www.roanoke.com

Paws & Claws

Jill Bowen has practiced veterinary medicine in England and Texas. She lives in Blacksburg now, and answers local pet owners' questions every week in The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com.

Recent columns

• Bacteria can cause ear infections in cats
• Chiari is a malformation of the back for some spaniels
• Your plant smells like a great spot to ...
• Sting salve: meat tenderizer

Q We plan to adopt a dog from the local humane shelter. As a family, we know exactly what we want except should it be a long-haired dog or a short-haired dog. What is your preference?

A Long-haired dogs, while in most cases looking more cuddly and appealing, do require more looking after than short-haired dogs.

Short-haired dogs do not shed as much as the majority of long-haired dogs, an obvious advantage, although owners of pugs might not agree.

Pugs are heavy shedders, while certain long-haired dog breeds such as poodles do not shed. The longer the hair the more time has to be spent on grooming and bathing and even trips to the dog groomers if the breed is one of those that need regular trimming.

Regular daily brushing is important for both long- and shorthaired dogs to keep the coat in good condition and to check for any parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks. These invaders are obviously easier to find on shorthaired dogs especially when the coat is brushed against the direction of growth. Stainless steel combs work well for shorthaired dogs, while slicker brushes are ideal for medium- to long-haired dogs.

Always brush the dog before bathing, as wet matted hair is much more difficult to cope with than dry hair. Do not use a human shampoo as it can be irritating. Start by applying the shampoo at the tail end, working forward and washing the head last. Be careful not to get soap in the eyes or ears. If there are fleas present they will congregate on the nose and can be easily picked off. Extensive rinsing is essential to remove all the residual shampoo, as any soap left behind could cause skin irritation.

Shorthaired dogs dry quickly and need only a rub down with a towel. Long-haired dogs need more time and attention; brushing the hair while it is wet helps to avoid tangles and aids drying, as does the use of a hair dryer. Whether you choose a long-haired or a shorthaired dog should depend on the temperament of the dog as well as how much time you are prepared to spend keeping the coat in good condition and how house proud you are.

Q How long can I expect my cat to live? He is about a year old and seems very hardy as he lives outdoors. He was already living at the house when we bought it, and although he is happy to be fed twice a day, he won't let me touch him.

A There are a number of factors to be considered when considering how long a cat will live, barring the obvious accident such as being hit by a car.

Some cats do live to 20-plus years and there are records of a few cats living past 30, but these are exceptions. A well looked after indoor cat on a good diet can be expected to live around 15 years. Outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats are less likely to live to a great age as there are more chances of their meeting dangerous situations like traffic accidents, cat fights leading to infections, predators and poisoning, either accidental or deliberate.

However the last three cats we have owned were all indoor/outdoor cats and lived until nearly 20 years old. In fact, our current cat that I always think of as a kitten is near 15 years old.

The genetic makeup of a cat can be a factor in its longevity; the typical mixed-breed cat is likely to live longer than some of the purebred cats, especially those that have been selectively bred for certain characteristics or traits, which in some cases makes them genetically more prone to life-shortening ailments. Castrated and spayed cats as a rule live longer than unaltered cats.