Most pet owners think of a freshly bathed dog with some sort of brush in their hair when they go through the concept of grooming. However, pet grooming is much more than answers to a question of aesthetics. It should be an essential part of your pet’s health comfort and their well-being — getting the right salon makes all the difference. This is exactly the kind of philosophy that Designer Paws Salon, which serves the pet families of Upper Arlington and Westerville, OH, has built their reputation on: where fashion meets true care.
Professional Grooming: The Real Value
Giving your pet a bath yourself is tempting, but it almost never solves the full range of grooming needs. Professional groomers do much more than a bath and cut. At a salon such as Designer Paws, the pet is checked over thoroughly during their grooming session to identify early symptoms of skin ailments, ear infections, matting/muddy coats, lumps that may raise alarm bells and even nails that are so long they might make for a poor posture or problems in the joints.
Routine grooming also controls shedding, limits allergens inside your house as well as protects your pet dog’s hair free of tangles that can create discomfort as well as skin irritation in the long run. Professional grooming is not an option for breed with hair that keeps growing without any stops (Poodles, Shih Tzus, Bichon Frises and all of Doodle mixes). It is essential.
To go beyond the physical help, grooming sessions are meant to socialize a pet. If well handled periodically by professionals, Dogs and Cats tend to be calmer at the vet clinics as well as more comfortable with touch in general. Early and consistent grooming routines established while the animal is relaxed and calm will help build trust.
Stylish Cuts for Every Season
Working with a specialized grooming salon to introduce seasonal and breed-specific styles can be one of the most exciting parts of the job. At Designer Paws Salon, we specialize in stylish pet haircuts that are fresh and different from the plain trim, giving your pet both personality and practicality.
Lighter coats for Spring and Summer. Summer cuts can dramatically help breeds that have difficulty cooling off, but this does depend on a positive well-executed cut—such as a clean puppy cut on Goldendoodles or a nice smooth lion cut on Pomeranians. These styles help keep the body cooler, lessen matting when playing outside, and simplify clean up later on for pet pawrents.
Whereas Fall and Winter grooming is more about preserving the length of the coat for warmth as well as ensuring ears, paws, and underbelly remain clean and tangle-free. In the cold months, trim petrifying paw pads that collect ice cubes, salt and rubbish which end up being debilitating and disappointing.
Grooming, Seasonal grooming is about looks or adapting your pets coat to the environment. The folks at Designer Paws get this balance right and work with the client to determine which style best fits that breed, lifestyle, and time of year.
What Sets Designer Paws Apart
Designer Paws Salon was launched in keeping with demand from pet owners who want more than low cost grooming chain chores, and have two conveniently located Ohio communities for pampering any four legged friend — Upper Arlington and Westerville. The salon offers convenient, breed-style cuts provided in an elegant environment where pets are groomed with gentleness and kindness.
The salon has one particularly noteworthy policy that reflects its dedication to animal welfare: All new clients must have current veterinary shot records for their pets. This is not a formality. It is an important public health and safety measure that in serving animals, indeed serves every animal that does cross the threshold.
The potential for connected illness from your pet using the same grooming area as pets from other households — kennel cough, canine influenza and some parasites — is a real concern. Designer Paws only accepts new clients that have all of their vaccinations in order before coming, helping to ensure your pet and every other animal in the salon is safe. And it also communicates something significant about the company culture: they have a serious sense of pet health here, not just pet beauty.
For new accounting clients, the procedure is simple. When you make your first appointment, just bring or email us your pet vaccination records! Your vet’s office can often produce these quickly, and many practices are moving toward digital copies of records.
How to get your pet ready for an appointment with a groomer.
I would prepare them for a professional pet groomer, but you can prepare in some awesome ways especially if it is the first time your pet has been to my grooming salon. Here are a few simple steps to help position your visit for success:
Brush before you go. Brushing lightly in the few days leading up to the appointment will help reduce matting, and also make your groomer easier — or even better: less time on the table for your fur-kid.
Exercise beforehand. Taking a walk or playing prior to drop-off is also helpful, since it burns off some of the nervous energy and allows your pet to settle quicker in an unfamiliar space.
Stay calm at drop-off. Pets are very much in tune with their owners’ emotions. A calm, assertive farewell tells your pet that what they are experiencing is a safe one.
Communicate openly. They will ask about any sensitivities, skin issues and places where your pet does not like to be touched or when a grooming experience was difficult in the past. This assists the groomer in changing their approach accordingly.
Keep up with regular appointments. The more regularly you groom your pet, the simpler each grooming appointment gets. Not only does irregular grooming lead to more matting, but it also leads to increased stress for the pet and a longer appointment. Every four to eight weeks, depending on the breed, most dogs need some degree of professional grooming.
Long-term health investment in your pet.
Your pet’s quality of life can be enhanced, and as such, professional grooming is one of the most constant investments you can make. It boosts physical health, lowers anxiety, and — when properly done — provides your spouse a look they may wear with satisfaction.
Designer Paws Salon is an Upper Arlington and Westerville speciality salon that incorporates expert grooming techniques with a passion for animals, combining technical skill with the loving attention of a true speciality salon. From your pet’s first appointment through finding a new grooming home, Designer Paws has the experience, standards and fashion forward style that today’s pet parents demand.
Ready to book? Ensure your pet’s injection records are updated, and thus the transformation can begin.
