Cosmo & Mimi Animal Care

17/12/2024

Food and water bowl cleaning isn't the easiest responsibility to start, mentally! 😅

I do it by telling myself that providing clean, hygienic bowls addresses my animals' basic need for safe positive eating/drinking experiences and proper care that they cannot address themselves.

Turn on a feel-good party song, pull on some dishwashing gloves and make it easier by thinking of who bowl washing is helping: your pet's health and wellbeing...and your future vet bills. 😄

Every day! 😎👌

13/12/2024

The UK is the only country that offers proper specialised accredited training and qualifications in cat grooming. i.e. education that is regulated and accredited by a government entity.

It is also one of the few countries that offer proper government-accredited training and qualifications in dog grooming.

It's for this reason that I completed a UK Diploma in Cat Grooming and Salon Management. And am completing a UK Certificate in Dog Grooming and Styling (all practical training completed and assessments passed 🥳).

I am also trained in feline and canine emergency first aid and refresh my knowledge each time I foster, petsit or petgroom a senior or special needs client.

13/12/2024

🐕 FEATURE RESCUE DOG 🐕

Meet Tommy, a sweet much loved resident of Beni Khiar Animal Refuge, Nabeul. He gets along very well with humans, dogs and cats. He features in one of the refuge videos.

Tommy is a young dog with an unknown skin condition that has left much of his head and body hairless. He is not a fan of clothing or blankets (!) so keeping him warm in cold or extreme weather is a big challenge because he loves being outside.

Not having hair to protect his skin means a significant inability to regulate body temperature. This affects the skin's ability to properly protect the organs and immune system. Tommy's skin and hair is dry, patchy or greasy from sebum dysregulation - none of us enjoy his bathtime!

Tommy's carer does as much as she can. What we have long needed is support and resources to get Tommy proper specialist diagnosis and treatment.

What we have:
Tommy's current care in Nabeul
Temporary foster care capacity in Tunis

What we need:
Financial sponsorship for Tommy to access specialist vet treatment in Tunis
Transport to/from Tunis
Donations to continue covering healthy, low-cost meals

Without this, Tommy will continue as he is: much loved and cared for, without a diagnosis and complete treatment of his ongoing skin issue.

Please contact me if you can support in some way. 🙏 Refuge de Béni Khiar - Tunisie also has another special needs dog needing specialist vet treatment who I will soon feature.

21/11/2024

It really helps to learn how to read an animal's body language in entirety, as certain tail postures and movement can indicate more than one emotional state. A wagging tail that seems happy could actually be apprehensive, scared and trying to appease.

It's for this reason that a professional vet, pet groomer or pet carer will commit personal effort to study animal psychology, behaviour and body language in-depth.

And have a mindset of seeking to learn from animals and partner with them as equals, not treating them as creatures that have to "obey" or "comply" with humans.

14/10/2024

Meet Gem!

A senior large terrier mix street dog in dire need of a clean and clip. Check out his summer transformation from July.

06/10/2024

Check out grooms for Pepette, Lina and Toni, including their stories and grooming tips. 🥳

20/09/2024

Puppies and kittens - like babies and toddlers - need particular care and attention. A pet groom is not just a bath, blowdry and haircut: I am identifying what makes the pet nervous and working with it to reduce or remove fear and anxiety. I am also helping to train your animal to keep itself safe during a groom or vet consultation by staying still or cooperating with an unfamiliar human in both familiar and unfamiliar environments.

I am introducing unfamiliar objects and processes to your young animal and it's important that they have a positive experience from the very start. This sets them up for long-term success.

It is more challenging to groom a pet who has had a traumatic grooming experience. They remember.

20/09/2024

How much dead coat can we find in a cat? 🤭

Cats - just like dogs - need our help to keep clean and tidy. A cat that can keep itself clean now may need human help in the future because hair and skin texture changes as they age. Also, older or ill animals may not be able to be safely sedated.

A coat like Gucci's doesn't look like it has much, but look what we combed out. 😄

As the seasons change and the weather becomes cooler, her coat texture and density may change to help protect her body.

It's important to remove her dead coat from past seasons, to let her healthy hair do a good job, ahead of winter.

If we didn't remove this dead coat, she may not be able to properly regulate body temperature and feel comfortable. It's the equivalent of wearing 2-3 winter coats indoors when you only need 1. 😲

20/09/2024

Meet Miss Snow. She's 1-1.5 years old and a sweet old soul.

Snow was wandering the streets before wandering into a kind family's garden.

Her photos show you what can happen when an animal with fine, soft hair has to survive on the streets alone. Pink skinned animals particularly need care of their coat and sensitive skin.

Luckily, the day of her groom, Snow met her new family and is now the calm big sister to a puppy and sweet dear friend to her 3 humans.

Thank you to Philipp and Luisa for taking in Snow and giving me opportunity to help her. Thank you to Michele who has adopted Snow. 💓

20/09/2024

Are you doing daily health and coat checks for your furry pets? They have a lot more hair than us and need a hand in keeping neat and tidy. 😊

Terriers like Jack, in particular, have fine hair and are susceptible to tangles, knots and collecting garden debris in between their toes and paw pads. This can cause pain and discomfort.

You can help your pet stay clean and comfortable by carefully checking their ears, eyes, mouth (teeth and gums!), paws and toes as regularly as you can.

Each full groom with Cosmo & Mimi includes care tips specific to your pet and complimentary petowner health check demonstration to help you help your pet.

20/09/2024

Can you run a metal comb lightly through your pet's coat, across different parts of their body, without it getting stuck? 😁

If the comb is getting stuck, the coat needs a thorough brush (for dogs) + final comb check, or comb (for cats - they have thinner skin and finer fur than dogs - brushes can injure skin and damage hair).

If you try to part the fur of a super fluffy pet, can you see clearly through to the skin? If it's not easy to see the skin, more brushing or combing may be needed.

Removing dead coat helps to regulate their skin and hair health. The skin is our and their largest organ - it needs our care.

Check out Ms Metta's coat texture in the last photo in comparison to the first.

31/08/2024

Many thanks, Hassen, for the opportunity to de-fluff your 2 incredibly laidback, unflappable party-proof kittens.

🌟 Rescue kittens: absolute star grooming cat models. 😼

Pepsi and her kitten pal are 2 unflappable, well-adjusted confident loving cats who can entertain themselves easily. They are each seeking a loving home.

14/08/2024

Do you have a wonderful senior animal in your life?

I care for several seniors - both clients and refuge residents - they truly appreciate life to the fullest and are a calm, stable, sage presence.

Some love life so much that they retain the joy and spirit of a younger animal. You would never know they are 10, 12, 14 or 19 years old.

Adopting older pets can be a great choice for several reasons:

Mature Temperament:
Older pets are often calmer and have established personalities, making it easier to match them with your lifestyle.

Less Training Required:
They usually have basic training and are less likely to engage in destructive behaviors common in younger pets.

Gratitude:
Older pets often have a greater appreciation for a loving home, and their companionship can be very rewarding.

Health Considerations:
While they might have some health issues, these are often known and can be managed with proper care.

Saving a Life:
Many older pets are overlooked in shelters, and adopting them can provide a final, loving home where they can spend their remaining years comfortably.

08/08/2024

"Hyperthyroidism" in cats is a common endocrine disorder, particularly in older cats. The signs and symptoms can include:

Weight Loss: Despite a normal or increased appetite, they can lose weight.
Increased Thirst and Urination: Cats might drink and urinate more frequently.
Increased Activity: Restlessness or excessive activity may be noticeable.
Vomiting and Diarrhoea: Gastrointestinal issues can occur.
Rapid Heart Rate: A higher than normal heart rate is common.
Poor Coat Condition: The fur might look unkempt or greasy.
Behavioral Changes: Increased irritability or aggression can be observed.
Panting: Some cats may pant, which is unusual for them.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment options.

12/07/2024

This is also when you might see an increased level of your cat(s) also challenging you! 😼

Having some challenges that require some cat specialist problem-solving? I do support clients with petcare consultations to identify life stressors and ways to enhance your cat's life.

👉 Message me on Facebook for a free short consult chat.

FELINE FRIDAY

Yes, cats go through the "teenage years" as well!😲🤷‍♀️😑

They are reaching social maturity and may push the boundaries more while they're working things out.

Have patience, give them consistent routines, plenty of enrichment ... and use positive reinforcement for the "good stuff" that you would like to continue.

🐈‍⬛🐈💟
Image credit: www.catbehaviorassociates.com

29/06/2024

Per groomers really really cannot stress this enough: trying to remove large or tight matted (i.e. knotted) fur yourself is highly dangerous. Particularly as skin can be pulled and folded up into the matting.

Dog and cat skin are much thinner than humans. A small cut can rip and tear open the skin like tissue paper - particularly in older animals.

If you cut your pet and traumatise it in the process, you are looking at a vet bill and a lot of long term work rebuilding its trust in humans. It is a bigger risk and cost than asking a groomer to address the matting and show you how to PREVENT matting.

Professional pet grooming fixes problems and helps you to prevent future problems. Access to professional petcare is important to me so don't hesitate to contact me to discuss accessible rates.

🙏

Do not de-matt your cat at home. These tools (and scissors) are not meant for de-matting cats, let alone cat owners not professionally taught in cat grooming.

Why?
✂️ Cat skin is 1/3rd the thickness of ours and easily cut
✂️A cat's skin is easily penetrated by these tools
✂️When the cat's skin is cut it will tear further like tissue paper
✂️ You are risking the cost of a vet stitch up under anesthesia WHEN it goes wrong
✂️ You are also risking the grooming relationship you have with your cat. A cat being cut or painfully pulled out will not be happy with you in the future
✂️Matting hurts! It is always pulling on the skin and can lead to bald patches and infections at the skin.

So, what can I do?
🐱See a professional trained cat groomer
🐱You may need to start from scratch in some instances, then you can learn proper grooming techniques to comb your cat at home
🐱 Prevention is the key! Waiting until matting is forming is building a negative association to grooming

Learn how to bath and comb your cat at home preventing matting by removing the causes-
https://learncatgrooming.com.au/p/homecatgrooming

PS I do not teach de-matting

22/06/2024

🏡 WHAT IS HOME VISIT GROOMING? 🛖

I am very lucky to have great clients who understand the benefits of home visit grooming and why I need time to:

1. Understand their animal and provide a service that addresses its needs
2. Provide a quality service that also ensures that their pet is safe and so is the groomer. Particularly if the animal is very matted or pelted, or very stressed or afraid that it is in FIGHT, flight or freeze mode.

The first groom with any groomer will usually take the longest and cost the most because of the time needed to build trust and provide a SAFE quality groom. Particularly if the animal has not had a professional groom, if it has never had a home visit groom and if it is not used to being touched by strangers.

I use that first groom to quickly get a sense of your animal's grooming issues and its baseline behaviour: is it OK with touch/clippers/scissors on its bottom, feet, belly and face? If I continue to groom your pet, I will have that information and to work with your pet, building trust so that it can increasongly accept and cooperate with more aspects of a groom.

I also discuss your pet's preferences with you, so that you can do more successful grooming with your pet. E.g. avoiding injury and trauma with brushes, scissors and clippers.

If your animal is distressed, I am also using the first groom to see what different methods and tools will help me minimise its stress during grooming.

Lastly, I pay particular attention in checking the skin, coat, nails and face of your pet on its first groom. A professional groomer will be trained to conduct groomer health checks and to look out for health, skin, coat and nail issues throughout the groom. Not just clean and tidy up your animal: a good groomer is thorough and methodical.

By investing in a initial groom, you are paying a pet professional to give you their advice and support on challenges that your animal may have, that you may not be aware of.

After the initial groom, following grooms are likely to be quicker and cost less IF:
- The owner regularly and properly grooms their pet
- The owner schedules a groom in time, before new serious skin, coat and nail issues develop.

Some cats and dogs will benefit from regular professional grooming every 4-8 weeks due to the texture or length of their coat.