Grooming can be highly stressful for some pets. You can tell if your cat or dog feels this way if they’re shaking, resisting going in the groomer’s door, or acting skittish. A first groom can especially be traumatizing for the pet if the groomer doesn’t handle the situation well.

Traditional grooming techniques are often rough and forceful on the pet as the groomers are more focused on finishing the job quickly. To avoid putting your pet through a traumatizing process, you should know how to choose your groomer carefully.

Many techniques have been developed in the pet grooming industry that makes everything more relaxing for your precious cat or dog. So, when you’re picking a groomer to send your pet to, here are some things to consider:

Consider Your Pet’s Grooming Type

There are three grooming types pets usually fall under. The first one is the easiest to handle because these pets are generally well-adjusted, calm, and patient. They don’t show any outright signs of fear, and they can enjoy the grooming process with ease.

The second grooming type is when a pet shows some fear of the process. This fear could be general or directed towards a specific part. For example, a dog or cat could be uncomfortable dealing with the loud noise of a dryer.

The third grooming type is usually the hardest to handle, as their fear can manifest through aggression. It makes it harder for a pet groomer, but it’s not impossible to address. Knowing what type your pet falls under will help you determine their grooming needs.

Examine the Grooming Facility

The next thing you want to consider is the grooming facility. A pet grooming facility needs to have all your pet’s requirements on grooming. Generally, there are a few standard features that grooming facilities should have. You can use this as a guide to learn which facility is best for your pet.

The utmost important factor to note is if a pet grooming facility prioritizes the health and safety of your fur babies. You’ll know if a facility sets their priorities straight if they have the resources to separate large dogs from small ones and cats as well.

They should also provide at least 70 to 100 square feet of space per dog in their play area to give these pets good room to move. Try to observe if they also practice good sanitation and can provide clean food and water containers at all times.

Observe the Staff

The next thing you want to consider is the facility’s staff. You want to rely on well-trained personnel in first aid, canine body language training, and group play education. They should also have the habit of practicing positive reinforcement to educate pets.

You can ask your pet grooming facility some questions about their practices and workers to know them better. A good facility should be open to answering whatever questions you have as it’s part of their job to ease the worries of pet owners.

A grooming facility’s team should meet the high standards that you expect and your pet deserves. After all, if the grooming process is going to be a regular part of your pet’s life, they shouldn’t feel stress and fear every time you bring them to the groomer’s.

Conclusion

Grooming doesn’t have to be an extremely stressful experience for your pet. It can even be an enjoyable one if groomers know how to handle pets properly. Always be on the lookout for your dog’s best interest and take them to a grooming facility that treats them like family.

The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre, based in Brandon, Manitoba, is guaranteed to offer your pets the best grooming experience possible. Our highly trained groomers use only the best equipment and the gentlest techniques for your pets because we believe they are family too. Book an appointment with us now to give your pet the best grooming experience!