Does your canine buddy go to a salon when it’s time for him to get a glow up? Fido’s certainly in good company. According to statistics by Dogster, as many as a third of pet owners take their dogs to the groomer’s. A local Olathe, KS vet goes over some reasons to celebrate dog groomers in this article.
Dog Groomers Offer Convenience
Convenience is the most common reason that most people go to groomers. You’ll be spared the mess and fuss of cleaning up the bathroom, and you won’t end up getting soaked. You also won’t have to rush your pooch out the door for his dry-off walk in summer, or keep a wet dog off your furniture when it’s cold out. You’ll just drop off a dirty dog, and pick your pooch up a few hours later, soft and clean and ready for snuggles and belly rubs. (And bacon, of course.)
Fashion–Furward Pooch
If your canine buddy has short, sleek fur, you won’t need to worry too much about his style choices. However, if your pet has thick and/or long fur, you may have some choice in the matter.
Some pups are simply more comfortable with a cute cut in hot weather. You may also need to cut Fido’s fur if he gets mats sometimes, or to keep him cool in summer.
Groomers can help you choose the best cut for your canine pal, and make sure that he looks sleek and chic. Professional cuts should only be done by someone who is properly trained and experienced.
A word to the wise? If you want a specific look, bring a picture of it. That can really help cut down on miscommunications.
Pet Grooming Salons Are Safe
Taking Fido to the groomer may also be the better choice for safety reasons. If your dog is thin, old, sick, large, or even just wiggly, there is a chance that he could get hurt getting in and out of the tub. If your pooch is large or fragile, you may have a hard time just getting him in and out, as that increases the risk of slips and falls. Some dogs find just being picked up and held to be quite uncomfortable.
This is a safety issue for both people and pets, particularly with bigger dogs. You could also slip and hurt yourself. Dog groomers have stations that are easy for even larger pooches to get in and out of.
Groomers Have A Practiced Eye
We can’t overstate this: you should never consider a groomer to be a substitute for proper veterinary care. That said, many groomers are experienced at assessing and handling animals. That means that they often have keen eyes, and may be able to spot things like skin problems, lesions, tumors, or swelling before it becomes obvious. This can be very helpful, as it may alert you to something that needs to be managed. The sooner an issue is diagnosed and treated, the better.
Your Pooch May Need Medical Grooming
Some of our canine buddies need a bit more help in this area than others. For example, some pups require ear hair removal. This could actually cause problems with other dogs, though. Anal gland expressions also fall under medical grooming.
Medical grooming entails things like anal gland expression and ear hair trims. These things are not required for all dogs. However, they should always and only be done by professionals.
Showing Your Groomer Appreciation
Groomer Appreciation Day is November 1st, but you can show your appreciation all year long. You don’t have to go too crazy: small gestures can really go a long way. A good tip is of course, always welcome. However, that’s more standard practice than an extra show of appreciation. You can also offer gift cards, certificates, or gift bags. Of course, a glowing review will also be greatly appreciated!
How Do You Choose A Good Groomer?
Of course, before you can appreciate a groomer, you’ll need to find a good one. This can take some time! After all, you don’t want to trust your furry pal’s care to just anyone!
Here are some tips on finding the ‘pawesome’ person:
Ask For References
Word of mouth is still a great way to find excellent service providers. No matter what technology, social media apps, or websites people use, it’s hard to beat a glowing review or, better yet, a series of them. Ask your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors for recommendations.
Check The Facility Out
Before taking Fido to a new groomer, it’s a good idea to look the facility over. You don’t necessarily need to do the white glove test. You just want to verify that it’s kept clean, and that the cages and surfaces appear to have been disinfected regularly.
Ask About Services And Add Ons
Dog grooming salons have collectively gone through quite a bit of a glow up in recent years. Each operates a bit differently. One may offer grooming services for exotics, while another may be attached to a doggy daycare. Find out what extras are available at our Olathe, KS grooming facility.
Find Out About Training
You’ll want to get a good idea about the employees, and find out how much experience they have. 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. Hopefully that would never come into play, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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?
Ask About The Dog Groomer’s Requirements
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.
Ask About Prices
This is often one of the first things people ask, which is logical. Make sure that you have a clear idea about not just the basic price structure, but also things like add-ons, cancellation fees, reschedule policies, and so on.
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 Olathe, KS dog groomer 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 of course more outgoing than others, so it’s not necessarily a bad sign 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.
In Conclusion: Dog grooming salons can make things much easier on you by taking the messy chore of dog bathing off your hands. It’s important to choose a good groomer, so do your due diligence when shopping around.
Contact Our Olathe, KS 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 Olathe, KS groomer and pet hospital, today!
