Pet Groomer Duties & Responsibilities

Pet Groomer Duties & Responsibilities

You might think that pet grooming is all soapy noses, freshly fluffed fur, and happy puppy kisses.  Well, that is part of it, but there’s so much more involved. After all, pet groomers are caring for and enriching the lives of precious family members. 

To fully understand all the duties and responsibilities that make pet groomers true animal champions, keep reading. We’ll discuss mobile groomers’ skill sets, and why pet grooming is an essential part of preventative healthcare for pets. 

Dog Grooming

To be a dog groomer requires more than a love of our canine companions. Skilled dog groomers need to have an extensive range of knowledge that goes far beyond bathing and styling. Check out our helpful blog article about how to become a pet groomer to learn more about this topic.

For instance, it’s important for groomers to understand dog temperament. If a groomer can recognize their client is feeling anxious or threatened, they can adjust their behavior to help provide a sense of calmness and security throughout the grooming experience.

Dog groomers should also be able to identify certain skin conditions, as well as the presence of fleas, ticks, or parasites. This helps owners stay on top of any potential health issues so that their furry friends can keep feeling their best. 

Other dog grooming skills include:

• Bathing and drying their coats
• Giving doggie haircuts 
• Styling pups based on their particular breed, or on what their owner has requested (bows, anyone?)
• Detangling and removing matted fur 
• Trimming nails
• Cleaning ears and eyes
• Brushing teeth
• Expressing anal glands
• Flea and tick treatment
• Checking for skin conditions, infections, or tumors  

Cat Grooming 

Many people believe that cats groom themselves, but licking and grooming are two different things. Professional grooming once every six months more effectively keeps kitty coats shiny and their skin healthy. This also helps to minimize shedding, and prevent greasy, matted fur. 

Like dog groomers, cat groomers provide a number of services. Their daily duties can include:

• Bathing and drying cats 
• Trimming or shaving fur to create a certain look
• Thoroughly brushing fur 
• Removing matts 
• Trimming cat claws 
• Cleaning ears 
• Brushing teeth
• Checking for signs of fleas, or other skin infections 

It’s no secret that cats have different temperaments than dogs. For this reason, cat groomers need to be specially trained to identify cat temperament, understand safe handling techniques, and successfully calm their often uncooperative clients. 

Sometimes, cat groomers will even work in pairs for better control of any fickle felines. 

How Grooming Keeps Your Pet Looking Good & Feeling Good

While pet grooming may just seem like a day at the spa for your furry friend, it actually plays an important role in your pet’s long term health. 

Let’s comb through some essential pet grooming benefits below.

Coat Maintenance 

Fur is a magnet for pollen, dust, fleas, and ticks, especially if your pet is often outside. Not only can these be annoying irritants to your pet, but they can also cause painful allergic reactions, such as itchy skin or rashes. By providing regular bathing, groomers rid your pet’s fur of these pesky allergens. 

Coat maintenance also requires thoroughly brushing the fur. This helps remove any knots and prevents painful matts from forming. Matted fur isn’t just unsightly—it can pull on your pet’s skin, and even make it difficult for them to walk. 

Keeping Ears Clean

Did you know that when pet ears aren’t regularly cleaned, they can become home to a variety of unwelcome guests? You heard right. Mites, fungus, and bacteria can all thrive within the dark crevices of an unclean ear. 

This puts your pet at a higher risk of ear infections. Not only are ear infections uncomfortable for your furry friend, but treating them also requires a trip to the vet and medication. 

A pet groomer understands how to properly and thoroughly clean your pet’s ears to keep them free of mites, bacteria, and even an overproduction of earwax.  

The Importance of Dental Care

Dogs and cats don’t need to brush their teeth as often as humans do, but having a pet groomer brush their teeth at least once a month is essential to preventing gingivitis, tartar buildup, and periodontal disease. 

These conditions not only cause bad breath (making sweet kisses from your pup less than tolerable), but they can also lead to more serious health issues, such as gum recession and tooth decay.

Nail Care

For pets, nail care doesn’t mean applying a funky polish color (although some pet groomers can provide this service). Instead, pet nail care involves trimming the nails to prevent overgrowth, which can make it difficult for your pet to walk. In extreme cases, overgrown nails can penetrate the pads of your pet’s paws, leading to infection. 

For cat owners, professional nail care can also mean avoiding hours of chasing your feline friend around (and keeping your skin intact). 

Expressing Anal Glands

Normally, anal glands express themselves when your dog goes to the bathroom. But sometimes, this process doesn’t happen on its own. 

During a grooming session, a professional can manually express the anal glands to eliminate irritation, and more importantly, prevent the glands from rupturing. 

How Pet Groomers Learn Their Skills 

In order to provide the best service possible, pet groomers need hours of training to develop their skills. 

There are a number of options available for pet grooming education, including:

• Traditional Pet Grooming Schools – In-person courses allow for more comprehensive, hands-on training.
• Online Pet Grooming Classes – Virtual courses are often a more convenient and affordable option. 
• Mentorships or Apprenticeships – In addition to education, these programs also offer real world experience. 

Spend Your Life Helping Animals

When pet groomers care for our loved ones, they do more than provide soft coats, clean ears, and fresh breath. They provide essential preventative healthcare to ensure our pets live long and healthy lives. 

If you’re passionate about becoming a pet groomer, or if you’re already a pet groomer and dream of being your own boss, consider starting your own mobile pet grooming business with Wag’n Tails. We are here to help you learn how to start a mobile pet grooming business! From information about mobile dog grooming prices, to marketing strategies, we have got you covered!

The leader in mobile pet grooming equipment solutions, Wag’n Tails offers best of breed pet grooming vehicles, along with flexible financing and leasing options. With Wag’n Tails, you can increase your earnings potential, set your own hours, and be your own boss—all while improving the lives of our four-legged companions. 

Sources: 

The Balance Careers. What Does a Dog Groomer Do? https://www.thebalancecareers.com/dog-groomer-career-profile-125618 

OnlineDegree.com. How To Become A Cat Groomer. https://www.onlinedegree.com/careers/trade/cat-groomer/ 

PetGroomer.com. Cat Grooming Careers. https://petgroomer.com/cat-grooming-careers/ 

Michelson Found Animals. How Regular Grooming Keeps Your Pet Healthy. https://www.foundanimals.org/pet-grooming/

American Kennel Club. Why It’s Worth Having Your Dog Groomed Professionally. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-its-worth-having-your-dog-groomed-professionally/#:~:text=Although%20it%20depends%20mostly%20on,avoid%20grooming%20issues%20into%20adulthood

FETCH by WebMD. Discharge From a Dog’s Ear: Causes and Treatments. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-discharge-ear#1

FETCH by WebMD. Tips for Better Dental Health in Dogs. https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/tips-better-dental-health-dogs#1-6