GROOMING
Some
new pet owners may be tempted to gloss over the section on proper pet grooming, but they would be doing a serious disservice
to their pet.
Some form of pet grooming is indeed necessary, especially when a domesticated animal cannot use his or her natural
grooming methods. It falls on responsible owners to help an animal maintain healthy skin, hair, teeth, nails and bones.
Professional pet grooming may seem like an unnecessary expense, but the majority of groomers do more than trim hair
and brush teeth. They are trained to spot potential health risks before they become major complications.
One benefit of regular pet grooming is that it encourages a stronger
bond between owner and pet.
In the wild, many animals only allow others of their kind to perform grooming tasks.
If a domesticated animal allows his owner to brush out his coat or clean out his ears, this is a sign of complete trust. Pet
grooming involves a significant amount of handling and petting, which also benefits the pet's emotional state.
Pet
grooming can also be a necessity for some pets' proper daily functions. For example, a dog with unclipped toenails may
not be able to walk comfortably, which in turn discourages her from exercising daily. An unbrushed cat may develop more hairballs
throughout the day, leading to overnight distress. Guinea pigs with unchecked teeth can develop severe overbites, leading
to an inability to eat and ultimately to starvation. By performing simple pet grooming tasks, an owner can prevent serious
health complications down the road.
