Health

Hot Spots: What They Are & How to Help Them Heal

Hot spots, also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis, are surface skin infections caused when populations of normal skin bacteria grow and overwhelm normal resistance.
Solving Grooming Problems with Good Pet Nutrition

You might think that pet nutrition has little or no correlation to the grooming industry—but in reality, it does. We have all heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.” And that statement really rings true for our furry friends.
Coughing Conundrum

Belle, a two–year–old Shih Tzu, started coughing a few days after her grooming appointment. At first, her owners were not worried, but soon the occasional cough became persistent and then she started sneezing and had a runny nose.
Pre-Groom Pet Assessments: A Necessary Step for a Safe Groom

Lilly was a fairly new client. I had only been grooming her and her brother for about six months. Both brother and sister were elderly and it’s my policy to do a full body pet assessment before grooming.

Seborrhea: Is It Just a Symptom?

We all have our weekly clients; those with the “special” skin pets who come in with a bag of “special” products that keep their smelly, flaky and oily pets tolerable.

3 Simple Ways to Bring Well-Being into Your Work Space

You know the routine well…busy day grooming, dealing with cranky people and crankier pets, and all day your energy level is being sucked dry and drug down until you feel completely devoid of anything positive.

It’s Time to Come Clean

As soon as Karen walked into my salon with her sweet little mixed breed, Simon, I knew something was terribly wrong. She burst into tears. “I have bad news about my dear Simon,” she sobbed.

Air Cleaning 101: Understanding the Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Clean air. We step outside for a fresh breath of it to clear our heads and rejuvenate our spirits. But what have we just stepped out of and what are we stepping back into?

Claws Out: How Overgrowth of Keratin Leads to Cat Claw Problems

While some fear the feline claw as a dangerous weapon, others admire the beauty and functionality embedded at the base of the cat paw. The extension of the skeletal system allows cats to mark their territory, kill prey and gently get the attention of the ones they love.

Groomers vs Allergies

Back when I was a teenager, I could never wear makeup. Every time I applied it, my face would break out in a rash. Not a good look when you’re 15 and sensitive about your appearance. Hypoallergenic makeup had just made its debut and even that would cause a problem.

Feline Hyperthyroidism: The Alarming Facts

I will be the first to admit that I thought my clients were being neurotic or the vets in my area were over diagnosing hyperthyroidism. Almost every cat I groom seems to have a hyperthyroidism diagnosis.

Skin Comes First: There Is No Hair Without It!

Skin is a wonderfully versatile covering for a body. It is the largest organ and performs many functions. It helps retain heat, insulates against cold, and contains the nerve endings to navigate objects and pressure from our surroundings.

It’s Hair, Not Warfare: A Primer on Shedding

Many misconceptions exist about how, where and why our pets shed and what we, as groomers, can do about it. There are many products on the market to address this very real concern but still so many questions about which is the best one and if they really even work.

Holistic, Organic, or Natural: What’s the Difference?

There are many keywords and catch phrases being thrown around in the industry these days. In our quest to find the healthiest cleansers and conditioners for regular and therapeutic care, we are constantly bombarded with the keywords “Organic”, “Natural”, “Botanical”, and the ever present “Holistic”. Here is a simplified guide to help you define these […]

Help Clients Reduce Allergies to Cats

Cats and allergies—we hear it all the time. Almost everyone seems to be allergic to cats. As groomers, we can and do help humans who have chronic or sudden allergies to their cats.

Holistic Grooming It’s Only Natural

As a long time, homeopathic pet groomer, I have always happily been on the outside of the “regular” grooming circle. I have been called the granola groomer, the hippy groomer—I prefer The Oily groomer. As a certified aromatherapist, essential oils and plants play a central part in my practice.

Pet First Aid Kits

Casey licked my scissors while I was trimming up her feet. Tongues bleed. A lot. My grooming manager pulled out the pet first aid kit and thankfully took over.

CBD Oil for Pets: Is It Safe? Is It Legal?

One of my clients now refers to me as her dog’s “dealer”. As in, making sure I bring the weed treats when I come for his appointment. However, I make it clear that the “weed” treats are not medical marijuana but CBD oil infused treats.

Dirty Shampoo!?! Keeping Your Cosmetics Clean

Grooming products come in every conceivable size and shape of container. Gallon jugs, tubes, jars and bottles are some of the many ways our products are delivered to our shops and salons.

Helping Your Hands: Your Most Valuable Tool

How are your hands? Your wonderful, capable, creative hands. Is your skin rough, dry, cracked and irritated? Healthy skin is our first line of defense against bacteria, and maintaining healthy skin is important.

Safety in the Workplace: Bite Prevention

Every year more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs and cats. Have you been one of them? It is a rare groomer indeed that can answer ‘no’. The very nature of the work we do exposes us daily to the risk.

The Twilight Years: Caring For The Elderly Pet

There are not many things that are more rewarding to me than caring for an elderly pet that has given their life in service to their companions. Caring for them is one of my greatest joys and pleasures.

Taking Care Of Your Groomer-Body

“Dear Michell, I have been grooming for about 11 years and I went to the doctor the other day. I was telling my doctor about my various ailments. My Doctor said to me, “sounds like you need to find a new profession”, and then he laughed.