Your pet needs grooming as much as you do. Bathing, brushing hair, cleaning ears and trimming nails is important to keep your pet clean and healthy. However, sometimes you simply don’t have the time to handle it all by yourself due to your busy schedule. And there are instances when your long-haired dogs have matted fur, short-haired cats are hard to groom, the pup got the flea, and your poodle has unruly hair. During these situations, hiring a professional pet groomer would be the best choice. They can handle tricky procedures more safely and efficiently.
Pet grooming is a serious business and getting a groomer to take care of your pet isn’t a small responsibility. Your pet must only be entrusted to a professional you trust. Here are some things to consider when hiring a pet groomer:
1. Ask for recommendations
Don’t just pick up the phone and dial a number of a random pet groomer you saw. Do some research. Start with asking for recommendations from your veterinarian, dog trainer, pet-owning friends, pet-supply store or the nearest animal shelter. Check with the Better Business Bureau in your locality for registered or certified pet grooming salons. Once you have narrowed down your search, call the groomers to ask about their service offerings, cost and hours of operation.
2. Visit and observe the facility
As you look for a pet groomer, visit their shops so you can get an idea of how they work. Evaluate the facilities by doing the following:
- Observe how organized they are. Are the pets getting monitored regularly to avoid accidents, like overheating during blow drying? If the shop looks chaotic, it indicates a lack of professionalism.
- Take notice of the cleanliness of the place. If it doesn’t look and smell clean enough for you, reconsider.
- Check the lighting on the area. It has to be well-lit to avoid injuries and accidents to your pet.
- Observe how the groomers handle pets. They should be gentle and reassuring. Also observe how they communicate with the pet owners – they must be knowledgeable about what they’re doing.
- Ask if they keep complete pet records of their clients, including grooming, vaccination, medical and emergency contact information.
Don’t commit to a pet groomer unless you visited them first while at work.
3. Ask for qualifications of the groomer
Make sure your groomer is qualified in the area of pet grooming, such as the ones providing the best pet grooming geelong. No one wants to entrust their pets with someone with no knowledge and/or experience in cutting pets. There are training courses and certifications that a pet groomer can take. It’s a good idea to ask if your perspective groomer has any of these. Ask for their certificates and other forms of documents that can verify their authenticity. If you notice that the groomer tends to be evasive with answers, then they might be lacking expertise. Also know how long they have been doing this type of work.
4. Consider the cost
Before deciding on anything, make sure the expenses would be discussed. Understand that their prices may vary depending on the size, breed and needs of your pet. Make sure that the groomer or the shop staff is upfront with the costs. If you ever ask for a home service grooming, expect to pay more.
5. Make your pet comfortable with being groomed
Before even handing your pet to a stranger, you must train your dog to tolerate being groomed. When you’re both relaxed, start with massaging their coat. Gently introduce a brush or a comb, then reward your pet for cooperating with you. As your pet gets more comfortable with home grooming, chances are it would be easier for them to tolerate professional grooming.
Services offered by a pet groomer:
There is a difference between a pet groomer and vet, so you can’t expect the pet groomer to treat your pet’s medical ailments nor assume that your vet would groom your pet. Here is a list of services you will be offered by a pet groomer:
- Pet Bath & Brush
- Pet Bath with Haircut
- Pet Bath & Brush, with special treatment for reducing shedding
- Puppies and kittens Bath & Brush
- Puppies and kittens Bath with Haircut
- Skin Solutions for specific skin problems
- Aromatherapy
You may also find walk-in pet groomers who are can do quick fixes for your pet such as:
- Nail trimming and grinding
- Pedicure/ Pawdicure
- Ear cleaning or ear flushing
- Nose and pad cream
- Ear cleaning, hair removal and flushing
- Sanitary trim
- Anal gland cleaning
- Face trimming
- Teeth brushing and bad breath freshening
Benefits of hiring a pet groomer
- Hiring a pet groomer will prevent your pet from infections that can harm it if you try any of the grooming techniques at home. Also, they can easily identify if your pet has any allergies or skin infections.
- A pet groomer is well-aware of many styling techniques, hence would know how to keep your pet presentable in all weather conditions. In simple, with a professional haircut and painless nail trimming they can make your dog handsome and cat beautiful
- Having a pet groomer at home gives your pet the comfort it may not in pet salons.
- They offer tips and remedies for daily health problems and maintenance.
Conclusion
Deciding upon whom to hire as a pet groomer totally depends on the pet owner, but pet grooming can’t be neglected. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, it is an essential aspect that leads to a healthy pet.