Pet Insurance for your Mini Pom?

Many people don’t realize that they can buy pet insurance for their furry friends.  I asked Inger if she thought this expenditure was worth it.  She advises that in the case of a pure breed, these dogs are much more prone to certain ailments and because they are considered high-risk pups, you should strongly consider getting insurance.  A mutt from the pound may not be as glamorous, but chances are they won’t have as many genetic conditions either! Do your research on which breeds are prone to the most ailments before you decide which pup is perfect for you. $30 or so a month may with worth it if it is likely your pet has a $3000 surgery in her future.

Food For Fido

Richer isn’t always better when it comes to dog food.  A lot of the more expensive food on the market tends to be closer to human grade, which doesn’t mean that it’s best for all dogs.   Many dog owners will buy special dog food because it seems ritzier, healthier, or more gourmet.  Don’t fall into this trap!  Inger says it pays to check with your vet for their food recommendation for your pet. Not all dogs’ health will benefit from fine dining….

Does Your Saluki Really Need a Trip to the Salon?

Professional grooming can run upwards of $50 a dog.  This can really add up especially if you have more than one pup!  With so many of us doing our own hair at home to save money these days, I asked Inger if professional dog grooming is really necessary?  She says that most breeds should get professionally groomed at least a few times a year because they will need other more ‘medical grooming procedures’ done to stay healthy (like expressing anal glands – yikes!).  For most of us, this sort of thing is really not a Do-It-Yourself project!  But for the bath times in between visits to a professional, of course you can save big money by giving your little honey a scrub and a trim on your own.

D.I.Y. Grooming Tips

Inger suggests for all you doggy D.I.Y. beauticians out there: do not pour dog shampoo straight on the coat – it is very important to dilute it first.  After shampooing, be sure to rinse your pooch for twice as long as you normally would to make sure all the shampoo gets rinsed off the double coats that many dogs have.  More often than you’d think, people do not dilute the shampoo properly and then do not rinse enough.  This product build up is a major cause of doggy dander!  Even though this white dander is not dirt, the residual shampoo can irritate your pup’s skin as well as diminish the shine of his healthy coat.

As far as trimming your dog’s coat, for about the same price as a professional grooming session, you can buy a hand held hair trimmer and do it yourself!

For more great tips, be sure to check out Inger’s website www.pawsforaminute.com!

**Inger Martens is a dog trainer based in Los Angeles and has been voted Best Dog Trainer in L.A. by Los Angeles magazine.   She is the author of ’Paws For a Minute: People Training for Dogs’.  Inger has also been featured on many radio shows and featured in several print publications. The author of this article can attest that even the most maddening Maltese is no match for Inger!

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