he options are seemingly endless, as are the different ways we can extend our grooming career. Because, let’s face it, pet grooming is a demanding profession, and anything we can do to lengthen our careers and not hurt at the end of the day is good, right?

But what even is ergonomics and how do we apply it to our daily grooming lives? What does it mean when we see this label on tools? Is it only about tools? How can ergonomics improve our grooming lives outside of equipment?

More than just a buzzword to sell tools, ergonomics is an applied science relating to the study of people and their working conditions in order to improve effectiveness and productivity. For the grooming business owner, this means less on-the-job injuries, less downtime, time saved, increased productivity and less money spent on workers comp claims.

Before we grumble about “the bottom line” and “the almighty dollar,” what does this mean for the groomers themselves? Less pain, injury and fatigue, and being able to stay in a career you love until you decide to retire without having to leave due to injury or burnout. That’s the real bottom line.

When we pay attention to body mechanics and ergonomics, and how we move and use our tools, not only do we reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders like carpel tunnel syndrome, but also increase our own productivity and income. And I think we can agree that improving our income without hurting ourselves is as important to groomers as it is to business owners.

Ergonomics is about fitting the job and the environment (and sometimes the tool) to the person to improve performance and safety. It considers the functions and tasks of the job, the posture and body mechanics of the person, and the physical hazards of the environment, as well as tools, devices and furnishings.

It is generally agreed that there are 10 principles of ergonomics:

Often twelve are listed, and sometimes eight, depending on your source. But the more I studied and researched, the more I came to two main realizations. The first was that there was little actual research or studies done specifically for pet grooming—we are often lumped into pet care or services as a whole without focusing on the specific issues groomers face.

The second realization, as I went over the general principles of ergonomics, was that there is considerable overlap as we apply them to pet grooming. So, I’ve condensed them into the five principles of Groomer Ergonomics©️. Nothing was lost; they are just combined and tailored to what we, as groomers, have to go through on a daily basis.

The five principles of Groomer Ergonomics©️ are:

Let’s face it; there are few other professions where one has to combine the strength and endurance of an athlete, the customer service skills of a Disney employee, the artistic skill of a sculptor, the patience of (what sure feels like) a literal saint, with knowledge of canine and feline body mechanics, anatomy and behavior. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is! All of this is hard on the body, but by paying attention to our own body mechanics and how we use the tools of our trade, we can reduce the strain we put on ourselves.

Once we understand these five principles and how they affect our daily lives, the easier it will become to understand why a tool is or is not ergonomic. And once we can answer why, we will be able to avoid buying the latest fad that will just gather dog hair in the back of a drawer, and instead spend our hard-earned cash on something that will actually help us and our careers. Even better is the understanding that it’s not all about tools, anyway.

I want to groom for as long as I want to—not until my body gives out. The grooming industry has come so far in the decades I’ve been in it, and we’re still growing in knowledge and professionalism. I’m thrilled we are all here for it. Happy (and safe!) grooming!

Chris Anthony brings over 20 years of experience in the pet industry, fueled by her passion for grooming and caring for animals while taking care of her own well-being. Her collaboration with Evolution Shears highlighted the critical importance of ergonomics in grooming. Founded by Abbe Hann, a groomer who left her career due to hand pain, and Moe Hann, a skilled sharpener, Evolution Shears aims to help groomers continue their work pain-free. Chris embodies this mission through her articles and teachings, currently offering a four-hour certificate course on grooming ergonomics available on PawsitiveEd.com. For more information, visit Evolutionshears.com