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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | APRIL 2016 15 By Teri DiMarino-Davidson Spring is just around the corner and many of us can't wait for the weather to start warming up. Our dogs and cats are thinking the same. Like us, they look forward to the scent of fresh air and budding trees. It's a time of year that we like to give our homes a good spring cleaning and our pets should be part of that. Everything benefits from a nice freshening up after being locked up in the confines of our closed up houses all winter long. And while April may still present us with some cooler weather, it's always pleasant to cuddle with a nice, clean pet. Many of our pets naturally grow a bit thicker coat in the winter to protect them from the elements. While we usually think that it's a change in the temperatures that govern these changes, it's actually the length of the days that determines when a pet changes coat. The shortening of daylight hours in the fall triggers the growth of the winter coat while the lengthening of daylight activates the shedding of the winter coat. Hopefully you have been keeping up with your pet's regular grooming throughout the winter months. Regular brushing keeps the coat clean and tangle free, thus enhancing the coat's natural insulating properties. While this is important for all dogs with double-type coats (Pomeranians, Shelties and, yes, even short coated dogs like Beagles), some dogs have the type of coat that grows like our own hair. This coat is commonly found on breeds like Poodles and Bichons. These dogs need to be professionally groomed on a regular basis, but that doesn't take the place of a good brushing at home. Not only does it keep the coat tangle-free, but it also helps them look and feel their best. Cats also need regular brushing and their springtime shedding can really wreak havoc with your furniture and clothing. Most cats are self-grooming but they tend to ingest a good amount of hair during the cleaning process, especially during the shedding season. Hairballs can be unhealthy and aggravating to the cat and messy for the owner. Keeping the coat brushed and combed will help remove the excess hair and over-the-counter hairball remedies will help lessen the possibility of hairballs. Brushes and combs are available at pet supply stores, and should be of a type that will get completely through the coat all the way down to the skin. This separates each hair and helps keep the coat from tangling. Brushing also removes dead hair before it finds its way onto your clothing or furniture. Some pets may object to the brushing process at first, but consider it a time to bond with your pet. Make it comfortable for you and the pet. Firm but gentle brushing actions with plenty of positive reinforcement and praise will help your pet enjoy the experience. A good brushing at least every other day will help keep your pet clean, comfortable and ready for spring! The Importance of Being Brushed

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