Grooming

Is There a Link Between Looking Good and Feeling Great?

A bright shiny coat is not for looks only! A glossy coat is a sign of Health and Vigor.

Whether your pet needs a full makeover or just a little pampering to lift her spirits, we welcome you to
the Day Spa at the All Animal Care Clinic!

We love our pets and want them to look and feel their best at all times. Grooming helps achieve this goal. All dogs benefit from regular grooming.

Here are a few tips to help make your pet look his very best.

Beauty is Not Only Skin Deep

No matter what breed of dog you have, coat type, or color; the first essential for good skin and a glossy coat in great condition is proper nutrition. The correct balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals is crucial. But too much of a good thing can be bad, so if your dog is on a balanced diet, overloading with vitamin and mineral supplements may do more harm than good.

Cleanliness: It’s a Good Thing

At the All Animal Care Clinic we believe that grooming is part of helping our pets to stay at their healthiest and happiest.

Keeping your pet's coat at in tip-top condition also means keeping a regular check on internal and external parasites. Worms can sap essential nutrients from our dogs, which could cause the hair coat to lose its luster and quality, not to mention causing other serious health problems. Watch for fleas and ticks too. These creatures can make your pet feel miserable and itchy and cause severe scratching, which could damage the coat and lead to serious health problems for both you and your dog.

Regular grooming is essential no matter what type of coat your pet has. Our groomer has an array of specially designed combs, brushes, and rakes fit to style, tease and pamper your dog’s crowning glory. Combs are designed to remove mats and detangle long hair. Brushes remove dead surface hair and dander, and distribute oil to give a finished look. Rakes and combs tackle coats that have become matted. Always comb and brush your pet before bathing. Wet hair is harder to work with if it is tangled or matted.

Shampoos and Conditioners

Naturally there is a shampoo and conditioner for every type of hair coat for dogs and cats. Many pets need regular bathing. Others need it periodically. If your pet has an ongoing skin condition, we’ll work together to clear it up. Pets may act almost human at times, but please use a product that is
formulated specifically for use on pets. Products manufactured for people are too harsh for your pet's delicate skin. They differ in pH, and most are designed to strip your hair and skin of oil. This can result in a dry, flaky coat and an unhappy pet.

There are color shampoos designed to enhance the sheen and color of white, black and brown dogs and really make them shine with glossy good health. Detanglers and conditioners are great for medium to long coated dogs to make combing easier.

Sit and Stay Awhile

As in every successful relationship, communication is key.

Have you ever come away from the hair salon unhappy because you couldn't make the stylist understand what you wanted?

Your dog can't let his stylist know if the length and style are what you had in mind. Our stylist Donna will gladly guide you in choosing the best style for your pet, as well as taking the time to educate you on maintaining that perfect look!

Every owner has different needs and expectations about dog grooming.

Here are 3 tips from our groomer to get the best results for your pet.

1. Be specific about your expectations...
   "Short, but not too short" or "leave it longer" aren't always sufficient direction. Does short mean 2 inches of hair, or a half-inch? If you have something specific in mind, please, tell us.
   
2. Be realistic about the condition of your pet's coat...
   Do you brush your pet regularly at home, or, is his coat badly matted or tangled? Even a skilled groomer can't save a tangled coat in one session. Sometimes, Donna has no choice but to clip underneath the matts and wait for the hair to grow back before trying that coveted new style. Then, at home, please be sure to brush religiously as the coat grows back so the tangles don't return!
   
3. Finally, be honest about the results...
   If you don't like the results, tell us - in person -- when you pick up your pet. Discuss what you'd like done differently next time. As a professional groomer Donna keeps detailed notes on each pet about what was done during the visit. If you tell us what you like or don’t like, your comments will be added to your pet’s file. That way, the next time your best friend comes in, your groomer will have a better idea of what you want. 

Grooming FAQ'S

How Often Should I Groom my dog?

We recommend grooming the following Breeds every 4-6 weeks.

• Bichon Frise
• Cocker Spaniel
• Lhasa Apso/Shih Tzu Poodle 

We recommend grooming the following Breeds every 6-10 weeks.

• Golden Retriever
• Schnauzer
• Springer Spaniel
• Terriers (Most)

What About Brushing?

Brushing between grooming appointments is important.
One important tip to prevent matting – ALWAYS- brush your pet thoroughly before a bath.

Q. "When should my puppy have its first professional grooming?"
 
A. Grooming on your pup should start at 10 weeks of age (after second vaccination), we always make sure to allow the time to let the pup become acquainted with the sounds of the grooming environment, noises such as dryers, blasters, and other dogs etc. Donna will teach your pup and you the proper way to brush and handle your puppy.

These techniques started early enough will imprint upon your pup. The first 6 months of life for a dog is a bit like the first 5 years for a human. It is very important to start them early and to be consistent. We recommend a grooming session every month for the first 4 months. With both you and your groomer working hand in hand doing the same things at home as the groomer would in the salon the pup will take everything around him or her in stride and make it a pleasant experience and not a traumatic one, this in turn makes grooming your pet at home easy for your pup, you and the groomer.

Q. "Why does my dog sometimes itch after grooming?"
A. Some dogs itch as people would after they have shaved their legs or “other” areas.
Another reason may be that the dog came into the salon severely pelted (matted to the skin solid) and Donna had to use a very short blade to get under that matting to be able to lift it away from the skin.

Sometimes puppies itch because it is their first grooming, or they have never had certain procedures done on them such as ear hair removal in the canal. Your pup may then quite naturally shake his head. Discourage your dog from scratching or shaking its head, as he or she will cause irritation and scabbing if left unattended.

Doggie Do's and Don'ts

Yikes, Kojak! When Is Shaving Necessary?

When the fur is tangled and a comb cannot be run through we use the term matted. Removing these mats can be painful and often impossible.

Shaving then becomes the preferred alternative, allowing the underlying  skin conditions or flea problems to be treated.

Skin is healthier. Frequent brushing can eliminate the need for shaving.

AACC Salon Service Includes:

• Bath (with special shampoos if needed for skin care)
• Blow Dry
• Haircut
• Mat Removal (when required)
• Brushing-Out
• Toe-Nails Trimmed
• Clean and Pluck Ears
• A complete check of your pet for any needs that may require further attention and care.

All Animal Care Clinic
425 Greenwich Circle
Jupiter, Florida 33458
561 630-3908