It’s National Pet Week from 6 to 12 May 2019! Always the first full week in May, National Pet Week is dedicated to fostering responsible pet ownership and celebrating our furry friends by giving them the care (and pampering) they deserve for their unconditional love. That’s why we’ve put together some luxurious spa treatments to spoil the fur-kids during National Pet Week!
5 awesome spa treatments for pets:
1. Deluxe “pawdicure”
Treat your pet to a “pawdicure”. Before you start, spend some time rubbing your furry friend’s feet to get them comfortable before the trim. Don’t forget to check their paws for any sores or nail damage.
What you’ll need:
- Scissor
- Nail Clipper
- Nail File
Directions:
- Call your pooch and give them a tasty treat before the “pawdicure” starts.
- Wash and clean your dog’s paws with lukewarm soapy water. If you find any sores or injuries, STOP what you’re doing and take your pet to the vet immediately.
- Cut the nails straight across without cutting into the quick (the pink area within the nail where the nerves and blood vessels are). Be sure you have some styptic powder on hand just in case you cut too deep and it starts to bleed. Ouch, be careful!
- Trim the hair between your dog’s pads and toes with a small scissor.
- Almost done! Use a file and smooth out the ends of each toenail. This will prevent you from getting nasty scratches during playtime.
2. Blueberry facemask
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and they’re good for your dog’s health. A blueberry facial will clean a hound’s fluffy face and remove tear stains. It’s hypoallergenic, tearless and lick-safe.
Ingredients:
1/4 Cup fresh blueberries
1/8 Cup coconut oil
Directions:
- Just mix and mash the ingredients together in a bowl. It should have a liquid texture, not rough or granular, like some facial scrubs for humans are.
- Wet your dog’s face and gently apply the blueberry mixture with your fingertips to his/her face.
- Gently massage your dog’s face distributing the blueberry mixture evenly. Facials should be fun. If your dog doesn’t like it, remove the mix immediately!
- Carefully rinse the mixture off your dog’s face, and gently pat it dry with a clean cloth.
3. Moisturizing mud bath
Mud baths for dogs are awesome! The treatment usually contains essential oils, minerals, and moisturizers as well as mud, which helps soothe dry, flaky, or itchy skin. Once applied, a light massage will help moisturize the skin and remove dandruff. Mud baths have also been known to help diminish the pain of arthritis.
Ingredients:
2 buckets of water
3 cups of moor mud
1 cup of oatmeal
50 ml witch hazel
20 ml lavender oil
Directions:
- Add the ingredients into a large bucket or tub. Call your pooch and gently massage him/her with some of the mixture. Make sure that your dog’s entire body (except for the eyes and genitals) is covered in mud.
- Using clean lukewarm water, rinse your dog from head to tail until your dog’s coat is clean.
- After rinsing your dog’s skin and coat thoroughly, it’s best to blow-dry his/her coat. When blow-drying your pooch, use the least amount of heat possible and keep the dryer moving. Never stay on one spot, that will burn or scald!
4. Deep conditioning treatment
Your doggy’s coat should be soft and conditioned. Using hypoallergenic dog conditioner maintains the natural oils in your dog's coat, moisturizes the skin and prevents tangles, according to the RSPCA.
Directions:
- After washing your dog with normal dog shampoo, rinse the shampoo off with lukewarm water and apply conditioner with a gentle massage.
- Rinse the conditioner off.
- Dry your dog with a clean towel and hairdryer.
5. Massage
Getting your dog a massage may seem unnecessary, but it has a lof of benefits. According to Cesar's Way, the website of "dog whisperer" Cesar Millan, canine massage can help improve circulation, digestion and decrease anxiety. It’s also a great way for you and your best bud to bond and to spend some quality time together.
What you’ll need:
- A pair of hardworking hands.
- A towel
Directions:
- Make sure your dog is calm and ready for a good time and some relaxation.
- Lightly rest the flat palm of your hand on top of your dog’s head or neck. Make long passes along the neck towards the spine.
- To finish the relaxing massage, allow one hand to pat the base of your pet’s head and the other hand to rest over the area of the pelvis (the high point over your dog’s hips). These two areas correspond to the part of the spinal cord that controls the rest and relaxation responses of the body (for example, sleep, digestion, and tissue repair).
What if your pets hate being pampered?
That’s too bad. Perhaps, instead, you could help feed some hungry shelter pets in honour of your pet and in celebration of National Pet Week. That’s what we’re doing at dotsure.co.za. Our paw-some employees are all getting involved; collecting food and monetary donations across each department for various animal shelters in honour of National Pet Week.
