Pawesome Reasons To Thank Your Dog Groomer

Do you take your dog to the salon when he needs a makeover? If so, you and your pooch are in good company. According to Dogster, up to one-third of pet owners take their dogs to the groomer. In this article, a local Askov, MN veterinarian discusses why dog groomers should be celebrated.

Dog Groomers Provide Convenience

Convenience is the most popular reason why consumers visit groomers. You’ll save the mess and hassle of cleaning up after, and you won’t get soaked. You’ll also avoid having to rush your dog out the door for a dry-off stroll in the summer or keep a wet dog off your furniture in the winter. You’ll simply drop off your dirty dog and pick him up a few hours later, soft and clean and ready for snuggles and belly rubs. (With bacon, of course.)

Fashion-Forward Pup

Some dogs simply prefer a cute cut in hot weather. You may also need to clip Fido’s fur if he gets mats or to keep him cool in the summer.

Groomers can help you select the ideal cut for your canine companion and make him look sleek and elegant. (Tip: If you want a particular style, bring a photo of it. That can significantly reduce miscommunications!)

Pet Grooming Salons Are Safe

Taking Fido to the groomer may also be a safer option for some pups. If your dog is thin, old, sick, huge, or simply extra wiggly, he could get hurt just entering and exiting the bathtub. You may also have difficulty getting him in and out, which raises the risk of slips and falls. Some dogs also find it uncomfortable to be carried up and held. Dog groomers offer stations that are easy for even the largest dogs to enter and exit.

Experienced Eye

You should never view a groomer as a substitute for adequate veterinary treatment. Nonetheless, many groomers have extensive experience analyzing and handling animals. They may be able to detect skin disorders, lesions, tumors, or swelling early on. This can be quite useful because it may alert you to an issue that needs to be addressed. The sooner an issue is identified and addressed, the better.

Medical Grooming Services

Medical grooming includes procedures such as anal gland expression and ear hair trimming. These things are not necessary for all canines. However, they should always and exclusively be performed by professionals.

How Do You Select A Good Groomer?

Finding a great groomer can take some time! After all, you don’t want to leave your pet’s care to just anyone!

Here are some suggestions for discovering the ‘pawesome’ person:

Check References: Word of mouth is still a wonderful way to identify high-quality service providers. No matter what technology, social media apps, or websites people use, it’s difficult to top a positive review, or, better still, a succession of them. 

Look At The Facility: Before sending Fido to a new groomer, it’s a good idea to inspect the facilities. You want to make sure it’s clean and that the cages and surfaces look to be disinfected on a regular basis.

Ask About Add-Ons: Each groomer works a little differently. One may provide exotic animal grooming services, while another may be affiliated with a dog daycare. Discover what extras are available.

Consider Staff: Assess employees’ backgrounds and experience levels. There isn’t a clear cut industry standard for diplomas here, so exact courses and certificates may vary. Basically, you want to look for someone who is truly interested in this field and is therefore continuing their education. It’s also not a bad idea to find out if anyone at the facility has been trained in pet first aid. 

Inspect The Facilities: You’ll also want to take a look at the area where Fido will be staying before and after his appointment. We would also suggest asking questions to get an idea of how the pups are cared for. Are they walked? Do they have fresh water?

Booking Your Pet’s First Appointment

You can also find out a lot about a kennel by asking what their requirements are. Any decent kennel is going to require certain documentation, such as proof that Fido is registered. They should also want copies of his vaccination records. It’s a huge red flag if a kennel doesn’t require this.

Look At Turnaround Time

In some ways, pet salons are very much like human beauty salons. Some fill up months in advance, while others often have the availability to accommodate last-minute appointments. You’ll want to find out how far in advance you should book. Keep in mind that the first appointment may take longer than subsequent ones. This is because Fido’s hairdresser will be assessing his coat and condition, and just getting to know him a bit.

Let Fido Have His Say

Last but not least, take your pet’s opinion into account. Some dogs are more outgoing than others, so don’t worry if Fido seems nonchalant at first. However, if your pooch consistently seems scared of the groomer, well, you may want to find a new spot.

Go Through Your Askov, MN Vet

There are some wonderful advantages to choosing a groomer that is associated with your vet. They’ll be familiar with Fido, will already have his information, and will be right there if something were to come up. It also makes going to our Askov, MN pet hospital one-stop shopping! 

Contact Our Askov, MN Grooming Kennel

Do you want to find out about our grooming services? Is your canine or feline friend due for a makeover? Please feel free to contact us, your local Askov, MN pet hospital, today!