Dr. Lauren: How-to Find a Good Groomer

Grooming is an essential part of our pets' health and hygiene. Pets with healthy, clean coats are happier animals! While some dogs and cats are easy to bathe and brush at home, others need regular trips to the groomer. Since groomers are such an important part of your pet's care, it is important to find a groomer that is right for both you and your pet.

Choosing a Groomer

Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. If their pets come home from the groomer cleaned, brushed and sparkling it is likely yours will too! The Internet is also a great tool to do research. Many sites, such as the yellow pages, allow users to leave comments.

Your veterinarian may also be a great resource for finding a groomer. Using a groomer that both you and your veterinarian trust is ideal. A good grooming facility will require vaccination papers from your vet. This will help ensure that your pet will not contract any disease or infections from other animals at the facility. Regardless of a vet recommended groomer, you should always leave the contact number of your vet in case of an emergency.

Questions to Ask

Everyone wants to know that the groomer has the pets' safety in mind. Find out if your town requires groomers to be licensed. This ensures that a groomer adhere to guidelines. So when doing your research, don't forget to ask the groomer if they are licensed.

Ask your groomer what their policy is if an accident occurs. It is crucial that your groomer be honest and let you know if anything occurs while you left your pet in their hands. While accidents such as cuts, scrapes and burns can happen anywhere, it is important to check your groomer's credentials first. Look into past accident reports or client complaints whenever possible.

What to Look for at the Grooming Facility

Take your pet with you for a tour of the facilities before his or her first grooming. This will give you an opportunity to see how the groomers interact with other pets and you can ask other pet owners of their experiences with the groomer. Your pet should become somewhat familiar with the place and you should feel comfortable leaving your pet there. Be sure that pets are never left unattended while on the grooming table or in the tub.

While visiting, introduce yourself and your pet to your groomer and staff. This will also help to make the next visit easier on your pet. Some pets become very anxious when they are left for grooming. On your pets' first visit, ask to stay so you can see how your pet reacts. If necessary, speak to your veterinarian about getting a prescription to help keep your pet calm. Also be sure to check that the facility is clean and equipment is sanitary.

What to Tell your Groomer

You need to discuss any health issues that your pet may have with your groomer. If your pet has specific skin problems your veterinarian may want your groomer to use a certain shampoo on your pet. Typically veterinarians will not want a pet to visit the groomer if they have just undergone a surgical procedure - especially if they have stitches.

Your groomer is there to help keep your pets' skin, ears, and nails healthy and in good condition. They can be a great resource for noticing ear infections and other skin related issues, which you can then discuss with your veterinarian.