Hygiene
Critter cleanup -
safe and natural hygiene helpers
by Charlotte Walker

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Going hairy?

Unless you’re into hairless breeds, you’ll have to put up with at least some shedding from your dog or cat, especially during the transitional seasons of spring and fall. “You can’t stop them from shedding,” says groomer Chuck Simons of The Pet Salon in Margate, New Jersey. “It’s a normal, natural process.” There are things you can do, however, to cut down on the amount of hair you’ll have to clean up. The first line of defense is to keep your companion’s coat and skin healthy. A diet that is as natural as possible is a good first step, since poor nutrition and chemical additives are among the primary triggers of skin problems, the symptoms of which include excessive shedding, greasy hair, dandruff and odor. “We believe nutrition is nine-tenths of the ballgame,” says Chuck.

Regular grooming is another important way to keep shed hair from winding up on your best suit or sofa. It also enhances the health of your companion’s coat and skin by improving circulation and spreading the natural oils over his hair or fur. For the best results, make sure you buy good quality grooming tools. These should include a comb as well as a brush. “Most groomers use three basic tools: a comb, a brush and a shedding blade,” says Chuck. “The comb should have a coarse, open side and a medium or fine side.” Chuck recommends using the coarse side first if your animal has hair that gets matted. If the comb snags, use a carding brush to tease the mat apart. When the comb runs over the entire animal without snagging, flip it over to the medium or fine side, and repeat the process. “When the fine side of the comb goes over the whole animal without catching, you’re done.”

A shedding blade looks a bit like a miniature saw and is designed to catch and remove dead hair from the top coat of the animal. “If you don’t want shed hair in the house, use a shedding blade,” says Chuck.

Bath time

Depending on your animal’s breed and the type and length of his coat, regular bathing may also be necessary to help control dander, shedding and odor. There are more shampoos and conditioners on the market than you can shake a stick at, but according to Chuck there are two basic rules of thumb to keep in mind when choosing a product: “Make sure it’s pH balanced and that it contains no detergent.” Detergent strips the natural oils from the skin and coat and can exacerbate shedding and dandruff. Other ingredients to avoid include artificial fragrances: many natural alternatives such as rosemary, lavender and orange are excellent for cutting through odor and are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

Companies such as Tropiclean, Earthbath and Bio-Groom offer extensive lines of natural shampoos and conditioners for animals. These range from oatmeal and aloe products, which are ideal for animals with skin conditions, to flea shampoos, which contain natural repellents such as tea tree or neem oils. There are products formulated especially for young animals, while hypo-allergenic shampoos often contain soothing aloe vera as the chief ingredient. Youcan even get shampoos designed to brighten or whiten your animal’s coat. Keep in mind that many of these products are for use on dogs only, since cats can react negatively to many essential oils. Look for shampoos that are formulated especially for cats or kittens.

The nose knows

Despite your best efforts, animal odors can sometimes be a problem in the house. The answer might be a deodorizer that can be sprayed directly on the animal, into the air, or on household surfaces such as bedding and carpets. Avoid commercial products made with artificial fragrances — they can overpower your companion’s sensitive nose and trigger allergic reactions in both people and animals. Look for more natural sprays that contain ingredients like eucalyptus, peppermint, citrus, lavender and other oils. Eucalyptus is especially good for controlling the formation of mould, mildew and bacteria on household surfaces. Earth Vitality Scents, 100% Naturals, Earthbath and Tropiclean all offer sprays, spritzes and colognes that will freshen up your animal and home using safe, natural fragrance sources. Again, be careful with these products around cats.

Hygiene is as important to the well being of our animals (and us) as good nutrition and exercise. Using quality, non-toxic products to clean up after your companion will help keep both of you happy and healthy.

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Published in the October/November 2003 issue of Animal Wellness Magazine