Day: August 25, 2017

We spend a ton of money and time avoiding them ourselves, but bad hair days are not a human-specific phenomenon. These 10 dogs definitely know the meaning of “bad hair day,” and we’ve got some expert tips on how to make dog grooming go more smoothly.

1. The dirty dog

He’s never met a mud puddle he didn’t like, and he’s never met a shampoo that could conquer his ’do in one shot. This dog inspired the phrase, “lather, rinse, repeat.” And repeat … and repeat.

2. Matted dog hair

Tangled isn’t just a Disney movie for this dog — it’s a way of life. If your pal’s fur clumps together faster than a litter of sleepy puppies, bad hair day prevention means brushing until you’re the one who needs a nap.

3. The hair-raising sight

Some people say dogs can see ghosts when humans can’t. That is simply the only explanation for this look because we know this pup didn’t stick a fork in the electrical outlet.

4. Something stuck to his fur

Whether it’s gum, glue or the maple syrup he stole during brunch, this dog’s bad hair day started when he got into something he shouldn’t — and he just became the prime suspect in this crime against his coat.

5. The bald dog

This dog’s genetic code hacked the bad hair day, but don’t be jealous. What the coatless breeds save in grooming costs they just end up spending on sweaters.

6. The Bichon frizzy

When this cutie’s curls are wound a little too tight he becomes more frizz than floof. Thankfully, this is not a permanent puppy perm.

7. Bad blowouts on dogs

Blow-dryers aren’t just shaped like weapons, they are weapons in the fight against bad hair days. Unfortunately, not everyone knows when to holster theirs — just ask this over-styled, over-fluffed pup.

8. A dog with double-coated fur

The double-coated dog’s tail sometimes looks like a duster, but it’s actually putting down more debris than it’s picking up.  You know it’s a bad hair day when the hairs themselves are abandoning ship.

9. A dog with pigtails

They’re called “pigtails,” not “dogtails,” and this pup would rather walk the plank than wear these bows in public.

10. The (obviously) at-home dog grooming attempt

What’s uneven, unprofessional and was likely done with kitchen scissors? This poor dog’s hair. Like the bowl cut in elementary school, this bad hair day seems to happen to everyone at least once.

3 expert dog grooming tips

Avoid bad dog hair days with these tips from a pro! A former groomer herself, Megan Mouser is now the Education Manager for the Animal Division at Andis, a manufacturer of grooming tools.

Don’t be afraid

“The more you do at home, the better the situation you create for your professional groomer.” Megan said that regular brushing, combing and haircuts can stop a mat from turning into a shave (and tears) at the groomer. “Pick up a brush, and brush them every day. Make it a bonding time … you can work your way up to something like a trimmer.”

Annual maintenance is for cars, not dogs

“Regular grooming and maintenance of their coat and skin can prevent a ton of problems down the road. They can live longer, happier lives if they’re groomed on a six- to eight-week schedule instead of annual.”

Follow the hair if grooming your dog at home

If you’ve got enough beauty school skills to clip your dog at home, Megan said just don’t do the butt first.  “For some reason everyone always wants to start from the tail and go backward, but you should always clip them in the direction of the hair growth. You’ll get a much better clip that way.”

Thumbnail: Photography by Laures/Thinkstock.

Read more about dog grooming on Dogster.com:

• 5 Tips for Finding the Right Groomer for Your Dog
• I Groom My Own Dog — and I Even Get Compliments!
• Grooming Your Dog From Puppy To Senior

Heather Marcoux is a freelance writer/live-in hairdresser for GhostBuster, a  Golden-Lab mix who leaves more hair on the floor each day than his terrier sibling, Marshmallow, has ever grown. Follow @HeatherMarcoux on Twitter and check out @ghostpets on Instagram to see GhostBuster’s fur at its worst.

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Many dog owners keep cleaners in their homes that are not exactly pet safe out of habit or ignorance of the bad effects they have on the household. Cleaning products with ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine, gycol ethers or formaldehyde can cause many problems in adults and children, but young children and pets are particularly at risk for things such as cancer, anemia, liver and kidney damage. Many toxic cleaners are also carcinogenic. So, what are some household cleaning products that are not safe for dogs?

Several studies have been done on the dangerous effects of some common cleaning products. Many of these included data on pets which showed that Fido and Fluffy are not immune to chemicals and that many cleaning products are not pet safe. One study concentrated on measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cleaning products. In it, the vapor pressure of various chemical compounds in cleaners was measured. Three cleaners, Pledge, Clorox Wipes and Lysol Disinfecting Spray, registered close to a thousand times more vapor pressure than a natural cleaner. This means that even when the toxic cleaners are put away and closed, the vapors left behind can continue to harm both us and our pets.

Some Toxic Ingredients and Their Effects on People and Pets:

Ammonia – Used in many de-greasers for ovens, glass and stainless steel, ammonia has a very high VOC, burns mucous membranes and contributes to asthma. If it is mixed with bleach, it creates a poisonous gas which can be deadly to small pets.

Chlorine – Used in disinfectants, toilet bowl cleaners and automatic dish detergent to name a few, chlorine is also used to bleach coffee filters. It can cause everything from dizziness to vomiting to laryngeal edema. Avoid this ingredient and be careful about letting your pet swim in the pool.

Glycol Ethers – Glycol ethers are found in many cleaning products that are not pet safe including glass cleaners, carpet cleaners and spot removers. It has been linked to anemia, lung damage and kidney damage in people and pets.

Formaldehyde – The thought of a funeral home comes to mind when formaldehyde is mentioned and everyone can recognize the strong, nauseating smell. But it’s also used in products such as soaps and even some pet shampoos. It can contribute to asthma and is carcinogenic.

Some Cleaning Products That Are Not Safe for Dogs

There are many, many cleaning products that are not safe for dogs on the market. Here are a few popular cleaners that contain some of the ingredients mentioned above as well as others:

Floor Cleaners – These include Pine Sol and Mr. Clean. Even if you manage to get all of the residue off the floor, the vapors linger and are dangerous to your pet. Try a non-toxic, pet safe cleaner instead.

Bathroom Cleaners – These include Clorox Bathroom Cleaner and Scrubbing Bubbles. Try a product such as Ecover Bathroom Cleaner instead. Never use a continuous toilet bowl cleaner such as Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It is very dangerous and the temptation to drink out of the toilet is a quirk in many of our pups.

All Purpose Cleaners – For use in the kitchen and around the house, the most common toxic all-purpose cleaners that scream “Danger!” are Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Spray and Formula 409.

Drain Openers – You may think that since this product is poured down the drain, it can’t be harmful to your pet. But the toxic drain openers give off dangerous fumes long after you’ve emptied them. For a non-toxic, pet safe option, try a product such as Earth Friendly Enzymes Drain Opener.

Glass Cleaner – It may seem that toxic glass cleaners are simpler products and are, therefore, safe but they are not. Instead of something like Windex, try a product such as Nature Clean Window and Glass Cleaner.

Laundry Detergent – It’s easy to assume that choosing a laundry detergent isn’t that important because the rinse cycle rinses it away. But there is residue left behind on clothes and pet blankets that can be harmful to your pet, especially those that chew on their bedding. Avoid detergents with toxic ingredients such as Tide and Cheer and try something like Down East’s Liquid Laundry Detergent.

Instead of using toxic cleaning products around the house, try one of the non-toxic and pet safe lines of cleaners. If you do decide to keep toxic cleaners, make absolutely sure they are put away. Put child safety locks on cabinet doors and put cleaners up as high as possible. Never use them when your pet is in the same room and air out the house after cleaning with them. Never leave any residue behind. But the warning signs are clear and you and your dog will be healthier and safer if you use cleaning products that are pet safe.

Thumbnail: Photography by OksanaZahray/Thinkstock. 

Read more about what’s toxic to dogs on Dogster.com:

• 11 Dog Poisons You Have Around Your Home
• How to Find Pet-Safe Paints That Aren’t Toxic to Your Dog
• Fruits Dogs Can Eat (And Fruits That Are Toxic to Dogs)

The post 6 Household Cleaning Products That Are Not Safe for Dogs appeared first on Dogster.

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National Dog Day is this Saturday (August 26)! How do you capture a #NationalDogDay shot that makes your pup look adorable and is the envy of all your followers? We’ve rounded up a few tips for how to take the best photo of your dog and got some expert advice from Sean Gumm, zulily’s Lead Editorial Photographer.

Get your dog used to the camera.

This might be easier if you’re shooting off your smartphone, but either way, let your dog sniff your camera or phone before taking a few test shots of your surroundings to put your pup at ease. Feed him a treat or two to associate the camera or phone with something positive. Once he seems used to the camera, shoot away!

Take some action shots.

Sleeping or sitting shots are cute, but let your pup show off his tricks and toys with some action shots. “Playing with a toy or going for a quick run around the backyard will get everyone fired up and make sure their attention stays with you,” says Gumm. “Some breeds of dogs like Pugs and Retrievers will even look like they’re smiling if they’re a bit out of breath.”

Have treats on hand if you want portraits.

Have a dog that’s hard to capture on camera? Hold the treat where you’d like your dog to look. Don’t forget to reward him with said treat for a job well done.

Shoot photos from your dog’s level.

A few shots from human height are great, but try crouching at your dog’s level or even lying on the floor. Seeing the world from your pup’s perspective produces intimate, up-close-and-personal photos.

Pay attention to details.

“Remember to get in really close and photograph the parts of your pet that are most endearing to you,” Gumm advises. “Paws and tails are often overlooked but can be some of the most expressive and adorable parts of your furried friend.” 

Backgrounds are important, too.

Choose a background that won’t detract from your adorable subject. “Pets with all black or white fur are notoriously easy to over or under expose in photographs,” Gumm says. “Choose a simple background that contrasts with the color of your pet to ensure a clear separation between subject and setting.”

Avoid the flash when photographing pets.

“Camera flashes can make an animal’s fur look unclean and their eyes look spooky,” Gumm explains. “Flashes can also startle some pets and end a photo shoot abruptly.”

Please don’t do anything that could put your dog out of his comfort zone.

Sure, dogs dressed up in costumes are cute — but please don’t force your pup into an outfit if he’s not feeling it. If your dog won’t sit for a portrait session, photograph him on the go. Have a pup who prefers sleeping over frolicking for action shots? Capture him catching some Z’s. The purpose should be working with your subject — your dog — to catch him in a way where he looks natural and relaxed … not stiff, forced and unhappy.

Finally, give your photo a touchup before posting.

These days, airbrushing isn’t just for supermodels in magazines. “There’s no shame in a little post-photoshoot touchup,” Gumm says. “There are plenty of free smartphone apps available to adjust brightness, color and sharpness in your photos. They’re incredibly easy to use and will bring a professional quality to your images in seconds.” In addition to the built-in tools you get with apps like Instagram, try apps specifically geared toward photo editing like VSCO or Photoshop: express.

Got the perfect photo of your pup?

Show us with hashtag #Dogster and tag us on our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, or email us your photos at dogstermag@belvoir.com, subject line: Photo Booth. You could see your cute canine on our social feeds or in an upcoming issue!

Thumbnail: Photography courtesy zulily. 

Read more Dogster tips on Dogster.com:

• 20 Tips for Introducing Babies and Dogs
• Is Your Dog Scared of Thunder? 6 Tips for Soothing Him
• Hot Car Safety for Dogs: 8 Tips

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