GROOMING
GROOMING
• The washing, combing,
trimming, and brushing of
the external parts of a pet.
WHY GROOM?
• Removes dead, old hair
• Gives opportunity to check over
animal for parasites
• Can check for skin disorders
• Gives opportunity to check for
eye and ear problems
Pet groomers shampoo,
clip and groom dogs, cats
and other pets to improve
and maintain their hygiene,
comfort and appearance
Because pet ownership is
on the rise, there's an
increasing demand for
skilled professionals to
keep dogs and cats
bathed, brushed, and
trimmed!
There are about 5,000
dogs & cats for every
grooming business in the
U.S.!!!!
Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet
(millions)
Bird
Cat
Dog
Equine
Freshwater Fish
Saltwater Fish
Reptile
Small Animal
5.7
38.9
46.3
2.4
11.9
0.7
4.6
5.0
Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)
Bird
Cat
Dog
Equine
Freshwater Fish
Saltwater Fish
Reptile
Small Animal
16.2
86.4
78.2
7.9
151.1
8.61
13.0
16.0
Estimated 2012 Sales within the U.S. Market
For 2012, $52.87 billion was spent on our pets in
the U.S.
Estimated Breakdown:
Food
Supplies/OTC Medicine
Vet Care
Live animal purchases
Pet Services: grooming & boarding
$20.46 billion
$12.56 billion
$13.59 billion
$2.15 billion
$4.11 billion
Work in:
• Salon
• Shop
• Kennel
• Veterinarian
• Retail pet store
• Or be self-employed owning a
grooming business based out of
your home
Pet groomers generally
work indoors.
Their work may involve:
– getting dirty or wet
– being exposed to
unpleasant odors
- restraining animals as well
as lifting and carrying animals
and cages
• being exposed to insect pests
such as fleas and ticks
• being bitten or scratched.
Educational Requirements
• There are no minimum
education requirements
for pet groomers.
• Training is mainly on the
job.
• Some vets and shops now
require a groomer to be
certified.
GROOMER’S SALARY
Many are on commission
$14.38 per hour
$115.50 per day
most groomers
with experience
are paid 55%
commission
p. 191
HAIR
Daily brushing of your
pet is recommended to
remove dead hair and
distribute the skin’s oils.
Check for mats in long
hair – tease out with comb
behind ears and under legs
Terriers need plucking – STRIPPING
knife is used to remove dead hair and
trim live hair
• In plucking, a section of dead hair is grasped
between the thumb and stripping knife and
then pulled away with a twisting motion.
Nails trimmed occasionally
• Bathing when extremely dirty – use baby
shampoo, mild soap, coconut oil shampoo.
• Keep shampoo out of the dog’s eyes and use
medicated shampoo to help prevent
parasites.
• There are specific shampoos for puppies,
sensitive skin, etc…
– If we use human shampoo we run the risk of
our dog developing dry or harsh skin because
of the difference in pH levels needed for dogs
versus humans.
Long Haired Dogs
Should receive daily
care to keep free of
tangles and mats.
• Longhaired dogs also need burrs
cut out of their hair coat.
• To avoid injury to the dog’s
skin, a comb should be place
between the matted hair or burr
and the skin prior to cutting
with scissors.
Grooming removes old,
dead hair and lessens the
risk of hairballs.
Check for
parasites, skin
disorders, eye
and ear
problems
when
grooming
your dog.
Check ears for signs of mites,
a dark residue. Treat with
eardrops from pet store.
EARS
• Suggest to clean once a month
• Use a cotton ball soaked in mineral
oil, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol.
• CLEAN ONLY THE EAR PARTS
THAT CAN BE SEEN!
• Never use a sharp/pointed object but a
finger
• Check for mites & ticks too
APPLY ear drops if mites are
present. Dark, crumbly wax
residue inside ear is an indication
of mites.
EYES
• Use boric acid or eyewash
solutions to remove any
irritating substances.
• Do not use human eye rinses
like Visine!
• Check for redness or puffiness
TEETH
• Clean regularly to prevent plaque & tartar
buildup.
• Use small bristled toothbrush
• Use mix of salt water & baking soda solution
• Or Pet TOOTHPASTE!
• Clean from gum down to tip of tooth.
• Hard biscuits help
• Clean 1-2 X per week but at least 1 X month
Dental cleaning – do at home or by
Vet
NAILS
• Dogs that are kept inside need their nails
trimmed with sharp clippers that do not
crush nail the when cutting.
• Avoid nail bed, causes bleeding
• Use clippers, never scissors!!!
• Remember that you should only remove the very
end of the dog’s nails. You may be tempted to trim
off all of the excess, but that would be a mistake. In
dogs, the quick—the nerve endings and blood
vessels inside the nail—continue to grow as the nail
grows.
• If you accidentally clip too far and the nail begins to
bleed, apply pressure to the tip of the nail or dip the
nail in a bit of styptic powder, then make sure the
animal is kept inactive for a short time.
Enlist some help!
Remember to sterilize
tools and equipment
after each animal
Look At these
Pets!!......