7 Reasons Why Pet
Grooming Matters
1. Clean is Healthier. Dogs walk in it, roll in it, and
snuffle in it.
Their hair attracts and holds onto dirt, pollen, second hand
smoke, and
much more. We pet them, hold them, let them play with the kids and
get
on the furniture. They should be clean.
2. Thick or matted fur can conceal tumors, growths,
imbedded
objects and serious skin conditions. I once pulled a 3-pronged fishhook
from a Collie coat. The
people had gone fishing three months prior. If air cannot reach the skin, there is
the possibility of developing bacterial or fungal skin infections,
especially
when the coat is not regularly cleaned.
Moreover, matted fur is uncomfortable
for the pet.
3. Regular grooming can lead to early discovery of serious
conditions. Every groomer has stories of detecting serious health problems
during grooming that had gone unnoticed at home. Regular grooming can allow for
early discovery of serious conditions, and allow for early treatment and less
veterinary expense. Grooming helps
us become familiar with what is “normal” and what is not with our pets. It is one way to monitor the health of
a pet. In using our sight, touch,
and smell while grooming, we can recognize when something is not right and seek
early veterinary care.
4. Uncared for feet and toenails can cause discomfort and
pain.
Walking on long and curled nails can throw
the dog's
structural alignment out of whack. Some over-grown nails can
curl back and
puncture the foot pad. Owie!
Hair can become balled up between the pads and
contain stickers. It’s like
walking with rocks in your socks!
5. Dead fur needs to be removed manually on many breeds.
Long and curly haired breeds need to be combed to prevent matting. Double coated breeds need shed
undercoat removed so the skin can breathe. Terrier coats need raking to remove
aged hairs and promote fresh growth. All short-coated breeds shed and need to
be groomed for hair management.
6. Well-groomed dogs have a better chance of being reunited
with their
families if lost or strayed. Lack of grooming is often
interpreted as
an indication of neglect by someone who finds a lost pet, and
is used as
a justification for not reporting the pet as found.
Maintaining a
pet’s grooming is an expression of the value you place on the animal in your
care. BTW, for this same reason,
it is a good idea to groom your pet before you leave on a trip or vacation and
someone else is to care for them.
7. Having a well-groomed dog is more fun! Grooming increases the parent-pet bond,
not just the doing of it, but also the results. We are attracted to how a dog looks. Whether it is cute and
fluffy, tidy and tailored, or smooth and shiny, humans have a natural response
to an attractive looking animal. We enjoy our pets more when they are not dirty
and smelly or an embarrassment to us when company comes. Well-groomed pets get more positive
attention from others as well. Any
way we look at it, grooming matters!
The author, Barbara Bird, is an International Certified Master Groomer (ICMG) and owner/operator of Transformation Pet Center in Tucson, Arizona. 520-795-5743.
ATTENTION SALON OWNERS & WEBMASTERS: The proper protocol for using this material is to contact the author at petpals@dakotacom.net and request permission to use. Please always acknowledge the source and authorship.
nicely done miss bird!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Pet owners have to understand and apply them to their daily schedule.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shawn. You are right on. Pet grooming needs to be incorporated into the schedule, not left for that mythical day when there is nothing else to do. We can hold out hope that more pet parents realize that coat/skin care is part of the responsibility of pet care. No one is perfect, but grooming is one of the things that seems to drop off plate when folks get busy or life gets hard. I am amazed at how easy it is turn a blind eye to the hairy beast in front of your face. I know...I've been there/done that.
ReplyDelete