Dog Grooming Keeps a Pet Looking Great and Feeling Good
Many dog owners don’t fully understand the importance of grooming their animal. Grooming is an essential task that should be done routinely. But what exactly goes into grooming? Is it simply running a brush through the fur and calling it good? Or is there more involved?
As for the benefits, what can be gained from giving a canine the necessary grooming? The most obvious advantage to tackling an animal’s fur or hair is to help get rid of knots or tangles. Grooming can also improve a dog’s overall hygiene as it naturally distributes oils throughout the body. Additional benefits include reduced shedding, a strengthened bond between the owner and pet, and a regular assessment of a dog’s body for health concerns. This article will focus on what happens within the grooming process, how to find a skilled groomer, and the expected cost.
What is Included When Grooming Your Pet?
Most believe that grooming simply involves using a brush to work out any knots or tangles. Maybe a groomer will give a dog a bath too. Although essential, this isn’t the only step involved in giving a dog a complete grooming session. This section will focus on the components that should be included in grooming your pet.
Those who take their dog to a professional dog groomer will generally have all the works included in the package. This process will change depending on the individual’s breed, coat type, and overall size of the dog, but the steps involved are typically the following:
- Consult the owner.
- Inspect the dog for any obvious abnormalities and preplan.
- Run through the coat with a brush, trims nails, and cleans the ears.
- Bathes, rinses, and dries the dog off in preparation for the haircut.
- Carefully cut and brush through the coat.
It is essential to make sure that a groomer will uphold these kinds of standards in a professional manner.
Finding a Good Groomer
There are plenty of options when it comes to finding a groomer that will take the necessary steps to make sure that both the owner and dog are comfortable and pleased with the overall experience. Pets can be taken to a pet salon devoted entirely to the grooming of canines, or to a pet store that has grooming as one of their offered services. The best way to go about making sure that a groomer holds high standards is to ask them a number of telling questions. Here are the most useful inquiries:
- Can I check out your facility prior to bringing in my dog?
- What does a complete grooming session include?
- Am I allowed to stay and observe my dog being groomed?
- Have you groomed this breed before?
- What are your qualifications?
- Which products will be used on my dog?
- How will my dog be housed when not being groomed?
- Is any of the staff trained in basic pet medical and first aid?
- What is the cost of a dog grooming session?
How Much Does Grooming Cost?
Now that the ins and outs have been discussed, the last question that may come to mind is the price. The overall cost of this process can differ depending on a number of variables such as the salon itself, the dog’s overall size and coat type, how long it takes to groom the animal, and which packages the owner requests.
The general rule is that a standard grooming with a professional will cost anywhere between thirty and ninety dollars. If the dog is exceptionally uncooperative or needs special attention, there may be an additional fee. Nail trimming isn't always included in a grooming session, so it is always beneficial to ask what will be done prior to payment.
All in all, grooming sessions generally include more than a simple brushing. Professionals should take the necessary care and time to ensure that both the client and owner are happy, but it is always best to ask prior to going in. As for the cost, this will depend on what is included and the specific facility but one can expect to pay between thirty and ninety dollars.
