pet grooming

www.lovemypet.info

WWW.LOVEMYPET.INFO

Pet Grooming Everything you need to know about pet grooming

LoveMyPet

5/11/2014

This free eBook is about pet grooming provided by www.lovemypet.info. For more information about pets please visit http://www.lovemypet.info.

www.lovemypet.info

Pet Grooming

By

www.lovemypet.info

DISCLAIMER: This information is provided "as is". The author, publishers and marketers of this

information disclaim any loss or liability, either directly or indirectly as a consequence of applying

the information presented herein, or in regard to the use and application of said information. No

guarantee is given, either expressed or implied, in regard to the merchantability, accuracy, or

acceptability of the information.

http://www.lovemypet.info/

www.lovemypet.info

About Us At www.lovemypet.info we are providing some valuable information for our visitors looking to get

more information about pet insurance, pet food, pet adoption, pet grooming, pet health, pet

training, pet care and more about pets.

http://www.lovemypet.info/

www.lovemypet.info

Content Common Mistakes in Home Pet Grooming .................................................................................................. 5

Dogs that Itch ................................................................................................................................................ 6

Flea Baths-An Important Part of Your Cat's Grooming Regime .................................................................... 7

Getting the Stink out of Your Dog ................................................................................................................. 8

Grooming Your House Cat-The Items You'll Need ........................................................................................ 9

Grooming Your Pet Rabbit .......................................................................................................................... 10

Grooming Your Pet-It Doesn't Have to be Difficult ..................................................................................... 11

Home Pet Grooming Tips ............................................................................................................................ 13

Making Sure Your Pet Guinea Pig is Properly Groomed ............................................................................. 13

Nail Trimming An Important Part Of Pet Grooming ................................................................................... 15

Pet Bathing as Part of the Pet Grooming Experience ................................................................................. 15

Pet Groomers that Come to You ................................................................................................................. 17

Pet Grooming and the Mental Health of Your Pet ...................................................................................... 18

Pet Grooming as a Career ........................................................................................................................... 19

Pet Grooming Is A Responsibility ................................................................................................................ 19

Pet Grooming Options for Cats ................................................................................................................... 21

Pet Grooming Professionals - How to Keep Your Pet Safe ......................................................................... 22

Pet Grooming to Prevent Hairballs ............................................................................................................. 23

Pet Grooming Uniforms for the Professional ............................................................................................. 24

The History of Pet Grooming ...................................................................................................................... 25

The Proper Way to Bath Your House Pet .................................................................................................... 26

Where to Find Pet Grooming Supplies........................................................................................................ 27

Why Good Pet Grooming Experts Are Hard To Find ................................................................................... 28

Why is Pet Grooming Important ................................................................................................................. 29

Why You Should Use a Muzzle During Pet Grooming ................................................................................. 30

www.lovemypet.info

Common Mistakes in Home Pet Grooming

When dog owners attempt pet grooming at home, there are several common mistakes that are

made. Pet grooming is a skill, but with the right equipment and patience it can become a household

duty that will save both time and money. You have to be careful. A slip of the clippers can cause

injury to your animal. This is not only physical injury, but emotional. Trust is loss once pain is

inflicted and your pet may not treat you the same afterward.

The first common mistake is getting to close to the skin while shaving. The clippers can leave a

nasty razor burn that can open its way to later infections. If you accidentally give your pet a burn

while grooming, stop and apply first aid. Put on some anti-bacteria salve and if possible clean the

wound. Hug you pet and let it know that you are sorry and it was an accident. Though they might

not understand the words, your pet will understand the tone and will react accordingly. The

emotional pain is just as bad as the physical. Watch the wound carefully and if it becomes red or

issues puss, contact your veterinarian immediately. If the animal licks or otherwise irritates the

wound, you might want to get a protective plastic collar to stop the behavior.

Another mistake in novice pet grooming is getting shampoo or other chemicals in your pet's eye.

Either from your mistake or from the animal's head movement soap can splash. This unintentional

act will sting your pet's eyes and lead to an unpleasant pet grooming experience. Wash the soap out

with water or saline solution and dab the corners of the eye with a sterile cloth. Sooth you animal

and try to take the focus off their eyes and maybe gain their attention by showing them a favorite

toy or ball. Hold the toy up so the pet can see it. Move the toy back and forth. As your pet tracks the

toy, look into their eyes for signs of irritation.

A possible fatal mistake in pet grooming is leaving your animal unrestrained or loose during

grooming. Some animals, especially cats hate baths and will run at any opportunity. Your dog and

cat can put themselves in dangerous situations by trying to escape the pet grooming activity. They

may run out in the street and be hit by a care or be attacked by a stray animal. Make sure your dog

is at least on a leash. You may even want to put a muzzle on your pet to protect both you and them.

If you wash your dog outside, wash it in a fenced yard so that the temptation to run will be short

lived and safe.

Pet grooming is best left to a professional. The temptation to do it yourself may lead to a successful

experience that will be cheaper. The bonding time with the animal is another perk to grooming

your pet yourself. It can be rewarding for both parities involved if the proper safety tips are

followed and you as the owner fill comfortable in the enterprise.

www.lovemypet.info

Dogs that Itch

It makes dog owners crazy, the dog that has skin that is so itchy and uncomfortable that the dog is

constantly scratching at itself, using paws and teeth to worry at the area until the dog has removed

all the hair from the area and the remaining flesh is raw and bleeding. This bald area, a spot that

most dog owners call a hot spot, is an eyesore and causes some dog owners such acute

embarrassment that they are unable to take their dogs out in public. Other dog owners are steadily

driven mad by the sound of their dog constantly ripping and tearing at its flesh, the sound of the

scratching is frequently accompanied by the dog whining and crying as they rip at their flesh.

It doesn't take very long before the dog owner is desperate for some means of treating their dog's

itchy skin.

There are several chemical treatments that can be used to help your dog with its itchy problem.

Although most of these chemical treatments work, some dogs have severe and sometimes fatal,

allergies to the chemicals. Dog owners would be wise to turn to grooming as their first defense

against their dogs persistent itching.

The best policy for an itchy dog is to brush it on a daily basis. Most canine itching problems are

caused by pollens, dirt, mats, and dander that stay on the dogs coat. If left on the dogs hair long

enough the pollens, dirt, and dander start irritating the dogs skin and dog start chewing and biting

at the offending spot. Brushing your dog's hair just once a day will help prevent the build-up of

items that can lead to itching problems. Not only will you be preventing a bout of itching your dog

will love the time spent with its owner.

Bathing your dog is an excellent way to prevent your dog from developing an itching problem. But

don't plan on bathing your dog on a daily basis. Too much water and shampoo will completely strip

your dog of the oils that are naturally found on the dog's skin. When these natural oils are stripped

away the dog's skin dries out and becomes more prone to infections. Dry skin in dogs is just as

painful and scratchy to a dog as it is to a human that suffers from a similar condition, and dogs can

rub lotion into themselves to correct the problem.

When you are grooming your dog make sure you pay attention to their ears. Dogs can get small

biting insects called ear mites in their ears. When the ear mites start to bite the dogs start

scratching at their ears, and excessive amount of clawing and pulling at the ear can lead to some

potentially ear health issues. If you notice that there is peculiar odor emanating from your dog's

ears and that the dog no longer wants you to touch his ears he is probably developing an ear

infection. Contact your local veterinarian for information about how to take care of your dog's

problematic ears.

www.lovemypet.info

If, despite your best efforts, your dog does develop a hot spot that he chews until it is raw and

oozing blood, consult your veterinarian about what topical antibiotic cream you can rub into the

hot spot that will prevent infection. If your dog has particularly nasty habit of clawing at the hot

spot with their teeth, your veterinarian might recommend that they were a large cone shaped collar

that will prevent them from scratching at the spot until it has had time to heal.

http://www.lovemypet.info/dog-food-secrets

Flea Baths-An Important Part of Your Cat's Grooming Regime

There is very little worse for a family then living in a house with a cat that is suffering from a flea

infestation. It's bad enough that your cat is always scratching and clawing at itself, even ripping large

hunks of hair and flesh from its body in an attempt to rid itself of the biting insects. But unfortunately

there is nothing to prevent the fleas from staying on the cat. If the problem is left untreated, you could

quickly find that your entire house is full of fleas, and that you are being bitten nearly as often as your

pet house cat.

It is important to stop the fleas before they start to take over your home.

Preventive medicine is the best way to make sure that your pet and house stay flea free. There are

several topical medications available on today's market that is designed to prevent fleas from feasting

on your cat. Most of the products are quite successful provided the cat owner follow the directions and

use them properly.

Flea collars are a traditional favorite of pet owners in the war against fleas. Strapping a flea collar

around your cat's neck will help prevent fleas from sipping your pet's blood provided your cat is not

adept at slipping the collar from around its neck. If flea collars are your preferred method of flea control

make sure that the collar is not so tight that your cat has difficulty breathing and eating but not so loose

that your cat is in danger of getting caught on objects while it plays.

If your cat already has fleas, the fastest way to get rid of them is to give it a flea bath. Try to find a flea

shampoo that is mild enough that it won't hurt your cat or kitten. If you are unable to find a mild flea

shampoo that you are confident wont irritate your cat's skin or strip its hair of its natural oils, try using a

shampoo that is designed for infants. Kitchen sinks are a wonderful place to give your cat a flea bath,



www.lovemypet.info

because you can stand straight up while you are holding your cat in the water. Kitchen sinks are typically

deeper then sinks located in other parts of the house.

When you are giving your pet cat a flea bath have plenty of towel at hand, both to dry your freshly

washed pet, and to sop any excess water that gets inadvertently splashed on the counters and kitchen

floor. If your cat is prone to bite and scratch when it's placed in a sink full of water, you may want to

invest in a pair of thick, tall falcon gloves that will protect your hands and arms. If you do get bitten by

your cat while giving it a flea bath you will want to get to your doctors office right away, even cats that

are kept inside, have dirty mouths and cat bites can get infected very quickly.

After your cat is clean and free of fleas, send some time cuddling it and brushing its freshly washed hair.

Let it know that you really didn't mean to torture it and that you still love it. Eventually your feline friend

will forgive you.

Bathing your cat will be easier if it is something that you do to it on a regular basis. If you start bathing

your kitten when you first get it, the cat will learn that baths are just a routine part of life and are

nothing to stress over.

http://www.lovemypet.info/Stop-Cat-Peeing

Getting the Stink out of Your Dog

Dog owners who live near a forest, beside a river, or on a farm will be quick to tell you that there is

something about stinky, decaying, items that appeals to dogs. It doesn't seem to matter if it is black

swamp water, dead fish, or a pile of slimy manure, if it stinks and can be rolled in, the dog is happy.

While smelling like a walking barking sewer system is a dog’s idea of heaven on earth, its owners are

normally less than enthusiastic. The odor emitting from their pet means that they have to take time out

of their busy day to either take their pet to the pet groomer or have it bathed, or they have to bath their

dog themselves. Even then there is no way that they can be sure that the offensive odor will wash out of

the dog's coat.

Dog experts believe that dogs roll in things like dead fish, road kill, and manure in an attempt to disguise

themselves. What nobody knows is why they feel the need to camouflage their scent. It could be a

throwback to the days when they hunted their dinner, if the prey couldn't smell them; they stood a

better chance of capturing something to eat. Another reason dogs might feel the need to hide their

scent is protections. They might be trying to hide from potential predators or other packs of once feral

dogs. Maybe stinking like a landfill made it easier to be accepted into another pack. On the other hand



www.lovemypet.info

its possible that dogs roll in the stinkiest object they can find just because it feels good. Nobody really

knows for sure why dogs feel the need to smell.

The quickest, most efficient way to remove odor from your dog's coat is to wash your dog. Try to use a

shampoo that is specifically designed for dogs. Human shampoos can strip the dog’s coat of its natural

oils, leaving the skin unprotected and open to rashes and infections. Dog shampoos are made to clean

the dog's coat, without stripping it of the natural oils. If the dogs stink is especially strong, like the scent

of a skunk, bathing the dog in tomato juice is one of the quickest ways to remove the smell.

If you have dog that consistently rolls in stinky, smelly items, you may want to consider taking him to a

professional pet groomer and having his coat clipped. The shorter coat will be more comfortable for the

dog during the hot summer months and while the shorter hair won’t prevent your dog from rolling in

the smelly items, the shorter coat will be easier for you to wash, and will dry faster.

If you have bathed you dog and still notice a strong odor whenever it is in your presence the source of

the smell might not be the dog's coat but a more serious health problem. When they have dental issues

they have breathe the smells so foul that you can smell it throughout your entire house. Strong breath

odor can also indicate more serious diseases such as kidney failure and diabetes. Dogs are also prone to

having anal sacs that become impacted and infected, and therefore extremely stinky. If washing your

dog does not seem to take care of the odor you will want to take your dog to your veterinarian and have

the stinky problem officially diagnosed so that treatments can begin.


Grooming Your House Cat-The Items You'll Need

Cats are fascinating creatures. They share a history with humans that rival dogs. Some cultures have

history's that portray cat's as good warm hearted creatures, while other cultures have folktales that tell

tales about cats being the root of all that is evil. On one hand cat's are warm creatures that look forward

to cuddling and loving their humans, on the other hand the same cat can go for weeks without ever

looking at its human.

One of the most intriguing things about cats is their cleanliness. Cats practically house train themselves,

just show them where the litter box and they are ready to use it, if you keep the litter box clean you cat



www.lovemypet.info

will reward you by never making a mess in your house, (although some do prefer potted plants to the

litter box). Most cats are happy to spend hours cleaning themselves, using their tongues to remove the

dust from their bodies and to straighten their hair. Watching a cat bathe itself can be a hypnotic

experience for its owners.

We are so accustomed to our house cats taking care of their own hygienic needs that we sometimes

forget that they, just like dogs, need us to help with their grooming. It is the cat owner’s responsibility to

make sure that the cat's nails are trimmed, that any particularly nasty mats and knots are removed from

their coats, and that their teeth are kept clean and free of tarter and decay. In order to make sure that

your cat is properly groomed you need a very basic set of equipment, your toolbox of cat grooming

supplies.

The first item you need in your cat grooming toolbox is a brush. This brush have bristles that are strong

enough to remove mats and debris from your cats coat, but still soft enough that they won't pull and

tear at your cat's delicate skin. If you have a cat that seems to be particularly susceptible to getting

massive knots in its coat you will want to invest in a specially designed mat spreader.

Unless you have had your house cat declawed your cat will need to have its nail clipped. In the wild cats

need their sharp claws to defend themselves and to help them capture and kill prey, Feral cats keep

their nail from becoming overly long by walking around on hard surfaces that wear down the nail,

keeping it sharp. The only real use house cats have for their claws is scratching furniture and

occasionally swiping at their human caretakers. It is the caretaker’s responsibility to make sure the cat's

nail get trimmed whenever they get long. If you have never trimmed a cat's nails watch a professional

pet groomer or your cat's veterinarian trim your cat's nail first.

Dental care is an important part of your cat's overall health. It is important to make sure that your cat's

teeth are clean and free of signs of decay. Consult your veterinarian will be able to help you select

products designed for optimal feline health.

http://www.lovemypet.info/How-To-End-Cat-Behavior-Problems-Fast

Grooming Your Pet Rabbit

Like cats rabbits pride themselves on cleanliness that is why it is so easy to teach them to use the litter

box. They spend several hours a day keeping grooming them, maintaining the quality of their skin and

coat. Just because your pet rabbit spends a large amount of its day grooming itself that you are absolved



www.lovemypet.info

from pet grooming. Rabbits, like all pets rely on their owners to set a grooming plan and then stick with

it.

One of the most important things to do is to brush your rabbit at least once a day. The time you spend

brushing your pet bunny will go along way in establishing a lifelong bond. The health benefits of

brushing your pet rabbit include the removal of any dead hairs that your rabbit might other wise

swallow. Once swallowed these hairs could form a hairball that can compromise your rabbit's digestive

system. If a hairball creates a blockage, your pet rabbit will have to go to the veterinarian where the

resulting surgery could cost several hundred dollars. When you are brushing your rabbit bear in mind

that the average rabbit sheds its old coat approximately every three months, during this period of time

increase the frequency of your brushing, and prepare to vacuum your house twice as often, you'll be

amazed at how much hair comes off the tiny body. Rabbits have very delicate skin so look for a brush

that has soft bristles and won’t tear your pet bunnies’ skin. Some rabbit owners prefer a plastic wide

toothed comb for their grooming.

When properly groomed and cared for long haired rabbits, like Angora's, are gorgeous. The problem is

keeping all that hair combed, clean, and free of mats is quite a chore. If a rabbit owner isn't showing

their long haired rabbit, they typically trim the hair so that it is only one inch long. This help keep the

rabbit's coat clean and free of mats but also keeps the rabbit more comfortable during the hot summer

months. If you have never trimmed a rabbit's long hair before, you might want to take your rabbit to a

professional pet groomer and watch how it's done before you try it yourself. When using the clippers or

scissors, be very careful that you don't damage the rabbit’s skin.

If you find a spot where the rabbit's hair has become so tangled that it has turned into a mat, refrain

from using a pair of scissors to remove the mat. It is better if you use a comb and patiently work the mat

loose, a few hairs at a time. If you find that this is to trying on your patience, you might want to take

your pet rabbit to a professional pet groomer and have them remove the mats with a pair of electric

clippers.

Every few weeks, check and make sure that your rabbit's nails haven't gotten to long. If you think they

are looking long, or notice that they are starting to catch on your carpeting it is time to trim them. If you

have never done this before take your rabbit to a pet groomer or veterinarian and watch how it is done

first. If you are comfortable on your own be careful that you don't trim the nails so short that they bleed

and your rabbit is too uncomfortable to move around.

Grooming Your Pet-It Doesn't Have to be Difficult

Their are pet owners who will not groom their pets because whenever they try the experience turns into

a bad experience that leaves both the pet and the owner with strained nerves and shaken confidence.

Some of these pet owners, knowing that their pet is in desperate need of a good grooming, bring their

www.lovemypet.info

pets to a professional pet groomer, hoping that the groomer knows some magic trick that will make

their unruly pet behave. Most of these pet owners are devastated when they return to the groomers to

pick up their pet and find out that the best the groomer was able to do was a partial job, they send the

pet home half clipped and uncombed, telling the owner that the pet is their responsibility.

The hard truth is that some pets really don't like to be groomed. Dogs, which are perfectly happy to

splash in mud puddles and swim in rivers, develop an unreasonable fear of water when their owner

starts to unroll a hose. Cats, those are happy to spend the entire day being stroked by their human turn

into shrieking banshees when that same owner picks up a brush.

The first thing a pet owner has to understand is that if they brush or bath their pet at home, there is

absolutely no way a pet groomer is going to be able to. Professional groomers are people who know

how to make a pet look good, they aren't animal trainers. Pet owners shouldn't expect them to turn into

trainers when they drop their pet off at the pet groomers.

The easiest way to teach your pet that grooming is a pleasurable experience is to start grooming them

when they are very young. Sure puppies and kittens squirm around a lot, and grooming them will be

difficult, but they are still small. They are a lot easier to hold onto know then they will be a year or two

down the road. And remember, part of the reason they are squirming and wiggling around is because

they are so happy to be with you. If you start brushing their coats and washing their eats now, they will

start to associate those activities with one on one time.

Make sure that you spend some time handling and cleaning your pets’ ears. The more their ears get

handled at a young age the easier it will be for your veterinarian to inspect and treat any ear infections

your pet might develop later in life.

Dog and cat owners all know that trimming their pets nails can be a monstrous engagement. Although

you shouldn't have to trim the nails of your new puppy or kitten, you can make play with their feet and

start getting them accustomed to the feel of your fingers against their paws. This will make your life

easier down the road.

When your grooming process is complete reward your young pet with treats and play time. It won't be

very long before they learn that sitting still through the grooming process means that they will get to the

fun stuff faster.

If you are having a bad day, avoid grooming your pet. They will pick up on your negative energy and be

uncomfortable being trapped on your lap. Instead of grooming, spend the time playing a game with your

puppy or kitten. They won't feel trapped and will still have your undivided attention which will make

them happy, and you will find that watching them play will have a therapeutic effect on your mental

health.

Make each and every grooming session a positive experience for both you and your new pet.

www.lovemypet.info

Home Pet Grooming Tips

Pet grooming can be performed by the owner or from a professional who has gone to school to learn

the craft. If you are a do-it-your-self type person there are several safety tips you might want to keep in

mind. The animal you are grooming is special to you and you will want to keep the animal safe and calm

during the pet grooming experience. Any undue pain or injury caused by unsafe practices can cause

emotional stress to your animal and damage to the trust level the pet may have with you. The following

tips will ensure a safe and pleasurable pet grooming experience.

Most pets do not like this, but the excess hair that forms in the ears must be clipped. Excess hair can

build moisture that will trap bacteria and cause ear infections or be a breeding ground for ear mites.

These types of afflictions can cause your pet a great deal of discomfort. Infections cause the animal to

scratch and shake their head. Mites can actually cause the animal to do damage to their inner canal as

they stick their nails inside trying to scratch. Large eared dogs already have a predisposition for ear

problems and the shaking of their ears back in forth can rupture blood vessels. Professional pet

groomers have specialized equipment to remove ear hair, but the novice may use nose hair trimmers to

get the same effect. The noise of the clippers may scare the pet, so stroke him with the other hand and

offer soothing words to calm them.

Another novice mistake is to shave the animal all the way. Pet grooming experts will do this at the

request of the owner, but it is ill advised if the animal is an outside pet. The coat protects the animal

from the cold and also from the sun. Both elements can cause serious skin damage to your pet which

could lead to expensive veterinarian bills. The lack of hair on the body can cause rashes. The hair in

some breeds secrete essential oils that protect and lubricate the skin, while others such as Labradors

have two coats that serve different functions for the animals safety. Try to shave mats as close as

possible until you are able to work them out with a brush. Even shaving mat patches to the skin will

leave your pet in danger of the sun and wind.

If you use a clipper, brush the hair backwards against the grain and then move your clippers with the

grain. Pet grooming experts may use a variety of length of clipper combs that can be used in variance

with the length and thickness of the coat. The novice pet groomer may use home hair clipper systems,

but they should experiment first in one unnoticeable area before continuing the entire job. When

shaving the underbelly, beware the nipples.

Even on a male pet this can a painful experience if they are cut or cut off. Home pet grooming is an

inexpensive way to keep your pet healthy and happy, but it is also a way for your pet to be injured or

messed up so bad that only professional pet grooming can fix the owners mistake.

Making Sure Your Pet Guinea Pig is Properly Groomed

www.lovemypet.info

The site of a guinea pig nosing around in a pile of fresh shavings is an image that brings a smile to both

parents and children alike.

A large population of adults have fond memories of the guinea pig they raised as a child. It doesn't take

a lot of encouragement before they are describing the way it looked and recounting the adventures they

shared. Most parents who had guinea pigs during their childhood are normally quick to make sure that

their children have a pet guinea pig to call their own.

Parents like the idea of guinea pigs as a child's first gift for a variety of reasons. Compared to cats and

dogs, guinea pigs are a cheap pet. Even rescuing a kitten from an animal shelter can cost more then fifty

dollars, a young, well cared for guinea pig can be purchased for fifteen dollars. The average guinea pig

doesn't need as much veterinary care as a dog or cat. A guinea pig can be kept in the child's bedroom; it

doesn't run around the house, disrupting the entire household. In short a guinea pig is a smart choice to

teach a child about the responsibility needed to care for a pet.

One of the skills that children will develop when they are raising a guinea pig is pet grooming. Despite

their diminutive size, guinea pigs, like dogs and cats, need to be groomed on a regular basis.

Parents who are concerned that their child will be lax about grooming their pet guinea pig should make

sure that they purchase a short haired breed of guinea pig. The short hair will not tangle and mat like

their long haired counterparts. Brushes that have soft bristles are the best for brushing guinea pigs; the

soft bristles won’t hurt the guinea pig's skin.

When you guinea pig comes home, teach your child how to examine its eyes and ears and nose, to make

sure that they are clean and free of debris. Show them how to use a warm slightly wet washcloth to

gently wipe any mucus that might be accumulating in the corners of their eyes.

Guinea pigs don't require a great deal of brushing, and they shouldn't be bathed. They do need to have

their nails clipped. This is an activity that the parent needs to supervise. Explain to your child that they

are not suppose to remove the guinea pigs entire nail, that the only thing that is going to be removed

with the nail clippers is the sharp tip of the nail. On a guinea pig that has white nails you should be able

to see the tiny blood vessels that run through the nails, explain to your child that the blood vessels

represent a living part of the nail that the goal is to trim the nail with hurting the tiny blood vessels. If

your pet guinea pig has dark nails you’re probably won’t be able to see the blood vessels, on dark nailed

guinea pigs the rule of thumb is to trim approximately 1/4 of an inch of the guinea pigs nail.

The biggest problem with guinea pigs is that they stink. The scent of an unclean guinea pig cage can

quickly drive the entire family from the house. It is important to make sure that your child understands

that it is extremely important to clean the guinea pigs cage every day. Explain that the health of their

guinea pig as well as the family harmony depends on them keeping the cage clean and the bedding

fresh.

www.lovemypet.info

Nail Trimming An Important Part Of Pet Grooming

An essential part of pet grooming is the trimming of your pet's nails. If you live in a house with wooden

floors, the click, click, click of your pet's nails when they walk on that floor can drive you crazy. Not only

is it irritating for the members of your family, it is an indication that your animal's nails need to be cut.

This is important because long nails can cause pain to your animal's feet and they can be used as a

weapon whether on purpose or by accident. The nails can also cause damage to furniture or carpet.

Pet grooming experts use special precautions when clipping the nails of a dog or cat. The nail trimmers

must be able to securely go over the diameter of the nail and not angled at all. To try this task at home,

one must know where to cut and how deep down the nail to clip. The trick is to locate the cuticle and

not to cut into it. There is a vein that runs part way up the nail starting at the base. Within this vein

there are blood vessels and nerve endings. If you should happen to cut into this vein, the nail will begin

to bleed and there will certainly be pain involved. If your pet shows any sign of pain stop, what you're

doing and comfort the animal.

Most animals do not like pet grooming and the ordeal of nail trimming can be a very a stressful time for

them. The best method is to sit down beside your dog or cat, and began to brush their coat. Once they

are calm and comfortable place their paw into your hand. Do not show them the clippers at first, but

massage their feet like you would if you were playing with them. Gently put the nail into the opening of

the nail trimmers and slowly but firmly clip the nail.

Professional pet groomers are a little more experienced and they clip the nails at a faster rate than the

novice. Take your time and be aware of how your pet reacts to having their nails clipped. If you do

happen to cut the blood vessel in the center the nail, grab a clean cloth or sanitary paper towel to put

pressure on the nail until the bleeding stops. If you are cutting the nails inside of your house the animal

may track blood upon your carpet or floor. The pet grooming expert uses different tactics when it comes

to trimming nails. They will sometimes restrain your dog using straps or placing them into a small

enclosed area. Here they can pull the dogs paw through a hole in the containment box and clip at will.

This method it's very stressful upon the animal, and sometimes your animal might be better served by

you clipping their nails at home.

Nail clipping for some animals is a horrible experience. Your pet may try to bite you or try to get away

from you, putting both the owner and the animal at serious injury. If you in any way feel nervous about

clipping nails, it is better not to even attempt it. Let a pet grooming expert clip your animal nails or have

it done the next time you visit the veterinarian.

Pet Bathing as Part of the Pet Grooming Experience

www.lovemypet.info

A house without a pet just isn't complete. Whether the ideal animal companion is a cat or dog, proper

pet grooming is essential. Purebred or mutt, exotic or domestic, eventually that same constant sidekick

will need to be bathed. The responsible pet owner will now need to determine if it is time to bring in the

pet grooming professionals or to attempt this project under their own discretion.

If the house pet happens to be a cat, many individuals feel that bathing is an unnecessary undertaking.

True, a cat will commonly clean themselves to the best of their ability, however environmental and

household conditions can determine the need for a full bath. Store-brand cat litter can often hold odor

more discerningly than that of premium quality. This litter box odor eventually begins to permeate the

general smell of the family pet. Upon noticing this condition, the cat owner will need to "freshen" the

feline. This can be best achieved by pouring baking soda under lukewarm running water into a large sink

or washtub. Once the baking soda has dissolved, carefully grasp two of the cat's paws in one hand, while

doing the same with the other paws. Slowly lower the feline into the waiting water. The owner must

take care in their own demeanor and remain calm and soothing during this process.

Most cats will not take kindly to this treatment, especially if it is a new pet grooming experience, and

some may holler about the indignity of the situation. Contrary to the cat's belief, the experience should

not be too upsetting and fortunately, upon becoming dry, most cats will eventually forgive their

offending owner. If, however, the cat has been exposed to other items such as grease, or tree sap, the

owner will need to perform a full bath complete with mild shampoo. If kitty has not had the experience

of the "freshening" or other assisted bathing, this may be the time to contact a pet grooming expert as

their facilities are better equipped to accommodate the angry and easily antagonized feline.

The family dog will also need bathing, although on a more regular basis than the feline family members.

A small dog may be cleaned easily in the kitchen sink as the spray attachment is a perfect tool for

rinsing. Thoroughly wet the animal's coat, and apply a liberal amount of mild pet shampoo. Quality

shampoos are available in many discount stores and a full-line pet store can provide additional choices

for specific problems such as fleas, ticks, or dry skin problems. After lathering the coat, it is essential to

remove all residue of the shampoo.

The animal must be rinsed with clean water numerous times to ensure that no soap is left on the skin. A

longer haired animal might now benefit from the use of a conditioner. The use of this product will leave

the coat silky, shiny, and smelling pleasant, in addition, conditioner provides another avenue for insuring

that all shampoo residues has been removed. After bathing, the pet owner will find that brushing will be

must easier when facilitated with this product.

If the pet is of the short or wire-haired variety, the owner will find that a final rinse with a mixture of

one-half gallon of water with two tablespoons of cider vinegar will effectively remove any residual soap

and give the coat a healthy glow. If bathing is part of your pet grooming regime, be confident with your

skills or call a pet grooming expert.

www.lovemypet.info

Pet Groomers that Come to You

Dog owners have all been there. You turn your dog loose to run for just a few minutes and the next

thing you know man's best friend is scratching at your door, there once gleaming coat caked with dirt

and debris, and emitting an incredibly foul odor. You now have two options. You can lock your dog

outside and hope that it rains hard enough in the near future to wash them clean, or you can take

valuable time out of your day and drag them to your local pet groomer.

There is another, less time consuming way to remove the embarrassing odor from your dog's fur. You

might consider enlisting the aid of a mobile pet grooming service.

Never heard of a mobile pet grooming service? Think of it as a canine day spa that has been condensed

and put on wheels. Most mobile pet grooming companies have built their pet grooming stations into the

back of large vans or cargo trucks.

Pet owners who enlist the aid of a mobile pet grooming service will be stunned by the luxury their pets

can enjoy without ever leaving their familiar surroundings. One mobile pet service company that

operates in the United States has vans that are outfitted with blow dryers, and heated hydro baths, in

addition to the pet groomers regular grooming tools and supplies. Some of the groomers that operate

mobile pet units offer the pets they groom a vast selection of gourmet pet treats.

Pet owners who regularly use mobile pet units like the fact they are able to arrange the groomers

around their work and personal commitments. Mobile pet groomers are willing to groom a person's

pets on weekends or after regular working hours when regular pet groomers close their shops and go

home to spend time with their own pets.

Using a mobile pet grooming service means that pet owners do not have to arrange time to drive their

pets into town and then drive them back home again. The mobile pet service saves them time and

money. The time and money they save becomes something they can enjoy with the rest of their family.

It sounds strange, but using a mobile pet service could actually improve your dog's overall health. Some

dogs don't like to leave their home. The act of getting into a car and driving into town for a scheduled

appointment with a pet groomer gives them anxiety attacks. The experience is stressful for everybody

involved, the pet owner, the professional groomer, and most importantly the dog. Pet owners who have

dogs that don't like traveling generally avoid having their dog groomed. That leads to the second way a

mobile pet grooming service can improve your dog's health. A professional dog groomer will notice

changes in your dogs’ hair coat and skin that could indicate health problems if not dealt with

immediately.

Many mobile pet groomers start out as a small hobby for a pet groomer, something they might do to

start attracting a clientele, or a way to nurse a passion for pets. It is not unusual for these pet groomers

to find that the business is so lucrative that their business expands so much they arrange for another

mobile unit and hire extra professional groomers to drive it from one client to the next.

www.lovemypet.info

Pet Grooming and the Mental Health of Your Pet

How is pet grooming important to the mental health of your animal? Whether you own a cat, dog, our

gerbil the mental health of your animal reflects the physical condition of that animal and the

relationship between pet and owners. Having your pet properly groomed is essential to maintaining a

healthy balance of cleanliness and mental health. The dog whose hair is too long for the summer or a cat

whose nails are too long and need to be clipped are animals that are in dire need of care. Proper pet

grooming can provide an emotional symbol that you care for your pet andthe pet will respect the owner

more when the quality time at the grooming is applied.

The simple bonding that is demonstrated between an animal and their owner during grooming is the

most important aspect of the mental health of your animal. While grooming, you are constantly hands-

on, stroking your animal and pulling out mats and snags in their hair that may have been a source of

discomfort. As you groom your animal, the animal becomes more placid and at ease. Your pets

grooming method may include using brushes, clippers or variety of other instruments. Let your pet

smell, the instrument before you start applying it to their hair or skin. The more familiar they are with

the tools that you use, the less they will feel stressed having an unknown object structure near and on

their body.

If you are using clippers that make a noise, turn them on a good distance from your gut. Turn them off

again and woke toward your pet, turning them on and gently putting the vibration next to the body.

When they realize that the clippers will not hurt them, they will be more susceptible in allowing you to

cut their hair.

Any pet grooming must start with gentle words and soothing sounds. After awhile, when grooming

becomes a daily routine, your pet will be more appreciative inletting you groom them, plus they will

become interested in wanting daily attention. With the dual purpose of both grooming and bonding, the

grooming session will produce an animal that has sharper instincts and better mental-health. They will

feel more secure in their home and will have trust in their owner as they find out that this new

experience will not hurt them. If you happen to cut the cuticle of the nail to short or cause any other

kind of discomfort to your animal, make a big deal over it by giving them extra hugs and more attention.

They will realize that it was only a mistake, and the love and trust will come back. Pet grooming to your

animal is like receiving that gentle hug from a loved one. You feel better after it and you wish that it

would stop and happen more often. As your confidence in the pet grooming process grows so will the

confidence grow in your animal. They will know that you will protect them and keep them as healthy as

possible.

www.lovemypet.info

Pet Grooming as a Career

A pet grooming career can be an exciting vocation which offers adventure and profitability. A pet

grooming vocation requires standards that even veterinarians and breeders do not have to follow. You

will fill a very important niche in the pet market and will become an important person to the animals

you serve as well as their owners. You will have to use hands on techniques towards the animals, and at

the same time you'll have to observe their behaviors and physical traits. You will actually have to spend

quality time with the animal.

This is an activity that many veterinarians and breeders do not do. During this quality time, you must be

able to judge the mental and physical characteristics of the animal and report to the owner. You are

almost a reporting agency due to the fact that if you see that the animal has been mistreated by the

owner it is required for you to call the veterinarian immediately.

One of the skills of a pet grooming expert is to be able to look at the individual breed and decide what

type of coat that dog might have. For example, the Labrador retriever has two coats. Its first coat is a

fine down fur that is close to the skin and provides warmth during the winter and water activities. The

second coat is a long, thin, fine hair that is used as a water repellent. This allows the dog to dry off

quickly and to protect the inner coat. The skill that the grooming expert needs to proficient in is to know

how short to trim or to trim at all. To cut the hair too short would leave the under coating hair and the

skin open to dangerous situations. These situations could be exposure to the sun, which would cause

skin irritation or skin cancer.

If you think that you have these skills, you may be able to be a pet grooming professional. There are

several options in which to train for your vocation. There are many pet grooming schools in the United

States. Some are the brick-and-mortar variety where you will attend daily classes. Other pet grooming

courses are offered online, and this would allow the student to partake in the classes at their own

leisure. Once the program is completed a certificate will be issued. This certificate can be taken to the

state board responsible for certification. Some states do not require certification, but the certificate is a

symbol of professionalism in the field of pet grooming.

The pet grooming profession is a lucrative field in which the owners have the opportunity to choose

what kind animals to groom and what fees they may charge. There is a shortage of cat groomers and

this could be a niche in which the groomer could be prosperous. There is also a shortage of groomers of

all types in rural areas. Moving to an area without pet grooming experts could be the start of a very

profitable career.

Pet Grooming Is A Responsibility

www.lovemypet.info

Many pets purchased today are purebred. The elaborate care required for maintaining health and value

should be known and the responsible owner will follow these guidelines. A large amount of households,

however, still follow tradition and have chosen a mixed-breed house pet. These individuals may feel that

the responsibilities for pet ownership are limited to veterinarian care, food, toys and accessories, but

the family who is gifted with a "free" puppy or kitten must also consider the necessity of pet grooming

when compiling the expenses and responsibilities for the newest family member.

The family, who chooses a short-haired pet, may feel that this will alleviate the obligation for daily

grooming; this is however, a mistaken thought process. The shorter haired pet will still require regular

brushing to stimulate a healthy coat and reduce loose pet hair. The indoor pet will invariably leave hair

throughout their environment, so brushing is essential for a cleaner home. In addition, indoor pets are

subjected to the same environmental influences as their human family. Dry, hot, furnace heat and

artificial cooling systems dehydrate the skin causing it to flake and slough off. Although perhaps more

apparent amongst darker-toned breeds, this same process is occurring in the family pet. Dandruff-like

flaking will appear on the dog or cat's coat when stimulated either by hand or brush, indicating dry skin.

Supplements or vitamins may need to be included into the pet's diet for complete relief, but the

inclusion of regular baths into the pet grooming routine will provide the greatest improvement. Some

individuals may choose to do these themselves, however the local pet groomer will also perform this for

a reasonable fee.

Proper pet grooming does not end with the animal's skin and coat, as other needs will require regular

attention as well. The home that now includes a domestic cat will need its members to be diligent in

training the animal to use a scratching post. Failing this, the decision to de-claw the feline used to be the

only option; however, today's pet grooming advances have made it possible to live with the offending

talons. A pet groomer can be enlisted to clip the tips of the front claws or soft pads can be applied to the

claw, thus keeping the nails from damaging inappropriate surfaces. If started at a young age, the adult

cat will readily submit to either of these procedures, however the responsible pet owner should speak

to their veterinarian about which options would be the best for the animal and the expense that will be

included in the pet's regular grooming routine.

The family, who has chosen to bring a dog into the home, must also realize their responsibilities in

regards to nail care. Regardless of size, a dog's nails can be damaging if not kept to a proper length. This

damage does not just include the family home and property, but can also extend to the animal itself.

Nails that are not clipped may cause the pet to walk awkwardly or lead to other foot problems;

therefore this is a maintenance necessity. Some dogs are submissive and do not require any assistance;

however, this is not often the case. The veterinarian may be needed to perform this grooming necessity.

This could become quite expensive; however, many pet professionals will eagerly train the pet owner to

do this job themselves. The pet owner should be aware, though that this is a procedure that is best

begun as soon as possible and at regular intervals, as the normally docile family dog may react very

adversely to the nail clipping regimen.

www.lovemypet.info

Regardless of the initial cost in procuring a family pet, the family needs to be aware and understand the

responsibilities that they have now chosen to undertake. The animal's health must be maintained and

this will require the procurement of a good medical professional. In addition, though, the family must

understand the obligations for regular pet grooming to assure a long and happy life for this family

member.

Pet Grooming Options for Cats

When considering pet grooming options, one must decide which pet groomer will be best. There are

many dog groomers out there, but very few cat groomers. If you have a cat you should look carefully at

what specific facilities offer cat grooming expertise. Cats are finicky animals and they can be very hard to

groom, putting the groomer at risk for bites or scratches. Choosing a professional cat groomer is a

important decision the pet owner must make to ensure the health and happiness of their cat. As with all

animals a bad pet groomer can make mistakes and unintentionally hurt the animal destroying

confidence in making the cat emotionally distraught.

Cat pet grooming is a difficult job and not many people are up to the task. Some of the best dog

groomers refuse to groom cats due to the fact of the danger to both themselves and the animal. Most

cats do not like water and bathing them can be a adventure as both cat and human fight for dominance.

Most cats become emotionally distraught when immersed in water, and it takes a experience pet

groomer to calm the cat and at the same time protect both parties involved.

Pet grooming techniques have been designed to keep the animal safe and give the animal confidence in

the person doing the bathing. A good cat groomer will use the necessary gloves and other equipment to

make bathing a more pleasant experience for the feline.

The most difficult job for the cat pet grooming expert is to cut mats off long-haired cats. Breeds such as

Persians, and Blue Hairs are notorious for having big mats several inches in diameter which are tightly

packed against the skin. Pet grooming with these types of animals needs to be particularly diligent in

finding these mats and cut them short enough to brush out without actually shaving the hair off the

skin. For long-haired cats to have no hair on their body opens them up for infection and disease. Serious

skin infections can result which is constantly in both time and money. As with other animals having the

hair shaved completely off and living in an outside environment can lead to skin cancer and other deadly

skin diseases.

The choice of a cat pet groomer is a serious one for the pet owner. Sometimes in rural areas a pet

grooming expert may be some distance away. The owner must be prepared to drive a cat to the

groomer, leave them overnight, and pick them up the next day. Before leaving the groomer, inspect

your animal and make sure there are no serious cuts or abrasions. Also run your fingers through the

animal's coat to make sure that all mats are taken off properly.

www.lovemypet.info

If you're happy with the services of the pet grooming experience, it is customary to tip the professional

at least 15% of the total charges. To ensure less frequent trips to the grooming expert, it is advisable to

brush your cat out daily and avoid the unsightly mats as they appear.


Pet Grooming Professionals - How to Keep Your Pet Safe

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



www.lovemypet.info

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.

Pet Grooming to Prevent Hairballs

Cat owners know that where there are cats there are also hairballs. Cats’ oral grooming habits involve

swallowing large quantities of hair. Most of the swallowed hair passes harmlessly through the cat's

digestive system. Problems occur when instead of passing through the cat's digestive system the hair

remains in the cat's digestive system. As time passes the undigested hair collects with other undigested

hair, these hairs stick together, until a hairball forms in the cat's stomach. The larger the hair ball

becomes, the greater a risk it poses to the cat's health and well being.

A vast majority of cats are able to rid themselves of a hairball by hacking it up. The sound they make

when trying to bring up a hairball is similar to a person suffering from dry heaves, although the noise is

slightly higher pitched. Most cat owners also report that the best time of day to extract a troublesome

hairball is in the middle of the night so that sound can keep the cat's entire family up all night. Cat

owners also find that their cat is very clever at depositing the hairball in places where its humans

frequently walk barefoot, like on the bathroom floor, directly next to the shower.

As unhappy as cat owners might be about having balls of half digested hair littering their house, they are

even less happy about large hairballs that remain in their house cat's stomach. When the enormous

hairball makes its way into the cat's intestine it can create a blockage that frequently means a hasty trip

to the vet for an emergency surgery. This surgery can cost several hundred dollars.

Signs that your cat is suffering from a hairball are; your cat ignoring their personal grooming regime and

allowing their coat to become dirty and matted, constant coughing and hacking, loss of appetite,

constipation, and depression. Long haired cats, because of the length of their coat, are more prone to

hairballs then their short haired contemporaries.

Pet grooming is a wonderful way for cat owners to prevent the unpleasantness of hairballs. Brushing

your cat once a day will remove dead hairs from the cat's coat. These dead hairs won’t be around to

stick to the cat's tongue and later be swallowed to form a hair ball. Although any brush can be used to

groom your pet cat, a cat brush purchased from pet store has bristles that are specially designed for cat

hair. Daily grooming routines will strengthen the bond between you and your cat.

www.lovemypet.info

If you have a long haired cat, or even a short haired cat that seems prone to hairballs, you may want to

consider clipping your cat to remove excess hair. Hair that is no longer on the cat's body cannot wreck

havoc on their digestive system.

Another thing that cat owners can do to prevent hairball is to purchase cat foods that are specially

designed to prevent hairballs from forming in the cat's digestive system. If your budget won’t extend to

purchasing expensive anti-hairball foods, you may want to consider other commercial hairball remedies.

Cat owners should consult their veterinarian for additional methods of hairball control.

Pet Grooming Uniforms for the Professional

It is essential for every pet grooming professional to be dressed in the proper apparel. Not only does it

show professionalism in the art of pet grooming, but also they are practical uniforms with style and

functionality. They should be comfortable and stylish and have reinforcements at all the stress points for

long life and durability. The uniform should reflect the personality of the pet groomer, and also should

reflect what kind of pets he grooms. The uniform should be easy to wash and they should be able to

withstand the scratches from dogs and cats without tearing. The uniform should be stain resistant and

come out of the dryer wrinkle free. Each piece of the uniform should be fitted for the person intended

to wear it. The uniform should be loose fitting but tight enough so that the loose material will not hinder

the pet grooming process.

A vital part of the uniform is shoes. The shoes of a pet groomer should be comfortable because the

profession requires that the groomer be on their feet for long periods of time. Dutch shoes should be

made of a material that is easy to boorish as some animals lose the ability to control themselves and the

shoes might be stained with urine or feces. The best pet grooming shoes in industry are crocs. The crocs

are made out of rubber and if an animal had an accident, it will not hurt them. They are easily washed.

Pet grooming shoes should not be made out of leather or canvas. These materials are easily stained and

the smell of the residue of the accidents may stay in this material for a long time.

Pet grooming professionals should always wear long pants or jeans. Excited animals can scratch your

legs if you wear shorts or a skirt. The jeans offer real resistance towards scratches or bites. Some pet

groomers opt to where a leather apron or canvas leggings which will prevent scratches. Also if you were

shorts the chance of an infection or infestation of fleas or lice is more likely to occur. The pet grooming

specialists can shop at specialty stores or at large pet outlet stores where expert advice can be given to

which clothes to buy.

Another consideration when deciding on pet grooming apparel is the choice of gloves. Some groomers

wear just rubber gloves to protect themselves from diseases such as mange. These diseases if contacted

with the human skin can be embarrassing and painful. Another choice of gloves that are used in the pet

www.lovemypet.info

grooming industry is leather gloves. These can deter small animals from ripping up your hands by

scratching our biting. For larger dogs who have a tendency to bite, the pet groomer may use a metal

mesh glove which will stop the penetration of the teeth into the skin, but will not stop the pressure of

that by coming down upon the hand. Though the hand will not be punctured, it may be bruised.

The pet grooming professional needs to take in all considerations when buying apparel. They say that

clothes make the man and the uniform that the pet groomer chooses dictates professionalism and the

way they are perceived by the client. Sources for pet grooming uniforms can be found on the Internet,

local veterinarians, and large pet outlet stores.

The History of Pet Grooming

Pet grooming is a common practice in our society. People don't even think twice of spending hundreds

of dollars having their pets groomed and bathed by a pet grooming professional. It is such a common

connivance that many people forget the history of what made this profession what it is. If you look at

the paintings of the Elizabethan era you will see pets portrayed in paintings that are well groomed and

clean. Who did the grooming? Was grooming a pet an actual profession back then? Was the local barber

responsible for pet care as well as cutting hair and medical responsibilities? At the local Lord or Lady

have their hair cut alongside their pet There are actually paintings from that era that depict a dog being

sheared while sitting on ladies lap.

As breeds became popular in the 17th century, poodles’ inFrance received recognition for being the dog

of the court. This entry also records that professional grooming parlors were open for dogs. In 1879

Shaw wrote a book called The Book of the Dog. This book made references concerning dog grooming in

England and gave helpful hints of how to clean, groom, and keep your dog healthy.

As animals became more a part of society, pets and work animals became more important dictated on

how they looked. The animals were groomed, either by their owners or professional pet groomers.

Animals such as horses were groomed by stable boys or their owners as a kind of the embellishing of the

owners taste and wealth. As animal labor was replaced by automobiles and machines, the grooming of

the animal took on a more personal reflection of the owner, particularly in high society. A well groomed

and clean animal was a sign of wealth and prosperity.

In today's perception of pet grooming, the animal is considered part of the family or something to show

as a source of pride. Organizations such as 4H incorporate pet grooming into their program so that not

only the health of the animals is displayed but also the owner's attention to the animal. Special events

are organized to present current animal grooming techniques and the products of the pet grooming

industry. Horses and other livestock are adorned during parades and rodeos making the animals a

showpiece to the event. There are even pet grooming conventions that meet periodically around the

www.lovemypet.info

United States and the world to present the newest techniques and equipment used in the pet grooming

industry.

There are thousands of web pages dedicated to the art and fashion of grooming and as with many long-

standing professions a rich history of pet grooming dictates pride and self achievement in the

professional. So next time you visit your local pet grooming expert, remember that they are not just a

service, but they have been backed with centuries of expertise, refinement, and dedication to the art.

The next time you drop off your animal to a pet grooming expert, remember your animal will be taken

care of with pride and integrity.

The Proper Way to Bath Your House Pet

One of the keys to successfully bathing your pet is to make sure that you are in a safe environment. If

you are putting your dog or cat in a tub or sink while you bath them make sure that they aren't going to

slip. Placing a rubber mat in the tub or sink will give your pet a sense of security, rubber door mats work

really well for this purpose. Also make sure that you aren't going to slip if water gets splashed on the

floor. If you are using a hose to bath your dog outside, make sure you are in an area where they feel

secure, and that, if they pull away from you grasp, they won’t be able to run out into traffic.

Before you start bathing your pet make sure that the shampoo you are using is very mild. Shampoos

that are specially formulated for your pet's species are best because they won’t strip your pets’ coat of

the oils that they need for healthy skin. If you have to use a human shampoo try to use one that is

meant for infant children. Make sure that the shampoo you are using to wash your pet is unscented.

Washing your dog with shampoo that smells like lilacs is only going to encourage him to find a dead fish

to use to cover the scent. Perfumed shampoos can also dry out your pets’ sensitive skin.

Before you begin bathing your pet, sit down and throughly brush its coat. This serves two purposes. First

it helps relax your pet, and you. More importantly running a brush through your pets coat will rid it off

all dead and loose hair. This is hair that will no longer be around to clog your plumbing system.

Try to use luke warm water. Hot water can burn your pet's sensitive skin. Cold water can chill your pet.

Both situations can make the bathing experince miserable. If you are bathing your pet in a tub, do not fill

the tub full of water. Too much water will make your pet nervous, and increase the amount of water

that gets splashed on the floor and on you. Use a minimal amount of water when bathing your house

pet.

When using a hose or sprayer to spray water over your pet be very careful not to spray water into thier

ears. Also try to avoid spraying water in thier noses and mouths. Getting water in the ears, nose, and

mouth will not give your pet pleasent memories of the bathing experince.

www.lovemypet.info

When rubbing the shampoo into your pet's coat start just behind your pet's ears and work your way

towards the pet's tail. Use a circular motion to rub the shampoo into the pet's coat. When you are done

massaging the shampoo into your pet's coat use the sprayer or hose to rinse your pet. Make sure that

you get all the soap out of your pets’ hair. Soap that doesn't get rinsed off will irritate your pet's skin and

cause them to rub and scratch at thier skin. If the soap irritates the pet enough you could find yourself

treating your pet for hot spots.

When you are done bathing your pet, use a large towel to dry them off.

After bath time is finsihed take some time to play with and cuddle with your pet. This will ensure them

that you still love them, and confirm in both your minds that bath time doesn't have to be a traumatic

experince.

Where to Find Pet Grooming Supplies

So Fido is getting a little scruffy. Pet grooming professionals are very expensive and sometimes you will

not get the desired results that you wish and first place. Home pet grooming has become a fad in the

last 10 years. The question asked most by the novice pet groomer is exactly where do you get pet

grooming supplies? You'll need a variety of clippers, scissors, brushes, and combs. The supplies you need

vary with the type of dog you have and whether that dog has long or short hair. The thickness of the

coat is important because some clippers may cause pain or irritation to your animal.

Pet grooming supplies can be found at your local but veterinarian. Here you can find clippers, nail

clippers, and even small, little clippers that can cut ear hair. This is not your best bet in respect to

expense. The veterinarian usually has a high markup in all their pet grooming supplies. The advantage is

that you will find but veterinarian close to your home and will not have to mail order or order the

supplies off the Internet. You might want to call ahead to make sure that your but veterinarian has the

proper pet grooming supplies for your breed of dog. Different breed sometimes require different

supplies, and if you have a rare breed for that area of the country in which you live, it may be hard to

find the proper grooming equipment.

If you're looking for more value, and a larger selection, many online pet grooming supply companies

exist. Some offer next day air and though the shipping cost might be expensive, the quality of the

product and the assurance that the product specifically meets your pet grooming needs is worth the

cost. Online pet grooming sites offer tips on how to groom your pet, and they also offer ways that you

may try different styles and cuts. The online pet grooming sites also offer a variety of products like

shampoos, conditioners, and products that remove major animal infestations like fleas, ticks, our other

vermin. Be careful if you're animal has sensitive skin. Some products may have an acidic quality than

may leave rashes or irritating marks on your animals hide.

www.lovemypet.info

If you live in a large urban center, they are large pet outlet stores that carry pet grooming supplies as

well as other supplies your pets might need. These stores also have professional groomers in which you

can make an appointment. Some have a walk-in policy and why others need an appointment well in

advance. The store personnel will offer advice on pet grooming tips that are physically fit your dogs

breed, size, and an air quality. They will also have a large assortment of shampoos, brushes, clippers,

and scissors.

No matter what venue you've you wish to buy your pet grooming supplies from, make sure that they are

tailored fit for your pet. A wrong clipper attachment can cut the hair too short. This will leave your pet

scan in danger of sunburn or when burn. With proper grooming your pet will lead a longe,r healthy and

more emotionally safe life.

Why Good Pet Grooming Experts Are Hard To Find

Pet grooming is essential to pet ownership. Grooming will ensure the pet's emotional and physical

health. A dog or cat must be groomed to ensure that not only do they look good, but they are made safe

by having their nails and hair cut properly. Most people do not want to go through the hassle of home

pet grooming. This process is a mess and can cause serious injury to the animal if it is done by

unprofessional means. Expert pet grooming is expensive, but with the right groomer your pet will look

good and feel good. Some professional pet groomers, though trained professionally, do not do a good

job and there has been some instances of pet groomers hurting or mistreating animals.

When you go to a professional pet groomer for the first time carefully inspect your pet after the

grooming is done. When you pick them up from the service most animals will be shaken from the

experience, but if your animal is extremely shy when they first get back from the groomer, there may be

some circumstances that you need to look into. Carefully inspect your pet. Look for cuts, scratches or

razor burn, which will appear to be like a red rash on the skin. That grooming professionals have been

known to accidentally cut off dew claws or to split the nails when trimming them.

If you think that your pet has been mistreated during pet grooming talk to the groomer. Show them the

reason of your concern, and let them explain what has happened the best they can. If you are not

satisfied with the answer that is groomer gives you, there are several options in which you can follow.

You could report them to the state board that issued their license. They are you can file a grievance or

ask for advice on what to do next. You can also call the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint. This

will be publicly displayed if other customers wish to use the same groomer and want to investigate first.

A pet grooming license is similar to a cosmetologist license. The pet groomer has to be board certified

from the state and adhere to the standards and practices of that state issue. If a pet groomer is out of

www.lovemypet.info

compliance with the state standards, they can have their license removed or be put on probation. If

severe mistreatment of your pet is observed, you should call the local authorities. You should both call

the police or the animal control officer in your town and report the mistreatment of the animal. As with

all businesses there are black sheets to the pet grooming profession.

Sometimes you may have to try several pet groomers to get your pet grooming needs met. Some

groomers are not qualified to cut the hair of specific breeds. If your long-haired cat needs to be

groomed, be sure you take him to a cat groomer. Cats are hard to groomand a special expertise is

needed to ensure safety of the cat. Choose your pet grooming professionals carefully and report

anything that you might perceive as unsavory. Once a proper pet groomer has been identified by you,

stick with that person and advertise for them with word-of-mouth. The safety of your animal is more

important than cost. A good pet grooming professional is hard to find, but it is worth it for the safety,

health, and well-being of your pet.

Why is Pet Grooming Important

Why is pet grooming important? Whether you have a cat of dog, pet grooming is an important part of

the hygiene and emotional well being of your animal. Doesn't feel good when you get your hair cut or

nails done? Imagine not having the luxury of choosing how and when you clean yourself. Your pets don't

have that advantage. Sure they groom themselves with their tongue and paws, but without an opposing

thumb they cannot grab a scrub brush and wash their back or the ability to reach hard to get at places.

They need the care and love of their caregivers and pet grooming lets them know that they are getting

their needs met.

Even when you get a new puppy or kitten, pet grooming is important way to develop the bonding

practices. As you brush or wash your pet, the constant touching and soothing gives the young animal a

sense of well being. The relationship between caregiver and animal becomes stronger as more attention

is given to the pet. The early interaction of pet grooming also prepares the animal for a professional pet

groomer as hair or nails become too unmanageable for the untrained owner. The pet will have a more

of a sense of security as they are left at a pet groomer for a day and will deal with less stress as they are

touched and groomed by a stranger.

Pet grooming at a young age also allows the animal to get used to the tools and apparatus used in the

pet grooming experience. Scissors and brushes can be scary things to a novice puppy or kitten. Initial

reaction of the animal is to bite or claw at the brush. They have a strange tool pulling and brushing their

hair and their natural reaction is to defend themselves. By going slow and using soothing sounds, the

owner can slowly introduce the new animal to the process. As the grooming goes on and the animal

feels more comfortable, stronger strokes can be applied. As confidence and bonding builds the entire

pet grooming process can be utilized.

www.lovemypet.info

Another aspect of pet grooming is cutting or trimming the nails of your animal. Especially for inside pets,

if the nails are not trimmed properly they will have a tendency to grow around within themselves and be

painful for the animal to walk upon. Also the nails will split easier if left unattended leaving unsightly

cracks and an irritating feeling in their paws. If proper pet grooming is initiated early enough, the pet will

grow in emotional maturity and you will have a stable animal that will have the benefits of good hygiene

and good health. Pet grooming will become a habit that both the pet and the owner will anticipate their

time together on a daily basis. The importance of pet grooming will spread to be a family experience as

spouses and siblings will pick up brush and spend time with the family pet. The emotional security will

spread throughout the family and pet and family will become one.

Why You Should Use a Muzzle During Pet Grooming

Home pet grooming can be an experience for both animal and owner. The activity stresses out some

dogs and cats and they behave differently when they are getting a bath or having their nails clipped.

They may snip or bite at the pet groomer even if they are the ones they love. A loving, docile pet can

become all teeth and nails if they do not want to be there. The best, most humane way to protect both

human and animal during pet grooming is to use a muzzle. Though some people think that a muzzle is

cruel, it can keep the animal restrained and stop them from possible doing harm.

A muzzle fits around the dog's mouth and is secured around the back of the head with ties or straps. Pet

grooming experts agree that the animal feels no discomfort when wearing the muzzle. It leaves enough

room for the pet to breather and at the same time restricts the animal from biting. Muzzles are made in

all different sizes. Even small dogs with tiny mouths can inflict a nasty wound. There are no muzzles for

cats but there is a head bag that fits over the entire head that restricts biting. Pet grooming experts say

that the bag is thin enough for the cat to breathe, but will restrict the movement of the head and keep

the animal from biting the groomer.

There are many styles of muzzles the home pet groomer or pet grooming expert can use. The most

popular one is called the softie. The softie is made of a pliable, soft, but resistant material that gives

your dog the ultimate comfort as they are being groomed. The DuPont fabric is known not to tear or

wear during the pet grooming experience. It is stain resistant and can be machine washed. If you are

grooming several dogs in succession, it is wise to wash the softie between dogs or to use another muzzle

so diseases or bacteria will not be passed.

There are several sizes of softies even for little breeds like Yorkies or Chihuahuas. Pet grooming experts

do emphasize to not keep the muzzle on for an extended period of time. The muzzle could interfere with

the animal's natural cooling system.

The softie should not be used with overly aggressive dogs. When pet grooming an animal known to bite

or attack, a leather muzzle is best. The leather will have enough strength to retrain the dog's jaws and

www.lovemypet.info

keep the groomer from getting bit. The leather muzzles have adequate space for the dog to pant and to

cool down. Besides pet grooming, these muzzles can be used during walks. They will warn passer bys

that the dog is not friendly and they will avoid contact. The fall back of the muzzle is that if your animal

is attacked by another, it will have no way to defend their selves.

Whether you are pet grooming or just worried about the disposition of your animal, the muzzle will

protect you and your pet. Without such a device, your pet grooming experience can be a bad one.