What to Look For in a Professional Dog/Cat Groomer

It is absolutely essential to ensure your dog or cat is groomed. Nothing looks better than a pet with a well-combed, clean shiny coat, strong healthy teeth and trimmed nails. A pet with all of the above is usually a vigorous and happy animal.

While you can groom and bathe pets at home, it is sometimes necessary to invest in professional dog and cat grooming for the best results. Below, we look at some general information on finding a top notch pet groomer.

Referrals

This is one of the best ways to narrow down the field of professional dog and cat groomers. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations and check out customer reviews online. Another essential resource that is not often used is your veterinarian. If your vet can recommend a groomer, that would be ideal. The best grooming facilities will ask your vet for vaccination papers as this helps ensure that your pet does not contract any infections or diseases from other animals in their facility. Additionally, it is wise to leave your vet’s contact number with the groomer in case of an emergency.

The Facility

It’s necessary to find out if groomers in your area need to be licensed and if it is a legal requirement, it’s common sense to do a background check on prospective groomers. Professional facilities always have set guidelines that are adhered to in the event of an accident. If you find that a groomer does not follow such a procedure, walk away for the sake of your pet.

You probably shouldn’t make an appointment with a dog or cat groomer unless you have visited the facility. You can get a firsthand look at how the groomer interacts with the pets and perhaps you can talk to fellow pet owners at the facility about their previous experience with the groomer. You should feel comfortable leaving your pet there and it’s important to ensure that the animals are not left unattended at any stage. Finally, inspect the equipment and facility to ensure it is clean, safe, and sanitary.

Once you have found a professional groomer that specializes in dogs and cats and are comfortable with their facility, you need to discuss any issues your pet has such as a skin condition or stitches from a previous medical procedure. The purpose of a groomer is to keep the skin, hair, ears, and nails of pets in good condition. The best groomers will spot potential problems with a pet’s skin or ears and recommend treatment.

If you neglect having your dog or cat properly groomed, you are failing in your duty as a pet owner. Learn more here…