Why You Should Take Your Dog to a Groomer
We can typically take a quick look in the mirror and know when it's time to make an appointment with our hairdresser, but what about our dogs? Grooming is one of the most critical aspects of keeping our pooches happy and healthy. Not only do regular professional grooming sessions keep your four-legged friend from smelling bad, but they also give your groomer a chance to prevent ticks, fleas, and other pets from gaining a foothold on your pup's body. Additionally, you may find it easier and less time-consuming to bring your dog to a groomer than to take care of this task at home.
Grooming will also help keep your dog's skin, coat, and nails in tip-top condition, as well as help your pup look and feel their best.
Signs Your Dog Needs to Be Groomed
If it's been a few weeks since your dog's last grooming session and you're wondering if it's time for their regular treatment, look for these signs:
Your Dog's Fur is Dirty, Oily, or Matted
One of the first – and most easily recognizable – signs – that may have you exclaiming, "My dog needs a haircut!" is the appearance of dirt or matted fur. Though all of their outside activities such as running and playing help keep them in shape, debris, dirt, and mud can collect on their skin and fur, making them dirty. You might even get a whiff of an unpleasant odor.
Matted fur can lead to more than just discomfort for your dog. It can actually negatively affect their health as debris, dirt, and pests can become trapped in their coat, which may lead to skin diseases, damage, and bacterial infections.
Whether it's built up over time or your dog has taken a bath in the mud, our professional groomers are here to clean their coat and get it back to feeling healthy and looking shiny.
You Notice Signs of Pests or Parasites
Whether your dog's fur is matted or not, pests like ticks and fleas can easily make themselves at home deep within your pooch's coat. This could cause skin damage and negatively affect their general health. Along with checking your dog daily for parasites and other pests, watch for signs like sores on the skin, irritated skin, or excessive scratching.
Parasite infections can gradually worsen as these pests feed off your dog. These types of infections can even spread to other pets or people living in your home if they aren't discovered and effectively treated as quickly as possible. As an infection gets worse and the parasites consume your dog's blood and vital nutrients, your canine companion could gradually become more weak and fatigued. Diseases contracted through parasite infections can also be deadly. For this reason, it's critical for any pests to be diagnosed and treated early.
Your Dog's Nails Are Too Long
Does your dog spend most of its days running around on soft surfaces or the grass? While some dogs can trim their nails naturally by strolling on roads, sidewalks, and other hard and paved surfaces, if they spend a lot of their time on grass their nails will eventually grow too long, which could make it painful for your dog to walk. If you have hardwood or laminate floors and hear clicking sounds when your dog walks it's time for a trim.
Nails should be kept neat and trimmed. In a grooming session, our groomer will designate time to examine your dog's nails and trim them if needed.
Your Dog's Ears Smell
Dogs' ears are self-cleaning, but wax can sometimes build up in the ear canal or an infection can occur. If this is the case, you may notice an odor if you go to smell your dog's neck. Our professional groomer can clean your pup's ears and let you know of any suspected infections.
Your Dog is Scooting
Clogged anal sacs can be unpleasant for both you and your dog — and painful for your pup. On either side of their behind, dogs have two small anal sacs that contain a fishy-smelling, foul liquid that's normally released when they poop.
Usually, a bowel movement triggers the anal sacs to empty. But fluid can build up if the sacs aren't working properly, and the glands can become inflamed. The liquid could solidify, hindering its release. This can lead to pain and discomfort for your dog.
At a professional grooming appointment, the groomer will gently express the glands to release the contents, bringing relief to your dog. The procedure will be followed by a thorough bath.
How often should I take my dog to the groomer?
If you're wondering how often you should bring your dog to the professionals for a grooming session (or take some time to groom your dog at home), your dog's breed, coat type, hair length and lifestyle will largely dictate their grooming needs. Long-haired dogs will likely need more grooming than short-haired pups.
Dogs who spend lots of time outside will also need more grooming than couch potatoes or pooches that spend time lounging inside. In most cases, regular grooming should be done about once a month.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.