Pamper Session with a Dog Groomer: How To Get Your Pet Looking Their Best

Psst.. Your pet might need to be groomed more frequently than you think!

We're caught up with a Norfolk dog groomer, Sophia, who runs Hound and Co Grooming just on the outskirts of Norwich to answer all your pet grooming needs.

Hound and Co Grooming

⭐ Tell us about yourself…. My name is Sophia, I’m 26 years old. I have been a dog groomer since I was 19. I have a beagle called 9 year old beagle called Finley who is the inspiration in my logo! ⭐ How did you get into dog grooming? I used to groom horses but I couldn’t really see any career progression. I decided to do a dog grooming course completely on a whim! ⭐ How frequently does a pet need a trip to the groomers? It varies based on the breed and coat type! Most long haired dogs we recommend between 6-8 weeks in a manageable pet trim. Some dogs need monthly nail trims though. ⭐ What does a grooming session look like? Is there a difference between dog and cat pamper sessions? All dogs start off straight in the bath! Cutting a dirty coat ruins our blades and the finish ends up being awful. After the bath we blast dry them 80% dry and finish drying with a stand dryer and a slicker brush to straighten and separate all the coat. We then trim nails and cut the hair! Cat grooms are very different! We have 2 groomers working on one cat to make sure the cat remains calm and safe. One of us will hold and the other one will groom. 

⭐ How do you know a pet is due a session at the groomers, particularly cats? If you are struggling to get a slicker brush and a comb through your dog this is a sign your dog needs a haircut! Also if they can’t see! With cats, they may try and pull at matted clumps of hair, which can cause bruises on the skin.

⭐ Are there any conditions that a groomer can recognise that an owner might not be aware of? We definitely see a lot of yeast infections on the skin and ears! The same with ear infections and also gum disease!  ⭐ Will a trip to the groomer be fun for my pet? Potentially! It depends on the dog. Some dogs love the attention and the fuss, however some dread bath time and don't particularly like leaving their owners. It’s still important to do though as grooming can be vital for their welfare! ⭐ What’s your favourite breed to work with and a breed that needs a lot more care than people think? I love a good old fashioned Lhasa Apso! I think they look gorgeous in a teddy cut. People definitely underestimate the care of a cockapoo! The mix between the cocker coat and poodle coat can create a super tricky coat to manage! Matting can happen quicker than you think and I find some breeders aren’t honest about the frequency of grooming appointments that are needed. ⭐ How would people find you / book an appointment? You can find us on instagram under @houndandcogrooming or our website www.houndandco.org

For any clients that book a chauffeur service with us to Hound and Co Grooming, your pet will get a free blueberry face mask added to their service!