Things To Ask Your Groomer

Are you considering taking your canine pal to a groomer? Fido is very cute, but he definitely needs a good amount of help with his beauty regime. While you certainly can bathe your furry friend in the tub at home, you may find it much easier—not to mention less messy—to take him to a salon. Choosing the right groomer may not seem like the biggest decision you’ll make for your pet, but it is pretty important. While the majority of groomers are both professional and dedicated, there are some bad apples out there. A bad or inexperienced groomer is a potential risk, as pets absolutely can be injured if they aren’t handled properly. We can help! Read on as a local Slidell, LA vet lists some things to ask your groomer.

What Are Your Credentials For Grooming?

Dog grooming is one of those fields that doesn’t have a standard college program, per se. However, the industry does set standards, and there are schools that offer diplomas.

Many dedicated groomers continue to try and expand their skills and learn. A groomer that is pursuing additional certificates is likely very serious about their career. That’s definitely a good sign!

How Experienced Are You?

We know that everyone has to start somewhere, and you can’t get experience without putting the work in. If you’re only bringing Fido in for a shampoo, you may not need the most senior groomer at the salon. However, if your pet has any hangups, health issues, or special needs, you’ll want to go with someone who has been doing this for a while.  

What Dog Grooming Services do you offer?

Most groomers will offer standard grooming services, such as baths, trims, and blowouts. You may also want to ask if they offer anything else. Some possible options would be nail trims, paw shaves, and ear cleaning.

How Long Will Appointments Take?

It’s important to get a good idea of how long your pet’s grooming appointment is going to take him, so you can schedule accordingly.

If you want anything extra, be sure to book it when you make the appointment. Groomers often book back-to-back appointments; that’s just what the industry standard calls for. You don’t want to find out at the last minute that you didn’t book enough time for that cute dinosaur cut for your furry friend.

It’s also worth noting that it’s not unusual for an initial appointment to take longer than subsequent ones will. Your groomer will need to evaluate your pet, and also just get to know him a bit.

Where Will My Dog Be Kept?

It’s standard for groomers to crate dogs before and after their appointments, especially if you’re dropping Fido off and picking him up. You should be able to see the spot where your canine pal will be waiting. It doesn’t necessarily need to be spotless, but it should be pretty clean. The area should also have climate control and clean water bowls.

Breed-Specific Questions

Some pups have very specific grooming needs. For instance, dogs with wire coats need their fur to be hand-stripped. Others should never get haircuts, as it can damage their fur. Ask if the groomer is familiar with your pet’s breed and any specific needs that they may have.

What Are Your Policies About Petiquette?

Many of our canine friends aren’t exactly thrilled about going to the groomer. However, Fido should be able to behave like a calm, friendly adult dog. The groomer should also be able to recognize when a pet is very scared or uneasy, and take steps to both soothe the dog and keep themselves and the pup safe.  

What Products Do You Use?

Not everyone has preferences when it comes to choosing Fido’s shampoos and conditioners. However, this is still good to know. You may want to check the products out yourself. We’d also suggest asking that they not use strongly scented perfumes on your pet.

How Often Should Fido Come In?  

There really isn’t a standard answer for this, as it depends on your pet’s age, breed, and fur type. A pooch with short, sleek fur may only need to visit his stylist a few times a year. A fluffy pup, such as a Pomeranian, may need to come in about every eight weeks, or even more often. Pups with a habit of rolling in every mud puddle they come across may also need more frequent appointments. Find out what is recommended for your canine companion. 

What If There Is An Emergency?

Just like people, pets are susceptible to a variety of illnesses and diseases, some of which can happen quickly. While we know that none of you want to think of your beloved pet getting sick or hurt at the groomer, it’s definitely possible. Find out exactly what the protocols are.

Are You Insured?

This is also important! Find out if the kennel is bonded and/or insured.

What Are Cancellation Policies?

Everyone has unexpected things pop up from time to time. That’s understandable. It’s also understandable for groomers to charge for no-shows or last-minute cancellations. However, fees and policies should be both clear and reasonable. If you’re expected to pay full price for canceling two weeks in advance, you may want to reconsider.

What is the Pricing Structure? 

Inquiries about costs and pricing are usually at the top of the list for many people, regardless of what service or service provider they are looking at. That said, it is important to be clear about it. 

Can I Combine Grooming With Veterinary Appointments? 

There are some clear benefits to going to your vet for your pet’s grooming needs. For example, many groomers can spot small things that may signal a medical issue developing. A groomer should never be considered a replacement for proper veterinary care. However, it is worth noting that many just have practice and trained eyes. Having Fido’s vet nearby if they do spot anything can be a great perk. 

You may also be interested in the convenience of one-stop shopping. You can pick up Fido’s parasite control while he’s getting his fur done, or perhaps schedule a bath after his appointment. This is also a good tactic for those whose pets require medical grooming, such as ear hair trims or anal expression. Ask your vet for more information. 

Tips

In addition to asking the questions we’ve listed, we would also recommend reading reviews, and perhaps asking around for references. One or two bad reviews out of dozens may not mean much: any business is susceptible to getting difficult customers. However, a series of bad or even mediocre reviews is probably a sign to go elsewhere. 

Conclusion: When choosing a groomer for your pet, it’s important to do your due diligence, and make sure that you are entrusting your canine pal to trustworthy, capable hands. It’s helpful to ask a potential groomer certain questions, to help ensure that you are choosing the right person for the job. 

Make An Appointment At Our Slidell, LA Grooming Clinic 

Do you need to bring your furry friend in for a glow-up? Is Fido due for a trim? Contact us, your local pet clinic, today!