This year has proven to be rather wild so far! Shedding season was a stop-and-go affair, lasting from mid-February through the end of May. Temperatures fluctuated, leaving dogs’ skin not knowing whether or not to produce more or less oils. Consider the sudden onset of summer, and the massive and sudden release of pollen – an allergy sufferer’s nightmare! Enemies of the skin and coat manifest in many forms. Luckily, some of those factors can be at least managed.
There comes a time each year when I start to worry about my allergy-suffering clients. The Weather Channel begins to leave me daily pollen alerts. Typically, they start moderately, but this year went straight to the counts reading “very high”! Although Spring is my least favorite season due to these allergens, I’d much rather ease into it, rather than be tossed into the extreme onslaught; that was not the case this year!
Within the last three weeks, many dogs arrived flaky, itchy, and otherwise miserable – some who have rarely shown reactions in the past! Oftentimes, the pet parents will question the product usage from the last groom. It seems the most obvious offender, as I may slightly alter which products I use, given the current state of the dog’s skin and coat. However, a reaction to shampoo, conditioner, or spray will manifest itself very quickly, usually within 24 to 48 hours of application. The skin and coat are the dog’s first line of defense, and it doesn’t take very long for either one to throw a hissy fit – something’s amiss and needs to be rectified here! The same principle applies to the subtle changes in the atmosphere, as well as intruding debris like pollen.
What can be done here? It’s impossible to avoid the environment completely. Luckily, there are a few good options to help your dog through this wildly twisting time. Taking walks in the early morning and late evening may help you both avoid massive pollen drops, as well as temperatures that become too icky, too fast. Brushing the coat gently at the first sign of distress is also a boon for your dog; the gentle action not only knocks away offending particles that are naturally collected in the coat, but also distributes the skin’s oils and provides a therapeutic massage. Getting rid of dead coat is another plus, as the follicles can now grow a healthy new hair that is better suited to provide your dog with the protection they need. Remember, using a coat mist (such as a light spray conditioner or even water) will reduce static electricity and breakage, making the coat even healthier; see the entry “The Benefits of Brushing” for even more details!
Finally, keeping a good grooming routine is paramount for continued skin and coat health. If brushing at home is considered a refresh, the bathing and styling can be considered a good hard reset – something beneficial for everything and everyone in general. Allow me to find the right products to soothe and renew your dog’s skin and coat. Worry not, I have no intention of changing product lines anytime soon; consistency is the key to success. I may, from time to time, come across a new tool that works a little more efficiently. This is where I prefer to play “mad scientist”.
…although, that would be a little more “MacGyver”, no? Hehehe.
Stay safe out there, and enjoy the Summer~!
Bath to Bows LLC 