Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often does my dog need grooming?

That depends on the breed of dog. If your dog is medium to long hair it is recommended that your dog be groomed every 2 to 3 months. If your dog is short hair it must be bathed no less than once every 2 months and no more that once a fortnight. For proper upkeep of a long hair coat, to prevent shaving off when matted, a dog should have a tidy up between grooms monthly. As an owner it is your responsibility for all of these important things to be looked after- The nails must be clipped every 2 months, the coat must be washed no more than fortnightly, the anal glands must be expressed every 2 months and the ears must be cleaned regulary. If you have a long coated breed you must look after it by combing as often as possible. Shave offs once or twice a year are not fair on your pet and make your pet look different. Double coated breeds: Should have a full proffessional brushout 4 times a year and should have a bath and blowdry to remove excess hair evey 4 weeks.

2. Why should I get my dog groomed?

There are many reasons, the groomer is one of the only people in your pets life that looks all over the pet and can notice lumps, grass seeds, ear infections, nail infections, bad skin etc. during a groom . A regular groom keeps your pet feeling and looking comfortable. A matted coat becomes painful and a great place for bacteria and fleas to grow.

3. What happens to my pet if it is not groomed regulary?

If you do not get your pet groomer regulary: The nails can grow into the pads, The ears can become infected, The anal glands can become infected, The skin can become itchy form extra hair in the pads, face, groin and bum, The skin becomes dandruff just like a scalp, The dog does not enjoy the experience as they are not use to being groomed/handled, The matting is close to the skin, therfore, does not lets the skin breathe, causes bacteria and/or fleas to grow under matting and may expose underlying skin conditions when being shaved off, the hair around the eyes touches the eyes or lids causingg eye infections, excess tears burn the skin around the tear staining causing sore eyes, The dog becomes scared of grooming/the clippers which increases the chances of cutting, I must get through the knots and blindly cut close to the skin, which increases the risk of cutting/clipper rash. Most of these things are noticed by the groomer or a vet but are not noticable to you. You see a regular groom keeps your pet happy and healthy and a groomed pet is a happy pet!

4. How can I tell if my pet is matted?

If you cannot run a comb through it to the skin, it is matted. If you cannot part the hair and see the scalp/skin on all parts of the body, your pet has matts/knotted hair.

5. Why do you charge more for clipping a matted coat?

I charge extra for clipping when matted as it is wear and tear on my blades, brushes and combs, uses more electricity and time. For that extra groom you got to avoid your pet having, my blades will blunt, my arms will get sore from combing your pet, your pet will be grumpy and tired from putting up with my brushing your pet for ages, I need to use a degreaser to get your pets coat back to normal. Of course your pet wont like being at my parlour if I have to be the mean lady that undoes all that time of not being groomed in 2 hours.

6. How often should a cat be groomed?

Cats generally groom themselves, some cats, mostly when they are old, do not clean themselves and therefore start matting. If matting occurs you may get your cat clipped off or just knots cut out when they occur. Most owners get their cat groomed 3-4 times a year. Clipping in summer makes your long hair cat feel a lot better in the heat and prevents it from severely matting. Matting is a result of oils from the skin, dead skin and dead undercoat rubbing together and forming a ball like formation. It can be prevented by brushing and bathing or dry bathing. Brushing stimulates the skin to breathe and remove dead skin, oils and undercoat.

7. Do you use sedation?

No, I will not use sedation or take on a sedated animals. It is illegal for a person not a Veterinarian to sedate a cat/dog. I try my best to groom all pets without being rough. I may need to use a muzzle for my own protection. If I feel your pet is unsafe for me to groom I will call you and your pet will need to be sedated and groomed at a Veterinary clinic. Please tell me if your dog has a tendancy to bite or if your cat bites you. I will not reject but it saves me from getting bitten by being more careful around your pet.

8. Is grooming scary?

Grooming should be a comfortable and calm situation. The more often a pet is use to the situation the more they enjoy it. The dogs that come monthly cant wait to get in the door, as I keep it a positive experience even when they are naughty. This is why I am so good with cats and puppies. Their first experience with grooming is very important. I use aromatherapy, comfortable surroundings, lots of cuddles and treats to make it a nice time for your pet. Getting your hair brushed and blowdried is so relaxing, I must know, I love it when someone does my hair, I want your pet to feel the same. It gets uncomfortable when I must comb lots of knotts out and clip knots too close to the skin.

9. How do i brush my dog to prevent matting between grooms?

The best tool is a metal comb, the one with wide teeth helps remove knots, and the closer teeth maintain the coat. A brush just glides over knots. If you cannot see the skin when parting the hair there is matting there. Brushing depends on the length of coat, once the hair gets to 1cm and longer it needs to start being combed daily. Longer parts such as the ears and tail should always be combed. I do not dematt hair that it severly matted as it causes paina nd stress for your pet. The best way to prevent matting is to always comb you dog after getting wet and have a tidy up between grooms as the groomer can brush your dog properly and bath it without it matting. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask, I am here to help you keep your pet knot free and comfortable.

10. Any more questions?

Email me now- ask me anything, I will give you advice even if you are not a client :) asha_babe2002@hotmail.com

11. Cat grooming?! Why CAT grooming?

Some cats cannot clean themselves therefore they matt. I can clip, bath or brushout matts to let the skin breathe and prevent further matting. Some cats are also clipped in summmer to keep them cool. Cats, if needed, should be clipped 1-4 times a year dependingon their needs. Have any questions? Don't be afraid to give me a call, I will let you know what I think you need to do. I can also teach you how to brush your cat properly and which tools to use.

12. What do you do with the grooming process?

A dog clip: First I meet with you and your pet to discuss the needs of you and your pet. I then put your pet on the table, pat it and get to know it. I then start clipping your pet's coat, taking my time to check your pet is not stressed by the clippers, once the coat is clipped I then scissor your dog's face, feet, ears, tail, pads, groin, legs, bottom. I clip your pet's nails, clean it's ears and prepare the bath. I then hydrobath your pet and give it a good shampoo and rinse. I then towel dry your pet on the table and put leave in conditioner and cologne on it. Your pet is then blowdried by dryer and brush and then I finish with a second clip. I then tidy up the face, feet, ears, tail and legs again to make sure it is purrfect. The ears and tail are then combed with a fine comb to check for any left over knots. Your pet then has a bandanna put around it's neck and hopefully straight back into your arms. I then discuss the grooming needs of your pet and show you what I recommend for combing/brushing. Your next appointment is often then made.

13. Why do you charge so much?

I went to the hairdressers the other day and for the same time I spend on a small dog and less effort, no squirming, biting, fleas, matts, they charged me $210! I believe my prices are based on experience and quality of grooming. I am a Qualified Veterinary Nurse who is knowledgable of first aid or any advice you may need. Other parlous I have worked at before charged more for my quality of groom, with less experience and no conditioner, colognes, or breed clips. My equipment is all up to date to prevent cutting of your pet; a hydrolic table and stairs to healp overweight, old age pets from hurting themselves; a table arm to avoid your pet jumping off the table and hurting itself; a vaccum clipper to let me do longer clips on double coated breeds; a high volocity dryer for a better quality brushout/blowdry; the best quality soap free shampoos to avoid itching; a heated hydrobath to deep clean and massage your pet while being bathed. I am always improving my grooming skills and service by seminars and visiting other salons to learn their way of grooming. Your groomer is me or Bonnie, whoever you prefer and we will accomidate to any needs you may have.