Tips & Advice
What if my pet gets injured at the groomer?
Many people fear that their pet will be injured at the groomer, but incidents of serious injury are infrequent. For minor injuries , it is appropriate the groomer pay the vet bill, and can usually be worked out between groomer and owner. For moderate to severe injuries, you can attempt to activate groomer’s liability insurance to cover medical expenses. However, be aware that most groomer contracts stipulate that the business does not assume responsibility.
What if my pet bites the groomer?
Staff at groomers know that there is inherent risk when handling animals, and they are familiar with being snapped at or bitten. However, it is not a normal occurrence or something you should ignore. Many people choose to cover medical expenses or pay extra--at minimum, apologize and get the dog into behavior classes. It is a given that you should sedate or muzzle the animal for all future grooming sessions.
Do I need an appointment to have my pet groomed?
It is always recommended to make an appointment to get your pet groomed. While some groomers, especially in the larger pet stores, can accommodate with short notice, popular neighborhood groomers are often booked out two weeks out or longer on weekends.
What if my pet has sensitive skin?
If your pet has sensitive skin, let the groomer know when you set the appointment. But be aware, all dogs have sensitive skin by human standards--their skin is much thinner. Therefore, you should be on the lookout for signs of sensitivity, and reduce it through regular grooming with gentle, natural shampoo and conditioner. Oatmeal shampoo is a favorite. Daily brushouts and omega oil supplements are recommended for every day at-home care.
Can I stay with my pet while they are being groomed?
For various reasons including insurance clauses and pet-owner relationship dynamics and behaviors, groomers prefer owners don’t stay with their pets while being groomed.
Do you sell flea and tick treatment?
Many groomers sell flea and tick treatment that they put on the animal during the grooming process. Those with a retail section may sell some over-the-counter anti-flea treatments.
Will my pet have to be sedated before grooming?
Certain pets are recommended to be sedated before grooming, but this decision should have everything to do with the temperament of the animal, not its breed or any standard groomer policy. Even so-called “aggressive” breeds should be assessed on case-by-case basis by a groomer. If the owner feels their pet does not need sedation, and the pet doesn’t show any extreme aggression or anxiety, there are always groomers willing to attempt to groom the animal without sedation.
Why does it cost more to get my dog groomed than my own hair cut?
It costs more to have a dog groomed than get a basic human haircut because the groomer cleans the dog’s ears, trims its nails, empties its anal glands, trims problem areas and brushes out mats as part of the grooming process.
What kind of grooming can I do at home?
You can and should do some maintenance grooming at home, such as brushing your pet’s fur. Short-hair animals are usually easier to bathe at home. Smooth short-haired dogs are the easiest, as they only require a thorough brushing and a rub-down with a wet cloth. Most people attempt to bathe pets at home once or twice, and from there assess whether this is a feasible long-term arrangement for owner and pet. Trimming a pet’s hair in problem areas is done at home commonly, but full cuts or shaves are typically left to the groomer. Most people purchase flea/tick repellent at the veterinarian’s office and apply it at home.
How often should I get my pet groomed?
The answer to how often a pet should be groomed varies depending on whether it has a short coat or long coat—also you should know whether it has a double coat. Finally, you should take into consideration the dog’s breed. Some long-haired dogs are recommended to groom every 4-6 weeks. However, certain short-haired breeds can go approximately a year without going to the groomer. Dogs with double coats are not always an easy guess, since their undercoat usually has protective oils. Extra attentive grooming will be required when the animal “blows” or sheds its undercoat. Otherwise, it varies by breed, but usually is only once every few months.
