Coat Care in Autumn

Autumn has blessed us with beautiful and dry weather so far! Nevertheless, the grooming effort for our four-legged friends increases, because now leaves and burrs regularly get stuck, especially in the long coat of dogs and cats. If not removed, these can cause extensive matting. In addition, the change from the summer to the winter coat makes the skin sensitive, and a portion of extra care does it good!

Therefore, for dogs, it's now more often: "Time for a shower!" and our cats also get to see the comb and brush more frequently than usual.

What should be considered when bathing and combing dogs and cats?

• It's best to accustom your dog or cat to regular coat care as young animals. Never use pressure or force, but rather positively reinforce your pet with lots of praise and treats. Use soft brushes that will not pull on the puppy or kitten's fur.
• Accustom your pet as early as possible to having their paws touched, cleaned, and dried. Proceed with a lot of patience and love here too. Do not practice when the animal is overly playful and energetic, but rather when it is calm and sleepy.
• For removing burrs, plucking brushes are best, which should have softer or harder wire bristles depending on the coat quality. These are also very effective for brushing out shedding hair during the coat change.

Showering dogs correctly

• Showering dogs should also be practiced as early as possible. It is important that the dog is not made nervous by a slippery surface. Therefore, place a rubber mat in the shower or bathtub.
• If it's just about rinsing off sand and dirt, it's not absolutely necessary to use shampoo. However, if your dog has rolled in something foul-smelling or if the dirt is difficult to remove with water alone, be sure to use a special dog shampoo. If your dog suffers from a skin problem, ask your vet for a suitable special shampoo.
• Massage the shampoo into the damp coat with calm movements. Most dogs really enjoy this. Afterwards, it is important to rinse the shampoo thoroughly, as residues in the coat can lead to skin irritation and itching.  

Thorough Drying

To dry, first strip the water from the coat with your hand. Afterwards, microfiber or fleece towels are very suitable for drying, although strong rubbing should be avoided, as this can damage the hair and cause the coat to mat. You can also put a dog bathrobe on a wet dog; this warms them, speeds up drying, and prevents the areas where the dog lies down from getting wet and dirty.

Careful Combing

Do not comb your dog immediately after bathing. Wet hair is very soft and could break when combed. A wide-toothed comb is allowed for longer coat to prevent it from matting.

During the shedding season, special combs help remove dead undercoat. Especially cats often enjoy being brushed with a grooming glove!

Complementary food for healthy skin and a beautiful coat

If, despite careful grooming, the animal has dandruff, its coat is dull and brittle, or problems occur during the shedding season, then a deficiency of vitamins (especially vitamin A, E, or B vitamins), unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6), or trace elements (especially zinc or copper) may be the cause. Here, the right food supplement can provide a remedy.