Pet grooming is a necessity that any pet owner can testify to. You can have your pet groomed by a pet grooming professional or you can attempt to do it yourself. If you take your dog to a pet grooming expert, be careful who you take them to. There are plenty of horror stories out there that will make any responsible pet owner shutter. You must know and trust your pet groomer or disastrous results may occur. This article is a helpful guide to watching for red flags when you visit your local pet grooming expert whether you have used them for a long time or it is a first time visit.
If it is a first time visit, ask the groomer to look at the grooming area. Make sure the equipment used is right for your pet. Look in the kennel area to see if there is fresh water and the cages are clean. If your pet is put into a soiled kennel, they have a high chance of catching a transmittable disease. Make sure there is a soft area for the animal to lie on like a blanket or towel. A red flag should go up if you see multiple colors of hair on the floor. This means that the pet grooming professional is not sanitizing between animals. Look at the clippers. Be assured that they are sanitized. If the clippers have dried blood or hair on them, you need to find another groomer.
The personal appearance of the pet grooming expert is also important. Look for stains or blood on their clothing. If the groomer is not clean, you can be assured that your pet will not be handled in a sanitary manner. Also watch how the groomer interacts with your animal. If they are abrasive in either manner or speech, you might want to redirect your business. If they are not conscious of their negative approach to your pet while you are there, think about how more negative are harmful the pet grooming professional will be if you are not there.
The first thing a pet owner should look for is the animal’s attitude when returning from a groomer. Of course most pets will be shaken, but if an animal acts extremely shy or skittish after the appointment a further look in the pet groomer’s practices may need to be explored. Look for cuts or abrasions on your animal, especially in hard to find places like under the neck or beneath legs. The pet groomer should talk to you about concerns they find on your pet and detail any wounds or scratches your pet received during the session.
Any unprofessional pet grooming behavior that you witness or discover should be reported to the either the state board that issued the certification or a veterinarian who can contact the proper authorities. Your pet’s welfare is important and the proper pet grooming professional needs to be obtained to ensure the physical and emotional safety. Watch closely, and pay attention to both your pet and the groomer.