What does "Maintenance" mean to you?

Often groomers are asked how often should their pet be groomed/bathed. Ultimately, the true answer lies with so many factors. Groomer's must ask many questions in order to know how to best suit your pet's needs which can feel overwhelming. These questions are always meant as a guidance as we are incapable of knowing this information without you- the pet parent. In this post, we will go over some common factors that the groomer and you as the pet parent should ask yourself. These can lead us to the best course of action to promote a healthy and happy routine for everyone.

Some questions to think about:

• What does your PET'S lifestyle consist of?

Many of us pet parents live VASTLY different lifestyles and so do our pets. More active pets that spend tons of time outdoors- in water or trails- require grooming more often. Even with slow lifestyles, they can be outdoors in the backyard or like the be more wild rolling in dirt and grass.

• What does YOUR lifestyle consist of?

From home all the time to constant travelling, everyone has different styles of availability for their pets (which can also vary day to day). Thinking about how much time you can commit to maintenance is ESSENTIAL. Acknowledging how much time can be co9mmited at how will help determine how much you "really" need to devote with a groomer.

• What is done at home between grooming sessions?

Many pet parents typically do any where from every 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks and even as far as biyearly/yearly. So much maintenance happens during full service appointments but there is only so much one appointment can do. Our pets are like us and need more pampering than you think. While we have products upon products to maintain ourselves daily and/or weekly, pets are stuck to less than. It is recommended to have at-home routines (baths, brushing, teeth brushing... etc) for best care. Though how much can be determined after these questions.

• Are there issues? (Ex: Eyes, Ears, Teeth, Skin, Private areas.. ETC)

When it comes to internal or external issues, it can drastically change the kind of maintenance and how often you will need to do it. Many issues require being on top of the issue to clear the problem fully, but what most pet parent's don't realize is that even if you can't see it, doesn't mean it's fully gone. Groomers will work vigilantly with you and the vets in order to problem solve these issues. If it becomes more homework at home, it is not simply just to make the pet parent do more work for nothing as we all desire the same thing: your pet's wellness.

• When does not having normally get out of hand?

All pets grow hair differently all throughout their body as well as seasonally! Many pet parents find a rhythm that works for when they can see or feel when grooming is needed. While this can be also affected by the other factors, pre-planning and prioritizing getting an appointment will always be important. Booking an appointment BEFORE it shows signs of getting out of hand will leave your pet's coat and prime to be refreshed professionally. As well as keeping your pet comfortable when the long service comes around.

While these are amazing questions that help determine frequency, at the core it will always depends individuality of your pet and you. Groomers will always recommend what they believe works best and there will always be discussions to find it. To move on, now we must cover the task of "what do I need to do at home?"

At Home Maintenance

All pets need different routines but at the core there are a few basics that cover most pets (Cats and dogs specifically). While most may not need a fully done haircut, most may need brushing, a bath, their nails clipped, ear cleaning, teeth brushing/maintenance and a routine fully body check.

• Brushing

  • Most pets will require some level of brushing, even if not, brushing can be an incredibly intimate and bonding experience between you and your pet when done right. Brushing should never be painful, but there are times when knots can be irritating/painful. To avoid matting, it is best to always make sure your pet doesn't stay wet or greasy for long periods of time. Keeping the fur clean, conditioned and dried will make brushing a breeze.

• Bathing

  • The main focus will be the importance of using a CONDITIONER when using a shampoo. Many skin issues cause or are flared by DRY SKIN. Much like people's hair and skin, we must moisturize and pets must moisturize. Greasy skin/oily hair can also be from DRY SKIN. It is important to follow the directions of the products you buy to get the best use out of them. Let products sit before rinsing, otherwise you will not see the full benefits of what you pay for.

• Nails

  • How long is too long? For most, it's when they can hear tapping on the floors or when it start's to scratch. Ideally, nail trimming is done regularly and doesn't necessarily need to be done more than regular 6-8 week grooming schedule. That being said, going longer "typically" can risk discomfort, chewing and curling. When nails get too long, it can cause discomfort akin to standing oddly on our tippy toes or worse. The quick (the central vein and nerve in a pet's nail) can vary on length and determine how much you can trim down the nail. Pet's with long quicks (can be cats and dogs) may need nail trims more often. If you notice nail curling on your pet, immediately seek a professional to trim as it can grow to pierce the skin when grown out.

• Ear Cleaning

  • Ear cleaning at-home can be a fairly easy maintenance routine. Being aware of the changes with your pets is key! Knowing what to look out for, when to look out for it and how to move forward will determine earl cleaning frequency. The main focus with maintaining healthy ears is using observation skills. Do they smell? Is there a discharge? Are they scratching? Can they hear? Is there unusual knotting around the ear? If there is something out of the ordinary, it may be time to consult a vet. Regular ear cleaning would just be to clear debris without putting anything into the ear canal.

• Teeth Maintenance

  • Our pet's teeth require just as much maintenance as we do. During the grooming service, teeth brushing and breath freshener has a limit to how much it can do. It will likely not remove unsoftened tartar or staining in one go. Stinky breath is mainly cause by the build up on teeth or even by possible gut health issues. Routine dental cleaning by vets may help but ultimately, routine care at home can help. Options include and are not limited to: manually brushing with enzymatic toothpaste made for pets, water additives, and or dental powders to loosen tartar.

• Routine fully body checks

  • Making sure to keep note of any changes such as health and coat changes will be KEY for your vets and groomers. Being able to watch for changes will allow any issues to be caught and manage before it can become a bigger issue. When petting your baby, you can use this opportunity to check for lumps, bumps, lesions or discomfort. Checking their eyes, ears, nose, skin and paws will also get them used to being touched in those areas,

As it may seem like a lot of work, a lot of this is what we sign up for when we love and care for your pet. We will all partner together to advocate for the best life we can give our pets and I hope this becomes an easy place to check when needed. As a groomer, it is our duty and pleasure to be able to inform our pet parents. A groomer can do as much maintenance as a pet parent wants, but not everyone can afford the full works often and that is never shameful!