I just put Frontline on my Dog and he rolled in the mud. When can I wash my little beauty?

Congratulations! Today was the day that everything fell into place. The stars lined up for you and so you finally felt great about yourself!! You know what I am talking about. You noticed in your calendar today was the day to apply Frontline to your four legged friend, so you lured him/her over to you with a handful of treats, parted his/her fur and applied Frontline directly on their skin. Yes, you are feeling good!!! You applied the treatment just like the directions said and can’t wait to do it again next month. Plus it only took 10 minutes out of your day and now he/she is outside frolicking in the yard and playing with the kids. Thus you can move onto your next project…what a great day this is going to be.

That is, until an hour later, when your four legged friend shows up at the back door covered in mud, leaves and grass. He/she looks like a walking compost pile, you think to yourself, as you grab your camera and start taking a couple of photos to share with your friends. These are great shots!

Then it dawns on you that only an hour or so ago you put Frontline on your pet. Now apprehension is closing in as you remember something in the instructions about not washing your pooch for 48 hours? What to do, what to do, what to do? Should you bathe him/her and reapply Frontline or does your four legged friend have to spend the next 48 hours outside barking at the neighbors? Or should you buy a flea and tick shampoo and just wash the dog with that?

To answer that question, you should know a little about Frontline. The main ingredient in Frontline, fipronil, stores itself in the dog’s oil glands, reapplying itself constantly through the hair follicles. Though the manufacturer claims their product is waterproof, some dog owners have found that the treatments do seem less effective after bathing.

Notice I said less effective, not ineffective. So before you decide to use the flea and tick shampoo on your dog’s skin, keep on reading. Do you really want to add more chemicals to your dog’s skin in addition to what you just applied? How long have you been using Frontline? Does your dog currently have fleas and ticks? Is he or she going to bark all night if they are not sleeping in bed with you?

First things first. Make sure your pooch has plenty of water outside and can lay in a place with shade. Even though he/she is muddy and wet they still need water. Second, give Aussie Pet Mobile a call and we will come out to address the situation.
Usually, when a situation like this happens, we wash the dog in an Yucca Shampoo which is designed to help moisturize their skin while cleaning their coat. Then we recommend a couple of alternatives if you discover fleas such as:

• Garlic and brewer’s yeast tablets. The scent is secreted through the skin and keeps bugs away. It is not as bad as it sounds and can be used at anytime in conjunction with Frontline.
• Use essential oils. Be careful. Some oils can cause irritation when applied directly to your dog’s skin. Instead, add a few drops to your pets collar or dilute it in water and spray a few squirts on their coat. Cedar, lavender, citronella and rosemary are great for this.

Another option is a homeopathic treatment called Capstar. Capstar is a tablet you can give to your pet. This stuff works fast. Normally with in 30 minutes to an hour you can actually see fleas fall off your cat or dog. Capstar is safe for pets that are 4 weeks of age and older and over 2 pounds of body weight.

Lastly, you can use a natural Yucca based shampoo to wash your pet. It uses yucca’s super water softening ability to penetrate the shells of fleas and ticks causing their natural, instant and safe elimination.

At Aussie Pet Mobile we use Yucca shampoos or a Neem based shampoo for pets with really bad fleas. Neem based shampoos are actually recommended by the department of agriculture for the treatment of flea infested pets.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I look forward to hearing from you. If I can ever be of help to you or your pet, give us a call. Aussie Pet Mobile Alpharetta

What do you get when you breed a Schnauzer with a Yorkie?

A Snorkie!

Snorkie Schnauzer/Yorkshire Terrier

Pomapoo Pomeranian/Poodle

Labradoodle Labrador Retriever/Poodle

There are numerous cross bred or hybrid dogs, and this website has an extensive reference with pictures:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/hybriddogs.htm

A great gift idea for a dog lover is this book, designer dogs, by Caroline Coile:

Mr. Pooch’s Lazy Days of Summer

Hello, my name is Pooch and I just can’t believe school has started back in already. One minute I’m licking drips off the kids’ ice cream cones, chasing them as they barrel down the Slip ‘n Slide, and snatching up those tasty left-overs from the grill, and the next minute they’re stepping over me, putting on their school clothes, and rushing around at the crack of dawn so they won’t be late. Don’t they know I need my beauty sleep?

As I walk the kids to the school bus I realize I have mixed emotions about school starting. They’re beginning a new adventure and I’m finally off duty from keeping track of them. Also—I’m a sad to see them go. The house feels empty with out them here rubbing my tummy as we wait for mom to fix hot dogs and mac and cheese. Oh how I relish those hot dogs (no pun intended)! – although I must admit I really do have some pretty cute, hot lookin’ pups here in the neighborhood!

As I lay on the kitchen floor remembering my summer of fun, I was gearing up my sad puppy eyes when my owner called me out into the driveway. “Surprise” she said!! I scheduled Maureen from Aussie Pet Mobile to come over and treat you to a spa groom!” I couldn’t believe it – normally if I know they are coming, I am sitting right by the mailbox until I see the van coming down the street! I just can’t wait to jump up into that van and get started with my Spa groom. I hadn’t realized how tired out I was from chasing the kids all summer long until Maureen started my massage. It relaxed every dog-gone bone in my body. Did you know one of the things she does is this special oatmeal shampoo treatment? She gives me a full body massage, working it right down to my skin. She rubs and rubs until my eyes drift shut. (I swear I didn’t fall asleep though, I was just resting my eyes.) I was even drooling a bit in my relaxed state, but I think I lapped it up before she noticed. Yeah, it’s that good!

My owner likes to give me the spa treatment to reward me for all of my hard work in the family and to treat the symptoms of my allergies. The shampoo Maureen uses is soothing, relieves itching and irritations, and it really helps me not bite and chew on my paws, back, and tail because it & stops the irritation I feel – from who knows what? It could be a consequence of pollen or dust mites, a food allergy or environmental issues. For all I know it could be because I’m always sniffing the neighbor dog’s poop. (They’re always telling me not to do that.) Whatever it is that makes me scratch, I thank God Aussie Pet Mobile’s friendly groomers know how to relieve the itching.

Now the only things I’m itchin’ for are the kids to come home and for my owner to schedule my next spa experience. Ah, now I know why my owners can’t wait for school to start back in. Oh yea and a hot dog now and then would be nice!

Call Aussie Pet Mobile – they can help! If your furry friend exhibits redness, scratching, or nibbling on his fur, he may be suffering from allergies and not experiencing adequate relief from his regular grooming routine. Please contact Aussie Pet Mobile for a free consultation on ways to remedy your dog’s itching or allergies.

Aussie Pet Mobile – Keep ‘em Healthy, Clean ‘n’ Cute!

Take the Stress and Hassle out of Grooming

Your schedule is busy, you need to get your kids to practice, and you have no time to drop off and pick up your pets for grooming.

Or maybe you have a pet with specific needs. Aussie Pet Mobile also specializes in 3 types of pets:

* Timid
* Arthritic
* Traumatized

Let us come to you and we will take the stress and hassle out of grooming for you and your pets.

“At first I was scared, but then look how great and happy I was by the end!”

Aussie Pet Mobile – Summer time means flea season

Just like the ringing sounds of the neighborhood ice cream, the start of the swim season and the last days of school, the hot summer days also bring the dreaded flea season to our pets and subsequently our homes. Even an usually warm spring or the steamy days of an Indian Summer in the months of October or November can also start or sustain the flea season.

While it can be expensive, a year-round monthly maintenance of topical application is necessary, especially here in the deep South, to stay ahead of the game. Major brand names include Advantage, Advantix and Frontline and are available by prescription from your vet.

Unfortunately, even with the best of intentions and topical maintenance by a pet owner, I still get the frantic call, “Maureen, I think we’ve got fleas!” Fleas can be nasty little buggers for our furry friends (and us, too, for that matter – we humans can be just as delicious!). Licking and chewing at spots where there are raised pink dots (often in clusters) are often symptomatic and a sign there are indeed fleas, larvae and/or eggs on the skin. I will use an appropriate flea shampoo or dip to disrupt the reproduction cycle of fleas and kill adult fleas which are present. Additionally, the fur will be combed out to help release any fleas that are present at the time of the bath. I get the relatively easy part. You, the pet owner and unknowing host to the second half of the infestation? Well there will need to be patience, diligence and commitment on your part. I’m more than happy to talk you through it.

For every flea found on your pet, there are more developing in the home. A fogger or spray insecticide will be needed to kill eggs and pupae that are lurking in your carpets, bedding, upholstery… anywhere your furry friend has been laying around. Change your pet’s bedding regularly – need I say yours as well if Fido or FiFi are so lucky and fortunate to sleep with you? Vacuuming will be key. While it’s not quite 100% effective, it will remove a fair amount of the flea population. But you will need to remove, seal and throw away the vacuum bag after each and every use of your vacuum during this flea removal exercise. Additionally, a dehumidifer will aide your effort. Fleas thrive in warm temperatures and humidity so a little AC and a dehumidification system, in addition to your repeated vacuuming, will pose a fatal triple threat to the flea enemy.

Additionally, if your furry friend is both an indoor and outdoor resident, you will need to also treat the outside property. Outdoors, you need to treat only flea breeding sites such as bedding areas, the ground under decks and shrubbery, and wherever pets spend a lot of time. Well maintained lawns in sunny sites are unlikely to harbor many fleas.

So don’t ignore the symptoms. Fleas are a nuisance to their hosts, causing an itching sensation which in turn may result in your pet attempting to remove the pest by biting, pecking, scratching, etc. the vicinity of the parasite. Give us a call at Aussie Pet Mobile, and together let’s get started in busting out these fleas and get an enjoyable summer back on track!

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!