Understanding Pet Grooming Terms
Some of the terms that we use in pet grooming may not be understandable to someone outside of the pet grooming business. We explain the terms here in order to give you a clearer picture of some of the services we offer in our dog grooming spa packages and cat grooming spa packages.
Anal Gland Expression
Anal glands are sacs around a dog’s anus which sometimes fill up with a smelly fluid that needs to be emptied out manually. Usually dogs do it themselves but sometimes there is a fluid build up and a dog would require some external help.
Bath
Bathing is an essential part of grooming your dog. Dirt and pollution get accumulated over time in and under your dog’s coat and it is essential to ensure that your dog is bathed regularly. Bathing helps remove dirt, dead skin and loose hair that enables the skin to breathe and keep healthy.
Blow Dry
Dogs and cats are usually towel dried first and then blow dried. Wet hair on the pit will pick up all kinds of dirt and if not dried properly leaves a smell. Blow drying enables the groomer to check for matts/tangles as well as keep an eye out for any skin problems.
Cleaning Ear and Eye
Eye and Ear cleaning is an important pet grooming term seen in most pet grooming packages. It is important to keep the ears clean to prevent any ear infections. The eye area is cleaned off any tear stains and stubborn dirt.
Clearing Ear and Eye area
Hair around a dog’s ears and eyes are plucked to keep the area clean.
Complete Coat Brush
Brushing is part of the coat care needed to keep the fur healthy on cats and dogs.
Conditioning
This softens the tangles in the coat making it easier to brush the animal as well as adds shine to the coat.
Conditioner (leave-in)
These are made to be able to condition, soften, moisturize the coat.
Cleansing with Clay
A Blend of clays is rubbed in to the fur that exfoliates and removes dead fur. This is mixed with a blend of essential oils that enrich and nourish the skin, moisturising it.
Dematting/Knot Removal
Dematting or Knot Removal, a pet grooming term, refers to removing Matts or knots or tangles that are clumps that are formed on the coat of the dog or cat that include dead and live hair or anything the fur comes in contact with. Matts form when the cat or dog is not brushed/groomed regularly and can be quite painful. Hence it is advisable to have it removed.
Deshedding
Deshedding is important pet grooming term to know if you have a pet whose hair/fur should never be cut, trimmed or shaved. This is the process of removing dead hair in the undercoat without damaging the topcoat. This is for breeds, both cats and dogs, that have a combination of coats. For example the Himalayan, Persian cats and in dogs the cocker spaniel, German shepherd, Golden Retriever, Huskies to name a few.
Grooming
Grooming or known popularly as pet grooming is the process by which an animal, usually cat or dog, undergoes a hygienic cleaning. Pet grooming isn’t just about looking good but it ensures that your pet stays healthy.
Haircut
For long haired dogs and this is cut according to the look of the breed.
Hygiene Clip
Also known as Sanitary grooming is the clearing of fur under the paws, anal area and under the belly.
Oil massage
An oil massage helps moisturize the skin of a dog as well as add a shine to the fur.
Nail Clipping
For cats this is about clipping the sharp edges off so that they don’t turn painful getting caught in places where the cat ends up scratching. For dogs who cannot access outdoor spaces regularly it is important to clip their nails regularly.
Scissoring
Also called Hand scissoring is a pet grooming technique that enables the pet groomer to give a more detailed cut to the hair style.
Tick and Flea bath
A bath to get rid of adult ticks and fleas that are visible. This has to be repeated to be effective.
Trimming Face
Trimming of hair around eyes so that the dog does not have it covering its’ eyes. It also reduces the problem of tear stains.
Trimming Body
Hair on the body is trimmed to give it a professional look.