Fall Grooming Tips for Pets: Keeping Your Furry Friend Looking and Feeling Great
When leaves start falling, the fur starts flying as our pets experience an autumn shed to make room for their winter fluff. This process is perfectly natural, but if you’re tired of cleaning up clumps of fur, you’re not alone. In this guide to seasonal grooming for pets, our team at Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital shares some of our favorite autumn pet care tips for keeping pets—and their people—comfy and confident this fall.
Brushing Up on Seasonal Grooming for Pets
Cats and dogs are always shedding fur to some extent, but when fall rolls around, the reduced amount of sunlight triggers a chain reaction in the hormone levels that control fur growth, eventually causing a seasonal shed.
Try these fall grooming tips for pets to keep the flying fur to a minimum while boosting your pet’s well-being:
Practice Daily Grooming. Among fall pet maintenance tips, daily grooming is the best way to keep loose fur in check. Brushing your pet’s fur also prevents uncomfortable mats from forming and distributes natural oils that give your pet a glossy, healthy coat. Daily grooming is also a wonderful way to strengthen the bond you share with your pet.
Take the Plunge. Bathing your pet more frequently may become necessary to loosen and remove the shedding fur, plus, baths have the added benefit of removing fall allergens like pollen and dust mites that are trapped in your pet’s fur. Use a gentle shampoo made just for pets, or pamper your pet (and spare yourself the mess!) with visits to a professional groomer.
Don’t Forget Skincare. Cooler, drier air leads to dry, itchy skin. Ask us about nutritional supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids that can help promote healthier skin and coats. Cool-mist humidifiers placed near your pet’s favorite resting spot can also add much-needed moisture to your pet’s environment.
Treat Your Pet to an At-Home Mani-Pedi. Paw pads and toenails need extra attention as the winter chill sets in. Colder temps make paw pads more prone to cracking, and when pets become less active or spend more time indoors, their toenails can become overgrown. Use paw balm or booties for trips outdoors, and trim your pet’s toenails regularly.
Schedule a Comprehensive Checkup
In addition to routine grooming at home, a thorough examination will give you peace of mind that your pet is prepared for the colder days ahead. We’ll make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines and flea and tick prevention—which should be administered year-round to keep your pets pest-free. We can also gauge the condition of your pet’s coat and skin and offer additional autumn pet care tips if needed. Contact us today at (916) 726-2334 to schedule your pet’s visit or if you’d like more fall pet maintenance tips.