Should dog groomers be working?

[EloiseTheFirst]

I refer to discussion on a previous thread that says you should work from home, unless that's not possible.

But my dog groomers (salon) has been closed since lockdown.

They told me the dog grooming association said they couldn't open because it's "non-essential".

Now they could easily deal with clients outside at 2m distance. Take dog in and return to customer outside. So no breach of social distancing.

My dog is in a right state and I would argue if it goes on much longer, her fur will be so thick it will become a welfare issue.

So what's the general consensus? Should they be open or not?

There are self employed groomers working in my area. I don't see the issue if social distancing is adhered to. A lot of dogs must be getting uncomfortable by now.

No they are not essential

I think they should be for welfare reasons.

Not for ‘pimping’ your dog though.

Given that non-essential baby scanning companies are open, making dirty money out of the fact that hospitals are responsibly only performing essential scans (although these companies claim they do too...🤔) yes dog groomers should be open! My terrier needs hand stripping and will get uncomfortable.

No they shouldn't have too, if the dogs brushed properly it can wait, failing that, get a pair of clippers and shave the hair off yourself, itll grow back. If vets dont think spaying/neutering or puppy/kitten vaccinations are essential, dog grooming certainly isnt.

It is a tricky one for them as during the lockdown, the government ordered non-essential retail spaces/services to close and banned non-essential travel... for example vets aren’t doing nail clips as it is classed as a non-essential job. Animals can act as fomites (ie carry virus on their coats). Pet shops with a groomer within are classed as an essential service (pets at home we’re trying to claim their groomers were key workers and got rapidly shut down on that one)

I would imagine when the lockdown starts to release then these services will resume. Vets can still do essential jobs for welfare reasons so if for example an animal has a torn claw, an eczema hotspot beneath a mat or it is tight and causing pain, they will do it. I would imagine groomers would do the same. Also groomers that travels to your house could argue they are travelling to work because they can’t work from home and are observing social distancing.

What breed of dog OP?

What sort of coat? Can you ask breeder for grooming advice?

She's a cavachon. Normally kept clipped very short. She's very long now - hair all over her eyes and very hot last week when we went for walks (in woods in shade)

Luckily it's cooler this week. I've been bathing and brushing her but it's the thickness of her coat that's the issue.

I don't want to wait until she has sores etc before getting her done.

I've bought some decent andis clippers and a grooming table, watched plenty of YouTube videos and shaved two of mine myself. Won't bother with the groomers after lockdown, I will save £40 per dog. They look pretty good too for first attempt. I sent my mum pics and she thought they'd been to the groomers.
Have a go at doing it, if your dog is used to getting cut at the grommers they shouldn't fidget much, I found it much easier than I thought I would.

Definitely not. If you have the virus, it would be ON your dog. So she can pass it to her and her premises. She is doing the right thing. Use scissors or clippers yourself.

My groomer clipped my cavachon last week. I do actually have clippers but she won’t sit still for me. I tried grooming her which was bad enough and I had her clamped between my legs while she thrashed anout and I certainly couldn’t do her legs/tummy. She pulled a muscle badly and could barely walk for 2 days. So it’s not always possible to do it yourself. Groomer works from home on her own and I dropped dog off without seeing her, same for pick up.

My vet is also open and neutered my cat last week.

No they shouldn't

Can you use scissors around her face? Is there an undercoat? Could you thin that?

And I wore gloves when I picked her up. I hadn’t left my collar and lead there so I knew they were clean. Bathed the dog when I got home. No virus on her to the best of my ability.

My mum has taken her dog today as he has been gnawing at his back leg because of knotted fur. She had to ring around lots of places before she found one that would do it though.
The lady she founds works from her own home not a salon and she is a single with no children so hopefully will be fine.

Hi, if you are not able to get your dog to a groomer or not comfortable with the clippers try thinning out scissors. I use them on my dogs legs... they definitely make the long coat more manageable!
You can also get special dog grooming scissors with blund tips for cutting fur around the face.... good luck.

@palacegirl77

This is on the Kennel Club website

The new type of coronavirus (Covid-19) is currently being passed between humans and there is no evidence that it affects dogs, or can be transmitted between dogs and humans. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have said: 'There is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit Covid-19.'

"They told me the dog grooming association said they couldn't open because it's "non-essential"."
That doesnt matter. Im amazed at the number of people who still dont understand that you can work, even if its non essential. People only need to be classified as essential if they need childcare.

I didn't say the dog HAD it I said it could be on the dog. Because you touch your dog. Like your door, or your bag. It lives in surfaces.

"FredaFox

No they are not essential"
Doesnt matter. Non essential workers are allowed to go out to work, if they cant work from home. It has never been the case that only essential workers can work.

“I don't want to wait until she has sores etc before getting her done.”

If you keep on top of brushing her there’s no reason at all that she’s going to get sores....

Can the virus be spread from touching animals?

To avoid any risk of your dog or cat carrying the virus on its fur, the World Organisation for Animal Health advises hand washing 'before and after being around animals, their food, or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing, licking or sharing food.'

Dr Scott says: "It is possible pets can carry the virus on their fur but the good thing about the virus is that it doesn't last very long outside the body. However that being said, social-distancing is key here as it's good to avoid stroking other people's pets during this current situation.”

@Thesnakeminder, I was shocked to see babyscan exploiters are still allowed to be open. I suppose I shouldn't expect half decent morals from them in the first place...

@EloiseTheFirst, I would have thought dog groomers were essential, yes

I've been doing mine myself. It's taking a while but she actually looks forward to it now. I put a towel on the ironing board and lift her onto it. I conditioned her to being up there with treats. She knows the leave it/take it game and will wait to be told take it before going for a treat that I've put out.
I put her up one end of the ironing board and a little treat up the other end. She's too interested in the treat to worry about what I'm doing and she stays very still watching it. I cut her coat with a hair scissors because she prefers that to clippers. I do a bit each day and use dog safety scissors round her eyes.
She looks ok but more importantly she has no mats.

The grooming premises would probably be considered a non-essential service establishment (hence closed... unless selling pet supplies/food?) but an ambulatory groomer could still work as long as maintain social distancing?

It may be that the groomers association have issued guidance to their members (similar to the bva/rcvs for vets) which is likely to consider health and safety and the reputation of the profession if not being seen to adhere to government guidance.

With vets it’s slightly more complex as many procedures require two members of staff to be very close together and often some ppe/oxygen which is in short supply for humans, so every decision has to be a risk assessment.