Pet nails and hair don’t always get along. When your pet encounters something they aren’t used to, they can become anxious. This can lead to screaming, biting, chewing, or other destructive behaviors. Grooming is essential to pet ownership; it helps keep your pet clean and smelling fresh. However, if your pet isn’t relaxed during regular grooming sessions, these quick snuggles might turn into long-term stress instead of relaxation. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to help calm them during dog grooming NYC.
Plan for grooming sessions with your pet.
In one survey, over 80% of owners reported that their pet was uncomfortable or anxious during grooming sessions. This is likely because you didn’t plan for it. Ideally, you’re doing your pet a favor by regularly getting their fur clipped. But if your pet is nervous, it can lead to destructive behaviors, like chewing, scratching, or even licking their wounds. Try to plan grooming sessions ahead of time and make both environments comfortable. If you have a kennel, use it as much as possible rather than grooming it in a confined space. If you have a coat rack or other grooming station, place soft toys, treats, and other grooming tools to help keep your pet busy while you clip their nails or brush their fur.
Provide plenty of human interaction.
While pet grooming in NYC isn’t meant to be a one-sided experience, many owners report that their pet is anxious during grooming. If you only do grooming once weekly, your pet might feel neglected. In addition, if your pet isn’t getting the daily human interaction they need, they might resort to destructive behaviors like chewing or licking their wounds. While you may not be able to brush, play with, and walk your pet daily, you can try to make grooming more frequent.
You can also try brushing your teeth daily and using a nail grinder or filing tool to file your nails. You can also try grooming other pets or your dogs or cats.
While grooming other pets, be careful that you and your pets are comfortable with the situation. If you feel more comfortable grooming your pets instead of another’s, groom them. If you have more than one pet, consider grooming one instead of all at once.
Use treats and toys to help distract.
Many owners report that their pets are anxious when brushed or groomed. One way to help calm your pet is by feeding them a distraction, like a treat.
For example, if you have a Kong or similar toy that comes apart into sections, scatter some treats inside it and let your pet gnaw on it while you brush or clip their fur. If your pet is calm and relaxed, they might not realize they’re getting groomed, which can help them stay focused.
Put your pet to work during grooming.
If your pet is usually calm during grooming but is anxious when you begin clipping or trimming their nails, try switching things up a bit. Instead of clipping their nails or trimming their fur, try brushing their teeth or cleaning their ears. This might help reduce your pet’s anxiety because they aren’t as nervous about what you’re doing. You can also try putting your pet to work. For example, if you have a food-motivated dog, you can let them help you pick it up after dinner. You can also try putting toys or treats in their food bowl to help keep them busy while you eat. The items you choose to use in the food bowl don’t have to be food-related.
Create a safe, comfortable environment.
If your cat or dog is anxious during grooming, it might be stressed out. If they’re nervous about the environment in which you groom them, they might experience a heightened sense of anxiety. Create a safe, comfortable environment for your pet in the room where you groom them. This can help reduce your pet’s stress.
Change it if the room is too hot or too cold or the lighting is too bright or too dim. Lower the music volume or blare the TV if the room is too noisy. Make the room as comfortable as possible for your pet.
Clean the grooming area. This can help remove any distracting smells or odors. It can also help remove any scents that might be distracting to your pet. If your pet licks or scratches in the grooming area, clean it with a damp rag. This can help them forget the event if they often experience it during cat grooming NYC.
Conclusion
Grooming is one of the most important things you can do for your pet, but it can also be one of the most stressful. Calming techniques and grooming tips can help lower the anxiety levels of grooming. For example, if your pet is anxious during grooming, they might be more comfortable and relaxed if you let them see you, talk to them, and groom them while they are calm.
