Dog grooming can be a hassle, which is why most people tend to rely on dog grooming services to help them take care of their dog. Pricing can be an important factor, but it’s also crucial to have an idea of what kind of care your dog needs before you choose which services to pay for.

Your Dog May Not Be Getting What It Needs

Not all dogs are the same, from their nails, to their fur, to their ears, and everything in between.

If you don’t know what your dog needs, then it’ll be hard to choose the proper dog grooming services to take care of them. There are a few things you should know about your dog to make sure that they get the best care possible.

Understanding How to Care for Your Dog

These 3 categories are the basics that most dog grooming services offer, and each have their own points where you could make a mistake. We’ll discuss what you need to know so you can see where you could go wrong.

Bathing

Dog groomer washing black lab dog

There are a vast number of different dog shampoos that claim to be safe for dogs. Not all of them are actually meant for dogs though, as some chemicals can affect their fur and skin negatively. Dogs have a different pH balance in their skin from humans, and some “supposed” dog shampoos contain the same chemicals that are in shampoos meant for humans. These chemicals can be too harsh for a dog’s skin and potentially break down the natural barrier that protects the skin, making them vulnerable to parasites, bacteria, and even viruses. On top of that it can leave their skin dry and flakey. Some dogs also have sensitive ears that can easily get infected if too much water gets into them. Making sure that you carefully wash around their ears is important for preventing that from happening. Some dog daycares may not use the correct shampoos that are right for a dog, so make sure you know exactly what your dog groomer is using before picking a dog grooming service.

Trimming Nails

A person trimming a dog's nails with nail clippers

Most dogs don’t like getting their nails trimmed, so when it happens, you want to be sure that your dog is having it done properly. Something that not many people know is that a dog’s back paws tend to be less sensitive than the front ones. Starting with them is a good idea as you can get it out of the way with not as much hassle. Another thing is the length of the nail that should be cut. A good way to tell if you should stop cutting is once you see a small dot in the center of the nail. Cutting any further can lead to bleeding and pain for the dog. Making sure the dog daycare that you choose has an understanding of how to properly trim your dog’s nails is important for their health.

Trimming Fur

Trimming a dog’s fur starts with proper drying. Otherwise, it’s going to leave your dog’s fur more curly than usual, and that can make it difficult to get an even cut. Choosing between clippers and scissors is the next step. For shorter hair dogs, clippers tend to be better to get the job done faster and more safely. Longer-haired dogs would usually benefit more from scissors, especially if you’re just giving them a short trim. With both clippers and scissors it’s good to start with the less-sensitive areas of the dog first. Working from the front to the back is ideal to keep your dog as relaxed as possible, so the process of cutting the fur will be less of a struggle. Different dog daycares have different methods that may give unwanted results, so choose the right one for your dog.

Making the Right Choice for Your Dog

Once you have a better idea of what your dog needs to have a proper grooming session, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision on what dog grooming services to choose. Paws Play is the only place that offers, not only dog grooming and dog boarding, but also doggy day care services in Cleveland. If you’d like to learn more about their services you can contact them at (216) 284- 1729 or visit the contact page on their website.

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