Dogs need regular grooming for optimal health, especially in fall and winter. A healthy coat helps your pet keep heat in in colder months (and out in the summer). It prevents coats from getting matted, which can be uncomfortable, difficult to correct (sometimes necessitating shaving), and can mask underlying health issues. Pets also typically enjoy grooming, and it helps them to look their best.

What can you do to have a well-groomed dog this winter, and year-round?

• Brush Your Dog’s Coat –  Regardless of breed, brushing daily (or at least a few times a week) can reduce shedding, prevent matting, and preserve your dog’s haircut. Brushing removes dead fur/hair, stimulates growth, and brings natural oils to the surface. 
• Brush Their Teeth –  Reduce plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Brush your dog’s teeth 3X/week, up to twice daily, with a dog toothbrush and paste.
• Trim Nails – In colder months, dogs’ nails may wear down less and become more brittle. Nails that are too long can cause joint pain or medical issues. Trim nails to ensure they don’t touch the ground when your dog is standing still. 
• Clean Ears – At least monthly, or more often for dogs with longer ears. Wet a cotton ball with pet ear-cleaning solution and clean the outside first, gradually working towards the inner area. While it’s unsafe to use cotton swabs inside the ear canal, you can use them to gently clean inside ear folds on outer ear flaps. 
• Check Out Nose and Paws – Which can become dry, and benefit from pet balm.

Consider working with a groomer to:

·       Determine the best length and style for your dog’s coat based on breed and other details

·       Condition dry skin and look out for conditions (skin lesions, lumps) that might need veterinary review

·       Trim fur between toes

·       Get tips on how to maintain your pet’s coat and health in between appointments

About Woofie’s

Founded in 2004 and franchising since 2018, Woofie’s is the first and only franchise in the professional pet care services industry to offer combined services of pet sitting, dog walking and mobile pet spa services.  Woofie’s is further set apart by its completely customizable services and focus on customer service.  Today, there are 48 locations open and operating in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

For more information or to set an appointment, visit www.woofies.com/torrance or call 310-254-9791. Woofie’s can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram.

You’d better have a hearty supply of great, big bones and biscuits when Cadillac comes trick-or-treating! Cadillac, a 1-year-old cane corso, was found wandering the streets with another dog who’s likely his sister—a sleek, black cane corso that the shelter staff named Mercedes, of course. Intensive efforts to locate the dogs’ owners were unsuccessful, and so we’re hoping that someone out there will want to take home one or both gentle giants, which they sure are! Speed the process to adopt or foster Cadillac, Mercedes or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors. Ask for ID#A729214 for Cadillac or ID#A729213 for Mercedes.

Here’s our Quicksilver, a 4-year-old German shepherd/Lab mix who has more of a sunny, happy personality than a mercurial one! Quicksilver knows his basic commands, bounces around the play yard with his buddies, and loves hanging out on the bench with his handler. He loves walking, although he does pull on the leash if he sees a cat. Quicksilver’s all dressed up for his interview for a position in your forever home! Speed the process to adopt or foster Quicksilver or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors. Ask for ID# A721854. 

Costello is just like a little kid in a big kid’s body! He loves to rub his face on his stuffies and then toss them up and down. He loves playing in the play yard with his doggie buddies. He loves jumping up on a bench next to a volunteer, stuffie in mouth, and lure the human into repeatedly tossing it. He loves walks, which he needs to wear off some of that energy, and of course, he loves treats. He’s been in the shelter since March—as one volunteer said, he’s a good boy, so he deserves forever people! Speed the process to adopt or foster Costello or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors. Ask for ID#A717466.

Polaris is a Great Pyrenees mix who’s only a year old. He’s a gorgeous boy who’s loving and playful! His toys are his joys, and walks are his favorite times. He’s always eager to get started—he pulls a little at first—and he loves to stop and lie down in the grass next to his human walking buddy just for some “us time”! “Someone is going to really get a gem!” said his volunteer buddy Debra. Speed the process to adopt or foster Polaris or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors. Ask for ID#A727422. 

Swedencare’s PlaqueOff Holistic Soft Bites for cats and dogs help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar which contribute to bad breath and reduce the chance of future dental disease. They are available for cats/kittens and dogs/puppies in a variety of formulations to address pet’s specific needs. 

The new bites for dogs come in four different flavors and formulas including Vegan Sweet Potato & Pumpkin for gut and immune support, Sweet Potato & Chicken for hip and joint support, Vegan Sweet Potato & Peanut for oral care support, and Sweet Potato & Chicken made with DHA for puppies.

I received samples for my dog to try and they are a hit! My dog likes them and I am happy that they are actually good for him! Our favorite is the Sweet Potato & Chicken for hip & joint support.

MSRP $13.99 for a 6-ounce bag. 

The new bites for cats include Vegan Sweet Potato & Pumpkin for gut and immune support, and Sweet Potato & Chicken made with DHA for kittens.

MSRP $11.99 for a 3-ounce bag. 

Available at: Swedencare.com

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images and info were also provided.

Sherman is “the sweetest cat ever,” to quote adoring volunteer Susan. Sherman is 9 years old, and even though he’s considered a senior, he’s got plenty of years ahead of him. He’s a perfect lap cat, without an aggressive or mean bone in his little, orange body. He loves to be petted and would probably get along with other cats since he came from a multi-cat home. Sherman’s brother was recently adopted, and now it’s his turn. To adopt or foster Sherman, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call (562) 570-7387. Better yet, meet him in person at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, at entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Visiting hours are Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ask for ID#A712088.

Meet Natalia, a glorious, odd-eyed, redhead Siberian husky! She’s quite a character! She combines her husky talents with the personality of a somersaulting Arctic fox to give you the best entertainment you can get on four legs! She’s affectionate, loves petting from her human buddies, and takes treats eagerly but gently. You’d never believe that when she entered the shelter, she was nervous and overwhelmed. Her coat was unkempt, too. But look at her now! Natalia’s 3 years old and has been in our shelter since last July. She doesn’t need to celebrate another birthday here—she’d love to do it in a real, husky-trained home! You can speed the process to adopt or foster Natalia or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov or by calling (562) 570-4925. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Ask for ID#A702518.