What are the hazards of dog grooming?
Kaci Glover
2025-10-02 01:51:40
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Grooming dogs come with its own hazards that all pet groomers should be conscious of. They range from getting scratched and bitten from the dog, carpal tunnel from scissoring, shoulder/hip/knee and back injuries from standing and lifting dogs into the bath and on to the grooming table, and then there is the dog hair and Groomers Lung. Short term biggest problems will be with aches and pains, mainly in your back. Groomers get injuries by grooming too many dogs in one day, grooming dogs that are too big for one person to handle and working too many hours so their muscles don't have time to recover. Long term lung problems and hearing issues are a widespread areas of concern, so always wear a mask over your face and ear defenders to block our the noise from the blaster. Your hands always take a battering when they are in and out of water. Many groomers suffer with eczema and dermatitis, mainly because of the shampoo they use.
Sebastian Rath
2025-09-18 12:32:25
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A Splash of Shampoo Shampoo is essential in a bath, but not in the eyes.
When I examined Piggie Pie, her right eye was red and I could barely get her to open the lid.
We managed to slip a drop of fluoresceine stain in between the lids and sure enough, we were able to identify a corneal ulcer.
A week of eye drops will resolve this painful injury which is most likely a result of shampoo that splashed into her eye.
Careful use of shampoo would have prevented the injury.
Tragically, dogs have died when left unattended in hot air-drying cages.
I recommend you either ask the groomer to let your dog air dry at room temperature or have her blow dried with a handheld blow dryer to prevent overheating in a hot air dryer cage.
Avoiding the hot dryer cage is especially critical in short nosed or brachycephalic dogs who more easily overheat than long nosed dogs.
In some dogs and cats, their nails grow rapidly and can curve around and into their paw pads as can be seen in the photo below.
Home mat removal is fraught with danger.
Lucas Kirlin
2025-09-18 11:59:18
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However, it also comes with its set of occupational hazards, especially health issues that groomers should be aware of.
Groomers often perform repetitive motions, which can lead to RSIs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Hours of bending and lifting pets can strain the back.
Frequent exposure to water, shampoos, and chemicals can cause dermatitis or other skin conditions.
Hair and nail clipping can produce dust and dander, which may lead to respiratory issues.
Fur, dander, and chemical splashes can cause eye irritation or injury.
Even the most docile pets can bite or scratch when anxious or scared.
Groomers are at risk of contracting illnesses that can be transferred from animals to humans.
The demanding nature of dog grooming can lead to stress and burnout.
Exposure to pet hair, dander, or grooming products can trigger allergies.
Kurt Daugherty
2025-09-18 11:41:47
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Slips and Falls: Wet floors can be a hazard.
Accidental Cuts or Nicks: Grooming tools can be sharp and dangerous if not used correctly.
Stress and Anxiety in Pets: Can lead to unpredictable behavior.
Infections: Poor sanitation can lead to the spread of infections.
Pets, especially those unfamiliar with grooming, can become anxious or scared.
A safe environment helps minimise this stress, making the grooming process smoother for the pet and the groomer.
The environment of a pet grooming salon can present various risks to both the pets and the staff.
Lavonne Larkin
2025-09-18 10:58:42
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While we might take precautions when infections are visible, we often overlook the fact that not all infections are apparent.
Many of us assume that shampoos will protect us during grooming.
However, unless the shampoo is specifically designed to kill bacteria or fungus, it won't protect against infections.
Handling and cleaning the anal area is particularly risky.
Fecal matter contains about 90% bacteria, and not all of it is harmless.
Parasites are another risk associated with fecal matter.
Groomers are also at risk from tiny hair slivers that can penetrate the skin, causing irritation and abscesses.
This is especially common when grooming short-haired dogs, as the stiff, short hair can easily embed into the skin.
Groomer’s Lung is one of the most common and serious health issues in the grooming profession.
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