Q: My dogs toenails are never cut short enough. Why?

A: The vein in the toenail is called a “quick”. Very often the “quick” grows to the length of the toenail and when this is cut it bleeds and it also hurts. If your pet is overdue for a toenail trim or if the nails are very long the best thing to do is to “tip” the nails every two weeks until the desired length is reached. The “quick” will eventually recede and a much shorter toenail length can be accomplished.

Q: Why do pet groomers charge more to give a haircut to a matted pet?

A: Shaving or stripping a pets coat requires skill. Shaving down a matted pet requires a tremendous amount of skill and time. It takes considerably more time depending on the intensity of the matts to shave down a matted pet. Time is a key factor in pet grooming. Also the propensity for your pet to be hurt or injured because of the matts is very high. In order to be able to shave off a matted coat, the groomer must get under the matts down to skin level to successfully remove them. This takes time. Groomers charge for their skill and the time it takes to complete a groom.

Q: What are anal glands?

A: Anal Glands are a glandular sac located on each side of the anus. Groomers perform an external gland expulsion whereas veterinarians perform both external and internal expulsions. If these glands are not expressed your pet can develop impacted anal glands or infection. These must be expressed regularly. A pet can signal anal gland problems by scooting their bottoms across the floor, excessive licking and biting the tail area and circling. If you suspect problems with your pets anal glands see your veterinarian.

Q: What type of brush or comb should I use at home?

A: I always recommend a quality steel comb for both cats and dogs. Do not use plastic as these do not move enough hair. I recommend and use a hard slicker brush for dogs and cats with long hair. However a zoom groom or a rubber brush is recommended for short haired breeds such as beagles, pointers etc.

Q: How often should I have my pet groomed?

A: There is no one right answer for this question. It depends on breed, style, indoor/outdoor pet(s). And your own nose! Some pet owners want their pets groomed at the slightest hint of doggy odor. Others bring in their pets only 2 or 3 times a year. Still others follow a strict 4 to 6 week schedule. Cats should be groomed at least once a year. Unless they get a haircut or the cat owner can't stand the hair. Then more frequent grooms are needed. Most dogs will greatly benefit from a 4 to 6 week grooming schedule. Some breeds can be pushed to a 6 to 8 week schedule. Ears need to be checked and cleaned, Toenails need to be trimmed and brushing/combing needs to be done on a regular basis. Groomers are very often the first to spot "would be" health problems for your pet. We see them more frequently than the vets. We bring medical problems to the attention of the pet owner often, before it can become costly.

Q: How long does it take to groom my pet?

A: Most grooms can be completed within 2 to 3 hours if an appointment has been made ahead of time.