Unfortunately, this vague label leads to confusion, misdiagnosis, and frustration for veterinarians, groomers and pet owners. So, let’s break it down and look at what really might be going on.

To make sense of Alopecia X, we need to classify hair loss into three main categories: 1) Lack of hair growth, 2) Hair breakage and 3) True symmetrical hair loss (often hormonal). Each category has unique causes, but they all have been lumped under the ambiguous umbrella of Alopecia X by different sources. The truth is that understanding these categories and their root causes is the first step to demystifying this condition.

• Hairless breeds: Certain dogs and cats have been selectively bred to minimize hair growth. While we call them “hairless,” these animals often have fine, sparse hair. The key difference is that their hair lacks the typical primary and secondary structures seen in most breeds.
• Color dilution coats: You’ve probably seen this in “blue-” or “fawn-”coated dogs like Dobermans or Labradors. The color dilution gene disrupts hair growth, resulting in thinner, weaker coats that appear patchy or sparse.

The issue isn’t “hair loss” in both cases—it’s a genetic or structural limitation on hair growth. This is why treating it like a hormonal condition misses the mark.

Now, this is where things get interesting. Hair breakage often mimics true hair loss, making it easy to misinterpret. For many pet owners, hair breakage looks the same as shedding, but the reality is very different. Breakage is most commonly linked to fungal or yeast infections that attack and weaken the hair shaft. Here’s how it works:

1. An underlying fungal or yeast infection irritates the skin.
2. The sebaceous (oil) glands overproduce, leading to greasy, flaky patches on the skin.
3. The affected hairs becomes fragile and break off when handled. It often looks like the skin (actually the excess sebum production) is peeling off, pulling the hair (broken hair, not including the root) with it.

The result? Patchy hair loss that can look severe and even generalized. But here’s the catch: Hair breakage isn’t symmetrical. This single point is critical because it differentiates it from true Alopecia X.

The primary hormonal culprits include:

• Hypothyroidism: A lack of thyroid hormone, common in dogs.
• Cushing’s Disease: Excess cortisol production, leading to hair loss and skin changes.
• Addison’s Disease: Underproduction of adrenal hormones.
• Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid glands, typically seen in cats.
• Diabetes: Metabolic disruptions that indirectly harm skin and coat health.

In addition, liver or kidney disease can also trigger symmetrical hair loss. I often group these cases under metabolic disease. When the body’s metabolism is disrupted, toxins build up on the skin and interfere with normal skin function, leading to changes in hair growth and loss.

From a grooming perspective, shave alopecia happens when hair enters a prolonged resting (catagen) or dormant (telogen) phase after shaving. Essentially, the hair growth cycle slows to a crawl. On the veterinary side, some suspect a genetic predisposition or hormonal component, but there’s no hard evidence to back either of these up.

But here’s the part that raises eyebrows: If Alopecia X was strictly hormonal, you’d expect hormone replacement to be the only solution. Yet, in many cases, we can restore hair naturally. By using products that stimulate hair growth and creating a healthy skin environment, the follicles can be rejuvenated and the hair coat can be restored. That doesn’t happen in actual untreatable hormonal disorders.

1. Is the hair not growing, breaking or symmetrically falling out?
2. Rule out fungal, yeast or metabolic diseases.
3. Address the root cause, if hormonal or metabolic based.

Alopecia X is not a diagnosis; it’s a term born out of convenience and uncertainty. By better defining the types of hair loss and diving into their underlying causes, we can move away from labels and toward real solutions. Whether it’s genetic, infectious or metabolic, hair loss is not a mystery when you approach it with clarity and precision.

In practice, I’ve repeatedly seen that restoring hair growth is possible. When we provide the right environment for skin and follicles to thrive, pets recover. Alopecia X may still be a mystery in textbooks, but for those of us treating real patients, the goal is simple: stop labeling and start solving.

Dr. Cliff Faver graduated with a BS in Biology/BA in Chemistry before getting a Veterinary degree in 1987. He is the past owner of Animal Health Services in Cave Creek, Arizona and now the US distributor for Iv San Bernard products, teaches the ISB Pet Aesthetician Certification program, and speaks internationally on hair and skin. His passion is to merge groomers and veterinarians to aid in helping and healing pets. He is also a member of AVMA, AAHA, AZVMA, Board member with Burbank Kennel Club, and has served on Novartis Lead Committee, Hill’s International Global Veterinary Board, and a Veterinary Management Group.

Surprisingly, Shavon spent most of her teen years detesting being a groomer.

“My parents used to have a mobile business and I would have to go and fill up water buckets and help, and the older I got, I just said I wasn’t going to do this,” she recounts. “I went out and did all my teen rebellion stuff and eventually got a job in adman. But I just couldn’t do it, and my mom invited me to work for them.”

“Eventually, I became a manager at one of their other salons, which was the big push I needed,” she shares. “Now, I wasn’t in the same space as them, and I was able to find my feet in the industry.”

Thankfully, she already had a strong reputation upon opening due to the link to her parents’ grooming business, so she had a handful of clients and good word-of-mouth referrals. Being a new business, though, Shavon was very mindful on pricing, as she didn’t want to set prices so high that they scared customers away.

“We had clients tell us of all the things the other groomer was saying and sending screenshots, so that wasn’t a fun time,” she recalls. “There wasn’t anything for me to do than just keep doing what I was doing, and eventually it stopped.”

A strong social media campaign and solid word-of-mouth referrals helped negate any problems that were caused by the hiccup of the jealous groomer. Today, the salon is still evolving, which Shavon credits to continuing to educate herself.

However, the team at Oasis Pet Styling is Shavon’s favorite part of owning her own business.

“I just love them all so much,” she says emphatically. “One of the things that sometimes gets overlooked is that your team is a reflection of what you need to work on as a leader, and each of my team has taught me something about myself. And each of my team has their own niche thing, which I think is important, because you don’t just want a bunch of mini-mes running around.”

“All of the hard stuff is generally what we’re known for,” she adds. “I adore that they all want to be the best at what they do.”

Shavon and her team often compete in grooming competitions and she says everyone is always looking to learn more and become better at their craft.

“The open space is also important to me because I don’t like it seeming like we are hiding anything, so we always groom the dogs open,” she explains.

In 2025, Shavon will be launching a new academy to train prospective groomers, though initially it will be more cat focused.

“I’m at the point now where I just want to sit back and watch my team thrive, but I’m also so into cat grooming because I find it’s so rewarding to win a cat over,” continues Shavon. “Dogs love everyone, whereas cats don’t really care. So, at the end of a cat groom, if you’re getting purrs, it’s the most heartwarming thing in the world.”

“This is a really compassionate and enjoyable industry and everyone has so much heart,” concludes Shavon.

he last few years have been financially challenging for many. Prices have increased by as much as 50% in some cases, which has put a strain on both pet parents and groomers alike. Groomers have had to get creative with managing salon costs in an effort to stretch their income.

At the same time, pet owners have shifted their priorities, often focusing more on price. As we all know, when times get tough, pets are often the first to feel the cuts.

But here’s the good news: Things are getting better, and we’re on an upward trend. The next three years are set to bring significant changes, and the future is looking bright. This year will bring optimism, which in turn brings customer confidence. Fast forward to 2026, and the economy will be in a stronger position, with lower energy prices and more disposable income in our pockets. This will shift the focus for pet parents from worrying about price to prioritizing quality and comfort for their beloved pets.

Along with the economic shift, we’ll also see an increase in small businesses—yes, more groomers! By 2027, it’s likely that there will be more grooming professionals to serve pet parents, giving your clients even more options for their pets’ care.

• U.S. Pet Industry Market Size: The U.S. pet industry was estimated to surpass $150 billion in 2024.
• Pet Grooming Services Growth: The grooming and boarding segment of the pet industry is projected to exceed $13 billion by 2028.
• Mobile Grooming Demand: The mobile pet grooming sector is seeing rapid growth, with projections indicating it will grow at 9.2% annually over the next five years.

Being proactive and planning for the long term will give you a roadmap to stay ahead of the curve. By anticipating changes, you can adapt and continue to thrive in the evolving grooming landscape.

Right now, in many areas, it seems like there are more dogs than groomers, so we all feel secure in the knowledge that pet parents will choose us. However, in just a few years, this may no longer be the case. With more groomers entering the market and clients having more disposable income and confidence in the future, they’ll be making more informed choices about where they take their pets.

On the other hand, if your answer is no, that’s fantastic! Client relationships are the cornerstone of success in this industry. Loving the pet parents as much as their dogs will make your time in the salon much more enjoyable for everyone involved.

1. Practicing Stellar Customer Service

• Active Listening: When clients speak about their pets’ needs, concerns or preferences, actively listen and engage. Asking follow-up questions or making sure you understand their needs shows clients you truly care.
• Personalized Attention: Remembering specific details about your clients and their pets helps build rapport and trust. For instance, remembering their favorite grooming style or noting any special health concerns can help create a more personalized experience that encourages loyalty.

2. Making Your Salon Stand Out

• Salon Ambience: Invest in creating a calming and welcoming atmosphere. This includes clean, well-organized workstations, lobby and your salon as a whole.
• Unique Offerings: Differentiate your salon by offering specialized services that others don’t, such as unique add-ons like daycare or personalized services like pet photos.

3. Keeping Detailed Records

• Pet Profiles: Maintain detailed records of each pet, including grooming preferences, health concerns and behavioral traits. For example, noting whether a dog is sensitive to certain shampoos or if it has a favorite toy to distract it during grooming can prevent mistakes and reduce stress.
• Scheduling with Precision: Keep track of grooming patterns, pet growth and client preferences. For example, if a client prefers a longer gap between haircuts for a certain dog, make a note and tailor the appointment scheduling to avoid client dissatisfaction or pet stress.

4. Building a Strong Team

• Training and Cross-Training: Invest in continuous education and training for your team. For example, you could arrange for a professional grooming seminar or class on handling difficult dogs. Cross-train staff in different roles (like front desk, grooming and customer service) to build a versatile and supportive team environment.
• Team Bonding Activities: Foster good communication and morale by organizing team-building activities. For example, having regular team meetings or doing an annual team outing helps to strengthen relationships and ensure a smoother work environment.

• Optimized Time Management: Use a digital scheduling tool to reduce errors and optimize appointment slots. For example, try blocking off “buffer time” between appointments for unexpected delays or to clean up between clients, ensuring smooth transitions throughout the day.
• Seasonal Adjustments: Adjust your scheduling based on seasonal trends. For example, if your business experiences high volume in summer, implement a booking system that allows clients to pre-schedule multiple appointments at once, or create a “loyalty” schedule where returning customers have priority booking slots.

6. Investing in Your Dreams

• Upgrade Equipment and Tools: Continuously invest in quality grooming tools like clippers, shears and grooming tables. For example, consider investing in a high-end grooming tub that makes washing easier on your back.
• Ongoing Education: Attend industry seminars, take online courses or join professional organizations to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques. For example, learning about new grooming trends (like specific coat treatments or new styles) or becoming certified in pet first aid adds value to your service and shows your clients that you’re dedicated to your craft.

7. Giving Back to Your Community

• Charity Events: Host fundraising events or offer discounted grooming services for local shelters. For example, organize a “Grooming for a Cause” day where proceeds go to support animal rescues, or offer free grooming to adoptable animals in shelters.
• Community Outreach and Awareness: Partner with local pet stores, trainers or veterinarians to host community outreach events, like free grooming consultations or educational seminars on pet care. These initiatives not only give back to the community, but also help expand your network and increase visibility.

By focusing on these seven key areas and consistently improving your skills, you’ll be able to create a successful, thriving grooming business that’s prepared for the future and stands out in a competitive market.

• American Pet Products Association (APPA): www.americanpetproducts.org
• Grand View Research: www.grandviewresearch.com
• IBISWorld: www.ibisworld.com
• Business Insider: www.businessinsider.com

Grooming sessions often look different as the groomer prioritizes keeping a dog comfortable—especially one that can’t stand for long or becomes anxious in the salon. Even cognitive changes in senior dogs can have a significant impact.

According to Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, one study indicates that approximately 22.5% of dogs over the age of nine show signs of cognitive decline. This percentage increases to 28% in dogs between the ages of 11 and 12, and jumps to 68% in dogs aged 15 to 16.¹

If you notice a change in a dog you’ve been grooming for its entire life—such as anxiousness, negative responses to grooming or other behavioral shifts—it’s important to notify the owner of these changes. Some owners may deny that their dog is any different and respond with frustration when the groomer requests a change in the dog’s style or suggests splitting the appointment into two sessions to make the dog more comfortable. For groomers, this can be difficult because they want to do what is best for the dog and can’t understand why the owner doesn’t seem to agree.

To help owners make the transition to comfort grooming, it can help to have a written plan for the individual dog. Make a template that can be adjusted for each dog. For example, you can list common changes that occur in senior dogs and options for adjusting the grooming process. Create checkboxes to select the best options for each dog, allowing you to customize the plan. You can then take a picture of the completed form to upload into the dog’s profile in your system and give the customer a hard copy.

Another way to help owners understand the grooming needs of their senior dogs is by having a few resources prepared. Print resources about senior dogs from reputable websites. These might include information about changes in a dog’s skin, behavioral changes and more. Groomers should not answer medical questions or suggest diagnoses, but they can provide information and encourage pet owners to reach out to their veterinarian.  

Clear communication can help put owners at ease. Owners who may be frustrated when their dog has to be kept shorter or brought in more frequently will begin to understand that these changes are in the best interest of the dog. Together, you and the pet owner can decide what is best. If a senior dog is nervous about car rides, more frequent appointments may not make sense for that individual dog, for example. In some cases, you might even request that an owner remain in the waiting room while you groom their dog. This is helpful for dogs that are anxious when waiting for pick-up. 

As groomers, we can do our best to provide senior dogs with quiet time slots and easier grooming appointments. You wouldn’t hesitate to change the grooming routine for your own senior dog, and you should talk to pet owners about doing the same for theirs. With careful planning and practical adjustments, you can support both owners and senior dogs.

1. College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. (2021, April 15). Cognitive Decline In Aging Dogs: What To Know. Texas A&M University. https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/cognitive-decline-in-aging-dogs/

From innovation in grooming equipment and products to producing some of the world’s best competition groomers, judges and educators, a new generation of Australian groomers has a lot to look forward to. Standing on the shoulders of giants, pioneers of the industry have paved a solid path for the rest of us to tread.

But what is the current situation of our much-loved international brands? Well, fear not, because slowly but surely, some of the 40-foot shipping containers are making their way back, and they’re full of hydraulic baths, electric tables, dryers and clippers, and the distributors, retail suppliers, groomers and pet owners could not be happier. With a local industry that values the highest standards, it’s good to have the confidence to be able to toss out the blade that has been sharpened 15 times, knowing that a replacement is easily accessible once again.

Some very sought-after imports from overseas (that you won’t find in a shipping container) are international grooming educators and speakers. From judging grooming competitions to teaching at both demonstration and hands-on events, there’s a lot to be gained for not only the groomers here, but the speakers as well.

One groomer that has graced our shores multiple times over the years is Danelle German, founder and owner of National Cat Groomers Institute. While the flights from her home in South Carolina are unenviable, the experiences she has had here have been unforgettable.

“My first trip to Australia in 2011, where I presented cat grooming to the industry, I found Australians to be very eager and receptive to learning new things,” Danelle shares. “During my many subsequent visits, presenting at various industry events, I was shown gracious hospitality. The positive reception to what I was teaching was very encouraging. It has been amazing to witness so many Australian groomers take what they have learned and build successful cat grooming businesses. Aussies are some of my favorite people on the planet.”

With the airports open again also comes the tsunami of Australian groomers flooding out of the country to the international competition and education scene. Not only will you hear more Australian accents coming from seminar halls and private education events; you will also find us wandering the aisles of trade shows, competing with hired dogs (often met for the first time the week of competition) and taking notes as seminar attendees. We have a thirst for knowledge, and the few who are able to travel for education are bringing that experience back to the many.

Mitchell Waygood, a retired member of GroomTeam Australia (2017-2018), remembers what the world of grooming travel was like before the pandemic, and he shares this of his more recent experiences: “I think the level of skills has improved in Australia over the last few years. Most judges here are phenomenal groomers. I have competed locally and internationally and find them to be pretty equal.”

There is just so much more to be gained from attending an event in person—getting to ask and answer questions live and see the finesse, textures, patterns and results achieved up-close. That’s not to say that the great plethora of online events are not also appreciated by the greater grooming community.

I asked a few of the groomers whose work I admire most if they would share some of the techniques they use to achieve the finishes they do. I can hear you now, “But I just groom pets, and many of them have crummy coats, and I’m busy and don’t have time.” I get it. But what if you could improve how those dogs you groom look with a few simple steps? And what if those dogs could stay looking good longer and return for their next groom in better condition? If this sounds interesting, read on.

Veronica Frosh agrees, saying, “If the dog you are washing doesn’t seem clean with a single wash, wash it again. Use a clarifying shampoo. If it has areas such as its face or ears that don’t seem clean, wash them once more. I personally like a citrus-based shampoo for grimey areas.”

A lot of groomers struggle with getting pets completely dry. Drying takes time, and time is such a precious commodity in a busy grooming shop that we commonly cut corners by popping a dog in a cage to dry for a while or turning the dryer off while they are still a little damp. The key to a fabulous finish is properly drying thoroughly clean fur. To have a coat that will scissor nicely and look good for days or weeks after the groom, we also need to straighten any curls or waves out of the fur as we dry.

Julie Wilkins explains how: “I always force-dry until they are slightly damp. Then I mist them down with a conditioner spray and give them a good brush-down all over with the grain. Next, I take the concentrator nozzle off the dryer and go over them with the force dryer and a slicker brush. A stronger one similar to a universal slicker for harsh coats and a softer one for finer coats.

Lindsey Dicken also shares the drying technique she uses to achieve her award-winning work: “You can accomplish a lot with slow, methodical, high-velocity drying, but I don’t consider a coat to be ‘done’ until it has been brushed out with heat. I prefer a slicker brush with short, dense pins for most curly coats. I like a pin brush for poodles with show top knots and long drop coats.

“I can’t live without coat spray,” continues Lindsey. “After I towel the dog thoroughly, I spritz it all over the dog. Then, while brushing, I’ll spot-spray as needed in extra thick or tangled areas. You can tell a coat is dry when you turn a high-velocity dryer on low and see that the hair is completely straight at the root and free-flowing.”

Veronica Frosh adds this advice: “Use your brush to stretch the coat from the base of the skin out. Dry one area at a time. Use a conditioning spray, and make sure your coat is 150% dry before you start your finish work.”

To work more quickly and efficiently, Lori Craig shares her suggestions: “I always keep two towels when drying. One for under the dog, the second behind the area I am drying to capture flying moisture. I start at my shortest coat first, for instance, the neckline. I work in the same manner, generally from back feet and legs to front legs and jacket, and then I knock the majority of the water off the head. Then, I use a stand dryer, following my original path and line brushing. When correctly dried, the grooms stay looking lovely for weeks.

“Proper drying on double-coated dogs is also crucial,” Lori adds. “If done incorrectly, you can leave humidity on the skin, leading to disastrous results. Not to mention, trying to remove undercoat from an incorrectly dried dog is just not truly doable.”

The cornerstone of achieving fabulous finishes begins with the basics: The pet must be beautifully clean and carefully, completely dried. Even if your scissoring skills can’t hold a candle to the superstars who shared their techniques here, the dogs you groom will look better, and their grooms will last longer if you follow these basic steps for perfect prep work.

“Emigrating to America was not all plain sailing. There were many times when the language, words, and colloquialisms differed greatly from Ireland to the point where I had to learn a new brand of English. I was schooled very quickly by my new friends that saying ‘let’s go and have some crack’ was not acceptable. (‘Craic’ in Irish Gaelic means fun.) Twenty-six years later, and I’m still learning.”  – Groomer, Amanda Madtes

How much money have you put aside to cover expenses while you settle in? What’s the currency rate exchange? Do you have a pension or social security directly deposited into a bank account to which you have access from both countries? Do you need to sell a home or business? What about shipping your possessions? Have you created a business plan or budget? I can attest that you don’t know how much stuff you have until you put everything into boxes. I decreased my possessions by 75% and still made four moving-van trips across the country.

“Well, for me, I moved myself and my two cats. I did fly my sister over with me so I could have both cats in the cabin. The flights, the cats, the health certificates, and the Airbnb for two months were about $10,000. To move into my apartment with a security deposit costs about $5,000. I only brought four suitcases, so I’ll be shipping some stuff over when I visit in March. But with living in Nice (France), I’ll be saving money. I set a budget of $4k per month. I’ll find out if I overestimated or underestimated in a few months.” – Groomer, Kris Lietz

“I moved to Honduras from the U.S. to pursue another career as a scuba instructor. I also moved because the cost of living and healthcare is much cheaper. I am the only dog groomer on Utila, the island I moved to in Honduras.” – Groomer, Lara Latshaw

“It was a tough decision to make 13 years ago, as there weren’t apps to help with keeping in contact. I struggled for a long time, and there are times I still struggle. Without that struggle, I would never have found a career I love and I love doing every day. I got the American dream.

Even though I’ve been gone for a long time, I consider this my home. Going through customs in Dublin and seeing friends, they will always say ‘welcome home.’” – Groomer, Mary Briney

“I chose the area where I live because it has an expat community, which would make up my client base. I groom part time, and I have a small dog hotel. I can have a sweet life on my small social security and the extra income. I have private health insurance, which is amazingly affordable and very efficient. Although we also have free healthcare available from the government. Initially, I came here with four dogs and lived in a rental cottage until I found my forever home. I now have an amazing Quinta, a small farm, which I purchased outright with the proceeds I made from selling my home in California. I brought a 40-foot shipping container with some of my furniture, family heirlooms, all of my artwork, all of my sporting equipment, and all of my grooming equipment. I used a professional overseas relocation company to pack and move all my belongings.” – Groomer, Leslie Craig

The good news is that you have colleagues who have successfully emigrated and have great advice to offer. While this is not an easy process, doing your research ahead of time will lessen the learning curve in moving to a new country. Only you can decide if a move is in your best interest!

For groomers, working with curly-coated cats is an opportunity to celebrate their individuality while keeping them healthy and happy. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when grooming these unique felines:

1. Know Your Curls: Each breed’s coat texture is different, so tailor your grooming approach accordingly. For example, Cornish and Devon Rex coats are delicate and flat-lying, while Selkirk Rex coats need more attention to prevent tangles.
2. Use the Right Tools: A wide-tooth comb is often the best choice for curly coats. Avoid heavy-duty brushes that could damage their delicate fur.
3. Be Gentle: Unlike dogs that get blow-dried and brushed to straighten their hair, let these curls form naturally with low-powered drying and light pressure when brushing or combing.
4. Communicate with Owners: Educate cat owners on how to maintain their pet’s coat between grooming sessions to prevent matting and other issues.