GENERAL QUESTIONS

All pets should be current with their rabies vaccinations, and also should wait at least 2 full days after receiving vaccinations before coming in. We require a proof of rabies vaccination paperwork for validation purposes. Only pets between eight weeks to four months of age may receive salon services without vaccinations. Dogs specifically are required to have rabies vaccinations in the state of California after reaching the age of three months. Once vaccinated, dogs must wear their license on their collar at any given time. Depending on the type of rabies vaccine received, your dog will need a new vaccine shot every 1-3 years. Although in California only the rabies vaccination is mandatory, veterinarians advise that dogs receive core immunizations against parvovirus, distemper virus, adenovirus-2 and leptospira. Also recommended are non-core immunizations for parainfluenza, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine influenza virus and Lyme disease

Flea shampoo + oral treatment works best, as it will kill most fleas if utilized properly and instructions are followed. This will not prevent new fleas from jumping onto your pet however. If you are concerned with preventing future flea outbreaks, please consult a veterinarian to discover flea prevention methods. Summer season is peak flea season in Los Angeles, and our flea bath will kill existing fleas but will not protect your pet from new fleas.

Many pet owners will notice that their pets seem to be very itchy after grooming. This is a very common occurrence and in most scenarios is nothing to be wary of. Some of the main reasons that your pet may have itchy skin after grooming is sensitive skin, allergies (seasonal or otherwise), or just a temporary itch. If discomfort continues, the best method to fix this issue is to take your pet to a veterinarian to run some tests just to make sure it is nothing more than a skin allergy or irritation.

One very big note is that the earlier you bring your pet in for grooming, the better. This is because your pet may need time to get accustomed to the grooming experience, and to enjoy it. Our recommendation is to bring your pet two weeks after their last vaccination. We do not use clippers on your pet for their first visit, since the change from a pup to adult coat depends on the breed. For your pet’s first grooming experience, we make sure to introduce them to the environment as stress free as possible to make sure that they enjoy all future visits. 

Due to your pet’s love for you, the excited movements may create an unsafe environment for grooming. We would love to show you around the facilities, but we do ask that you bring your pet at it’s appointment time and to pick up your pet when the grooming session is completed. 

There are many reasons why your pet may be shaking, as it is a new environment and can be overwhelming. The key ingredient is to make sure that your pet is comfortable and used to our salon, which will help them to get through the grooming session easily. They’ll really love it when they get a whole bunch of attention with their brand new look!

Many of our clients do prefer to keep the same groomer, since it helps your pet de-stress when they are more familiar with the staffer providing the grooming service. If you need a specific groomer or have any special requests, we believe that allowing this service helps to create a healthy relationship between the pet, groomer, and the owner.

Anal glands are scent sacs that are located underneath your dog’s tail. Some breeds are able to empty them on their own, and some are not. Before expressing your pet’s anal glands, please make sure to discuss with your veterinarian if it is healthy to do so, as some veterinarians prefer to avoid expressing the anal glands.

“Matting” occurs when your pet’s fur becomes tangled in clumps. This happens when their fur is not brushed frequently and properly, and it affects both the outer and undercoat. There can even be instances where matting occurs in the undercoat and are not visible if your pet has a heavy outer coat. In extreme cases, if your pet has matting it can even wrap around your pet’s extremities or body parts, and cut through to the bone if left unattended.

Matting happens mostly due to a lack of proper and frequent brushing. Regular grooming is required to prevent your pet’s fur from matting and to keep their skin healthy and comfortable.

Once matting occurs, it is very painful for your pet. Removing them requires a level of delicacy and professionalism. Matting may be too close to the skin and cause a burning sensation, or even pull the hair from the skin which will cause a great deal of pain.

An animal’s skin is very thin, and matting can cause it to become even looser due to the added weight of the hair. It’s extremely easy to make an egregious mistake when cutting the matts out, since it is difficult to see where the difference in skin vs matting is. You do not want to cut through your pet’s skin under any circumstances.

If your pet is experiencing matting, the blood vessels in your pet’s skin may rupture due to the delicate nature. These are called “hematomas” which are bleeding bruises. In this state, if your pet shakes its head hard enough blood will splatter outward. If your pet is experiencing hematomas, you will need professional veterinary care in order to make sure they heal properly and will not have their injuries become infected. One way to help bring down the swelling after a dematting session is to massage their ears softly, this will stimulate blood flow.

Since matting creates difficulties in blood flow, your pet’s skin may go from a dark pink color to red. The skin may also be affected by open sores, which release foul odors. Matts are a highly problematic issue due to it collecting your pet’s fecal matter and insects that cause even further skin irritation. Infections can form under the matting and cause your pet significant pain especially since your pet’s skin will be unable to heal itself. 

Shaving your pet’s matted coat is a very careful process that requires not only proper equipment and skill, but also care. We can make sure that your pets are de-matted properly, focusing on avoiding issues such as friction burns and skin irritations as much as possible. Please keep in mind that de-matting your pet is not a beautification process, your pet will have hair shaved off but it will grow back better than before.

Loose hairs can be removed with regular and proper brushing. It is extremely important for owners to be consistent, as it will help to air out the fur and skin. A regular basis for grooming is roughly 4 to 6 weeks. Please feel free to ask our groomers which brush type is best for your pet!