Dog Grooming: Doing It Yourself vs. With Professionals

Posted by Country Inn Kennel and Cattery on January 27th, 2015

Dog grooming is not only essential for your dog's looks but more importantly, his health. However, the tasks involved in proper dog grooming are rather complicated, especially if you are a new dog keeper and also unaware of the correct way of handling DIY (Doing it yourself) techniques. You might even accidentally injure your pet or use the wrong product. This is why many experts recommend professional dog grooming.

 1. Healthy Grooming

You might end up hurting your pet with scratches, cuts, or skin irritations if you try DIY grooming. Professional dog groomers know how to make your pet look great without causing any injuries. They can also thoroughly inspect your pet’s paws for any thorns, cuts, or punctures, and gently apply antiseptic solutions to prevent infections. If your dog has a skin allergy, an expert groomer can apply the right products to ensure that there are no allergic reactions.

 2. Stress-free Nail Trimming

Did you know that dogs need nail trimming once in a month? If you dread this task (like most dog owners do), take your pet to a professional groomer. Dogs typically don't like it when their nails are trimmed; they might even push back or run away. Expert groomers know exactly how to calm them down and make them more co-operative.

 3. Professional Hair Cutting

Certain dog breeds (like Poodles) grow a lot of hair, and fast. Such dogs require professional grooming and styling not only for aesthetics, but also to ensure their comfort.

 4. Wide Range of Grooming Supplies

Just like humans, dogs have different requirements. Long haired dogs, for example, need a different set of grooming supplies than their short haired counterparts. A professional groomer is aware of such differences and will be able to use the most suitable supplies for certain breeds, from brushes to shampoos. This helps prevent irritations.

 5. Dog Massage

Massaging your pet can be difficult and potentially harmful if you are not familiar with a dog’s muscle groups. An expert groomer can give your pet a relaxing and healthy massage. This can de-stress your dog and stimulate his blood circulation.

 6. Detection of Warning Signs and Parasites

Finally, professional groomers are trained to look out for abnormalities such as skin discoloration, lumps, rashes, lesions, gum discoloration, bald patches, or bleeding, which can be warning signs of disease. A well-trained groomer can also let you know immediately if your pet has parasites by checking for fleas, ear mites, and other such parasites that you might not see.

About The Author:

This article was written by Thomas West, Vice President of Country Inn Kennel and Cattery. Country Inn Kennel and Cattery is a family owned and operated boarding kennel in Chapel Hill, NC. They offer boarding and grooming services for dogs and cats, throughout Chapel Hill and in neighboring towns. They also offer pick up and drop off service for dog grooming service holder.