Hygiene and pet grooming are an integral part of daily life for most people and it shouldn’t be any different when it comes to their pets. Grooming is a catch-all term used to describe all aspects of coat care for domesticated pets such as dogs, cats, and even horses. Professional groomers are those that make a living by providing these services, primarily to cats and dogs.
Pets benefit from routine grooming in many ways other than just a pleasant-looking appearance. Grooming provides a means for the groomer to identify potential issues early on, such as skin conditions, including hot spots or thrush. Services such as dog grooming allow the dog to be checked for swelling, abrasions or cuts, and pests such as ticks, lice, or fleas.
Some breeds of dogs require more grooming, or maintenance, if you will than others. Breeds like Old English Sheepdogs, Puli’s, and Poodles, have labor-intensive coats that have to be properly maintained, to prevent matting or to conform to show ring standards. Certain breeds of cats require a fair amount of cat grooming as well, think Himalayan with long, thick hair.
Professional groomers have many tools in their arsenal, depending on the client, such as:
- Scissors and Clippers – Whether to use scissors or clippers depends on the animal’s coat type. Dogs with wiry or short coats, like a Schnauzer, for instance, would be trimmed with clippers, not scissors. Clippers would never be used on breeds with a double coat since it serves as protection in both the summer and winter months.
- Curry Brush – A piece of rubber, generally oval or round in shape, that fits in the palm of one’s hand. The side that comes into contact with the pet has raised, rounded nubs, and when rubbed in a circular fashion over the pet’s body, loosens dirt, debris, and hair.
- Shedding Blade – A shedding blade is typically made from metal and flexible enough to bend into a loop shape. One side of the blade has a row of short, dull teeth that pull and remove dead hair when passed through the coat.
Routine pet grooming should also include nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Healthy gums and teeth are important for pets as well and should be introduced at a young age. It is important to use only toothpaste made for dogs which come in a variety of flavors and is sugar free.
Call us today to set up an pet grooming appointment for your dog or cat. You can visit our salon OR set up a mobile appointment with one of our vans.
