FAQ’s
About Paw Prints
Q: How often should I have my pet groomed?
A: We recommend setting up a maintenance grooming schedule of at least every 4-6 weeks. With regular grooming, your pet’s coat will stay in good condition, there will be less shedding, fleas and ticks can be better controlled and your pet will just look, smell, and feel better.
Q: How long does the grooming take?
A: In our Mobile Spa: Most grooms are finished in 1 to 1.5 hours for one pet. Occasionally, more or less depending on the pet. At our Day Spa: It usually takes anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on your pet’s needs and how busy we are that day.
Q: Do you groom cats?
A: Yes. We groom cats in both Mobile Spa and our Day Spa.
Q: Should I tip the groomer?
A: Like any other service profession, tips are always welcome. The grooming process is a long and sometimes difficult one. Groomers often have to contend with pets that bite and /or constantly move on the table and are uncooperative during the entire grooming process. Our groomers spend a great deal of time being gentle and loving with your pet and take pride in their work, so tips are always greatly appreciated but not expected.
Q: My pet has a lot of mats. Is it really necessary to shave my pet almost bald?
A: It depends on the severity of the matting. Your pet’s health and well being is our first concern. Minor mats can sometimes be worked out by hand or with other tools. Sometimes shaving down is the only humane solution. Severe mats can cause skin irritations and hide other conditions such as hot spots, dermatitis, parasites, cuts, scabs, sores and redness. We can’t be responsible for the condition of your pet’s skin under all that hair, but we will do our best to warn you ahead of time so you are aware of the danger. Because your pet is severely tangled or matted, they are at greater risk of injury, stress and trauma. All precautions will be taken during the grooming of your pet. However, problems can occasionally arise, during or after the grooming, such as nicks, clipper irritation and mental or physical stress. Your groomer will decide whether it is possible to de-matt your pet gently and humanely or if a “shave down” is necessary.
Often after shaving, your pet’s skin can look fine, but they will spend the next few days scratching like crazy. Unfortunately, this is normal. Severe matting decreases the circulation of blood to your pet’s skin. You know how it feels when your foot falls asleep; imagine that feeling all over your whole body and you will understand why your pet is scratching incessantly. Of course, we want your pet to look beautiful, but it’s more important that they’re healthy. We will discuss your choices, how best to address them and most important of all, how to avoid the same situation in the future.
Q: My dog is kind of grouchy and not very well behaved. Will you be able to groom him/her?
A: There isn’t much we haven’t seen or dealt with. We see all pets as potential friends. Most pets with behavioral issues are just scared and with care and compassion, a new friendship can blossom. If your pet’s issues are especially time consuming, there might be a small "cranky friend" handling fee. If your pet becomes overly stressed and we think your pet can’t handle being groomed, we will discuss this and your options with you.
Q: Why do my dog’s nails sometimes bleed after having been groomed?
A: Sometimes a dog’s nails are very long and we try to cut them as close as possible to the quick (the vein located inside the dog’s nails). If the nails have been neglected, the quick will grow to the end, so when the nails are cut, the quick may also be cut. This is not serious and we have powder that stops the bleeding. However, when the dog walks on pavement, the nail may open and bleed again. You can use a dry bar of soap and scrape it against the nail. You can also use flour or baking powder to stop the bleeding. If your dog’s nails are long, they should be cut every few weeks so the quick will recede and prevent bleeding in the future.
Q: What if I’m unhappy with the groom?
A: If, for any reason, you are dissatisfied with your pet’s groom, by all means tell your groomer before they leave. If you pay for a service, you should be getting what you expected.
There may be a reason your pet’s haircut is choppy, or a toenail is bleeding. Perhaps your pet was wiggly, heavily matted or the nails had been neglected. Our groomers want to work with you to ensure satisfaction, and they can’t fix what they don’t know about. Pet grooming is not an exact science. All dogs are not created equal, and most pets come with their own quirks. If you have questions about your pet’s grooming session please ask the groomer. If you still have concerns, please contact the office immediately and allow management the opportunity to address the situation and make it right. Your satisfaction is our goal!
Q: Do I need to have an appointment?
A: In the Mobile Spa, Yes. We are usually booked out in advance and it is very seldom to get a Mobile appointment the same day you call. In the Day Spa, appointments help but not always necessary. But it does help if you call before you come in to make sure we can fit you in our schedule for the day.
Q: What is the difference between getting my pet groomed in the Mobile Spa versus the Day Spa?
A: There are many differences, here are a few:
Q: Do I have to be home when you groom my pet in the Mobile Spa?
A: Yes, you must be present the first time we come to your home or office. After the initial visit we will work out an arrangement with you to groom your pet when you are not home if that is more convenient for you.
Q: Is there anything that I need to do at my location for you to groom my pet in the Mobile Spa?
A:
Q: Do I have to leave my pet at the Day Spa all day?
A: No. When your pet is finished we will call you and you can pick them up as soon as you can.
Q: Is there a discount if I have more than one pet?
A: Yes in the Mobile Spa we offer a 10% discount off of the grooming total.
Q: Is there a discount if I schedule my pet’s next appointment?
A: Yes we offer a discount off of your pet’s next grooming only if you schedule it the same day we groom them.
FAQ’s
About Your Pet
Q: Why does my dog drag or scoot his rear end on the floor?
A: Sounds like your dog has an anal gland problem, classic signs are dragging of the rear, and licking the area. It is best to take him in and see if he needs to have his anal glands expressed. Anal gland probelms are common in dogs and can be effectively treated by expressment and antibiotics. This doesn't sound like a grooming issue unless it could be an infected hair. I have supplied some information below about anal glands that will be helpful to you and advise you have him taken for an examination.
The anal glands (also called anal sacs) are two glands that secrete a pungent fluid. The fluid travels through small ducts that open into the anus. Typically, this fluid is released during defecation or territorial marking.
The anal glands are located on either side of the anus, just under the skin, at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. The glands are embedded in the muscle of the anal sphincter and are not readily visible.
The anal glands are small oval shaped sacs lined with tiny glands. The sacs range in size from that of a pea to a hazel nut. Each tiny gland in the sac produces a fluid that passes through a multitude of small ducts and eventually collects in the sac. As feces pass through the anus, the glands are squeezed, and the fluid is released through a small opening in the duct of the sac.
Q: What should I do if a skunk sprays my pet?
A: De-skunking a pet is a very long, messy, and smelly process. Whatever you do, do NOT try to bathe your pet in tomato juice…that does not work. All we use is a “home remedy” and a few grooming tricks to de-skunk your pet and we have all the proper equipment and tools to provide a De-Skunking Treatment at our Day Spa and in our Mobile Spa to help you! If you would like to attempt this process on your own here is what you need to do (do NOT get your pet wet! You need to apply the following mixture straight on your pet without getting them wet). And please allow at least 30 min for the whole bathing process.
What you need:
1. 1 qt. Bottle of peroxide (double this mixture for bigger pets)
2. ¼ cup baking soda
3. 1 tsp. Dawn dish soap
4. A bucket
5. Good Smelling Pet Shampoo – any kind will do as long as it smells good and it’s for pets
6. Mineral oil
7. Cotton Balls
8. A place to bathe your pet
9. Something to restrain your pet – if you are bathing your pet indoors, you are going to want to have something in your tub so your pet does not jump out of the tub before this process is done.
What to do:
1. Put your pet in the tub
2. Put cotton balls in your pets ears (this helps prevent water getting in their ears)
3. Put one drop of mineral oil in your pet’s eyes (your pet’s eyes can be sensitive to this mixture and the mineral oil provides a protective lubricant over your pet’s eyes so if any of the mixture accidentally gets in your pets eyes, it will not burn them)
4. In a bucket, mix the following items together with your hand (make sure all of the baking soda is dissolved):
a. 1 qt. Bottle of peroxide
b. ¼ cup baking soda
c. 1 tsp. Dawn dish soap
5. Do NOT get your pet wet with water. Pour the mixture straight on - over the skunked areas and work it into a lather and (here is the important part) let it sit on your pet for 15 minutes. Do NOT rinse it off!
6. After waiting 15 minutes, Use the good smelling pet shampoo and put it straight on your pet and work into a really good lather and let it sit on your pet for another 10-15 minutes.
7. After waiting 10 – 15 minutes, then rinse your pet completely with water. Make sure to get all suds out of their coat.
8. After your pet dries, the skunk smell should be out of their coat. NOW, if your pet was sprayed in the face by a skunk, then more than likely they are still going to have a “skunky” smell around their head. That is because they inhaled that smell and now it is on their breath. All you need to do is brush their teeth with a toothbrush and a pet toothpaste, and it also helps if you spray their mouth with a breath spray for pets.
And that is how you De-Skunk your pet!