Meet Laura Denby, a dog groomer from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire…
Tell us about your job and what it entails
I have been running a local dog grooming business with my mum for the past 8 years and we take care of all of a dog’s grooming needs from bathing, haircuts and styling to nail clips and teeth and ear cleaning. Every day is different depending upon the dogs we see and their breed and owner preferences. Some owners want their dogs to look a certain way and that is an important factor as is what is right for the dog and their lifestyle.
What do you like most about being a dog groomer?
I love getting to know our customers – the dogs! They all have their own personalities, quirks and traits and it is a real joy to get to know them over time as we have a lot of regulars.
As a dog groomer, what are the most common issues you see and deal with every day?
We always do a basic health check when dogs come in. Often owners don’t notice new lumps and bumps but as we are so close to their skin, we do and can advise them to go and see their vet. On several occasions, we have spotted serious health issues early on. We also can see more easily than an owner if a dog is putting on weight and can gently bring this up.
Grooming is a lot more than just making sure your dog looks nice. Keeping hair in good condition allows the skin to breathe and helps with blood flow and circulation to the skin. We see a lot of skin issues like yeast infections and rashes that can make dogs uncomfortable and itchy. Regular grooming can help with these as can the right nutrition and grooming support at home. We would always advise seeing a vet though if these issues do not improve.
What are your top tips related to grooming?
- Do your grooming research first – many owners do a lot of research before they invest in a new puppy or dog on temperament, walking needs, etc… but often forget to look at their grooming needs and how often this will generally be required and what is involved. It is an investment and it is important to factor this into your decision making. Most dogs need to come to us between every 4-8 weeks with some double-coated breeds every 3-6 months.
- Get them used to the experience as early as possible – there will always be a mix of dogs, some who love grooming and some who don’t. We do puppy intro days as early as possible and make it fun for them to come whilst getting them used to the noises and what will happen. Our aim is to always make it as stress-free as possible and generally the more regularly they come, the more they are relaxed about it.
- Do your own regular check-ups at home and combine this with grooming – once a week, give them a pat down everywhere checking for any new lumps and bumps or any obvious skin issues. Check their teeth and ears at the same time.
- Daily brushing is really important – it is good for all breeds and it is also a really good way of bonding too. A lot of dogs really enjoy being brushed. Regular brushing keeps the coat free of knots and tangles and helps distribute natural oils, which are really important for maintaining skin hydration and coat shine.
Does the right dog food make a difference to their skin and coat?
Hugely! I firmly believe that what you put into your body will show in your skin. Many skin problems can be helped with a good diet and owners should be very mindful of what ingredients the food they give to their dog contains – always read the labels. Good gut health is important for both skin and coat too. We also see a lot of older dogs that have developed joint and mobility issues. It’s important that their food reflects their life stage. As they get older and are less active, a lower fat or senior diet can help keep them at a healthy weight, easing pressure on their ageing joints.
