We are all aware of the obvious harmful nature of brush burns, clipper burns, and even the unintentional cut from our razor-sharp scissors. We are also cautious about getting water or shampoo in pets’ ears or eyes. Even still, we occasionally need to take a pet to the veterinarian for a squinty eye, whether the dog or groomer caused it. But there are other dangers lurking around that we are often unaware of or take for granted—and these can be as bad, if not worse, and sometimes even fatal. It’s crucial to be constantly cautious and aware of these potential dangers, which include the following.

Two of the more common bacteria species we deal with are Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MRSP (or methicillin-resistant Staph pseudintermedius; MRSA being the human variety). Pseudomonas is present in the soil and Staph pseudintermedius is a common bacteria on a dog’s skin, but when they overgrow or become drug resistant, we have a problem.

Given the right environment, both tend to overgrow, and the medications used to treat these are often toxic. These drugs can potentially complicate the situation or even kill the patient with the treatment. So, if the salon, equipment, towels, cages, bathing systems, etc. are not cleaned between pets, we stand the chance of perpetuating the growth of these organisms and even spreading them from animal to animal.

We have many cleaning modalities you can use to battle these bacteria and fungus, including chemicals, UV lights, sterilizers and even ozone, which work great to clean. However, we have to understand what they can and can’t do and use them frequently enough to prevent the spread of disease.

For example, if you think your UV light is magical and will disinfect the inside of the hinge of your scissors and both sides just by laying them under the light in one position, you don’t understand how the UV light works. It only works on the surface the light shines on. That’s why it is essential that you know the science.

Many groomers also believe they are safe from bacteria and can treat skin infections using shampoo. We must understand that shampoo is for cleaning, and unless it is specifically designed to address bacteria or fungus, it only cleans and does not disinfect. Therefore, a routine shampoo used on infected skin only dilutes the problem but doesn’t kill the organisms. If we are just cleaning and not disinfecting, we may perpetuate the spread of disease by using the wrong technique or products, putting our pet clients in harm’s way.

The condition we underestimate is when the skin is compromised because of a lack of healthy sebum (which provides the protective barrier). So, for example, if the dog hasn’t been bathed for a while, they swim often or alcohols have been used on the skin (dyes, perfumes, some cleansers like ear cleaner, etc.), the sebum may be compromised.

Using harsh products, degreasing (removing the sebum layer) or failure to condition correctly can also compromise the skin barrier and make the pets more prone to infections. So, in simple terms, if the skin is raw with harsh products (or other things that compromise the sebum layer) and then bacteria are poured onto the wound (in the form of premixed shampoo), we will get an infection.

This often leads to deep infections like folliculitis (infection of the hair follicle) or furunculosis (this is considered a deeper type of infection, generally looking like boils or groups of abscesses associated with the hair follicles). While not the only way folliculitis/furunculosis is caused in pets, it is probably one of the common ways.

These examples go to show that we must be diligent about thinking through and preventing any hazard to the pets in our care, whether seen or unseen, so we are not the source of skin infections and misery for our pet clients.

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.

It is not advised to open up a home-based grooming salon if you are not able to legally have one in your area. While it may seem like a “harmless” thing to operate outside of the law, all it takes is one upset client or neighbor to alert authorities, and then you could be dealing with fines, court fees or worse.

Marketing for a home-based salon is a bit different from more traditional storefront grooming salons and should be taken into account when considering starting this type of business.

Distractions from family members, household chores and the comfort of home can further blur the lines, making it challenging to maintain productivity during work hours and to fully relax during personal time.

By setting their own schedules, groomers can seamlessly integrate their professional commitments with their family obligations, ensuring they can be present for important life moments, while still pursuing their passion for grooming. With the right organizational systems and routines in a home-based salon, it is possible to throw in a load of laundry or start dinner in a crockpot during your day.

Whether it’s adjusting working hours to accommodate school pickups, doctor’s appointments or caregiving responsibilities, the ability to tailor your own schedule is a huge benefit of working out of your home. When done right, it can foster a healthier work-life balance.

Everything from the number of dogs you groom a day and how long each groom takes you to shaving double-coated breeds or dematting doodles, every decision will now be up to you. Owning your own home-based business will give you the freedom to groom in whichever ways you truly desire.

This specialization not only allows groomers to showcase their expertise and passion for particular grooming techniques, but also attracts clients seeking specialized care for their pets. Professional grooming services such as feline only, hand stripping, creative grooming or working with challenging pets can do very well in a home-based setting.

By thoroughly considering these pros and cons and preparing accordingly, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your professional goals and personal circumstances. Whether you choose to embark on this entrepreneurial path or continue exploring other options, the key is to create a business environment that fosters growth, satisfaction, and success for both you and your clients.

Amanda McGrath is a Certified Feline Master Groomer and the owner of a successful home-based grooming salon. Amanda has a unique talent for time management and organization, and hosts “The Groomer’s Game Plan,” a two-day strategic planning event specifically for grooming businesses. She is the co-owner of Hause of Bones, a small business that creates humorous stickers for the witty side of grooming, and she serves on the board of the Pet Stylist Relief Fund. Currently, Amanda is developing a podcast focused on the unique aspects and advantages of home-based grooming salons.

The Helping Animals Center is run by Robbie Clairmont, son of Kathleen Woodenknife who founded the animal care clinic and was the first woman elected Chief of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Not only does the clinic offer low- and no-cost veterinary services to tribal members’ families in need, but they also help with training, grooming and education for the pet owners of their tribe.

South Dakota groomer Alexis DeJong worked with Tess Malloy and other South Dakota groomer friends for three days at the clinic in recent months. When asked what motivated her to volunteer her time in this way, Alexis said, “I was motivated to help because I’m a groomer and dogs have always been my life, especially underprivileged dogs. These families have these dogs that they love and respect, not only because they are part of their family, but also because dogs are spiritual and respected. But they can’t afford the basic veterinary care or the grooming care we all take for granted.

“It was the least I could do as a groomer to offer my services,” Alexis continued, “to give them the most basic of my skills, nail trims, and to teach them how to do it themselves if they wanted to learn. I helped with de-shedding impacted coats; whatever was needed.”

Alexis and Tess were part of a team of many South Dakota groomers who also solicited their clients, their friends and neighbors to help the Rosebud Reservation. The do-gooding groomer team also included Annie Baehler, Bradee Schuett, Haven Lee, Rogene Brown, Sara Hofer, Teagan Albright and Tiffany Kyte. Sioux Falls-area veterinarian Dr. Sara Hofer also volunteered her time at the clinic.

Aside from volunteering their time and skills for grooming, donations were collected for a few months prior to the clinic: “I was able to haul in a trailer FULL of various donations, ranging from medical needs to dog sweaters,” Alexis reported.

The groomers who volunteered at Rosebud’s Helping Animals Center continue to collect items for donations. If you wish to help, reach out to Alexis DeJong or Tess Malloy on Facebook to find out how you can send items or a monetary donation to help support their work.

One such example is the tragedy of groomer Candice Seals who lived in Paradise, California during the disastrous wildfires of 2018. Candice and her family lost everything, including a family member, their home, some pets, her grooming business and everything else they owned in a matter of a few minutes. But thanks to Teri DiMarino, Judy Breton and the wonderful California Professional Pet Groomers Association, help was mobilized immediately. Urgent relief and survival items were coordinated to be sent to displaced groomers and their families after that staggering tragedy.

Thanks to Teri’s superb organizing skills, I had been privileged to help Candice’s family with some most immediate needs like towels, dishes, crates, etc., as they were temporarily camping and living outdoors with only the clothes on their backs. Candice and her family are now re-settled and thriving in their new North Carolina home.

If you would like to find ways to help those in need, there surely are many great opportunities available. Hopefully your state has a state grooming association that may already be helping to identify such needs in your area. If your state does not have a grooming association, you can now get help in starting one with the debut of WAGA, the World Alliance of Grooming Associations. WAGA exists to help form professional groomer associations in order to protect our voices in matters that affect our industry.

Another way to help, readily available to most groomers in many communities throughout the United States, is assisting domestic violence victims. More states and more shelters are working to create safe spaces for victims of domestic violence that allow victims to bring their pets with them.

I reached out to one such shelter in Arlington, Virginia called Doorways. In May 2009, Doorways became the first safe house in Virginia, and one of only nine in the country at that time to provide emergency shelter for survivors’ pets. Thankfully, more are opening now, as the importance of this expanded role of shelters has become apparent.

Linley Beckbridge, an employee at Doorways who provides services for survivors and their families, explained the importance of allowing the victims to bring their pets: “Often, people who perpetrate intimate partner violence will threaten or harm pets to maintain power and control over their partners. Victims may stay in abusive situations in an attempt to keep their animals safe. Providing emergency shelter for pets, along with survivors, is critical to the safety of both the animals and their people. No one should have to choose between their safety and their pets.

“The grooming industry can support their local shelters,” she continued, “most of which are nonprofit organizations, by donating their services—either directly for survivors’ pets or in the form of gift certificates for nonprofit auctions and other fundraisers—by doing third-party fundraisers to encourage their customers and community to give, and by raising awareness of local resources by posting flyers in their spaces. To support national efforts, check out the Purple Leash Project.”¹

Whether helping out other groomers in need, an underprivileged community or victims of domestic violence, we can be proud to work in such a wonderful industry with so many capable fellow groomers dedicated to their communities and to those in need around us.

1. The Purple Leash Project. https://www.purina.com/purple-leash-project

For many grooming businesses, phone calls are still a crucial customer contact point. To ensure positive exchanges and portray a professional image of your business, try following these phone etiquette tips:

• Remember the adage, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Don’t answer the phone when you have just taken a bite of your lunch or if a dog is barking in close proximity.
• Answer the telephone as it rings during business hours unless you are up to your arms in suds. Then, return the call as soon as you are done with that task. If you have set hours to return calls, have that be an explicit and early part of your answering message.
• Even in these times of caller identification, identify yourself and your business name. For example, “Thank you for calling The Bark Shop. This is Cade. How may I help you?”
• Pay attention to the call. Most groomers are highly skilled at multi-tasking, but doing so while talking to a customer is not the time to exercise that art. Give the caller the courtesy of your full attention. Take notes of the call that you can refer to later if necessary. Keeping a notebook as a call log helps minimize the loss of notes.
• Be polite. That should seem obvious, but sometimes the person at the other end of the conversation can test one’s patience. Take a few deep breaths while they tell you more than you need to know. Remind yourself to smile when you speak. Doing this will help you respond appropriately and with a pleasant tone.
• Avoid interrupting the person you are speaking to. Allow the caller to finish their thought or question, and then proceed with your answer or relevant information.
• Set up an after-hours voice message. This should clearly identify who the caller has reached, when they can expect you to return their call and other must-know information.
• Do return calls. Even if you cannot help the person who left a message, give them the courtesy of a callback. Perhaps you can refer them to someone better suited to their needs. Many inquiring callers sincerely and repeatedly thank us for merely calling them back, even when we can’t fulfill their request. It will leave a positive image of your business in their mind, and you can’t have too much positivity!

• Respond to messages as quickly as possible.
• Set a professional auto-reply message. Customers will receive this when you are not able to respond to messages quickly or outside of business hours.
• Avoid using all capital letters. This suggests an angry or aggressive tone.
• Proofread to check for typographical and grammatical errors. Also ensure you are messaging the intended person before you hit send.
• Keep your messages concise. (That is one of the best parts of messaging!)
• Avoid using abbreviations. Even if your choice of words is perfectly obvious to you, the reader may not understand what you mean and it can come off as unprofessional.
• Messages should be positive and clear. For example, “Thank you for contacting me. I can groom Sassy on Thursday the 10th at 9:00 a.m. I am looking forward to seeing you both!”
• Avoid using humor or sarcasm. Tone can be impossible to read in messages.
• Manners matter. Remember that what you write can be read repeatedly and shared with others. Write only what you believe will reflect positively on you and your business.
• Know when a topic has become too complex, emotional or confusing. If this happens, suggest an in-person phone call instead.
• Messages generally do not require a formal sign-off. Let the conversation end gracefully once the relevant topics have been addressed, or simply reply with a “Thanks.”

Mobile grooming can be a great idea, but like with anything, it does come with negative and positive aspects, so let’s start by reviewing some of those…

It is useful to keep in mind that mobile grooming relies on your vehicle, such as a van or truck, or a trailer for your source of income. When your vehicle breaks down or faults happen to your mobile unit, it can be costly both in missed grooming time and the repairs themselves. In addition, cancelling appointments can potentially lose you customers, which may be costly to replace.

Some clients may not like that certain units use the customers’ water and, in some cases, their electricity. However, as a business, this can save you in expenses, so it may also be a positive. Additional expenses the mobile model will save on are business rates and rent. Another perk is that you have a free, moving advertisement on your vehicle or trailer that people can see in multiple places.

The following are some basic tips you should share with your clients before they attempt any at-home grooming. Any product or tool recommendations should be based on the individual dog.

First and foremost, I really only recommend these tips for a dog that is used to regular grooming. Second, remember that animals pick up on your emotions, so only attempt this with confidence and compassion. Finally, remember that you and your dog will get better with each groom. 

While bathing in a floor-level tub or shower is just fine, I do recommend investing in a Booster Bath. This investment will last many years for the average pet owner and will save your back as well as help ensure you get a thorough rinse. 

Be sure the shampoo you are using is made for dogs. Apply the shampoo, scrub all over and rinse. The first rinse isn’t super important because you’re going to reapply shampoo and scrub a second time. When you rinse the second time, though, be super thorough. I really only recommend a required conditioner on dogs getting bathed once a week.

Use a wire slicker brush to do a thorough brush against the grain of the coat to check your work. Follow that with a steel comb, making sure it can glide smoothly through the coat as you lay it back down. 

For any trimming, you’re going to place your dog on an elevated and safe surface. Firmly yet kindly hold your dog by the hair on their chin to control them for their safety. Use a steel comb to comb the hair toward the eyes and use a small pair of hair-cutting scissors to trim the hair on the inside corner of the eye at a 45-degree angle. Then comb your dog’s eyebrows down and use your scissors to trim the hair short on the outside corner of the eye, not across the whole front of the brow. 

To trim the feet, comb all of the hair to the bottom of the dog’s foot and trim a straight line that is parallel with the pads of the feet. 

While we can’t prevent our clients from taking on some of their dogs’ grooming needs at home, we can guide them on how to do it correctly, for both the safety of the dog and a better-maintained coat for us to work with when they do come in for their professional grooming appointments.

at allergies are a common concern among cat owners, affecting millions of people worldwide. As professional pet groomers, understanding the causes of cat allergies and how grooming practices can alleviate symptoms is essential for providing the best care and help to both cats and their owners. The following explores the causes of cat allergies, the role of grooming in reducing allergens and tips for educating clients on maintaining an allergy-friendly home environment.

It’s important for groomers to understand that Fel d 1 is not limited to long-haired or short-haired cats; all cats produce this protein, making it a universal concern for allergy sufferers. However, the amount of Fel d 1 produced can vary depending on the cat’s age, sex and health status, with intact males typically producing higher levels of the protein. Contrary to old wives’ tales and some marketing claims, there are no cat breeds that consistently produce lower levels of Fel d 1.

In addition to regular grooming, there are several steps that cat owners can take to reduce allergens in their home. As a professional groomer, you can offer valuable advice to your clients on how to create an environment that minimizes the impact of cat allergies. Here are some tips you can share:

While this food is not a cure for cat allergies, it can be an effective tool in a comprehensive allergy management plan, alongside regular grooming and home-cleaning practices. If you do inform your clients about this new option, be sure to encourage them to first discuss the food change with their veterinarian.

Additionally, staying informed about new developments in pet care, such as the introduction of allergy-reducing cat food, allows us to offer comprehensive advice and solutions to our clients. In doing so, we can enhance our reputation as knowledgeable and compassionate professionals dedicated to the wellbeing of both cats and their owners.