Get Ready for The Holidays With #PetSmartGrooming

This post is sponsored by PetSmart® and the BlogPaws™ Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about PetSmart Grooming Salons, but Daily Dog Tag only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.

There are so many things to do before the holidays,  and there is one pet specific errand that is easy to do when I’m out holiday shopping. I always drop my dogs off at the groomers before we have a big celebration.  We don’t have company very often, but when we do, I like my dogs to look and smell their best.  I’ve been trusting PetSmart® to groom Nelly (and Sophie) for many years.    After Nelly’s last grooming session I thought she looked so cute that I asked Alice G Patterson to take some Christmas photos of Nelly.  

Less Shedding

Frequent brushing can cut down on shedding, and my American Eskimo/Pomeranian mix Sophie benefits from the Furminator treatment.  When Sophie has been freshly groomed, there is a noticeable reduction in dog hair around the house.  My dogs are small, so I can only imagine what a huge difference it would make with a large or giant breed.

Comfort

Although Nelly is considered to be a hypoallergenic breed and doesn’t shed like my other dogs, it is important to groom her regularly.  Once her hair gets a certain length, it starts getting matted. 

I used to think I was helping Nelly by letting her coat grow out in the winter.  However, it turns out a long coat isn’t as warm as I thought it would be.  My groomer at PetSmart explained to me that wet hair it is more likely to mat, and takes longer to dry, so I was making Nelly chillier.  She still sports longer hair in the winter, just not wooly mammoth long. (Now if I were the type of person to brush her every day, it would be fine for her to have long hair.)

It may not look like a big difference, but when Nelly’s fur is too long, her feet become small sponges soaking up any liquid.

I always get her nails trimmed at PetSmart because I’m afraid I’ll miss with clippers and take too much off.  PetSmart offers walk-in services including nails and feet, face and ear care, and teeth brushing.  

Safety

Nothing is more important than a dog’s safety and well-being.  All PetSmart salon associates acquire annual safety certification and take additional coursework where they learn about dog anatomy, signs of stress and common pet medical conditions.  Groomers receive over 400 hours of training.  However, you know your dog best.  Never put your dog in a situation that you think will be too stressful for it.

 All the PetSmart salon associates and groomers I’ve met are friendly and knowledgeable.  Additionally, they seem to like and respect dogs. We particularly  Anne Marie and Angella in Camillus and Lynn in Clay.   You can now book your appointments online which is a real plus for me.  

PetSmart offers a “Look Great Guarantee” and I used it once.  The employees were very nice and groomed Nelly again at no charge.

Important Reminders

All pets need current rabies vaccinations and proof of vaccination from their vet. Rabies vaccination needs to be administered at least 48 hours before grooming.

All pets must be over 8 weeks of age.

Customers cannot go behind the double doors separating the Salon lobby from the grooming area. This is for the safety of pets and associates.

Follow PetSmart on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About Alice G Patterson Photography:  Based in Syracuse, New York, Alice specializes in photography of dogs and the people who love them, senior portraits and photography for small businesses.