FAQs

Q?

When should I bring my puppy in to be groomed for the first time?

A.

Your puppy should be groomed for the first time after he or she has had the first round of vaccinations (which usually occurs around 6-8 weeks of age).

Q?

What can I expect from the first grooming session?

A.

We want your dog’s first experience to be a positive one so you’ll bring your dog back for many more grooming’s. The first time that your dog comes in to be groomed, we’ll keep the grooming process easy and quick. We’ll trim around your dog’s eyes, paws and anus. We’ll also bath your dog and dry his or her coat by hand.

Q?

How often should my dog get be groomed?

A.

This depends on the length of your dog’s coat and the style of haircut. Your dog’s hair may need to be groomed as often as weekly or bi-weekly, or as little as every 3 weeks.

Q?

How often should my dog be bathed?

A.

This depends on the length of your dog’s coat. For breeds with a shorter coat, you can wait up to a month and a half or two months between bathing’s. Pets with longer coats need to be bathed as often as once per month, or once every six weeks.

If your pet’s coat begins to smell, you may need to bath your dog earlier than usual. However, it’s important to note that bathing your dog too often can remove the essential oils from your dog’s skin and coat, causing the skin to become dry and irritated. If choose to regularly bathe your dog more often than is recommended, speak with someone from your dog’s veterinary clinic. Your dog’s veterinarian may prescribe a special moisturizing shampoo to combat dry skin.

Q?

My dog has matted hair that just becomes more tangled and matted with every bath. What can I do?

A.

Dog breeds with long, fine hair can have this problem from time to time. Brushing your dog’s hair to remove the tangles and mats can help. In fact, you can brush your dog’s coat every day to combat this problem. When you bring your dog in for his or her grooming, we may be able to remove the mats and tangles by brushing them out. However, this can be uncomfortable for your dog. If we’re not able to brush out the tangles, we will trim or shave them out. We’ll also give suggestions to help you avoid that problem in the future.

Q?

Does my dog need less frequent grooming in winter time?

A.

No. To the contrary, many dogs need to be groomed more often in winter to combat the salt that builds up in their paws and fur.

Q?

Will you take my dog out while he or she is being groomed?

A.

Yes – We provide care for all pets brought in for grooming, including walks, water and ‘potty breaks’ as needed. We advise you to walk your dog before bringing him or her in to be groomed to allow for ample exercise prior to the grooming session.

For more information about pet grooming in Louisville, contact Audubon Animal Medical Center for a consultation and appointment. 502-361-2611.