and allergies.
These concerns have lead some people to forgo shots altogether. We do not advise this. This practice could lead to outbreaks of diseases that were previously under control. Titer testing is a method of testing your dog's blood to see if your dog has antibodies to diseases such as parvo and distemper.
With so much controversy surrounding shots it can be hard to decide what the correct course of action is for your dog. The answer is individual for every animal. Please do your own research to determine what is best for your pets.
We suggest these links to get you started:
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/trust-me-im-a-vet/?inf_contact_key=bbaff4c5ec4e7d710fd57f19a9a7a1d9e5975f1dcce3e1c5ba84dae064eeb03e
http://pets.webmd.com/features/pet_vaccination
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_8/features/Annual-Pet-Vaccinations_20036-1.html
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/08/20/pets-over-vaccination-disease.aspx
For the cats:
http://maddiesinstitute.typepad.com/chewonthis/2014/03/should-we-be-vaccinating-cats-in-the-tail.html
Happy Valentine's Day
It's no secret that we dog owner's love our pets. In fact, according
to Time magazine, we spent 367 million dollars on our pets over the
holidays. Giving pets a little special love on Valentine's day is a fun
way to celebrate, and we have some awesome suggestions your dog will
love:
Time With You.
Your dog spends most of his life waiting for you to come home. The number one thing you can do to show him you care is to spend some time with him. A game of fetch in the backyard, a walk, even a tummy rub can mean far more than all the treats in the world.
Training Classes
Just like we enjoy trying out Karate or Dance lessons, your dog may enjoy learning how to do Agility or Flyball. Giving your dog a chance to use his instincts in an appropriate environment is a wonderful way to reduce destructive behaviors and improve your relationship with your pet.
Thinking Toys
While your dog would no doubt delight in any toy or treat you bring home, a toy that dispenses treats is often far more exciting. The alluring smell of treats keep dogs engaged, and the fact that they aren't easy to get to gives their brain as well as their bodies a workout. These toys are fantastic for keeping dogs of all sizes busy.
Time With You.
Your dog spends most of his life waiting for you to come home. The number one thing you can do to show him you care is to spend some time with him. A game of fetch in the backyard, a walk, even a tummy rub can mean far more than all the treats in the world.
Training Classes
Just like we enjoy trying out Karate or Dance lessons, your dog may enjoy learning how to do Agility or Flyball. Giving your dog a chance to use his instincts in an appropriate environment is a wonderful way to reduce destructive behaviors and improve your relationship with your pet.
Thinking Toys
While your dog would no doubt delight in any toy or treat you bring home, a toy that dispenses treats is often far more exciting. The alluring smell of treats keep dogs engaged, and the fact that they aren't easy to get to gives their brain as well as their bodies a workout. These toys are fantastic for keeping dogs of all sizes busy.
** Coupon **
Woofers Grooming and Goodies
16511 Pacific Ave SoSpanaway, WA 98387
253-538-0814
$4.00 OFF AVODERM
CHICKEN & RICE OR LAMB & RICE
30# OR 26#
Limit 2 bags per customer
Expires 06/30/14CHICKEN & RICE OR LAMB & RICE
30# OR 26#
Limit 2 bags per customer
Not valid with other offers. With coupon only.
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