Aussie Pet Mobile – We take the stress and anxiety out of grooming your pet!

I know people who just don’t seem to miss a beat when they have a dental appointment. It’s just a blip on their radar in life. Me? Oh, it’s cause for nothing short of a mental and physical meltdown. The appointment written on my kitchen wall’s calendar can be in blue ink but it might as well be bright, flashing red neon. My anxiety starts about two weeks prior… seriously. My family and friends laugh at what a mess I can become. Routine cleaning? Check-up? Stressful…. a cavity and a filling or a cap? Just knock me out… three days prior, please. I become physically queasy during the drive to my dentist’s office. And here’s the kicker – I like my dentist. He is a gentle, caring practitioner. It’s just, well, he is a dentist and I religiously get anxious going to the dentist, ever since I was a kid and had to have some teeth pulled (to my 9 year old’s self surprise).

Today, as an adult, part of my stress management is talking about it or expressing it in some way, shape or form. As a human, I am able and get to do just this. I can vocalize my anxiety, nervousness and fear.

Fido or Fi-fi? Not so lucky. Unfortunately, pets cannot verbalize what is causing their discomfort. Instead, they must rely on exhibiting their distress through physical signs of nervousness, fear and stress by way of their behavior. Knowing the signs and possible causes of anxiety can help you to manage and ease your pet’s distress. Signs and symptoms can include excessive barking or meowing, whining, pacing, panting, restlessness or running around, cowering, trembling, shaking and/or hiding under furniture, in the bathroom or freezing to the spot.
Many cats and dogs share the same feelings I have about the dentist when it comes to going to the vet or the groomers. Whether it is directly correlated to a painful or scary experience from a past visit, or just their habit of reacting to things and events they don’t understand and thus perceive as a threat, it can make even a car ride be their trigger.

It is our belief and philosophy here at Aussie Pet Mobile that your pet’s grooming appointment should be both convenient for you and not stressful for your pet. We can remove the trigger of the car ride or the kennel cage they may have to sit in while waiting for the groomer at a more traditional grooming operation or veterinary office. If it is the actual process of the grooming that causes anxiety for your pet, our team is experienced in handling your sensitive companions that may need a little extra time and attention. Because your pet is the only one in our mobile spa at one time, they have our undivided attention in a quiet, low-stress environment.

Their spa experience is just steps from the comfort and security of their home, where we will gently pet and caress, coax and soothe your beloved pet while they’re bathed and coiffed using only the finest products our industry has to offer.

Give us a call at Aussie Pet Mobile and we can help take away the fear and anxiety your pet expereiences when being groomed.  Our phone number is 770-521-2240.

Why we don’t you use “Human” shampoos to wash your pets and neither should you

Being in the pet grooming business, I am asked that question right after I answer the question: “How often should I bathe my dog?” . The short answer is this: For a quick fix, human shampoo is fine to use. If Fido just rolled around in the yard and is covered in mud, a washing is in order. After all, a clean dog is a happy dog and a happy dog makes for happy owners! In a pinch, do what you must.

The better answer to the question is this, NO. No, you should not use human shampoo or conditioner on your dog or cat; and here is why:

1. For starters, dogs are just plain different from humans. One of the differences is that dogs do not sweat, while humans do. Dogs release their toxins through their kidneys and bowels. You and I release ours through our kidneys, or bowels and when we sweat. Think how good you feel after you get out of the steam room?
2. Our ph balance and a dog’s ph balance are completely different. Our ph balance is about 5.5 while your dogs ph balance is more along the lines of 7.5. A dogs skin has more alkaline so the shampoo used should have a ph balance between 6.5 and 7.5. The more acidic your shampoo is, the more likely it will cause your dog’s skin to dry out making him or her spend the day itching. When this happens, it only makes the problem worse because of the open sores that can and probably will result.
3. Dog’s skin is more sensitive than ours. We all know every-time we wipe our arm or scratch our side, we lose layers of skin. In addition, we also have microscopic mites that help eat our dead skin. This is ok in a human because our skin is 10 – 15 cell layers thick. A dogs skin is only has 3 – 5 cell layers thick. Bottom line, your pets skin can become irritated easier than ours.

At Aussie Pet Mobile, we use different shampoos based on the condition of the dog or cat. We most often use shampoos and conditioners by a company called Quadruped Pet Care. Quadruped services the professional pet grooming industry. The Quadruped Product line is designed, developed, tested, and use by pet care professionals.  Product bases are derived from natural ingredients and are performance-enhanced by use of botanical blends with an emphasis on utilizing the unique benefits of the Mojave Yucca plant. We like this product because Yucca extract is an anti-fungal, has superior moisturizing properties and possesses antibacterial qualities.

Aussie Pet Mobile only uses the best products on the market to care for your dog or cat. For more information or to contact us, please go to our website at Aussie Pet Mobile.

How often should I wash my dog? (Part 2)

As the owner of a Dog Grooming company, I am asked several times a day about how often a dog should be bathed. I answer the question this way: If you as a human stop washing your hair or if you stop using conditioner, what happens to your hair? It gets dirty oily and smelly without even rolling around in the grass or woods!

“But Maureen”, I hear, “I am not a dog”. No, you are not a dog. However, just like you, your four legged friend has either fur or hair that must be washed. A clean dog is a happy dog I always say and a happy clean dog, makes for an even happier owner. To date, no human has ever disagreed with me!

In Part One of this blog, I give reasons why your pet needs to be bathed at least once a month if not more. This blog is a follow-up to my original wherein I am giving you even more reasons to bathe your dog on a regular basis.

1) What types of activities does your dog partake in?

How much time does your four legged friend spend outside your home? Do you take him or her out for a walk everyday or do you just open the back door and let them have free roam of the yard? Does your dog roll in the grass or any puddle of water they can find? How about eating rabbit poop (or any other animal feces for that matter) or better yet, roll in it? How about digging? Is your pet a digger?

If your dog is like most dogs, then he or she partakes in some or all of these activities. I do not know about you, with a lifestyle like this, regular bathing is a necessity.

2) Does your pooch scratch their skin?

Unlike humans who absorb allergens through their mouth and nose, dogs actually absorb them through their skin. Sure, a good scratch now and then is fine. After all, even I do that from time to time. A dog that is consistently scratching signals something is wrong. Bathing your dog on a regular basis can prevent allergens from being absorbed through the skin. During the spring time, this is extremely important to your dog’s health and well being. Many times, pets need to be washed on a weekly basses.

3) Fleas and ticks.

By having your pooch washed on a regular basis, you are alerted to fleas and or ticks that your dog is carrying. It is common practice today to use flea and tick products. However, nothing is ever 100% full proof. If your part of the country is experiencing a dry or hot spell, then you probably have an abundance of fleas and ticks in your area.

Washing Fido on a regular basis using a flea or tick shampoo will also help in repel them. The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is a house full of fleas. It makes you and Fido very, very, very uncomfortable and you both will feel like you are in the dog house.

My advice is this: The benefits of washing your dog on a regular schedule far outweigh the cons. Do you and your dog a favor, wash them.

For those of you who do not know about Aussie Pet Mobile, we are a full service pet grooming company that conveniently comes to your home to groom your dog or cat. We only use only high quality products that are bio-degradable. We offer a series of shampoos & conditioners designed to treat your pet’s skin and fur to keep it clean, healthy and shiny.

We offer shampoos with optical brighteners to enhance the color and shine, oatmeal shampoo to reduce itching and skin irritations, Lav-a-derm shampoo – a soothing lavender based shampoo to reduce stress, itching, burns and abrasions, and of course, flee & tick shampoos! There are a variety of conditioners available including Aloe Vera Re-Moisturizing treatments for dry skin and coat, De-matting conditioners to reduce matting, and Protein Paw Pad Conditioners to help with dry, rough or cracked paw pads.

For more information about us, click on Aussie Pet Mobile. We look forward to helping you keep your dog or cat clean this summer!

How often should I wash my dog, truth or myth? (Part One of Two)

After spending more time than I really needed scouring the internet, I found that most of the advice only recommends washing your pooch just a few times per year.

I am not sure about you, but the thought of washing my dog only a few times a year does not sit well with my olfactory patch. I can only conclude that the advice given was written years ago when humans did not have access to quality shampoos and conditioners nor were there great service providers like Aussie Pet Mobile to help out. Let’s face it, for most people washing your dog or cat is a real pain. Our homes are just not set up to accommodate bathing our pets.

In the past, many of us heard that washing your dog too often can strip their coat of natural oils they need for their skin. True, in the past there were only a few shampoos developed for your pet and most of them had harsh chemicals to deter fleas and ticks. Let me tell you, times they have a changed!! Nowadays, we carry all kinds of shampoos as well as conditioners designed with your dog in mind.

With the advent of products designed to pamper your pooch, what factors should you consider when deciding how often to wash your dog? As you will see below and in my next blog, here are things to consider:

1) Breed

As a general rule, dogs with dry skin can be bathed less frequently than dogs with oily skin. The type of coat your dog has also plays a role in how often they should be bathed. For example dogs with soft coats like Yorkies, Afghans and Shitzus should be bathed every other week, while harsh coated breeds like Shelties and Collies can be bathed once a month. Soft coated breeds tend to “hold” dirt more which causes clumps to form in their coats. Also, a good sign that your dog needs a bath is the color of their coat. If your pooch’s coat looks brown instead of white, this is a good indication they need a bath. Always remember this: a clean doggy is a happy doggy!!

2) Does your dog reside indoors or outdoors and does he or she sleep in your bed?

If your dog lives in your house with you and more importantly, if he/she sleeps in your bed, then you are probably going to want to wash your dog regularly; depending on the breed, anywhere from once a week to once a month. I know this might be radical thinking for many of you; however, if your dog sits on your sofa, you probably don’t want him leaving dirt, poop, insects and other grime onto your sofa or bed. The trade off is that your dog’s coat ~might ~ be marginally drier but you will have a fresh smelling dog that you can cuddle without the fear that gross stuff is getting into the sheets.

3. Is anyone in your house allergic to dogs?

If someone in your household is allergic to your pet, here is some advice on how to help them. Wash your dog once a week. Most allergies arise from pet dander. By washing your pet once a week, it removes the dander. Again, we find that people are reluctant to do so because they think this will dry out their pet’s skin. If the proper conditioner is used, your pet’s skin will be just fine. Think about your own hair for a minute. After multiple washings, it can become dry and flaky. However, when you add the proper conditioner and/or lotion your hair and skin become soft and shiny.

My next post will continue this discussion and provide you additional examples of when your pet needs a bath.

For those of you who do not know about Aussie Pet Mobile, we are a full service pet grooming company that conveniently comes to your home to groom your dog or cat. We only use only high quality products that are bio-degradable. We offer a series of shampoos & conditioners designed to treat your pet’s skin and fur to keep it clean, healthy and shiny.

We offer shampoos with optical brighteners to enhance the color and shine, oatmeal shampoo to reduce itching and skin irritations, Lav-a-derm shampoo – a soothing lavender based shampoo to reduce stress, itching, burns and abrasions, and of course, flee & tick shampoos! There are a variety of conditioners available including Aloe Vera Re-Moisturizing treatments for dry skin and coat, De-matting conditioners to reduce matting, and Protein Paw Pad Conditioners to help with dry, rough or cracked paw pads.

For more information about us, please click on Aussie Pet Mobile Alpharetta

Stay tuned for part two!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month – Aussie Pet Mobile Atlanta

How much enjoyment does your pet bring to your family?  Is there any better joy in life than to come home, have your loved one jump in your lap, look into your eyes, lick your face, and convey to you that you are the best thing since sliced bread?  Anyone with a pet knows how integral their lives are to the rest of the family.  People with pets are just plain happier.  After all, a pet loves you unconditionally and does not talk back.

Now I am not saying my dog is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.  He has a few quirks of his own, like drinking water out to the toilet bowl when a water dish is right in front of him, or chasing his tails whenever a guest comes in.  But then again I have a few quirks of my own, none of which I will get into with you. What I am saying is that pets brings another dimension of happiness to our home.  Of course my dimension of happiness could be higher if I could just get him to bring in the paper every morning and not wake me up every day by standing over my head and panting until I take him out.

Actually, the panting over my head in the morning is not as bad as it once was.  The thing that makes it better is a toothbrush.  That’s right, a toothbrush.  Dogs have teeth just like we do and in fact suffer from many of the same dental problems humans do.  As their diets have changed over the years, they experience different health issues and one of them is oral hygiene.  With proper oral hygiene, you can avoid: Bad Breath, Bleeding Gums, Periodontal Disease, Tooth Loss, etc.

At a minimum, a cat or dog’s teeth should be cleaned once a quarter.  To do so, buy yourself a toothbrush and specially flavored toothpaste at the pet store and fill up a cup with water.  NOTE that I said toothpaste from a pet store.  Do NOT use human toothpaste as it can make your pet sick.  I find that it is best to take your pet outside, have them sit, open their mouth and start brushing.  Because the toothpaste tastes like chicken or beef, they will spend the majority of the time trying to lick the toothbrush.  This is where the cup of water comes in to play.  Make sure you bring plenty of water, as you will be wearing most of it!

Of course an alternative to cleaning your pet’s teeth is to give us a call at Aussie Pet Mobile.  Not only do we have the proper tools on hand to do the job, we are trained on how to do the job as well.  Because February is National Pet Health Dental Month, I would like to extend a free tooth brushing session when you book your next appointment with us.  To print out our coupon, please go to aussie pet mobile alpharetta and present it to your groomer.

If you would like your pet to have a breath of fresh air, give us a call today and we can help!