Irritation After Grooming
We all know that pets can become itchy when they have fleas. What you might not realize is that excessive dirt and tangled hair can also cause itching. After your pet has been professionally groomed you probably expect them to feel fantastic. They look good and they smell good. But what if they won’t stop itching? Many things can cause skin irritation after grooming. Let’s take a look at the top reasons:
Grooming too much
Most people shower daily so it’s only reasonable to assume your pet should get a weekly bath, right? Not so much. The more often you bathe your pet the more likely it is that you will dry out their skin. This is because every time you bathe your pet you remove oils from their skin. These oils protect their skin and are essential to their health. Even very mild shampoos will dry out a pet’s skin when used too often.
If you bathe your pet between their monthly visits to the groomer their skin will not have any oils left to protect them against professional strength shampoos, brushing and the warmth from the dryer. Once groomed, they will itch constantly because of dry, flaky skin. To avoid this problem try to stick to once-a-month bathing. Use dry pet shampoo in between grooming appointments only when necessary. The exception to this rule would be if your pet requires regular baths with a special shampoo prescribed from your vet.
Waiting too long between grooming appointments
Dirt and dust accumulates in pet hair, causing irritation to the skin. When left too long this irritation continues to get worse, sometimes developing into sores. Excessive dirt and moisture can cause fungal and bacterial infections of the skin that may not be noticed until after grooming. Sometimes a pet is so dirty that it masks the fact that their skin is irritated. When a pet is matted, the extent of the problem is typically revealed after a haircut. The pet was unable to scratch before the dirt or matted fur was removed. Once removed, the pet begins to scratch, often escalating the problem. This type of irritation is not caused by grooming.
Other types of irritation after grooming
Part of the grooming process is expression of the anal glands. The anal glands are sacs on either side of the anus. These sacs fill with fluid and most small dogs are unable to release it on their own. Your groomer uses a special, non-invasive technique to gently assist them in the removal of this fluid. If it’s been too long since your pet was professionally groomed then this fluid can begin to turn solid. When left far too long, the anal glands can become impacted, which is a serious problem requiring veterinary assistance. Your dog might scoot their butt after their bath. This is a normal response to having their anal glands expressed. Unless you see signs of worms or your pet continues to scoot for more than three days, you don’t need to be concerned.
Claws N Paws Day Spa offers professional pet grooming for both dogs and cats. To schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.