How Long Does Dog Grooming Take? A Closer Look!

Dog grooming session is not just relaxing for the dog but is extremely tiring for the paw parents. Imagine you have important work and at the same time you have to take your dog for grooming. To deal with this situation one needs to know the grooming time period to schedule other works accordingly.

Through our blog, “How long does dog grooming take?” we will help you by revealing the grooming time period in dogs. We will also make you familiar with the factors affecting the grooming timings.

Why Dog Grooming Is Important?

Here are some reasons why dog grooming is important:

• Grooming helps prevent infections and skin allergies^[1] in dogs. It helps reduce shedding in dogs and identify the lumps, parasites or any injury in them.

• Grooming helps in maintaining the health of a dog’s coat. It removes the dirt, debris and dead hairs from a dog’s coat. It helps nourish the dog’s coat by distributing the natural oil.

• Grooming makes dogs look good and healthy. It makes them feel clean and adorable.

• Grooming can help strengthen your bond with your fur baby. During grooming, you get to spend some quality time with your dog which enhances your bond with them.

How Long Does Dog Grooming Take?

The time required for grooming depends on several factors. Basic dog grooming^[2] which includes bathing and blow-drying your dog takes about 60 minutes. If you are grooming your dog by adding the additional services then the time period increases to about 2 to 3 hours.

Not only the type of service but there are many other factors that affect the dog’s grooming timing. Here are some of those factors:

Breed

The grooming time period depends on the breed. There are varieties of dog breeds and they all differ in their fur length. Some breed have long and dense fur while others have short and thin fur.

The breeds like Afghan Hound, Pomeranian, Siberian Husky, and Tibetan Mastiff have dense coats. It takes time to groom the dogs with such dense coats, increasing the grooming interval.

Labrador, Chihuahua, Beagle, and Pug-like breeds have short coats and do not require frequent grooming.

Size

The size of the dog matters a lot during grooming. The smaller size dogs are easy to handle and require less water, shampoo, and drying. This makes the process short and quick in less time of about 60 minutes.

For the big-size breed, the grooming period is longer as they require extra cleaning and handling. The big-size breeds require more time to get comfortable too.

Services

The most important factor influencing the grooming period in dogs is the services included in it. For basic grooming services like bathing, brushing, or blow drying the time required is at least.

If the grooming includes extra services like hair trimming, nail trimming, ear and eye cleaning, or flea treatments then the time increases. The grooming time for this advanced service takes about 2 to 3 hours approximately.

Behaviour of dog

The behaviour of dogs also affects the grooming time. If the dog is calm and easy to handle and has prior grooming experience then the grooming requires less time.

Dogs with no prior grooming experience, need to be made comfortable and familiar with the grooming process. This makes the process time-consuming.

Apart from this, there are certain dogs with aggressive natures, these dogs are required to be managed properly and cared for. Aggressive dogs require various equipment like muzzles or tying hooks to control which increases the grooming interval.

How To Choose the Right Groomer for Your Dog?

Choosing the right groomer is a difficult task. While finding the appropriate groomer look for the reviews, experience and the one which fits your budget.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind while choosing the right groomer:

• While choosing the groomer look for the well experienced one. The experienced groomer is very well known for dog’s tantrums and knows how to comfort them.

• Choose the groomer who can schedule the grooming according to your accommodation.

• To choose the right groomers look for the reviews. You can either ask the other pet parents about their experience or read the online reviews.

As mentioned in petmd, "Every time a dog leaves the groomer, it is a walking advertisement. Talk to your veterinarian, your kennel manager, your neighbor. If you see a dog on the street with a style you like, stop the owner and ask where the dog was groomed. People are usually very willing to talk about their pets, especially their new "do".'"

• Choose certified professional groomers, these groomers are experts and handle your dog with care. These certified groomers can easily take care of even aggressive dogs.

• Look for a groomer who suits better with your prevailing budget better and can provide good service.

You’ll also want to consider how much does dog grooming cost when evaluating groomers. Prices can vary greatly depending on your location, the groomer’s experience level, and any specialty services needed

How To Prepare Your Dog for Grooming?

Here’s how you can prepare your dog for grooming experience:

• Teach your dog the basic commands. This command helps to control the dog when he gets hyper seeing the new place and with the process.

• Avoid feeding your dog 2 hours before the grooming session to prevent vomiting and nausea.

• Before grooming take your dog for a walk. Walking will make the dog poop and pee, relaxing them.

• Before grooming brush your dog’s coat.

• Carry your dog’s favourite treats and toys along.

It can also be helpful to invest in a quality dog grooming table uk so your dog is secure and comfortable during the grooming process.

How To Maintain Your Dog’s Groomed Look?

Here’s how you can maintain your dog’s groomed look between sessions:

• Regularly brush your dog’s coat. Brushing a dog’s coat reduces the dirt and debris in them, keeping the coat healthy.

• Brush your dog’s teeth daily or once or twice a month. Doing this helps prevent plaque and tartar build-up.

• Clean your dog’s eyes and ears regularly.

• Bath your dog at least twice a month.

FAQs

Conclusion

Dog grooming is important to maintain their health though it can be time-consuming. We hope that our blog, “How long does dog grooming take?” helped you. Now that you know how long will grooming take and what factors influence it you can schedule your time accordingly.

While grooming your dog to reduce the time period provide the groomer with all information regarding your dog’s behaviour and keep the toys and treats handy.

While most dogs can be groomed without medication, some aggressive or extremely anxious dogs benefit from sedatives administered by a vet to lower stress during grooming sessions. Our article on how to sedate your dog for grooming outlines some options.

Reference:

1. Pfeifer, M. (2022b, February 12). A dog skin infection caused by bacteria and a novel fungal pathogen, Trichocladium sp – Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. Texas a&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
2. Admin. (2023a, August 3). Getting Familiar with the History of Grooming for Pets – Merryfield. Merryfield.