Dog Groomers: 5 Essential Tools All Pet Groomers Should Invest In

Pet grooming can be a rewarding and fun career path for animal lovers. You get to spend your day with furry friends keeping them healthy, comfortable, and beautiful. Though there’s no doubt you may love the grooming process, not every pet will agree that it’s a good time. Some pets become very uncomfortable or irritable, leading to confrontations and potentially dangerous situations. 

Although it is thankfully not the case for most pets, it’s important as a groomer to know that the threat of an upset pup is there, and it’s in your best interest to take safety precautions where possible. Not only do you need protection in certain instances from the animal but groomers will also potentially be exposed to many different cleaning agents, chemicals, fleas, ticks, and medications so taking the proper precautions is important. The proper tools can not only keep a groomer injury-free, they can lead to less clean up, a more sanitary area, and a more pleasant work environment. In this article, we will highlight five essential tools that all dog groomers should invest in.

Let’s dive in. 

Leather Aprons for Dog Groomers

A high-quality leather apron for groomers is an absolute must. During the grooming process (especially during bathing) groomers are susceptible to being splashed, scratched, or bitten. 

A leather apron will not only keep you dry but will also act like a forcefield between you and the risks of being a groomer. Unlike traditional canvas aprons, leather is thick and durable – it is a much stronger material to hold up against dog teeth and nails. Not only is leather stronger but it does not absorb water in the same way a canvas apron does. Leather is easily cleanable with just a towel and will not need constant changing or washing like a canvas one. 

Just wipe it with water, and things like soap, cleaning chemicals, or dog hair will not stick to a leather apron. 

High-Quality Mask for Dog Groomers

Most animals are sent to the groomers because they are dirty and in need of a bath. You never know where the animal has been or what could be on them. A high-quality mask will help protect grooms from allergens, hair, airborne debris, and of course, smells. 

Although masks might not be needed for every grooming appointment, it’s a good idea to keep a mask on hand just for these sorts of occasions. Masks will also help protect you from any chemicals, water, or hair landing in your mouth – a win, for sure.

Eye Protection or Face Shield

The grooming process – washing, clipping nails, or trimming hair – can lead to flying debris that you do not want in your eyes. 

Protective eye gear or a face shield is the perfect safeguard to make sure you do not get harmed during the process. Just like a leather apron, a good pair of goggles is typically a one-time purchase that pays you back in spades. To ensure it lasts through your career, it’s important to get a pair that is comfortable and durable. 

Gloves

Your hands allow you to be a dog groomer – but they are also the most likely thing to get hurt during the process. To protect your hands, you may want more than one pair or have specific gloves for specific tasks. For example, during the bathing process, a good pair of rubber gloves will keep your hands dry, clean, and free of bugs and chemicals. This may not seem necessary, but continuous washing and chemical use over time can be harmful to your hands.

You may also choose a more protective glove, like canvas or leather during the nail trimming or teeth cleaning process. Nail trimming and teeth cleaning are common causes of irritation for dogs. A sturdy pair of gloves will help to protect your hands and forearms from angry animals who may try to scratch or bite to get away, or from knicks or cuts caused by kicking or thrashing that dislodges the equipment from your hands. 

As a groomer, you may need to apply chemicals to sore spots, dry skin, eye drops, or ear drops and you will not want to get those chemicals on your hands. That’s why disposable rubber gloves are also important to have around. Disposability will also help to prevent spreading those chemicals to other animals who do not need them by mistake, since you can chuck them without fear of cleansing between each use. 

Comfortable Non-Slip Shoes

As a groomer, you’ll be on your feet all day. So comfortable shoes are important to make sure you’re at your best throughout your shift and day after day. 

Good shoes are especially important during the bathing process, as splashing water can make the ground slick, leading to preventable falls and injury. Splashing can lead to wet clothing and wet shoes and no one likes to walk around in wet socks all day. So making sure your shoes are both non-slip and water resistant is the perfect way to stay comfortable and make sure you do not take an unexpected fall. 

Conclusion

Although we do not think of pet grooming as a dangerous profession, it’s still important to your career to keep yourself as injury-free and comfortable as possible. 

Keeping yourself safe from not only the pet, but also any chemical, pest, or cleaning agent exposure is something to take seriously. So make sure to invest in a good leather apron, some protective eyewear and the other items on this list so you are properly protected to ensure you can continue helping our furry friends for years to come. 

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