Courtney, 2, is a sweet black cat who has been overlooked for about a year at the shelter.
Courtney, 2, is a sweet black cat who has been overlooked for about a year at the shelter. (Photo courtesy Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter)

Q: I have two Shih Tzus. One has a gorgeous coat, with hair that's so soft, it's a joy to touch. The other has always had a kind of oily coat, no matter what I do for her. What causes this?

A: One of the biggest issues with an oily coat is getting down to the reason behind it. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to secrete more oil from their skin than others -- such as cocker spaniels, basset hounds and Doberman pinschers. But any animal can have an oily coat.

Some causes can include skin problems, bacterial or fungal infections, parasites or even allergies. Thyroid problems could cause oily skin, as well as nutritional imbalances.

You can bathe your pup on a daily basis to counteract the oils but to treat the oily coat, you must figure out where it's coming from. Talk to your veterinarian to find the right treatment options.

Q: My friend told me kissing my dog is one of the worst things I can do as far as germs go. Is this true?

A: Some folks here at the shelter say they will not allow a pet to sleep on the bed, let alone kiss him, because of the possibility of contracting parasites and other diseases. Others believe if your immune system is healthy and you don't go overboard with it, you can kiss away.

Some studies done have found that animals can transmit certain diseases to people through fleas and other parasites, but the instances seem to be fairly uncommon.

You probably shouldn't kiss a dog's actual mouth and you have to be careful with small children, who tend to always have their fingers in their mouths. People who have had surgery or an otherwise compromised immune system should be careful, too.

I wash my hands before I eat anything, and I think if you do that, you should be fine. One of my favorite ways to relieve stress is to kiss a dog or a cat on the head and I have no plans of stopping.

Ask the Shelter is a weekly feature aimed at pet education. Send questions to Jennifer Vanderau, director of communications, at or 263-5791.