Paw-fect Grooming: A Vet’s Guide to Your Pet’s Coat, Nails & Skin Health
Coat Care: Brushing, Bathing & Beyond
Brushing Basics
While regular brushing reduces couch fur, it also distributes natural oils, prevents mats, and lets you spot skin issues early.
- Dogs: Short-haired breeds (Labradors, Beagles) need weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush. Long-haired pups (Golden Retrievers, Collies) require daily attention with a slicker brush or undercoat rake.
- Cats: While most feline breeds self-groom, long-haired breeds (Persians, Maine Coons) need daily brushing to avoid hairballs and painful mats.
Bath Time
- Dogs: Bathe every 4–6 weeks using a pH-balanced shampoo (human products strip their skin’s natural oils). For pups with sensitive skin, oatmeal or hypoallergenic formulas work wonders.
- Cats: Skip the bath unless medically advised! Most cats loathe water, so opt for spot-cleaning with vet-approved wipes.
SOS Signals
Flaky dandruff, bald patches, or relentless scratching? These could point to allergies, parasites, or hormonal imbalances. Schedule a check-up!
Nail Maintenance
Overgrown nails curve into paw pads, causing pain and even joint issues. Indoor pets are especially prone since they don’t wear claws down on pavement.
The Safe Way to Trim:
- Dogs: Clip every 3–4 weeks. Use guillotine clippers with a safety guard to avoid the “quick” (the pink vein inside the nail). If your pup has dark nails, trim tiny bits at a time.
- Cats: Most indoor cats need trims every 2–3 weeks. Press their paw gently to extend the claw, and snip only the sharp tip.
Pro Tip: Pair trims with peanut butter licks or playtime to build positive associations!
Skin Health
Feed for a Glow:
- Omega-3s (found in fish oil supplements) reduce inflammation and boost skin hydration.
- Hydration Matters: Wet food or a pet water fountain encourages cats to drink more, preventing dry skin.
Allergy Alerts:
- Environmental Allergies: Pollen or dust can cause paw-licking, ear infections, or red “hot spots.”
- Food Sensitivities: Sudden itching or gastrointestinal upset? Look into allergy testing to pinpoint triggers like chicken or grains.
Parasite Patrol:Fleas and ticks aren’t just summer pests—they thrive year-round in Perth! Use vet-recommended preventives (oral or topical) to stop infestations before they start.
Book your appointment today and let our team keep your pet looking—and feeling—paw-some!
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Although chocolate may be one of your favourite treats, never feed chocolate to your pet. It is poisonous for them! It contains substances called theobromine and caffeine (methylxanthine alkaloids) which are also contained in coffee, tea and some over-the-counter stimulants.
Chocolate poisoning is most commonly seen in dogs because of their habit to ingest food rapidly and they often have a “sweet tooth”. We see a higher incidence in puppies and young dogs, probably because they tend to ingest large amounts of unusual foods.
Chocolate poisoning can also affect cats, birds, rodents and reptiles however we see these cases much less frequently.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
The toxins in chocolate can affect you pet’s digestive system, nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Digestive system
- Vomiting & diarrhoea (2-4 hours after ingestion)
Nervous System
- Excitation/restlessness (increased body temperature, alertness)
- Muscle rigidity & tremors
- Seizures
Cardiovascular
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Reduced blood pressure (hypotension)
- Progresses to cardiac failure leading to weakness, coma and death can occur within 12-36 hours after ingestion.
The toxins are found in the highest concentration in cooking chocolate and dark chocolate, and there are lesser amounts in milk chocolate. There is almost no toxins are found in white chocolate.
Diagnosis
Chocolate poisoning can look similar to many poisonings or other conditions. Serious poisonings such as that caused by strychnine, amphetamines, pesticides, and some rodenticides can cause similar signs.
If you know your pet has eaten chocolate, contact us immediately, especially if your pet is showing any of the symptoms above. If possible, bring any vomit to the clinic as well, since this may aid in rapid identification of the toxic substance. Your veterinarian will need to examine your dog's nervous system and cardiac function carefully. He/she may want to run some blood tests to check for blood sugar levels and rule out other diseases. Since this poisoning progresses rapidly, signs may need to be treated symptomatically until a laboratory diagnosis is confirmed.
Treatment
There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Your veterinarian may use drugs to induce vomiting if the chocolate was consumed within the previous 2 - 4 hours or they may even need to administer a general anaesthetic in order to pass a tube into the stomach to wash
Once the chocolate is out activated charcoal treatment may be given to prevent any toxins remaining from being absorbed.
Pets that show more severe symptoms may need more specific medications in order to control the seizures and to prevent heart failure.
The expected course of chocolate poisoning is 12 to 36 hours depending on the dosage and effectiveness of treatment. Prognosis is good if the chocolate is removed within 2 to 4 hours of ingestion. Prognosis is guarded in animals with advanced signs such as seizures and serious heart dysfunction. So, please remember to keep your chocolates, cakes and chocolate-coated goodies safely away from your pets. Stick to healthy treats if you want to reward your special furry or feathered friend.
Have more questions?
Our state-of-the-art facility offers separate consultation rooms for dogs and cats, a fully equipped in-house laboratory, and specialised suites for surgery and dental care. For those tender moments, our uniquely designed Grief.
