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!

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.

Getting a long-haired cat means committing to a lifelong struggle of mats, hairballs, and stains. That’s why many pet owners resort to taking their cat to the groomers to receive a lion cut. The lion cut is a grooming method in which all the fur on the cat’s body except for their head and neck is clipped close.

There are a few different versions of the cut. For example, some pet owners elect to keep some of their cat’s tail fur intact. This cut isn’t right for all cats but for some, it can help reduce hair clumps and increase their quality of life. 

To decide if you want to ask a groomer about the lion cut, keep reading for a full list of benefits.

1. Easier to Maintain 

As you've most likely noticed, long-haired cats need quite a bit of grooming. While they do clean themselves like any other cat, it's not enough. They have to be brushed at least once a week to deal with shedding and prevent their fur from matting up. 

If you've got a jam-packed schedule, you may not have time to sit down and brush your cat. So, you may benefit from cutting down on the maintenance and getting your cat a lion cut. 

2. Gets Rid of Mats 

Some older cats find it hard to groom themselves because they don't have the flexibility anymore to reach too far back. Obese cats also have this problem and depressed cats pretty much neglect grooming. 

Some cats are simply bad at it. This means they rely on you to brush them on a normal basis to keep hair clumps away. If you don't brush them, their fur will become matted.

If the mats are left unchecked they will pinch your cat's skin. As you can imagine, this is quite painful and can result in wounds. If it comes to that, you can take your feline in for a lion cut to get rid of their problem and give them a little relief. 

3. Prevents Hairballs 

When the weather gets warm out, your cat will begin to shed. During this time, your long-haired breed is at a higher risk of developing hairballs. 

When they're grooming, they may end up consuming more hair than their digestive system knows what to do with. It can cause them to choke, vomit, or even experience a bowel obstruction. 

Depending on how bad the obstruction is, they may have to undergo expensive surgery to fix the problem. Getting their fur clipped into a lion cut will stop the hairball issue from happening. 

Consider a Lion Cut for Your Kitty 

Lion cuts are a pretty popular trim because it can increase the quality of life in some long-haired kitties. It cuts back on painful matting, hairballs, and it reduces the amount of maintenance you have to do for them.

So, what are you waiting for? Book an appointment with us today to get your cat a lion cut. 

Nearly 67% of American households, or around 85 million families, have at least one pet. 

A major part of looking after our furry friends is ensuring they’re well-groomed. Not only does grooming maintain a good appearance but it’s crucial for your pet’s health and wellbeing.

Mobile grooming is the key to having a brilliant and care-free service. Read on to discover the five biggest benefits.

1. Convenience

One of the top mobile grooming benefits is convenience. You don’t have to transport your pet, drive to the groomer’s facility, and back again.

Luckily, the groomer will come to you to make your life easier. Plus, many mobile groomers offer alternative time-slots to align with your schedule.

2. Less Stress for Your Pet

"Why hire a mobile pet groomer?" You ask.

Pet grooming at home prevents your pet from getting anxious when you leave them at the groomer’s or on the ride there. Also, most pets don’t want to stay in their cages or crates when waiting for their appointment. 

Keeping your pet's anxiety and stress levels to a minimum are extremely beneficial for elderly pets, or those with moderate to severe health conditions. For those with pets who are extra sensitive to car rides and travel, traveling to a salon may not be the best option. Instead, hire a mobile pet groomer so your furry friend can look and feel their best while being comfortable and happy at home.

Plus, when your pet is fully relaxed, they’ll be able to immerse themselves in the experience.

3. Valuable One-On-One Time

One of the top benefits of a mobile pet groomer is how you and your pet get one-on-one treatment.

In a traditional pet salon, groomers typically can not provide as much one on one time with each pet as their owners would prefer. Due to high business demand and overlapping schedules, your pet may not receive that extra personal time many owners hope for their pet. With a mobile groomer, the focus is on one pet, and one owner at a time. 

4. Shorter Grooming Time

Less grooming time is one of the major advantages of mobile pet grooming especially if your pet can’t sit still for too long.

It also means you don’t need to hang around for hours at a grooming salon, waiting for other animals to finish their appointments.  

Further, many grooming salons use cage-drying to save time but problems can arise if the equipment is faulty or your pet suffers from overheating.

But when you choose a mobile grooming service, your pet can dry naturally and in the comfort of their home.

5. No Other Pets

Many pets feel nervous around animals they’re unfamiliar with. But, with mobile grooming, your pet doesn’t have to face a roomful of animals.

Further, your pet won’t be exposed to illnesses other dogs or cats have. This often occurs unintentionally just by being in the same environment as other dogs or cats. With mobile grooming, you’ll feel assured knowing your pet won’t come home covered in fleas, ticks, or other hazards.

That's Why You Should Choose Mobile Grooming Services

There are many advantages to using a mobile grooming service.

Not only do you reduce your pet’s stress by cutting the journey, but they’re also not surrounded by other animals that could be carrying diseases.

Further, mobile grooming services guarantee your pup receives undivided attention so they receive the care they deserve.

If you're in the greater Portland Metro area and your pet needs a trim, we'd love to chat. Contact us here for more details.