Are you tired of vacuuming every day so you're not living in a sea of dog hair?

While having dog hair everywhere isn't necessarily a problem (unless you're allergic), it can be incredibly annoying to deal with.

Here's the thing, it's possible to stop this problem at the source, sweet Fido. Taking a few extra steps in your dog's health and hygiene routine can make all the difference to reduce dog shedding. 

What Causes Shedding?

Dogs shed naturally, and a certain amount of shedding is normal and expected when you have a dog. The amount a dog sheds is heavily dependent on the breed of dog.

If you notice that your favorite furry friend is shedding more than normal, there may be something else going on. Excessive shedding can be caused by parasites, poor diet, allergies, licking, infections, and more.

Excessive shedding can be indicative of a health problem, so make sure to contact your vet.

5 Simple Steps to Reduce Dog Shedding

Is your dog shedding a lot? Follow these tips to give your pet the best and healthiest coat possible!

Let's take a look at how to control dog shedding in five easy steps.

1. Brush Regularly 

The most important step in reducing dog shedding is to brush your dog regularly. 

What regular means to you depends on the type of dog you have. Dog's with shorter and finer coats may need to be brushed every other week while thicker coats may need to be brushed every single day!

2. Get the Right Brush

Believe it or not, there are multiple types of dog brushes on the market. A great way to reduce shedding is by using the best brush possible for your dog's coat type.

Combs are great for removing hair in short-haired dogs. Wire-pin brushes are great for wool-like dog goats. Slicker brushes are perfect for detangling mats of hair. 

Bristle brushes are great for all coat types, but you will find that certain styles of these brushes work better with longer hair. If your dog has coarse hair, you may need stiffer bristles to get an effective brush. 

3. Change Diet

Certain nutrients can benefit your dog's coat, and in turn, your floors. Make sure your dog has a complete and balanced diet. If you're not sure what that looks like, you can ask your vet for advice.

If your dog's food needs an extra boost, a supplement may be a good idea. Your vet may recommend an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to start. 

4. Frequent Baths

Baths make your dog smell and look nice and clean, but also has many benefits for their coat! Baths remove dead hair and dirt.

Special doggy shampoos exist for those who want a stronger, healthier coat. 

Don't have time to soap up? Find a groomer to help keep you on track. 

5. More Water

It may sound too simple, but just giving your dog more water can actually help reduce dog shedding. 

Encourage frequent trips to the water bowl, just don't forget that they may need to go out a couple more times a day because of the increased water consumption!

A Trimmed Pet Is Best

At Trimmed Pets, we know what it takes to keep your pet in the best shape possible. Schedule an appointment to start your dog grooming journey today. 

It can seem like a challenge to reduce dog shedding, but for the sake of a healthy dog and a clean house, it is worth a try. 

If your pet could talk, what would they say about your choice for their haircut?

You may never know the answer, but by visiting a reputable dog and cat groomer you can be assured your pet will be healthy, happy, and clean.

Before you invest in grooming services for your pet, there are a few questions you should ask. You want the person grooming your pet to care for them as attentively as you do.

Read below for 5 things you should ask dog and cat groomers before making your decision.

1. Where Are The Pets Groomed?

Dog and cat grooming often takes place at a facility much like a hair salon. Sometimes veterinary offices, short-term or long-term boarding facilities, or mobile facilities offer dog and cat grooming too.

You can ask to take a tour of the facility to see where the dogs and cats are kept before, during, and after their grooming. Check to make sure the facility is clean, spacious, and suitable for your beloved furry friend.

More recently companies have started to offer in-home pet grooming which is not only convenient for you, it is more comfortable for your dog or cat to stay in an environment they are used to.

2. What Types of Products Do You Use?

If your dog or cat has sensitive skin or any other type of allergy, you may want to know what products (if any) the groomer is planning to use.

If natural, organic products are important to you, you may be able to buy your own products and ask the groomer to use those. 

3. Do You Have Experience With My Dog's Breed?

Grooming a dog can be a tricky business, especially with some of the long-haired breeds. You should ask the groomer if they have experience with your dog's breed before dropping off your pet.

Just because they don't have experience, doesn't mean they won't do a good job, but it is something to consider when picking a dog groomer.

4. What Does the Grooming Package Include

You should know what exactly you are paying for in a grooming package before you purchase. Some packages come with just a bath and hair trim, others with nail trim and ear cleaning.

You can sometimes find a list of services if the groomer has a website, but if not, you can ask about different package offerings and pricing. Keep in mind that package prices may vary based on the size of your dog. 

5. Can I Be Present During the Grooming?

Plenty of concerned pet parents want to be with their dog or cat during grooming. Some groomers will allow you to be there or to watch through a window, but some will not. It can be distracting for the animal and therefore more difficult for the groomer.

If you have a mobile groomer come to your house it is more likely that you will be allowed to be present for the grooming.

Find the Right Dog and Cat Groomer Today

Using these questions will allow you to narrow down your search for a dog and cat groomer. Make sure that both you and your pet feel comfortable in the facility.

If you are looking to find a mobile dog and cat groomer in the Portland area, you can make an appointment online today!

And for more pet grooming information, check out some of our other blogs!

Around 80 million households have either a dog or cat, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. With this number of pet owners, you’d think that everyone already knows everything there is to know about pet grooming.

However, if you ask the question, “how frequently should you bathe your pet?”, you’ll likely get a bunch of different answers.

There are many misconceptions about the proper way to groom a pet. Some of these myths aren’t just factually wrong but also detrimental to your pets’ health.

As a pet parent, you only want the best for your furry friends. To help you separate fact from fiction, here are some of the common myths about grooming that you should avoid.

Myth 1: Weekly Bathing Is Harmful to Your Pet's Skin

Let’s start with the question we asked earlier. How often should you give your pet a bath?

Some would say that regular baths would dry out your pet’s skin and leave them with a dull coat. There’s a grain of truth in that argument if we’re talking about grooming back in the days. Before, owners use harsh detergents such as lye soap or even dish soap to clean their pets.

Today, grooming products are gentle enough to be used weekly without harming the skin and coat of your pet.

So to answer the question above, you can bathe your dog or cat whenever they need it. Regular bathing helps them shed less, manage or protect from some skin conditions, and most importantly, smell better! Some may need weekly bathing, but doing it every four to six weeks is the common ground for most pets.

Myth 2: People Shampoo Is Just as Good or Better Than Pet Shampoo

Your shampoo or soap may claim to be “gentle for use even on baby’s skin” but that doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate for your pet. Human and dog or cat skin have very different pH balances (human skin is more acidic). Also, your pet’s skin is more sensitive because they have fewer layers of skin cells than us.

Since your pet’s hair and skin have different needs compared to ours, they need different shampoo. If you’re unsure of what product to use, consult your vet or your professional pet groomer.

Myth 3: Pet Grooming Is Only Reserved for Certain Breeds

You may have heard that some breeds don’t shed and because of that, don’t need grooming. For example, it seems obvious that Collies or Poodles need regular grooming because they have long or thick coats. That shouldn’t be the case for breeds like the Dachshund or the Labradoodle, right?

The fact is all breeds shed, some more than others, but they all need grooming! No matter what the breed, grooming is essential to help them look and feel their best. They’ll all benefit from bathing, brushing, nail care, coat maintenance, and other services.

Grooming Is What We Do Best

Hopefully, we’ve dispelled some of the myths that are out there about pet grooming. However, we understand that not all pet owners have the time to learn all about the ins and outs of proper grooming.

That’s why we’re here! We’ll make sure that your pet is taken care of and shines like a Hollywood star. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Do you treat your pet as part of your family? Did you know that treating pets as part of the family actually has physical and mental health benefits? 

If your pet is part of your family, professional grooming is one way to show them that. Pet grooming is more than just a bath and hair cut. To learn more about the grooming process, read on. 

1. Meet and Greet

If this is your first time taking your dog to a groomer, they'll want to spend some time talking to you about your dog, their behaviors and tendencies, and how you want them groomed. Professional groomers know how to groom dogs of different breeds, so be clear on what you want, whether it's the traditional cut and style for that breed or something else. 

They should also ask you about any medical conditions your dog has, any areas they should be aware of, and will want to review copies of your dog's vaccination records. Most groomers will not take a pet without the records or if they are not up-to-date on their vaccines, so keep that in mind. 

2. Bath

The grooming process will generally begin with a bath. Your pet is bathed using a special shampoo for them that won't strip their coat of natural oils or irritate their skin. 

After they are bathed, they will be dried with a towel and then blow-dried, so they are fully dry for their hair cut. Once they are dry, they get brushed out, and then they are ready for their cut. 

3. Hair Cut

How your pet gets their haircut depends on your preferences, their breed, and the time of year. In some hotter locations, people may choose to have dogs with longer hair cut very short or you might opt for a lion cut for your cat.  

To do the cut, groomers use special tools including special combs for getting out mats, brushes, clippers, and scissors for areas around the face. 

4. Nail Clipping

Nail clipping is an extremely important part of the grooming process. If you allow your dog's nails to get too long, they can start to grow into their paw pad, causing pain and potentially an infection. Nails that are too long can also make it difficult for your dog to walk. 

5. Other Services 

Your pet groomer may also offer other services, such as anal gland expression if your dog needs it, tooth brushing, special shampoos and conditioners for certain skin conditions, and ear cleaning. 

Some groomers may include these in their standard grooming package while others may have them available as ala carte options. 

The Grooming Process For Your Furry Family Member

The pet grooming process can be nerve-wracking for your dog, so make sure you have a groomer who is gentle, will take their time, and truly loves animals. Otherwise, getting groomed will be a traumatic experience for your dog (and you). 

To ease the fear of getting groomed, Trimmed Pets offers in-home mobile grooming services for your dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes. Skip the car ride and let us come to you and your pet. We offer full-service grooms as well as pet sitting. 

Check out our services and use our convenient online booking tool to book your pet's next groom today.

Did you know that despite being France's national dog, the poodle actually comes from Germany?

You may have a poodle yourself, but perhaps you feel like you don't know much about this breed. For example, how often do you need to groom them? And how do you groom your pup?

Here's a short guide to poodle care so you can treat Fido in the best way possible.

Some Basics

You might have heard that poodle breeds are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. This is especially true if you have a doodle breed.

Many people think that grooming is only necessary if you're planning on making your pet into a show dog. However, all breeds and sizes of dogs will need to be groomed to some extent.

As you may have already noticed, your pet's fur is probably very thick. Not only is their coat constantly growing, but it's also shedding all the time as well.

If you don't get rid of those hairs that fall out with shedding, this is what causes matting. Matting is both unattractive and not very wholesome for your pet.

What Happens If You Don't Groom Your Poodle Regularly

Obviously, if you don't take care of your poodle's coat, it can quickly become matted. It can get so bad that there's no hope for it but to shave the coat off. Not only will this be an unpleasant experience for your dog, but it can also leave them looking quite pitiful and bald.

In addition, it's possible for your poodle to get a skin infection from ungroomed fur. You'll have to shell out some money at the vet to get treatment for your puppy. Plus, they'll be in pain.

Lastly, without grooming, your dog's fur can look dull and unhealthy. So if you keep up with this, your poodle mix will be healthy and happy!

What to Do for Home Grooming

After reading the above, you might be wondering: what grooming needs does my poodle mix have? Thankfully, you can perform some grooming at home for your pup.

You need to be prepared to brush and comb them every single day. You'll need a slicker brush and bristle brush; this should be enough, especially if you're not planning on putting your pup in shows. With these tools, you'll be able to keep your poodle's fur nice and knot-free.

If you feel confident enough, you can even trim your dog's coat with a good set of clippers. Otherwise, you can leave this up to a professional groomer to take care of (more on this later).

Also, contrary to what you might think would help with their fur, you shouldn't give them baths at home. This is because you don't have the right tools, knowledge, or skills to properly look after their coats. Again, you should leave this up to an expert.

A Quick Guide to Home Grooming

First, you'll use the slicker brush. This will get rid of all the loose hair from your dog's coat. Make sure to be gentle!

Next, you'll want to use the bristle brush. With this brush, it'll detangle your poodle's hair. Use a gentle but firm touch.

You may have to experiment with several brushes to get the right ones that'll do the job correctly and keep your dog comfortable. Some may not be optimal, which you'll notice if your dog's fur quickly gets matted shortly after you groom them. This is because the bristles may not be long enough to really get deep into your dog's coat.

You'll also want to take a closer look at your brushing technique. There are many great online tutorials available, so make sure you do your research to give your pet the best at-home grooming possible.

Take Your Dog to a Professional Groomer

One of the best tips for taking care of poodle mixes is booking regular appointments with a professional groomer. It's important you bring them to a groomer every 6 to 8 weeks. Otherwise, your dog's fur might get extremely matted, even if you do a good job at home.

You may hear breeders say your pup shouldn't visit the groomer until they're at least a year old. However, this is untrue.

The earlier you take them, the more comfortable and at ease they'll be when they go for a visit. This will make groomer visits a lot less stressful for both of you.

When under the care of a professional groomer, your dog will be pampered. These experts not only give dogs thorough brush-outs, but also gentle baths. They'll even get their nails trimmed and their ears cleaned.

What's great is you can even have them give your puppy a fashionable haircut/style. That way, when you pick up your dog, they'll be waiting for you, all cute and groomed!

Make sure to schedule grooming appointments in addition to home grooming for the happiest and most beautiful dog ever!

Practice Good Poodle Care

Now you have all the knowledge you need to practice good poodle care for your dog. Make sure that in addition to good grooming, you give them proper food, water, treats, and exercise. That way, your poodle will thrive!

If it's been a while since the last time your pup got groomed, don't feel too bad. As long as you follow a good grooming schedule now, then things should be fine for your dog. And shower them with lots of love, of course!

Does your dog need some good care? Then schedule poodle mix grooming from us today. We are house-call specialty groomers!