What is a Dog Grooming?
Simply put, dog grooming is cleaning your dog and ensuring it has a healthy appearance from the tip of its ears to the end of its claws. Dog grooming covers everything from brushing your dog’s coat to get rid of dead hair, bathing them, trimming their fur and, the trickiest part of all, clipping their nails. As well as keeping your dog clean & comfortable, it’s useful as it can also act as an early warning system for possible illnesses if you notice symptoms of dry, scaly skin or anything else.
Why Use A Dog Groomer?
You may prefer to wash and groom your dog yourself. If not, dog groomers have the necessary knowledge and equipment to care for your dog to a very high standard and they will have their own location (portable or not) for trimming your dog without any risk of getting your home dirty. They are trained and can easily trim the fur around delicate places such as ears can be worrying for a dog owner who’s scared of hurting their dog, It’s very important that you get your dog’s nail’s clipped. When dogs were wolves in the wild, the constant running would wear their nails down, but nowadays they keep growing and it can become very painful for dogs if they aren’t kept in check. Imagine if you had to walk on extended fingernails –it hurts and they don’t have a voice as we do. If you hear a clipping tap tap sound when they walk, check them. A good dog groomer will ease your anxiety as well as your dog’s when the time comes for a bath or nail clipping. Unless you know what you’re doing, get a professional to do the nail clipping because improperly clipped nails can bleed if clipped incorrectly. Did you know your local vets can usually do it for a small charge? You can be in and out in 15 minutes. Even if you don’t trim or groom your dog, do make sure that you regularly get their nails cut so they are not in pain.
Which Dog Groomer is For You?
When you start looking for a dog groomer, ask around or look online to find a list good groomers with a solid reputation. In particular, ask your local vet clinic for any contact numbers for dog groomers they trust; if your vet trusts them. Don’t forget to investigate each of these groomers for yourself. See if they have the qualifications that prove you can trust them or at the least, that they’ve been in business for quite some time and maintain high reviews from customers.
Factors to Take into Account
- Mobile groomer or based at a shop?
Some smaller businesses will be able to bring a portable doggy grooming center to your home. This would be perfect for those with senior dogs or if they themselves have mobility issues. Mobile groomers are likely to be cheaper than shop-based groomers because they’re still trying to build up their business and have lower overheads than those who would need to rent a shop. The cons would be that they might not have the best equipment or be able to bathe larger dogs because of the limited size of their doggy grooming center.
While more expensive, shop-based groomers will likely have more facilities and products to care for your dog. They also are better if you want to drop them off and come back later. Having a shop makes them more likely to be a well-known, trusted, established groomer and there will be more space.
2. Cost
Naturally, you need to consider your budget. While a dog needs bathing rarely, trimming hair or clipping nails will be more necessary. Other than doing it yourself, the cheapest option is to ask your local vet if they do nail clipping and bathing/trimming services as well.
3. Special services?
Your dog may be ill or need special products. Consider your dog’s safety and explain any physical needs your dog has and make sure the groomer is sure they can give your dog the best care possible. Some groomers may be better at working with anxious dogs or long-haired than others; others can work with sick dogs or ones with special skin conditions.
A Few Recommendations
We don’t presume to know what your requirements are for a dog groomer, so we will link to a few websites with recommendations that you can use as a base for finding the perfect groomer for your dog.Three Best Rated Pet Groomers in SheffieldYelp’s Top Ten Groomers in SheffieldSeventy-three groomers in the Sheffield/Yorkshire Area
