Pet Grooming

Basic Information

Evaluate The Pet Grooming Company

Before selecting a professional groomer consider factors to consider during your selection process.

• Is the facility well-lit?
• Does it look and smell clean?
• Does the staff appear knowledgeable and caring?
• Does the staff handle pets gently?
• Are cages the appropriate size?
• Are dogs and cats caged in separate areas?
• Are pets monitored regularly during blow-drying?
• Does the grooming company keep complete pet records?

Choosing The Right Pet Grooming Company

Ask Around

If you see a pet on the street with a style you like, stop the owner and ask where the dog was groomed. People are usually very willing to talk about their pets.

Call Around

Ask the grooming services these questions.

• Did you go to grooming school?
• Did you apprentice with a professional groomer?
• How long have you been grooming?
• Do you have much experience with my breed?
• Are you a member of any professional grooming organization?

Certification
Some states require that groomers are licensed and certified in flea/tick applications.

Patience 
Keep in mind that pet groomers are usually on an extremely tight schedule. Ask if they would be able to call you back to answer these questions when they have ample time to talk. It’s hard to answer questions while fluff drying a dog. You should be able to develop a rapport with the potential groomer that will give you an overall impression. Hopefully it will be a good impression.

Intuition
Just by asking around you will be able find answers to most of your questions. Using a groomer for the first time can be a frustrating experience. If you’ve done some research by asking around and then place your trust in your groomer and then see a good result … then you can pamper yourself, too.

Your Pets Needs
When making the appointment for pet grooming, share all essential information about your pet’s health and temperament. The groomer must know in advance whether your pet is geriatric or has a chronic health condition, if he or she is to provide special handling. Also warn the professional groomer about any habits that could interfere with the grooming.

Pet Grooming

Cats
Cats are known as self-cleaners. They lick themselves clean. But even cat’s need a visit to the groomers every once and a while.

Brushing Cats
Although a regular combing is required to loosen the lodged hair. If the fur is not properly combed these loose hair will be swallowed by the cats during their licking process. A good brushing will massage and spread the natural oil all over the cat’s coat, which will make the fur shiny.

Nail Clippers
Indoor cats face the problem of long nails and need to be clipped often.

Ear Drops
Ear mites are a problem so you need  a good ear drop to regularly clean your cat’s ears. These medicated ear drops which will also clean away the black  grounds from your pet’s ears. Cats usually clean themselves, sometimes you can require hand wipes, to wipe off their fur.

Dogs

Brushing Dogs
A dog also requires a proper brushing, the brush will depend on the hair length and thickness. Dogs with long hair require frequent brushing.

Nail Clippers
Dogs have nails which needs to be trimmed timely. If you do not clip them properly, they will grow inwards and can hurt the paws of your dogs. Long nails will also cause problems in walking.

Ear Drops
Dogs with big floppy ears experience the problem of ear mites, wax buildup and infections. Using soft cotton pads, you can easily clean your pet’s ears. You can also use the ear powder and  ear cleaning products, which are medicated and safe to use.Dogs have very sensitive ears so you should regularly clean and inspect their ears.

Your Pet’s Health

Fleas, Ticks and Parasites
A professional groomer checks every pet for fleas, ticks and other parasites which will be completely removed by the groomer unless medication is needed for worms which requires a vet visit.

Fleas are noticed in the tub and none should make it out alive. Ticks are noticed and removed safely from your pet’s skin during the drying process.  Your pet’s entire coat is split with a dryer line by line until every bit of skin and row of coat is dry.

In the process of air splitting your pet’s coat to the skin, your groomer also removes the dead coat of fur, while trying very hard not to break your pets healthy coat that did not fall out at the end of its life cycle. The term ”brush drying” or ”fluff drying” covers a vast amount of techniques on all coat types. It’s also important for your groomer to keep an eye out for abnormal skin growths so your groomer can inform you and help you prevent other serious diseases in your dog.

Ear Mites and Ear Infections
Your groomer can spot ear mites and ear infections when you bring your pet to get groomed.  There are over the counter treatments for your pet that the groomer may recommend.

Skin Conditions
Your groomer may be the best way to help cure your pet’s skin conditions.  Compare the costs of pet medicated shampoos and vet or dermatologist visits before you make a decision on how you want to treat your pets skin conditions. This is an easy way to save hundreds of dollars by avoiding taking your dog to your vet. Professional groomers see and treat skin problems and the pet grooming industry offers higher quality shampoos than the ones you see on the shelf of your local pet supply store.