24/05/2024
What's it like to go from this.....to that.
We hear it all the time, we try brushing but it's soo much work. However, we don't want our pup to be bald. Can you just trim it and brush it out?
The answer, no. Especially for our older dogs with preexisting skin conditions. As groomers, it's our job not just to make dogs even cuter than they already are, but also to educate pet parents about the importance of coat care. In cases like this, it can be extremely painful, stressful, exhausting, and costly to have to brush out the entire coat.
Imagine you have a head of hair that has essentially become deadlocked. Would you want someone pulling on your scalp scratching at your skin and having to stay in an unnatural position for the whole process. Unlike humans, they have to endure that all over their bodies. Stomach, pits, ears, face, and privates.
Often times, it takes endless hours. Working in small sections over several periods of time, allowing for breaks and rewards for you and your pet. You also have to be very mindful of the skin under the coat. Excessive or improper brushing can lead to brush burn and injury to the pet.
So why do we shave?
Well, it is the safest and most efficient way to get the dog tangle free and assess the skin. Rather than spending several hours brushing, we should be able to get a dog shaved down within an hour or two as opposed to the amount of time it would take to safely brush out. Though it can still be stressful to get a full body shave down, it is the safest option for getting under those tangles and limiting the risk of cutting the pet compared to trying to scissor out tangles.
Can shaving damage my pets' coat? For some dogs, yes! This is why we push pet parents to thoroughly brush their pet to prevent this. With that said, as groomers, we try to avoid damage at all costs. We take pride in knowing what types of coats are safe to shave and what is not. That's why it is so important to know how to properly care for your pets grooming needs outside of the salon care regimen.
If you have any questions on how to care for your pets hair, skin, nails, or teeth, ask your local groomer for tips.
