What Makes A Good Slicker Brush For Dogs?

If you have a dog for a pet, then you know dog hair is the most annoying thing in the house. This makes your living room look untidy and your bedroom not the best place to sleep. Since most of us can’t live without dogs, we have to look for ways to get rid of the hair.

The best tool for this is getting yourself a slicker brush for dogs. Here is a look at some of the things that make a good slicker brush.

Since your main aim is to have the best tool that offers the quickest and the easiest way to a healthy, shiny and tangle free coat for your dog, then you need to consider the bristles of the slicker brush. The bristles should be gentle enough not to hurt the dog but at the same time should be firm enough to get rid of mats and tangles.

The bristles ofslicker brushes vary according to the spacing in between and the length of the bristles. The length of the hair should determine the length of the bristles. For instance, longer hair calls for longer bristles.

The coarser the hair of your dog is then the stiffer the bristles will have to be to withstand the stress.

Slicker Brush For Dogs -Size
The size of a slicker brush is another factor that makes a good slicker brush for dogs. In this case, the size should be perfect for both shedding and non-shedding dogs. This means that it can also be used for cats or other pets around the home.

Slicker Brush For Dogs – Design
You can tell a good slicker brush for dogs if it has pins made of stainless steel. This makes it the best brush for grooming results and minimal effort. The brush should also be Eco friendly with durable long lasting ergonomic brush design.

There are various shapes to choose from and it all depends on your personal preference.

You can use slicker brushes on the following types of coats:

1. Short and wiry coats – You should brush this with the coat’s grain and a firm slicker brush.

2. Medium to long flowing coat – For mats and tangles on this type of coat, use a slicker brush

3. Harsh outer coats with soft and woolly undercoats – You should brush with the grain on the outer coat and against the grain on the undercoat with a slicker brush. This also removes the tangles and mats.

4. Thin and delicate coats – Brush with and against the coat’s grain with a soft slicker brush.

Keeping your dog neat is not a easy task, especially if you have more than one dog. Having the best slicker brush for all dogs will help with your dog grooming needs!

This will also help you avoid spreading disease causing bacteria that dwell in tangled hair.

Dogs Can Become Sick And What To Watch For

Next to cancer; bloat in dogs is the second leading cause of death in dogs. Most symptoms could be difficult to restrict for example: general restlessness, lack of appetite, reduced bowel movements, dry-heaving (dog tries to vomit, but can’t), hunched appearance (visualize the dog trying to raise the middle part of their back high up in the air), or the dog simply will not sit or lie down.

Other symptoms of bloat in dogs will make you really aware that immediate intervention is necessary such as: sudden collapse, thick foam on their mouth when the temperature is cool, bright red white or blue gums, or if your dog stands with it’s legs spread wide in obvious discomfort.

Causes

Just as individuals can turn out to be bloated for any number of reasons, so to can dogs. Unfortunately nature is far less forgiving to canines than us.

See the bullet points below for a list of typical causes that may create bloat in dogs:

Tension — If there are no other physical or environmental factors that may trigger your dog to become bloated, tension can cause difficulties for any dog of any breed, size, or eating habits.

Eating Habits — feeding your dog foods other than protein rich, low carbohydrate formulations can result in gas and other pet health care issues. Foods high in acid content like fruits, vegetables, sauces, etc. can all trigger problematic bloat in dogs. Some dogs tend to eat and drink way too fast which doesn’t allow their food to move down to their stomach properly (elevating their food and watering dish 4 – 6 inches off the ground should help this issue).

Hereditary Predisposition and/or Physical Construct — Dogs with a narrow construct, overly big size, pet care and overweight/underweight: The list goes on and on…anything that could be considered abnormal including advanced age or dogs that do not reach their breeds size potential are predisposed to gastrointestinal difficulties.

The top 10 things you need for your new dog

Congrats on your new puppy! If you’ve never owned a canine before, this article will tell you about all the vital things your new pooch will need.

1) A name – At the top of the list (if she or he doesn’t already have one) is a name. For some ideas and inspiration, check out this website for great male dog names and female dog names.

2) A crate or cage – A crate is a rugged container mainly used to safely carry and shelter your puppy. It should be big  enough for your canine to fully stand up and turn around in.  Some owners use a crate or cage to train their puppies and to supply their pups with an area that is their private space.

3) A dog collar, tag and leash – these three things are necessary for safety and identification.  Make sure that a tag or other form of identification (bearing your name, current residence and telephone number) is firmly hooked to your dog’s collar so that if your puppy get’s lost, it can be returned to you.  Also, for the safety of your dog and others, don’t walk your pooch without a leash. Leashes come in a mixture of designs, including retractable leashes or ones with lights for night walking.

4) Dog food – lots of dog foods are made with low quality ingredients and innutritious fillers. If you would like your pooch to live a long, cheerful life (and if you don’t want unnecessary veterinary bills), make sure that you feed them a high caliber dog food!  See this article to inform yourself about dog food ingredients and find out how you can buy top quality food at low prices.

5) Water and food bowls – you can get them in all shapes and sizes. Separate food and water bowls are easier to fill than ones that are connected. There are some that are electronically operated so that your pup can be fed even if you’re not at home.  Use your lifestyle and budget to guide your choice.  A must is to ALWAYS leave your dog with access to plenty of fresh water.

6) Dog treats and chews – canines love to chew (especially puppies) so it’s not a bad idea to give them something to chew on besides your shoes and other personal items.   There are tons of options – rawhide, freeze-dried meat and dental dog treats (like Greenies) are just some of them.

7) Dog brush – keep your pooch looking healthy and stop shedding by brushing him a few times a week.  For serious shedders, products like the FURminator deshedding tool are really good at minimizing the amount of hair your dog leaves around the house.

Flea and tick treatments – if you want to keep your house clear of fleas and ticks (and who doesn’t) it’s a good idea to treat your puppy with a product that kills and repels for up to 30 days (such as those made by Frontline) or to use a dog collar that repels pests as well.

9) Dog bed – a dog bed will help your puppy sleep comfortably and also provide him with an area in your home that is their very own place. (It might also deter them from trying to get onto your own bed!)

10) Dog toys – like dog treats and chews, dog toys will help prevent your dog from chewing the things you don’t want chewed!   They’re also a great way to play with and exercise your pup, which helps diminish problem behaviors.  Look for items that you can play fetch with or that will keep your dog active such as the KONG dog toy that bounces in random directions.