PETA expert gives tips on supportive, animal-friendly body care
Stuttgart. Hairy early spring for four -legged friends: Who doesn't know that? As soon as the temperatures become milder and the days longer, dogs and cats lose the dense winter fur. For people, the fur change means an increased volume of animal hair that can be easily sucked away. For the animal companion, however, this phase of the year can be quite tedious and long -haired animals in particular now need a plus of care. PETA-specialist officer Björn Thun has put together tips to support dogs and cats in body care.
“Due to the mild winter, many dogs and cats have increasingly lost a lot of fur in the past few weeks or in warmer phases. Now the rest of the hair is loosening – a gentle, regular fur care is therefore particularly important, ”says Björn Thun. “Most four-legged friends enjoy the extra portion of affection, the human-animal relationship is strengthened and the apartment remains free of animal hair as a positive side effect.”
Carefully brush dogs and cats every day during the change of fur: Special combs and brushes mainly remove dead hair and at the same time promote blood flow to the skin – this is how the change is accelerated. In addition, the foiled fur can then be found directly from the combing tool and disposed of “flight -free”. There is the right brush for every fur, the best way to get people with animals in the specialist shop. Important: Animals have to be slowly used to grooming and the ritual should always be pleasant for them. Not only in older animals, for example, too strong pressure can lead to avoidable scales, skin irritation and, in the worst case, pain. What cannot be removed with the brush today can often be brushed out without any problems on the following days. Often a little break does not harm either, because brushing should not be a negative experience for dogs and cats.
Many dogs and cats perceive the grooming with grooming shoes as beneficial: Gloves with plastic knobs protect the sensitive animal skin and loosen loose hair. This type of care comes very close to a massage or stroking and is mostly very enjoyed by animal companions. The glove is particularly useful for short -haired animals. The following applies to all long -haired four -legged friends: combs and strings should not be too sharp, otherwise there is a risk of injury.
In the direction of growth of the hair is always brushed down from the head towards the body and the legs: In animals with a densely fur, it is advisable to work forward through ever new parting. Then gradually pull them down from the neck to work through the fur on the right and left of the pulled ridge line. So the warming undercoat can be combined gently. This type of grooming for long-haired animals is referred to as “line brushing”.
The addition of unsaturated fatty acids for pet food can promote skin and hair metabolism: Small amounts of oil stimulate hair growth and can help with flaky skin or dry, shaped fur. Dogs and cats mainly need omega-3 fatty acids as a dietary supplement, so it is advisable to add linseed oil, rapeseed oil, walnut oil and hemp oil to the feed in regular change. But be careful: too much oil can cause indigestion.
Attention: Suddenly lose a large amount of hair and suffer from itching in the form of circular, hairless, reddened places, people with their favorites should visit a veterinary practice. Triggers can be both fungal diseases as well as immunological or hormonal diseases that must be treated.