Monday, June 29, 2009

Pets: Proactive Skin and Coat Care

by Dr. Jane Bicks, Veterinarian

Everybody knows that the cleaner the hair, the shinier and better looking it is. Not only that, but bathing removes loose, dying skin cells in the first layer of the skin, allowing healthy, new layers to grow. If you notice any excessive flaking, that’s an indication that skin cells are dying prematurely and are in need of additional nourishment and support.

Personally, I recommend that cats be bathed two to four times each year. The life cycle of hair ends with shedding, and as the amount of hair shed increases, the more hairballs are likely to develop. And when a lot of hair is shed in a short period of time, it can become trapped in the healthy hair. This is exactly why a proactive hair and skin care routine can help to diminish the likelihood of hairballs.

Not only is it important to bathe cats in an effort to prevent hairballs, there is evidence to suggest that bathing cats can actually help to reduce the severity of allergies in your family, too. Research by the Cornell Feline Health Center showed that many people who suffer from cat allergies report fewer problems after their cats have been bathed.

Unless your dogs have problem skin, they should be bathed only about every two weeks. Even though we think of our little dogs like our babies, they definitely don’t need daily baths. If they are experiencing mild problems (dry skin, an excessively oily coat, noticeable odor, etc.), I recommend that they receive an effective combination of the Revitalizing Shampoo and Bath Fresh Mist, bathing every few days and using the mist on the in-between days. And these products are safe to use in combination with topical flea products, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying these treatments.

A good shampoo includes conditioners, which moisturize as the shampoo cleans. Inexpensive shampoos often have harsh chemicals which, while providing a rich lather, frequently do not contain conditioners that contribute to a healthy coat and better skin.

The formula for Revitalizing Shampoo was created specifically to help your pet’s coat be lustrous and healthy, all year long! I formulated our shampoo with fruit extracts, due to their antioxidant properties. The base itself is very mild, with a built-in conditioner.

This delightful formula includes organic herbs, to provide your sweet companion with the very finest in care products. As soon as you apply Revitalizing Shampoo, the rosemary and sage begin to penetrate the hair shaft and rejuvenate the hair at the root. Used for centuries to care for hair, rosemary is a natural antiseptic that leaves skin feeling tingly and invigorated. Additionally, these organic herbs also help to stimulate the growth of new skin cells, resulting in healthier hair and a more luxurious and shiny coat.

Some over-the-counter shampoos indicate that you use a large amount of the product. As a result, rinsing can take a very long time. Sometimes pet parents, even after several minutes of rinsing, still feel residual soapiness in the coat and on the skin. With a rich formula, Revitalizing Shampoo lathers quickly, generates loads of foamy bubbles, and takes only moments to rinse clean. The fragrance is vibrantly fresh, with a pleasingly tropical mango scent – no overpowering perfumes like those used in some shampoos. The aroma is just wonderful!

If you have a dog, you know that even when you bathe them, they can frequently have the same dirty smell the very next day. Yech! Our Revitalizing Shampoo has a special odor-control ingredient called Ordenone™, which effectively eliminates foul odors for four-to-five days. With a proven safety record in many personal care products, Ordenone™ is a unique compound that traps odor-causing molecules odors and permanently encapsulates them. When you rinse away the suds, you also rinse away the unpleasant odors. In addition to eliminating everyday odors, Ordenone™ has no effect on the normal microbial processes of the skin, helping to ensure the health of your pet’s skin.

Unfortunately, both dogs and cats can have problems with matting fur. And often, washing them will only aggravate the problem, making the mats tighter and harder to deal with. Using scissors to cut the mat can be dangerous, and therefore I don’t think they are a good way to get rid of mats. This is exactly why I created Bath Fresh Mist … simply spray this coat conditioner onto the mat and carefully comb it out. It takes a little bit of patience, but it’s better for your lovable companion.

Bath Fresh Mist is made with the same fruit extracts and has the same odor-fighting molecule as the Revitalizing Shampoo. This spray-on coat conditioner and skin nourisher is an excellent in-between bath solution, keeping your dog or cat smelling fresh. Additionally, it’s effective at removing kinks, which helps to prevent mats. This lovely scented product is an easy and effective way to keep coats lustrous and smelling great.

And remember, both of these products are safe to use in combination with topical flea products, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying those treatments.

Give your sweet companion a healthy helping of relief this spring, and all year long, with the skin and coat combination of Revitalizing Shampoo and Bath Fresh Mist!

Very best regards,
Dr. Jane

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