Total Grooming Magazine November 2022

Professional Grooming Equipment and Supplies

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Not only are we the sole importer of many popular brands, but we also develop and manufacture our own unique products in house at Technogroom.

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Hello readers!

What a fun month, we hope that you all had your fill of grooming antics with your fluffy friends, as well as some fantastic spooky shenanigans for Halloween. I know I did!

For this issue of TGM, we’ve put together a coalition of fantastic information to pass on to you, straight from our carefully picked experts!

This brings us to our Technology Focus. We spoke with some industry professionals to find out everything that you need to know about the wide world of grooming technology. This includes one of our Essential Five features that we know you all love!

Secondly, we’re drawing some attention to the benefits of grooming training and how researching this can hold a wide range of possibilities your grooming business.

I’d like to mention that the Total Grooming team are doing Movember! Get in touch via the social links at the bottom of this page, or e-mail me at connor@tgmpublishing.co.uk, to find out more!

From myself, and everyone here at TGM, we hope you enjoy this issue and have a fantastic month!

Training

Bean Monthly:

Around

Christmasdinner

This holiday season, Burns Pet Nutrition, the leading healthy pet food company, is thrilled to announce the release of two new limited-edition festive feasts for dogs; a new Christmas dinner and a Christmas Selection Box.

Rather than feeding your dog leftover turkey and stuffing, which is unhealthy and harmful for canines, the Christmas Turkey Tray of wet food will be available in pet retailers across the country from 7th October. With tasty turkey, nutritious brown rice and carrots, it will make any dog feel extra special at dinner time on Christmas Day.

Those looking for healthy treats for their pooch will love the Christmas Gift Box, which includes a Turkey & Potato grain free dry dog food, a bag of Turkey Bites and a Christmas Turkey Tray - the perfect stocking filler to ensure your dogs don’t feel left out when it comes to exchanging presents. The gift box will be available exclusively through the Burns

website from 7th October.

Burns Founder John Burns commented: “I’ve seen all too often pet owners feeding their dogs leftovers from Christmas lunch, which is high in salt and sugar, and can contain things like onions which can be poisonous to dogs. Not only can this be unhealthy, but in many cases it’s harmful. We know that

people don’t want their dog to feel left out, which is why we’ve created delicious alternatives to ensure dogs are still very much included in the festivities, whilst also ensuring they eat a healthy and nutritious Christmas day feast.”

For further information, please head to burnspet.co.uk

DorwestHerbswinsaward

Dorwest Herbs has won a prestigious eCommerce award for its 2021 campaign to “naturally dial down your pet’s firework fear”.

Ecommerce Awards judges noted the fantastic content themes running across all channels, stating the Dorwest campaign was: “a truly multichannel targeted campaign to raise awareness, drive sales and engagement for a worthy product.”

The campaign annually conveys ways to keep pets calm and stress-free during fireworks season. The campaign, although directly promoting key natural calming products: Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound, also highlighted different ways owners can prepare pets before and during fireworks season.

The campaign saw net revenue increase +51% year on year during the September to November period, with brand searches for “Dorwest Herbs”

increasing by over +100% year on year and overall outstanding customer feedback.

Managing Director Jo BoughtonWhite says: “The annual calming campaign is fundamental in our marketing calendar in the build up to November. We’re delighted to be recognised among household names and to continue to make a difference to

pets’ lives!”

This year’s calming campaign launched on 26th September encouraging owners to “prepare for calm” this fireworks season with 25% off trusted herbal products from Dorwest, visit www.dorwest.com for more information, call 01308 897272 or email info@dorwest.com

Not-for-profit toopen

As part of Animal Welfare Week 2022, Mayhew Georgia has today announced that it is set to open the first new, not-for-profit clinic for preventative veterinary care (neutering, vaccinations, parasite control) in the capital city, Tbilisi.

The clinic will provide neutering, vaccinations and parasite control for both the roaming dogs of Tbilisi as well as those pet dogs and dogs in home shelters. The four-strong, all-female veterinary team, comprised of three vets and presently one vet assistant, has so far neutered more than 1,000 roaming and owned dogs this year from a temporary facility in Mtskheta, a town located 20 kilometres north of the capital. Approximately a further 125 dogs are likely to benefit from the service from its new location still this year.

In addition, the new premises will also serve as a training centre for other veterinary professionals in Georgia thanks to an agreement having been made with a local college that offers a “Vet Tech” qualification allowing students to receive practical placements at Mayhew’s clinic, alongside future

FreeTrap,Vaccinate, Neuter,Return(TVNR) programme

As Caroline Yates, Head of International Projects and Relations at Mayhew, explains: “Mayhew Georgia funds a free Trap, Vaccinate, Neuter, Return (TVNR) programme in Tbilisi, not only vaccinating the dogs against rabies but also administering a complex vaccine which protects dogs against common canine infectious diseases such as parvovirus and distemper - still common in Georgia.

“In the previous five years, we have delivered the programme via vet practices in Tbilisi where there are Mayhew-trained vets but establishing our own clinic will enable us to expand

the programme, build capacity within the Georgian veterinary profession and help the local authorities humanely manage the roaming animal populations in the city, making Tbilisi a healthier and happier place for the residents and animals alike.”

Dr Ana Metskhvarishvili DVM, Head Vet of Mayhew Georgia adds: “We have been working towards having our own clinic for some time. It makes me very proud that it has now been realised. It is an important step to have a highstandard, stress-free environment for both animals and the vet team and for the students who will come to learn from us. This will be a massive help in supporting Tbilisi and managing the roaming dog population.”

Mayhew would like to thank their supporters and the Edgard Cooper Foundation for making this happen.

collaborations with Free Agrarian University of Georgia and local municipalities.

Celebrityvetgives onlinewebinars

Vita Animal Health has launched its mini-series of cat health webinars hosted by celebrity vet Louisa the Vet. This is knowledge that we encourage groomers to pass on to their clientele.

Free for all cat owners to access, the webinars focus on osteoarthritis (OA) and stress in cats. Louisa, who has a popular online following, gives her insights and tips on looking after our feline friends. The webinars can be accessed at www. vitaanimalhealth.com/#video

The webinars provide cat owners easy to understand and valuable information regarding conditions which are common but often not noticed by owners. In fact, up to 40% of cats are thought to show signs of OA, and 90% over the age of 12 have arthritic changes on x-rays,* yet vets diagnose OA in cats far less frequently than they do in dogs. The webinar highlights the subtle signs cats show when suffering from OA and is set to be a fantastic tool for arming cat owners with more knowledge to increase their

pet’s welfare and comfort. Sales manager at Vita Animal Health, Tara Evans, says: “We really value education and have always endeavoured to provide pet owners with as many resources as possible. An informed owner feels empowered to support their pet’s health and builds trust with healthcare professionals. These webinars are a wonderful way of delivering valuable information, and we are thrilled to have had Louisa the Vet present them.”

Louisa is well known for her helpful tips and advice which she shares across her online platforms and has a passion for education and pet welfare. Her presentation on stress in cats explains how stress can negatively affect both the cat’s life and the lives of their owners. Noticing the signs, which can be as

varied as excessively urinating to hiding or even aggression, and knowing how to alleviate stress are covered in the second webinar.

The series of webinars are available to watch online at www.vitaanimalhealth. com/#video and are free to register and watch.

For further information regarding the webinars, or on how Vita Animal Health can support pets’ wellbeing, contact Tara at info@vitaanimalhealth.co.uk or visit www.vitaanimalhealth.com

*Brown D et al. What can we learn from osteoarthritis pain in companion animals. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. 5 (Suppl. 107):S53-S58. 2017 and KG MarketSense 2018 Global Veterinarian Market Research

PetsatHomex RoyalBritishLegion

Pets at Home has launched its annual range of limited-edition poppy accessories, including collar and lead sets and bandanas, to help pets and their owners raise funds for the UK’s largest Armed Forces Charity, the Royal British Legion.

2022 marks the fifth year that the pet care specialist has partnered with the RBL to support its Poppy Appeal. All profits generated from the products will be donated to the charity to support its vital work providing lifelong support for serving personnel, veterans and their families in need.

To date, Pets at Home Group has raised more than £944,493.84 and is aiming to hit a total of £1m with this year’s campaign.

Lyssa McGowan, CEO of Pets at Home Group, said: “We can’t thank our colleagues and customers enough for their continued support and generosity for our poppy campaign over the years, it’s completely down to them that we’re so close to raising £1 million in total – an incredible milestone.

“Our poppy range always proves popular with customers, particularly the Poppy Velvet Collar Charm, as it’s a

really simple way to show support for the Appeal and the amazing work the RBL does with the Armed Forces community.

“The work of the Royal British Legion, and our mission to help create a better world for pets and the people who love them, is hugely important to us, and we’re committed to continuing to work together on that mission.”

Andy Taylor-White, Fundraising Lead at the RBL said: “We are proud to be partnering with Pets at Home for the 5th year running so that pet lovers can choose from a range of poppy products for their pets. Wearing your poppy shows that you care and that the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community will never be forgotten.

“Our Armed Forces are prepared to risk everything to protect us and the Royal British Legion is there to provide support to thousands of veterans, serving personnel and their families throughout their lives, whenever they need us. The

money raised with the help of Pets at Home will help us to continue that vital work.”

New and existing members of Pets at Home’s free VIP Puppy Club will also be able to pick up a free* poppy charm in-store on Saturday 15th October and Sunday 16th October. Available on a first come first served basis, the pet care specialist will donate all equivalent proceeds to the Royal British Legion on the customer’s behalf.

Customers can find the whole range available in-store and online now.

Pets at Home is also encouraging owners to share pictures of their pets wearing the range of poppy items using the #petswithpoppies hashtag and tagging @PetsathomeUK and @royalbritishlegion on Instagram, @PetsathomeUK and @ OfficialPoppyLegion on Facebook and @petsathome and @PoppyLegion on Twitter.

We take a deep dive into what technology you should be keeping an eye on in our main November focus. Photo by Kyle Hanson on Unsplash.

Technology

Technological

Jaynie Stephenson is the head of growth marketing for Payemoji, a conversational commerce platform for small businesses like pet groomers. Today, they explain the benefits of technology within your grooming business.

While thinking about how to introduce the brand to our readers, Jaynie decided to draw from personal experiences. Coming from a pet family consisting of two cats and a dog, Jaynie realised that people can spend much more on their dogs’ grooming than their own.

“The results speak for themselves as no one knows our names at our local park,” Jaynie said, “but everyone knows our adorable toy poodle, Cuddles!

“I use WhatApp to engage with our fantastic dog groomer to arrange appointments and confirm pickups. I began thinking about how labourintensive this one-to-one communication is for our groomer with all her clients, and it got me thinking of how best dog groomers can use conversational commerce, i.e., messaging current and prospective clients, to save time.”

This is where Payemoji comes in, providing a software service that enables groomers to engage customers, sell products, book appointments, accept payments and more, through messaging apps like WhatsApp which saves pet groomers time and energy. This leaves more time for grooming pets and growing their business!

This leads to the fact that messaging apps are ultimately beneficial to the grooming industry. Messaging apps, e-mail, websites, and social media are technological tools that can help novice pet groomers in setting up shop as well as established pet groomers looking to expand their clientele and services.

Jaynie explains: “Messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, allow pet groomers to use conversational commerce to grow their business, increase their client base and directly sell new products and services.

“Websites typically outline a business’s mission statement, services and costs, and contact details including their location, phone number, e-mail, and links to social media accounts. A pet groomer can build their own website using sites like wix.com or squarespace.com, or a web developer can be hired, with average initial costs of £1,500 – £2,000 to build a website in the UK.”

Jaynie sees that social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, allow pet groomers to post pictures or videos of their salon or pets

before-and-after grooming at no cost.

The goal is to grow the number of followers and reach a broader audience that can be directed to the pet grooming

website, according to Jaynie, but she mentions that it is not always possible to provide a clickable website on all social media platforms which can result

in a failed link to a groomer’s personal website.

‘The downside to solely relying on a website and social media when growing a pet grooming business,” continues Jaynie, “is that the intended audience is not always reached, whereas sending information about a pet grooming business directly to clients via messenger apps has a 98% open rate should reach the intended audience, versus e-mail which only has a 20% open rate.

“Even if a client, or potential client, changes their phone number, their username is maintained on WhatsApp and the client is still reachable. A further advantage that messaging apps have over e-mail is that consumers are more likely to read messages received via text on their phones than e-mail messages.”

So, we’ve covered some information on some types of software that can be used, but in what ways can these technologies be utilised to grow a business? Jaynie sees that pet groomers that rely primarily on website technology can employ paid ads on search engines,

such as Google, or on Facebook to increase traffic to their website.

“Many pet groomers today also appreciate the importance of maintaining social media accounts and posting new content daily, such as before and after pet pictures, to grow their followers and hopefully their business too!” Jaynie said.

“These social media accounts can also advertise new services and new products. Knowing and strategically using correct hashtags such as #doggroomersuk or #doggroomersrichmond, with daily posts, can help to optimise the desired audience, such as dog owners in your area looking for a dog grooming service.

“This type of ‘organic’ marketing is inexpensive and anyone with a smartphone can do this quite easily, but coming up with new content and posting daily can be time-consuming.”

Although websites and social media can successfully direct clients to a groomer’s contact details, a lot of grooming businesses utilise small operations where the owner is also the

sole groomer.

These business owners are usually on-the-job, and are therefore unable to answer the phone or respond to a client’s message immediately. If a potential customer cannot reach a groomer or is passed on to voicemail, the pet owner might assume they will not get a call back leading to a missed opportunity for the business. It can be a very frustrating experience for a prospective client if a groomer does not respond or responds late. These prospective clients will vote with their wallet and look elsewhere.

Instead of calling the groomer or leaving a message on Facebook Messenger that a groomer must respond to at the end of the working day, Payemoji allows a prospective client to immediately engage with a messaging chatbot on their preferred messaging app that takes the client through a structured journey, allowing the client to view a catalogue of services, view pictures of different grooming styles for their pets, book an appointment, and digitally pay using Apple Pay, Google

Pay or credit card for their grooming service.

The next time the client uses the grooming service, they simply go back to their texting history to rebook a new appointment.

“Unlike a website or a social media account,” Jaynie adds, “the pet groomer now has the phone number of any prospective client that engages with the business through conversational commerce and, as part of the engagement, the client has opted-in to receive promotional features in the future.”

Conversational commerce is an incredibly useful tool that businesses can utilise, but in what ways can conversational commerce be optimised to maximise revenue and footfall? Jaynie sees that the average person spends 23 hours a week on messaging apps, and conversational commerce platforms like Payemoji can be set to automatically send a reminder to a client’s messaging app when their dog is due to book in for their next appointment, which ensures more regular repeat business.

Jaynie explains: “Efficient booking ensures that time slots are not missed in a given week, making more appointments available in the future. More importantly, a pet groomer is less likely to lose existing loyal clients, as clients will look for another grooming business if their calendar is booked up for weeks due to inefficient booking.

“Payemoji can also add a store and facilitate digital payments so that you can request full or partial payment to secure an appointment, thus ensuring cancelled or missed appointments do not leave you out of pocket.”

It’s almost a no-brainer at this point that this is something that you should take a look at for your business, as it can save you time and money. Payemoji even ensures that there are a wide array of features there for clients to use.

These features are relevant because Payemoji enables messenger apps for businesses, and focus on the needs of small businesses. Through a messaging app, like WhatsApp, they provide customer relationship management, an eCommerce store, loyalty programmes, and digital payments.

For service industries, like pet grooming, they also enable appointment bookings and handover to customer

support, all without ever leaving the messaging app.

“Each of our clients is provided a local mobile number, separate from their business number, that can be advertised on the client’s website or social media accounts. On the pet groomers Facebook page, pet groomers can add a WhatsApp icon which points to their Payemoji messaging store using the local number provided.

“We also provide businesses with QR code(s) that make it simple for your customers to engage through a messenger app with your pet grooming business.” Jaynie added.

No IT skills are required by the groomer to set up Payemoji and customers do not need to download additional apps as they simply text a local mobile number on a preferred messaging app.

Each business owner has access to a web portal on payemoji.com, with a dashboard that shows all new orders and appointments, total sales, payments, top selling products and services. They can also see each conversation between their clients and the messaging chatbot. Through a shared inbox, any of the business’s staff can interject and respond to a client, and then hand it back to the chatbot.

There are a wide array of technologies that groomers could look into the benefit their business, namely softwares where groomers can chat with one another,

Jaynie mentions.

“Pet groomers may want to join private or public grooming forum websites or Facebook forums where they can ask specific questions to fellow groomers,” Jaynie said, “Electronic newsletters are a great way to share a pet topic of interest to clients that a groomer learned about through different forums.

“Payemoji offers newsletters that can share the latest news, show off a ‘pet of the month’ or recent pet grooming pictures a groomer is particularly proud of, given consent by the pet owner.”

Jaynie also sees that QR technology is a useful tool that can promote a pet grooming business. By simply opening the camera on a mobile phone to view the QR code, the potential client is taken to a pet groomer’s personal website, social media account, or directly to a pet groomer’s Payemoji digital store on WhatsApp to book a grooming appointment.

Jaynie finishes by saying: “We would love to talk with any pet groomer and learn how Payemoji could be enhanced to support their business. Please visit our website at payemoji.com to try our grooming demo or contact us for a free trial for your grooming business.”

There you have it, a coalition of just some of the ways that looking into technologies and software can not only enhance your business but also bring in extra clientele, save you time and even increase revenue.

Image by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

Takingpaymentfor yourservices

Lopay is a UK-based payment app that helps you keep more of the money you earn. Richard Carter, CEO and Co-founder of Lopay, gives us his top five notes to consider for payment services.

Lopay lets you take payments for 0.79% - that’s less than half the price of SumUp and Zettle - without getting tied down to contracts or surprised by hidden fees.

You can also choose when you get paid, as Lopay offers weekly, next-day, or instant payouts, even on weekends or bank holidays.

With payments via a card reader, your phone, or a link, Lopay puts you in control and takes the hassle out of getting paid - leaving you to get on with what you do best.

Whether you’re grappling with a grumpy greyhound, pampering a precious poodle or shampooing a snarling schnauzer, a day in the life of a dog groomer is never straightforward.

This is why with so many things to worry about, getting paid shouldn’t be one of them.

So, we’ve taken the lead and broken payments down into five key things to consider, leaving you to focus on more important things, like getting those muddy paw prints out of your new jumper…

Keepitsimple

There are all sorts of shiny gadgets on the market, but at the end of the day, technology needs to be simple, and useful. We could tell you all about the complexities of payment processing, but all you really need is something that makes it easier to get paid and saves you money.

Lookforflexibility

You should be in control of your money. With Lopay, you choose when you get paid - whether that’s weekly, the next day, or if you need a little extra for the weekend, instantly.

It’s also important to give your customers flexibility and let them choose how to pay. Find a provider that lets your customers pay via a card reader, scanning a QR code or being sent a payment link. (But be wary of those that add hidden fees for different payment methods…)

Makesureyou’regetting tips

Your customers are putting the wellbeing of their beloved pet in your hands, so it’s no wonder many will want to leave you a little something extra to say thanks. Lopay’s Smart Tipping feature makes it easy to add a tip and makes sure you get even more - the app lets you choose between displaying a fixed amount or a percentage amount, depending on the value of the payment. Put simply, Lopay will show the prompt that’s most likely to get you a bigger tip!

Bewareofhiddencosts

Before committing to a payment provider, make sure you understand what you’ll get charged. You may be pulled in by a low percentage rate, but before you know it you’re hit with additional fees, one-off charges, monthly subscriptions and extra costs for additional services. Look for simple, transparent pricing so you know exactly what you’re getting!

Lookoutforfreebies

You’ve made it to point number five, so we thought we’d reward you for your time… download the Lopay app, enter the code TGM1000, and you won’t pay a penny in transaction fees on the first £1000 you process. What’s more, you can get another £1000 of free processing for every friend you refer to Lopay!

Follow @lopay_official on Instagram.

Training

Knowing what training is available for you or your staff isn’t always easy. We speak with some professionals to make this a little kinder on you. Photo by @cookie.thepom on Instagram.

Educatingon education

Something that often comes up when considering a career in grooming, or even simply expanding your current skill set, is knowing where and how to look to get the most bang for your buck. We spoke with some industry experts to find out more.

As it currently stands, it is not a legal requirement to hold any qualification to work as a dog groomer in the UK. This is due to the fact that the dog grooming industry is not regulated, which can lead to a huge variation between dog training centres.

D-O-G Grooming Studio Courses was established in 2015, focusing their teaching to deliver the internationally recognised City & Guilds qualification as a National Pet College approved training centre. Anita Eaton L.C.G.I. is one of the owners and headteacher and a Member of the Guild of Master Groomers.

With a grooming career that has been

ongoing since 2009, Anita tells us a little about D-O-G: “Schools, like ours, who deliver courses that are supervised by an awarding body with nationally recognised qualifications must go through a rigorous application process and quality checks.

“We are also audited regularly to make sure that we continuously deliver to a high level of standard. However, due to the lack of regulations in the industry, you can find courses that are delivered without any quality checks and are unmonitored. You can even enrol to dog grooming courses online.”

Anita sees that dog grooming isn’t very useful without any actual practical

experience and believes that, due to Brexit and COVID-19, the gaps have grown for groomers of all standards.

“We are living in interesting times,” Anita said, “as the combination of experienced groomers that left the country, due to Brexit, and the demand for dog grooming due to the increased number of dogs (lockdown puppies) increased, as did the requirement for well-trained, good-quality businesses and their staff.”

A large number of qualifications aren’t as widely recognised, bringing less attention to them in the limelight. That is why, at the D-O-G Grooming Studio, they only teach recognised qualifications

and work to the highest standards of teaching.

“The most popular course that we offer is the 45 Days combined City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate for Dog Grooming Assistants (7763-02) and City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming (7863-03). This course allows people to train from beginner to professional.

“We at D-O-G Grooming Studio Courses offer the highest quality of excellence in dog styling, handling dogs, preventive care, business management, health checking a dog and customer service skills.” Anita continues.

Professional training is also tax deductible, one of the many benefits that this could have to your revenue. You can claim allowable expenses for the training within your industry. It will also increase confidence in staff and freshly skilled members will groom to a higher standard, increasing the number of happy customers and furry four-legged friends.

There are also specific courses to invest time into, especially with D-O-G, which offers individually tailored courses for advanced groomers to focus on specific breeds, handling dogs of all ages and with certain behaviour problems.

D-O-G are the only school in London that is listed on the Pet Industry Federation’s educational arm of the National Pet College as an accredited training centre.

“To achieve this,” Anita added, “we had to undergo rigorous quality assurance checks, as well as an audit, to ensure that we provide the best grooming training for the City & Guilds qualifications in the UK.

“Our head teacher is also a member of the Guild of Master Groomers, with only 18 other groomers holding this title in the country.”

All of their students are taught individually, on a one-to-one basis, so the course dates don’t have to be consecutive. Their courses are flexible, without strict starting dates. People can pick and choose their days in a way it suits them.

Alongside all the theoretical aspects such as work-related legislations and regulations, business management, preventative care, handling dogs and health checking, their courses mostly focus on practical skills. Each student

gets the chance to groom two dogs per day, with a teacher’s guidance from start to finish.

There are several other industryrelated courses that you can find to enhance your business and your skills. It is common practice to combine dog grooming with dog walking and dog behaviour training.

There are also courses to take, for example, in canine body language, canine massage, hydrotherapy, ultrasound teeth cleaning, not to mention specialist training in dog grooming.

These can be great additions to any business as people with dogs are likely to use several of these services for their pets.

Anita adds: “In our school, we also offer dog walking courses, and we are specialists in the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel breeds. We also welcome interest in business management advice, including how to maximise floor space and invest in equipment and staff

We also decided to take a look at the National Pet College, which delivers Ofqual regulated qualifications and professional training courses for pet professionals throughout the UK including dog groomers, dog walkers and dog daycare providers.

management.”

Vicky Skinner, Head of Education at The National Pet College, said: “The National Pet College upskills learners to ensure that they maximise the welfare of the animals in their care in line with current research. All training is delivered by experienced, subject specialists, working alongside course partners to develop and deliver training that helps raise industry standards and promotes animal welfare.

“All courses are supported by the Pet Industry Federation, the trade association for the pet sector.”

Vicky sees that over the last few years, there has been a surge in training options for dog groomers, making it harder for groomers to know which qualification to undertake.

To help navigate the choice of courses, Vicky laid out the educational terminology:

GLH:GuidedLearning Hours

This is the amount of time the course should take to be taught, and focuses on the contact time with a tutor, or with homework tasks set by the tutor.

TQT:TotalQualification Time

This is the total amount of time expected to spend working towards the qualification. This will include assignment research plus the time it takes to write, plus the additional reading hours to support the learning.

Level

Most dog grooming qualifications are Level 2 or Level 3. The higher the level the more difficult the qualification. While starting with a Level 3 course may be appealing to some learners, this can lead to missing out on the basic skills and knowledge that are necessary for future learning.

Award/Certificate/Diploma

These terms relate to the size of the qualification and link closely to the GLH of the course. Generally, an award is the smallest and will introduce you to the subject. The diploma is the largest and should provide the learner with comprehensive knowledge and enable skill development.

OfqualRegulated

Only qualifications will be Ofqual regulated, meaning that they are produced by a regulated awarding body which is approved by Ofqual. Ofqual

does not examine the content of the courses. This should not be viewed as a quality stamp without examining the other features of the course.

Other considerations when selecting a course are to think of who is it delivered by, what experience they have in both their subject area and in delivering training. Being an exceptional groomer does not necessarily mean that they will be a great teacher as it takes time to develop the skills to plan and deliver effective lessons.

The National Pet College and the Pet

Industry Federation are strong advocates of the City & Guilds dog grooming qualifications.

“They believe that in order to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to bathe, dry and style the full range of coat types and manage dogs of varying ages and with different health conditions whilst maximising their welfare, significant teaching and support is required.” Vicky adds.

“This can only be achieved in a grooming salon under the supervision of a qualified groomer.

“Offering training can maximise salon revenue for experienced groomers, however, it is important that groomers have taken time to hone their skills before offering any form of training or education.”

A good way to step into training can be to offer ‘Learn to Groom’ days for pet owners, Vicky mentions. In these sessions, groomers can offer 1-1 support to pet owners on how to groom and care for their own dogs in between professional styling.

“This allows the groomer to gain confidence in providing instruction and interacting with learners,” Vicky continues, “Another avenue would be for groomers to offer pet owner workshops which are short, group sessions covering common canine welfare issues such as how to clean a dog’s teeth, clip nails or carry out health checks.

“Groomers who show dogs, or have significant experience with specific breeds, may wish to offer grooming workshops and seminars to other groomers where they can provide hints and tips.

“Groomers may also wish to deliver canine first aid courses; this can be done either by hosting a course from an external provider or becoming a recognised canine first aid trainer in order to deliver the course themselves.”

For anyone looking to offer more formal training, undertaking a teacher training qualification is essential. Level 3 qualifications, such as the City & Guilds Award in Education and Training, are short courses which can be completed online or face-to-face.

These qualifications provide wouldbe tutors with the skills to develop and deliver effective lessons, assess the learning that has taken place and provide constructive, developmental feedback.

Once qualified, groomers can consider offering dog grooming qualifications through recognised training centres, such as The National Pet College.

The National Pet College (NPC) offers a range of training options for groomers. For those starting out in their dog grooming career, the Level 2 and Level 3 City and Guilds qualifications are available through NPC-approved training centres, located around the country.

For qualified dog groomers, ongoing Continual Professional Development (CPD) is available through a range of National Pet College online courses and webinars. Topics include first aid, understanding parasites and recognising problem behaviours.

The Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming is also available. This learner-led course comprises of six practical exams and four theory assessments, and offers learners the opportunity to join the Guild of

“Groomers wishing to share their knowledge and skills can also become tutors in their own National Pet College approved centre. The first step on the journey to becoming an approved centre is to obtain a teaching qualification, which the National Pet College can assist with. For those already holding a suitable teaching qualification an application and centre audit would start the process.” Vicky finishes.

For further information on studying with The National Pet College or becoming a National Pet College Approved Centre, please visit www. nationalpetcollege.co.uk

Visit www.doggroomingstudiocourses. net

Visit www.nationalpetcollege.co.uk and follow @nationalpetcollege on Instagram and Facebook.

Master Groomers once the Diploma is completed.

PurplePawHydro+ HighbackHydrobath

The Purple Paw Hydro+ Highback model has a separate water tank with a heater and it connects to your water supply, such as a washing machine hook-up. This system automatically keeps the resorvoir tank full and heats to a preset temperature. It features a walk-in tub with a backsplash and is ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue. The hydrobath features an inbuilt filter bag system to collect hair, trash, etc. It also has easy access to temperature adjustment and water pressure adjustment for those sensitive areas. The reservoir holding tank holds 40 Liters. The wash tank size holds 30 litres. For further information on our Hydrobaths please call us on 07767 292199 or send us a quick email.RRP: £60.00 (Scotland/Ireland/Channel Islands - Phone for price)

JulieHarris

A grooming kit bag essential, dog grooming detangling spray with a light, mild formula. Works like a dream to gently detangle dog hair, working even on thick, heavy hair. This dog grooming spray not only detangles but is excellent for loosely holding the hair for clipping, trimming, and scissoring work.

A detangling spray that can be used repeatedly throughout the grooming session without product build-up that might weigh the hair down. The formula does not contain alcohol and only a very light fragrance so is suitable for most coats and skin types.

Although unlikely to cause a reaction we always recommend a patch test on the skin before spraying the whole coat.

Use this refill bottle to top up your 300ml Fairosol spray or use your own fine spray bottle. A little goes a long way so hold 20cm away from the dog so only a fine mist reaches the damp or dry coat. Use as often as required without build-up. Brush through. The signature range is available from Groomers-online, Mutneys, Rabart Canine and Amazon.

RRP: £24.95

MastercutProfessionalCordless DogClipper

This lightweight machine delivers powerful cutting action and the longest run-time of any cordless clipper in its class. The heavy-duty rotary motor and ‘planetary’ gear have been setup for maximum performance and cooler running temperature. You can continue to use carbon steel blades and avoid switching to more costly ceramics. This model is perfect for novice and experienced groomers alike. The Mastercut cordless clipper is fully compatible with rival brand accessories. In addition, Mastercut offers its own range of blades and attachments, including ‘super-wide’ options, for faster clipping times. RRP: £275.00

NilaquaPets

Meet the ONLY floor cleaner you’ll ever own! Introducing our brand new fragranceBubblegum, ECO Concentrate Pet Floor Cleaner. Just 50ml of our concentrate dilutes into 5 Litres of floor cleaner! Not only antibacterial but also deodorising and ideal for solid hard floors: Kennels, Catteries, Stables, Astroturf and Patios, Tiles and Laminate. Available in both a 1 litre and 5 Litre bottle. Use “TOTAL20” at the checkout for an exclusive discount at waterlessdogshampoo.co.uk RRP: From £9.99

BellyofJelly-Dog&PuppyShampoo-5L

Perfect for all coat types but most perfect for enhancing black and white coats. This fragrance is all things nice from the tantalising blend of apples and oranges to the sweet fruity undertones of ripe strawberries and raspberries. We strive to use biodegradable products where ever we can which is why you won’t find polerstireine chips in your orders. They are a product called ECO FLO and are made out of cornstarch. You can simply pop them in your sink and watch them dissolve away. They can also be put into compost. RRP: £55.00

Chokingsigns

It’s almost the festive season, and we are all thinking about spoiling our pets as much as we love to spoil ourselves. But, there are a number of hazards to consider at this time of year, and groomers are in the perfect position to help spread the word.

Choking is such a common problem, and it is essential that pet owners know how to spot the signs and risks.

Acting quickly and calmly can save your dog’s life. So, these tips should help more owners get to grips with this important issue. Particularly during the festive season, when there are a lot of things lying about, such as fallen Christmas tree baubles, hard but tempting foods such as nuts, guests taking up our attention and small parts from children’s toys strewn around.

Here are some signs to spot, and my advice on what to do if your dog should choke this festive season.

The signs of choking can vary and it’s important that you are able to spot all of

them.

Key things to look out for are:

• Collapse

• Sudden inability to breathe

• Bluish colour on tongue and gums

• Gagging

• Pawing at the mouth

• Drooling excessively

If you spot any of these signs, try to open your dog’s mouth to see what is inside. If it is a larger object and you can get a firm grip, pull on it slowly to see if you can dislodge it.

When doing this be careful not to injure yourself, as a panicking dog may lash out and bite.

If you are not able to dislodge the item with your fingers gently leave it in place

and call your vet straight away. If the item is causing an injury to the dog’s throat, attempting to remove it forcefully could cause a serious injury.

Another way to try to gently dislodge a hollow item, such as a ball, is to use a spoon for leverage, or a sharp object to let the air out of the ball so it deflates and can be safely removed. However, this should only be tried if you dog has collapsed and is unresponsive.

In most cases, by far the best course of action is to head for the vet straight away, but hopefully, this guide will give a clear picture of what can be done when you simply wouldn’t make it there in time.

To find out more about Rachel Bean, go to www.rachelbean.co.uk

We’re recruiting

BeautyandBeasts

Canada-based Erica is the owner of Beauty and Beasts grooming salon and has been in the industry for seven years. As well as owning two dogs, Pickles and Mocha, Erica can also be found volunteering outside of work to give something back.

HiErica.Whatcanyoutell meaboutyourgrooming career?

Grooming has changed my life. It’s taught me so much about myself. It’s the first job I have had that doesn’t have me watching the clock. There are always new things to learn about dogs!

Whatcanyoutellmeabout groominginCanada?

It’s cold! [Erica laughs] We get a lot of huskies, shepherds and fluffy northern breeds because of it. We have a really good certification organisation for those who want to test their talents called Canadian Professional Pet Stylist.

We are really into continuing education and making sure we are up to date on the most current styles and techniques. A lot of the learning is handson and done on your own.

Whatdierenceshaveyou noticedbetweengroomers inCanadaandgroomersin theUK?

From what I have heard about the UK, they have a lot of grooming schools and different programs for learning to groom. They have a board of qualifications called City & Guilds which is highly trusted by consumers.

A lot of the education here in Canada is hands-on while you work unless you go through a major corporation, PetSmart for example, where they usually send you to their school.

Whataresomekey thingsthatyouthinkUK groomerscanlearnfrom groomersinCanada?

I believe all groomers can learn something from one another. There’s always a new trick or product to try. Don’t be afraid to go out and constantly learn new things about the industry!

Are there any general thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

I feel so blessed to be doing something I love. My life has gone to the dogs, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Follow @beauty.and.beasts.grooming on Instagram.

A-ZAnimalCareLtd

This month, we’re bringing you a slightly longer look into a business for our Groomers of the Month feature. We spoke with Emma Betts, Founder, Company Director, Head Groomer and Qualified Veterinary Nurse to discuss A-Z Animal Care Ltd.

A-Z Animal Care Ltd. opened in 2005. Prior to being a Pet Groomer, Emma worked in local vets after leaving school, having completed her A Levels in 1998.

Emma always had a passion for working with animals and as soon as she was able to get a job, she was working at a vets. School holidays saw Emma standing in for nurses when they were on holiday, and every Saturday morning, she could be found in-clinic helping out.

“It made complete sense to me to follow this when I left school,” Emma said, “I went full-time as a student veterinary nurse. The practice I worked for was happy to sign me up for vet nurse training and I spent a couple of years working hard at Myerscough College towards my qualification.”

After Emma qualified in 2001, she carried on in practice, but things didn’t feel any different between being

qualified and unqualified, and Emma claims that this was quite deflating.

In 2004, Emma decided to change her career and looked for something where she could still work with animals. Pet grooming came up, something her other half, Bill, had never really heard of.

Emma said: “I resigned from the vets and invested some money into a 30-day local grooming course and Notes from the Grooming Table, a very comprehensive dog grooming ‘bible’ with guidance on every breed you can imagine!

“I then set myself up to groom in people’s houses. I also took a job at a local stable in the morning mucking out horses.

“Quickly, the enquiries started to come in. We advertised in a local magazine and the Yellow Pages. This was partly why I chose A-Z Animal Care so that we would be top of the alphabetical listings in any directories we advertised in.

“Also, we felt we could offer loads of services and we tried to go from A-to-Z, listing all of them!”

As Emma got busier, she soon realised that she could do more by having people come to her, so she found a shop to rent at a local Garden Centre. This was to be A-Z Animal Care’s new home. The rent was very reasonable and Emma’s dad

helped her get things going. Before they knew it, they became very busy and soon, she was joined by an apprentice and a receptionist.

“Within a few years, we had gone VAT registered and were turning over six figures, but we had a beast of a business to tame,” Emma said.

“A-Z Animal Care became a real beast of a business that was perhaps controlling us rather than us controlling the business. We were very busy and, although we were one of the most expensive in the area, we found that we were not as profitable as we would like to be.

“We had fallen for what most people in the industry do. We found we were busy, so we added more staff followed by more staff, but all this was doing was opening up appointments what we weren’t doing was looking at our prices vs our outgoings.”

After some time, Emma and Bill decided that they would buy Emma’s

dad out of the business and run it themselves. Emma claims that they had always known that the business could do more, but they didn’t have the knowledge or the mindset to expand the business or take control of it.

Bill, at the time, was in the Police and quite miserable, and found a business training company for serving and expolice officers.

“Bill went off on an information day in March 2019 and COVID was kicking off,” Emma said, “He came home bursting with enthusiasm about this business training company, but he was concerned about spending some money. He told me it was £3500, and I immediately said, ‘let’s do it.’

“If spending £3500 on our business was going to help us to improve it and do more with it, then it would be a great investment.

“Coming out of COVID and working with our mentors from the business training course, we soon realised that our

‘Happy pets and happy owners,’ that is our biggest unique selling point!

business was over-staffed and underpriced. We opened after the lockdown with a 19% price increase and made two groomers redundant. By increasing our prices and lowering our costs the profits started to increase.

“All this was down to mindset, and we had to have a few emergency one-toones with our mentors when doing this! But, now we are pretty fearless with our prices.”

Aside from just grooming, A-Z offers a whole range of services to clients. This consists of dog grooming, cat grooming, teeth cleaning, small animal grooming (such as rabbits and guinea pigs) and now a vaccination centre, too!

Emma mentions that the team are great believers in diversification and that there is more to grooming now than just haircuts on dogs.

“I did lots of cat grooming whilst working at the vets and I knew this would be an important add-on to my business from the day I opened A-Z Animal Care,” Emma adds, “Being able to offer more than just dog grooming has meant we have opened up our business to more clients.

“Five years ago, we diversified again with teeth cleaning. I helped with a lot of teeth cleaning when in practice so when these new systems came onto the scene, I was interested to see how they worked.

“We use Emmi Pet in our business and, after seeing the fabulous results we can get for our dogs and the owners, it has become an integral part of our business.”

Being a vet nurse, Emma always had a niggle about opening a vets. Over the years, Emma investigated opening a vaccination clinic but often came across a wall of negativity and barriers, one being having to offer out-of-hours emergency cover.

However, with their new founded “can do” mindset, Emma and the team set about finding a way and, in April 2022, they opened a vaccination clinic at A-Z Animal Care. They now employ a vet and Emma provides the nursing services for it.

“It’s a busy clinic and we can offer big savings for customers, as we are a small non-corporate business with lower overheads compared to a traditional vet practice.

“However, we have more work to do to shift the traditional bond between

owners and their vets. We aim to show pet owners that there is a better value, but just as professional, alternative for vaccinations in the area. The vet we employed also issues Animal Health Certificates so we can help people take their dogs to France, too.”

Since 2019, having found mentorship, the growth of the business has really accelerated. Emma mentioned that they were cruising at around £120,000 turnover but, now with a combination of price increases, new services such as

teeth cleaning and vaccination clinics, they are hoping to hit around £250,000 this year. Not bad for a £3500 investment in training!

In regards to the future of A-Z, they are currently looking for a full-time experienced pet groomer since their last one left them after ten years. They also have a meeting with a business investor in November, so ne sure to stay up-todate with them to see where it takes them!

“‘Happy pets and happy owners’”,

Emma said, “That is our biggest unique selling point! I am sure we are very much like most groomers out there in that we treat the pets in our care as our own.

“But, on top of that, we strive to provide fantastic customer service. Part of this is our receptionist, Kim, who is there to look after our clients on the phone and in person. Some may argue that Kim is not earning us money, but I believe she generates a lot of income by enrolling new clients, keeping existing clients happy, upselling services, looking after the diary, and saving the grooming team time.”

“I also believe our culture is a great selling point. People walk into a happy atmosphere which relaxes the client and, in turn, relaxes the pet. Our team culture also ensures that there is consistency with everything we do.

“Everyone within the team has a responsibility to check the work that is going out and we have a no-blame culture. If a nail has been missed, we correct it. If there is a patch of long hair, we get it sorted. I believe that this is really important to clients as they want a consistently good-looking pet that is coming out happy, where all the nails have been sorted and both ears have been cleaned etc.”

All of this is carried out under the guidance and leadership of a qualified veterinary nurse which Emma hopes provide a lot of confidence and reassurance to the clients they serve.

For groomers looking to start their own business or make it in the industry, Emma sees that pet grooming and running a business is tough. “It’s tough on your body and it can be tough on your mental health,” Emma said. “The last three years we have been supported by mentors and a mentorship group. This has made a massive difference in us and the business.

“So, when you think about investing in your business look at investing in a mentor.”

What we can learn from Emma and A-Z Animal Care is that it’s ok to try new things, take some risks and always give it your all when looking to try new things. Who knows, you may even inspire someone else to do the same!

You can find out more by searching “Emma Betts, A-Z Animal Care” on Facebook.

hair

Shedding

During the winter months in dog grooming, shedding and longer coat care are the order of the day. However, for cats, the shedding cycle is a little different, and when considering adding cat grooming to your business offer, it is important to consider the different kinds of care that cats will need.

By Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty - The iPET Network

Of course, like dogs, no cat is the same as the next, and an individual and tailored approach is always desirable when caring for all animals. But, as we have said before in this column, “a cat is not a dog”!

iPET Network’s approved Training Provider Four Paws Groom School, their tutor, and cat grooming expert Katie Gwilt, explains the shedding cycle, and why it is an important consideration in the care that feline customers need.

Catfurandtheshedding cycle

Cats shed fur. It’s a fact of life. It’s a normal, natural part of being a cat much like us humans shed our hair at times. By shedding fur, cats are naturally keeping their coat as well as their skin in good condition and replenishing damaged, old and broken fur.

In general, cats shed their fur twice a year. In the spring they lose their heavier winter undercoat to prepare for warmer months. In the autumn, they then lose the thinner lighter fur to prepare for the growing-in of the thicker winter coat.

Many domestic cats now live in places that have air conditioning and central heating, which change the natural temperature of the seasons, so shedding often occurs all year round. This is especially true of cats who are 100% indoor cats.

Whydocatsshedtheirfur?

Shedding their fur is a sign of good health usually as sicker cats do not shed. If dead hair isn’t removed then it can cause skin irritations, knots and mats.

This is part of the reason that older and sick cats need some help with their grooming as they may lose interest or not be able to do it themselves. As well as the temperature, the amount of light can also affect how much a cat sheds

their fur.

The more time a cat spends in sunlight (the photoperiod), the more they shed. Other factors as to how much they shed depend on their breed, nutrition and grooming practices both by themselves and assisted by us humans.

For example, a purely indoor cat will shed fur more often due to the temperature not fluctuating as much as one living outside, being subject to weather changes.

However, having less sunlight and

more artificial light will reduce shedding. Outdoor cats shed more in the warmer months when they are outside in direct sunlight, and hardly at all during the colder winter months to help them stay warm by thermal regulation.

Arethereanybreedsthat shedless?

There is debate amongst cat owners about breeds that shed less than others. The Rex family of cats (the Cornish and Devon Rex etc) have short, curly fur

which is also quite fine across the body so they are thought to lose less fur but they still do shed.

Cats, such as Sphynx, who only have a very thin covering of fur are the only ones who do not truly shed. They have the softest fur that is very short and fuzzy, giving them a silky feeling when stroked. They have other grooming needs, however, and require specialist care, so are not for everyone.

They would suit people who have cat hair allergies though.

HowcanImanage sheddingincats?

Spending time grooming your cat can help keep shedding down. This helps to remove any dead or loose hair before it sheds and will help keep the cat’s skin and coat healthy.

It is a lovely experience to share with your cat and helps you bond as well as be able to keep track of any lumps and bumps that you may otherwise miss on their skin.

Professional grooming can help further as a cat groomer will be able to work more effectively and cover the more sensitive areas, and those where fur gathers (the hips, shoulders and fluffy back legs) that may not be as easy for an owner to work with.

Bathing can also help to really bring out those loose hairs and stimulate the skin as well as deal with oily and greasy fur but, again, isn’t for every cat. I always perform a drier test before attempting to bathe a cat, even one who is used to the process.

As always it’s about the thickness and density of the cats’ fur. Pick the right brush or comb for each individual cat according to their breed, age, health and fur type.

Oriental cats, like Burmese and Siamese, have finer hair so a moulting comb suits them and usually, they need less brushing. For cats like British Short Hair and Persian, usually you will need a wider-toothed coarse comb and a longer amount of time to go through the coat properly. The thickness is much more of a factor in grooming than the length.

If you’d like to learn more about how to groom cats please contact iPET Network to find your local approved Training Provider and book one of their specialist cat grooming qualifications.

Howareyou?

How often do people ask you that? It’s a question you probably ask many pet owners day to day but who asks you? This is why we want to be there for you. - By Bill Betts

Care of Pet Professionals has been set up to support the mental well-being of Pet Professionals. Established by Bill & Jules, this Community Interest Company (CIC) is there to bridge the gap between the NHS and mental health services.

Bill and Jules have both experienced first-hand the benefits of belonging to organisations that have stepped in to help them in their time of need. This has enabled them to access counselling and therapy without having to sit on a long waiting list. In short, it ensured they received the support they needed when they needed it.

Both Bill and Jules worked within the emergency services when they sought the extra help of counsellors. But, it wasn’t just the work they were doing and the trauma they were witnessing that was the sole cause of their mental health struggles. Issues at home and within their personal lives also contributed to it.

Bill left the police service after 19 years. Always having one foot in the pet industry, as his wife is a veterinary nurse and pet groomer, Bill started a new career within the pet grooming world as a business coach.

He soon realised that the pet grooming world has similar issues and mental health challenges as any other but that there was no support.

It was decided that a solution was required and, inspired by the support they had received in the emergency services, Bill and Jules teamed up to form Care of Pet Professionals (COPPS).

The aim of COPPS is to provide its members with mental and physical well-being support through various tools. This can be raising awareness through articles, blogs, and podcasts, highlighting different therapies and counselling options. Then, using the funds raised by the members’ contributions, sponsorship, and donations to pay for support for the

members.

Care of Pet Professionals not only wants to work with individual pet professionals but also wants to work with businesses to ensure they are providing a great workplace for their employees. This, in turn, can help retention of employees and cut down the number of days of sick leave that are taken.

Courses such as Mental Health First Aid can be undertaken, and Trauma Risk Management (TRIM) can be provided for businesses or individuals that have been exposed to trauma or potential trauma.

Bill and Jules would love to support as many Pet Professionals as possible because we know that you care for

animals but who cares for you?

For more information please visit www.careofpetprofessionals.co.uk or find us on Facebook or Instagram.

Dietaryspookiness

The minds over at Trusted Housesitters take a deep dive into some important dietary questions that you should have knowledge on this Halloween, as a groomer, to pass on to your clientele.

Halloween is one of the biggest holidays worldwide, but how involved can your furry friends get in your festivities? While you can groom your pets to look the part and complement your own spooky Halloween costumes and outfits, it’s also important to look after their insides too, at a time of year when many of us are enjoying chocolate, sweets and other treats.

With this in mind, and dogs accounting for 95% of chocolate consumption calls to pet poison hotlines, Trusted Housesitters looked into the four most Googled questions about what our pets can eat during Halloween, and have offered advice on how to keep them safe.

1.Howmuchchocolateis poisonoustodogs?(480 searchesamonth)

Between the 1st-7th November this

search spikes, which shows the panic pet owners face after their dogs have got into the trick-or-treat bowl.

Consuming more than half an ounce per pound of body weight may put your dog at risk for chocolate poisoning.

Cocoa contains the compound theobromine, which is toxic to animals at certain doses. While most pet owners are more concerned about their dog eating chocolate, it’s just as important that you prevent chocolate ingestion in

your cat.*

If you notice that your dog or cat has dipped into the trick-or-treat bowl, it’s important to let your vet know as soon as possible, according to the PDSA. As chocolate consumption can be toxic, depending on the amount consumed and the size of your furry friend, you should get them to a vet straight away so that they can diagnose the risk to your pet. They might be discharged and sent home, or a vet may prescribe activated charcoal, a substance that combats theobromine absorption. Either way, it’s best to keep your Halloween goodies away from your pets!

2.Cancatseatpumpkin? (3.9ksearchesamonth)

This search is at its highest peak of the year between 24th-30th October.

Yes! Pets can enjoy some pumpkin this year without fear of poisoning. However, there is a but, as raw pumpkin is harder to digest and should be avoided for both cats and dogs.

Dogs and cats can also eat pumpkin puree and pumpkin seeds. As cats have more delicate digestion tracks, make sure the seeds are ground up before feeding to smaller cats and kittens to avoid choking hazards.

But, are there health benefits to pumpkins for pets?

Pumpkins contain vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron and potassium. Feeding canned or cooked pumpkin gives a great boost to your pet’s diet. Due to its high soluble fibre content, pumpkin is very good for your pet’s digestion.

3.Candogseatpopcorn? (5.4ksearchesamonth)

Yes! Popcorn makes a great snack for both dogs and cats. However, this is just for plain popcorn, so stay clear of popcorn with added caramel/syrup as this can be harmful to them.

4.Candogseatsweets? (1.1ksearchesamonth)

Like humans, dogs have taste buds

that crave sweet foods. However, while sugar isn’t poisonous to cats and dogs, it isn’t healthy for them, just as it isn’t for humans.

Angela Laws, award-winning community manager of TrustedHousesitters, who is also a sitter with 14 years of experience and over 200 pet sits all over the world, shares her advice on how to find the perfect pet sitter: “This Halloween, keep your trickor-treat bowl full of sweets and chocolate away from your pets. But if you have some leftover pumpkin, treat your dog or cat to some cooked pumpkin for dinner, or some pumpkin seeds as a healthy snack!”

For more information, head to www. trustedhousesitters.com/house-and-petsitters/ and www.trustedhousesitters. com/blog/pets/can-cats-eat-pumpkin/ *www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/ chocolate/

Preparewith DorwestHerbs

Naturally de-fuse your pet’s firework fear with award-winning herbal pet care experts at Dorwest Herbs this Autumn.

Many pets dislike loud noises, with some even developing debilitating phobias. With less than a week to go until Bonfire Night, and ‘fireworks season’ becoming longer and less predictable, managing a fearful pet is more challenging than ever.

With 70 years of experience, experts at Dorwest have the natural solution. Herbal supplements Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound are formulated to naturally help dogs and cats relax, using high-quality authenticated herbs full of active compounds. They safely calm activity in the nervous system without sedating or affecting muscles so you and your pet can relax, despite the fireworks!

Even better, these products are not

just for fireworks, they are perfect to use in other stressful situations such as general anxiety, travel stress, and other noise phobias and for rescue dogs, as they help to improve concentration - so perfect for showing too!

Jo Boughton-White, Manager Director comments: “Whether it’s one month or one day before Bonfire Night, we can help. Recognising anxiety and fear in our dogs isn’t always straightforward, so our website, leaflets and social channels are packed full of information, advice and behavioural videos which will help you recognise, prepare and tackle firework fear. Should you wish to speak to someone, our expert advisors will be waiting for your call.”

Dorwest is offering Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound as a

special offer ‘combo pack’ with 25% off RRP until 5th November. Simply use promo code FIREWORKS22 at checkout and visit www.dorwest.com/fireworks/ for more details.

Last year’s calming campaign to “naturally dial down your pet’s firework fear” won Best Multichannel Marketing Campaign at the Ecommerce Awards, find out more at www. ecommerceawards.london

Prepare for calm this fireworks season. Call 01308 897272, email info@dorwest. com or visit www.dorwest.com

To find out more about Scullcap & Valerian Tablets and Valerian Compound, visit https://www.dorwest.com/category/ shop-by-condition/anxiety-behaviour/ Visit www.dorwest.com/fireworks for more details.

AnimalTalent&CastingAgency

UrbanPawsUK

Urban Paws UK are the leading and award-winning animal talent and casting agency. We have a team of knowledgeable and experienced bookers with over 40 year’s experience in the pet industry who work with film producers, TV studios, PR agencies and in-house marketing companies to provide the perfect animal talent for any media brief. We are always looking for well-groomed pets for media briefs so get in touch today. London: 020 8161 6556 Manchester: 0161 808 1667

E: info@urbanpawsuk.com W: www.urbanpawsuk.com

GroomingandHygiene

GHSDirect

GHS Direct specialises in the manufacture and supply of a comprehensive range of concentrate liquid disinfectants and detergents to the animal care industry.

T: 01268 513200

E: sales@ghs-direct.com W: www.ghs-direct.com

GroomingSupplies

Artero

Artero has specialized in dog grooming and hairdressing products since 1909. With 113 years of experience, Artero has become a reference in both the Grooming and the Hairdressing worlds, Artero is now present in over 72 countries all over the world.

W: www.artero.co.uk/dog-grooming Facebook: artero.grooming.uk Instagram: @artero.grooming.uk

Petcetera

Petcetera have been supplying the nation’s professional dog people with new and innovative products for over 50 years! We pride ourselves on being a one-stopshop for all your pet, showing, grooming & breeding requirements. Request your FREE catalogue today!

T: 01948 668100

E: info@petcetera.co.uk

W: www.petcetera.co.uk

Facebook: petceteraetc Instagram: @petcetera_etc

IndustryServices

PetIndustryFederation

Open to all pet businesses in the UK, PIF is the membership association for the pet industry with a wide range of member benefits to support business growth and development.

T: 01234 273933

E: info@petfederation.co.uk

W: www.petfederation.co.uk

Facebook: petindustryfederation

Twitter: @PetFedUK

Instagram:@petindustryfederation

LinkedIn: Pet Industry Federation (PIF)

NaturalPetTreats

Monty’sPetTreats&Wholesale

Looking for extra income?

Give our Natural treats, foods & supplements a new brand! Wholesale with white label service & UK manufactured products. 5% off first order with code TGM5 T: 0203 797 6308

W: www.montystreats.co.uk

PetFood

BurnsPetNutrition

Founded by veterinary surgeon John Burns in 1993, pioneering pet food brand Burns specialises in using simple, healthy and wholesome ingredients to create award-winning recipes that pets love. T: 0800 0181890

E: sales@burnspet.co.uk W: www.burnspet.co.uk

Facebook: burnspet Instagram: @burnset Twitter: @burnspetfood

RawFeeding

NaturalInstinct

At Natural Instinct, we are all passionate about pets. We believe raw food is the best natural option, feeding as nature intended, free from artificial additives, colours, preservatives and fillers. T: 01276 608500 W: www.naturalinstinct.com Facebook: NIPetfoods Twitter: @NIrawpetfoods Instagram: @naturalinstinctfood

Shampoo

ForAllDogkind

Award-winning grooming and wellbeing range for all skin & coat types. Delivering natural, healthy and healing products that are ethically sourced and luxuriously kind to hounds & humans. (Trade discounts available)

T:. 020 7148 0316 E: info@foralldogkind.co.uk W: www.foralldogkind.co.uk

SecretWeaponUK

Our unrivalled range of top quality dematting products, shampoos and conditioners are suitable for all coat and skin types. Organic and hypoallergenic our ethically sourced products make grooming easier, kinder and faster. Award winning and successfully selling worldwide for 8 years.

T: 07923 368137

W: www.secretweaponuk.com Facebook: Secret Weapon UK Instagram: @secretweaponuk

Sharpening

BarrasBlades

Innovation in sharpening. Mail order sharpening services for all your scissor and clipper blades with fast turnaround and tracked returns. Home of the groomers blade push to ease blade cleaning and for the groomers blade push you can go here to see it www.barras-blades.com/groomersblade-push

T: 07879408714

E: Paul@barras-blades.com W: www.barras-blades.com Facebook: Barras.Blades Instagram: @barras_blades

TeethCleaning

TheDogToothFairy

The Dog Tooth Fairy offers Emmi-pet equipment, online training courses and support for dog groomers. Helping businesses thrive and increase their salon revenue with Emmi-pet ultrasonic teeth cleaning, achieving great results with guaranteed client satisfaction.

T: 07583689366

E: thedogtoothfairy@gmail.com Facebook: @thedogtoothfairy Instagram: @thedogtoothfairy

TrainingandEducation

CapelManorCollege

Train to become a qualified dog groomer; choose from full and part-time courses with free tuition for 16 to 18 year olds. T: 0303 003 1234

E: study@capel.ac.uk W: www.capel.ac.uk Facebook: capelmanorcollege Twitter: @capelmanor Instagram: @capelmanor

FourPawsGroomSchool

Dog and Cat Grooming Training Courses and regulated Qualifications. Our friendly and knowledgeable Tutors will support you every step of the way. Locations in Cheshire, Kent, Herefordshire and Greater Manchester. T: 01606 333765

E: info@fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk W: www.fourpawsgroomschool.co.uk Facebook: fourpawsgroomschool Instagram:@fourpawsgroomschool

HaddonTraining

Established in 1997, Haddon Training are an award-winning training provider specialising in dog grooming, animal care and equine. We offer qualifications which are all supported by our team of expert Trainer-Coaches. T: 01672 519977

E: enquiries@haddontraining.co.uk

W: www.haddontraining.co.uk Facebook: HaddonTrainingLtd Instagram: @haddontraining

iPETNetwork International Awarding Organisation, creating regulated qualifications for the Animal Care and Veterinary Science sector. We aim to improve animal welfare through education, successfully winning awards for our Dog and Cat Grooming qualifications. T: 0800 433 4700

E: info@ipetnetwork.co.uk W: www.ipetnetwork.co.uk Facebook: @ipetnetwork Instagram: @ipetnetwork

KDGroomingStudio

KD Grooming Studio, a multi-awardwinning pet grooming Studio, delivers flexible C&G/National Pet College & vocational courses. Train with Britain’s Best Groomer, Kelly Davis (BBC) and her highly skilled team. Enrol year round. T: 01963 34110

E: info@kdgroomingstudio.co.uk W: www.kdgroomingstudio.co.uk W: www.kellydavis.uk Facebook: KdGroomingStudio Instagram: @kdgroomingstudio

NationalPetCollege

Offering City & Guilds dog grooming qualifications via our approved training centres around the UK. Also, Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming, teacher training and short courses including canine first aid. T: 01234 984450 E: info@nationalpetcollege.co.uk W www.nationalpetcollege.co.uk Facebook: nationalpetcollege Instagram: @nationalpetcollege

PetPassiontoProfit

Pet Passion to Profit is a business training company. We enable grooming businesses to grow their businesses giving greater income, confidence and satisfaction.

T: 07969 990086

E: info@petpassiontoprofit.com W: www.petpassiontoprofit.com Facebook: Petpassiontoprofit Instagram:@pet_passion_to_profit1 YouTube: www.youtube.com/ channel/UC5qrF8sc0XQSlgmwzqFBn-g

RobFellowsReiki

Help calm the dogs in your salon and make your job easier too. Easy to learn and simple to do Reiki training courses especially for groomers. Home Learning or Live Training and Qualification Day.

E: rob@RobFellowsReiki.com W: RobFellowsReiki.com/reiki-fordog-groomers

Facebook: RobFellowsReiki

FBgroup: Reiki for Dog Groomers Instagram: @reikirobfellows

SummitGroomerTrainingGroup

Summit works with dog grooming training centres delivering quality tuition and City & Guilds qualifications. With centres across the UK there is one near you. See our website for details.

T: 01535 661776

E: enquiries@summitgroomer traininggroup.co.uk W: www.summitgroomer traininggroup.co.uk

Going Mobile…

The Portable Palace Winner

Van

Created from our Revolutionary insulated panel, the Palace provides groomers with unrivalled benefits never seen before in the industry! This amazing new concept was born due to our lining's incredible lifespan - they often out live the vans they were placed in - so we created a demountable pod where your business can be moved on to the next chassis easily when needed - or if you no longer wish to be mobile, you can demount the pod and work from your garden!

• As the chassis ages, the Palace can be removed and placed onto a brand new chassis - resulting in a much cheaper cost than having to buy a whole new van and conversion with next to no downtime

• If the chassis is involved in an accident or breaks down you can simply remove the body, place it on the ground and work from your driveway whilst you wait for it to be repaired.

• The lining will not out live the vehicle like so often seen with used van conversions. You then have to sell the van & conversion and then buy a new van and conversion and wait whilst it is converted. Whereas with the Palace, you can keep the pod forever and change the chassis as you need to.

• Once you choose to retire from mobile grooming you can remove the Palace, sell the chassis and work from the Palace in your garden instead of having to buy a parlour or convert a room in your house.

• When you choose to move home, you can take the pod with you and this portability combined with the size means they will not normally require planning permission in your garden.

• You never need to buy a Brand new chassis that can depreciate - simply buy used a chassis and then swap them out as they get too old.

• Smaller than its LWB Van equivalent but provides a more workable space inside that is highly customisable as there are no van strutts or vehicle constraints

• Can be driven on a normal car driving license

Say goodbye to having to buy a whole new van and conversion every few years - simply move your Palace from one chassis to another with zero down time and when the time comes and you no longer want to be mobile, simply

Going Mobile…

Discover your dream work place today

G;Rooms

Our fantastic portable grooming Pods allow you to groom from the comfort of your own garden in a fully waterproof, insulated & professional environment. They are completely self contained - for electric you simply plug the cable provided into your house, for water in you simply attach your garden hose and this is piped straight to your Hydrobath. Waste water is held inside the bath and piped out to a location of your choice. The Pods do not normally ever require planning permission and they can be delivered to even the hardest to reach locations. And if you move house? our Pods move with you! Each pod is fully portable and can be moved an unlimited amount of times. Choose from an unlimited amount of interior & exterior options with fully customisable packages to perfectly suit your budget and design with ever Pod and conversion available on finance from as little as £20+vat per wk!

Trailers

Made from our Revolutionary insulated panel, our VCA Approved Grooming trailers provide the perfect solution if you would like to work from home and be mobile without the running costs associated with a van - with no tax or MOT required with trailers! You can leave the trailer on your drive way or hitch up with your vehicle when ever you need to. And when you have finished being mobile you can permanently demount the trailer from the axels and use it as a Garden Pod!

Vans

Our industry leading dog grooming vans provide unrivalled levels of luxury combined with practicality. Choose from new or used vans or supply your own, we work with you to create the perfect package for your business. Complete with a 10 year lining warranty our conversions outlive and out perform all in their class with a build quality that is second to none. Unlimited optional extras and packages are available including sign writing and free delivery back to you. New vans Available fully converted from just £68+vat per wk!

Portable Palace

Your parlour for life. Our new revolutionary demountable Palace offers benefits never seen before in the industry. Once your chassis reaches the end of its life or is involved in an accident, you simply demount your Palace and work from home or swap it onto a new chassis. If you no longer want to be mobile you can demount the pod and use it as a parlour in your Garden. The palace’s can be driven on a standard UK driving License and are often smaller than their van based equivalent whilst giving you more usable space. Available in a wide range of sizes with unlimited conversion configurations. Available on finance

Supajets blow other dryer s away

If you're looking for a new dryer, the SUPA JE T is di icult to ignore as it's set the industry gold standard for more than 50 years.

It’s remains the 'grooming' nations favourite dryer because it’s so well designed - a SUPA JE T is built to perform and built to last.

Unlike some other dryers, a SUPA JE T needs only occasional servicing and, simple maintenance to help keep it working in tip-top condition.

Most importantly, the SUPA JE T delivers optimum air speed and temperature to dry coats of all types and textures, fast and e ectively.

So, if your salon needs a dryer that's reliable, e icient and cost e ective to run, look no further. The SUPA JE T is simply 'best in