Hints for Professional Pet Groomers

Pet grooming was once regulated to just dog showers. Today, it is a part of a pet owner's responsibilities to keep pets groomed. Haircuts, ear cleaning and brushing are all essential to the appearance of your pet. Professional dog groomers should be able to perform professional-level pet grooming and educate their customers on how to maintain the look between visits.

  1. Bathing Pets

    • Always check animals for matted hair before washing. You cannot wash matted hair. Dogs should be bathed every two months. Cats do not need to be bathed professionally, unless something is stuck in their fur such as gum or oil.

    Brushing

    • Brushing dog hair is more complicated than it looks. Each type of dog hair requires a different type of brush. Rubber curry brushes work best with short-haired dogs. Long-haired dogs need to be brushed with a rake and slick brush. Use a rake on Arctic breeds of dogs as well. Cats groom themselves when they are younger. However, as they age, owners must be instructed to brush them weekly. Short-haired cats do not need to be brushed as much as long-haired cats. A deshedding tool can be used on both dogs and cats.

    Cleaning Ears

    • Pets' ears need to be periodically cleaned by professionals. Use an ear cleaning kit with tea tree oil.

    Nails

    • Nail trimming can be a stressful job for pet owners and professional groomers. However, each animal's nails that you clip will be different. You may have customers wait outside your office so that they do not become too concerned. It is normal for dogs and cats to resist, but this can make some customers uncomfortable.

    Anal Issues

    • If a customer complains that his dog is scooting their behinds on the carpet, then you will need to examine the dog's anal glands. If you do see any issues with their anal glands, then refer the customer to a veterinarian. If this becomes a recurring problem, then the animal may have a digestive issue that needs to be medicated.

    Teeth Cleaning

    • Encourage customers to take care of their pet's teeth on their own. If a pet only gets its teeth cleaned in your office, then it is at risk for other health issues associated with poor dental hygiene. Liver, heart and kidney problems are common in pets that do not remove plaque regularly. You want your customers to understand that prevention is key.