Modern technology has changed the way we groom. Here is an example. In past years, many groomers brushed and clipped pets before bathing them. Once some of the hair was removed, the pet got washed, dried, and finished. The advent of more effective pet hair care products and, perhaps more importantly, bathing systems helped turn the tide. Now, most contemporary stylists put almost all the dogs they groom in the tub before doing anything else. There are many benefits to pre-washing pets.
- A good bath and conditioning treatment helps to loosen shedding hair. A lot of dead coat will wash right out in the tub, reducing brushing time. Removing hair this way is gentler for the pet and saves wear and tear on the groomer's hands and arms.
- Washing removes dirt, dust, dander, many allergens, urine, fecal matter, and any unpleasant things the pet has come in contact with before we touch and inhale all of those things.
- Parasite problems can be found and dealt with in the bath before fleas or ticks hop off the pet and explore your workplace.
- Once a pet is clean, and its coat has been properly conditioned, the drying process will help push out even more loose hair. Using a high-velocity dryer on clean fur will even lift many tangles away from the skin.
- Your tools will thank you. For example, Clipper blades and shears will stay sharper far longer if used on clean fur than if forced through dirty hair. So you will save money on sharpening tools, and the blades and shears will need to be replaced less frequently.
- Brushing dirty coats causes coat damage. Think of it this way, the dirt from the pet's environment is abrasive. Brushing through a dirty coat is like using sandpaper on the cuticles of the hair shafts. Hair with damaged cuticles is more prone to tangling in the future.
- Dirt, dust, and dander in the coat work to hold tangles together. Brushing out tangles once the hair has been washed and conditioned correctly is far more manageable.
- Bathing and drying pets before clipping them saves time. The only dogs that don't go right into a warm bath upon arrival are so severely matted that water will not penetrate their fur, and they will be shaved all over.
- If you clip claws just before, or even in the bath, and one gets trimmed too short, clean up is easy.
Modern bathing systems and the highly effective pet shampoos available make grooming easier, faster, and safer for both pets and stylists.
By Daryl Conner, MPS, MCG
Daryl Conner has been devoted to making dogs and cats more comfortable and beautiful for almost 40 years. You can find her happily working at FairWinds Grooming Studio with her daughter and infant granddaughter, or typing away at her latest grooming-related article. Daryl was awarded both a Cardinal Crystal Award and Barkleigh Honors Award for journalism. She shares her meadow-hugged antique Maine farmhouse with her practically perfect husband and too many animals.
