Looking ruff: Huge backlog as Ireland’s groomers get back in trim
DOGS coats are looking ruff after lockdown, but, just like their owners, they will have to wait in line to get their trim.
Groomers across Ireland have weeks of backlogs after reopening – with some salon owners reporting waiting lists in the hundreds.
One dog groomer in Dublin said they have a waiting list of 500 pooches waiting to be pampered after they opened up last month.
Cathy Bruen, owner of Canine Creations pet groomers in Sandyford, has had a barking mad time getting through the long waiting list since reopening on May 18.
Ms Bruen says the backlog has built up so much because of all the dogs with appointments postponed during lockdown, as well as new customers.
She normally sees between six to eight customers a day, so with a waiting list of 500, it will be a while before they get to the end.
Matted fur, ticks and long nails are the most common issues seen in dogs that come to her salon after weeks without treatment.
Certain mixed breeds, like the Poodle and Bichon crosses, are more prone to matting than others and Cathy says those with serious matting may need a close shave to rescue their coat.
Agnieszka Leane, owner of White Paws in Killarney has also seen a lot of matted hair in dogs since opening up her business on June 8, and says that canines feel much better after grooming.
‘Matted hair can cause lots of health and welfare problems,’ she said. ‘I have one dog that, after shaving very matted ears, it developed hematoma around the ears. When the dog is very matted, the grooming procedure is a little bit uncomfortable for the dog because even when you are shaving it short, the shaver kind of pulls on the hair a little bit. But most of the dogs accept it very well anyway,’ she said.
Ms Leane has a three-week waiting list for her services but says that pet owners can prevent matted hair in their dogs by brushing their coats every day when they are waiting for an appointment.
Barbers and hairdressers now have the goahead to open on June 29, a month earlier than scheduled in the original roadmap, but some dog owners are jealous of the trims their dogs are getting in the meantime! Petmania dog groomers have about 12 stores all around the country and joked they’ve had some requests for a trim from dog owners, too. Most of their stores have a four-week waiting list of hundreds of dogs and they have been very busy working their way through the backlog. Their most popular treatments since reopening have been a de-shedding therapy bath and the total wellbeing package – because many dogs are overdue for treatment after the lockdown. Emily Miller, marketing manager of Petmania, said that some dogs are more in need of treatment than others, depending their activity or breed.
‘There are a lot of dogs out there needing some love and attention,’ she said.
‘The dogs’ condition vary depending on the at-home grooming regime that the owner might have and depends on what the dog gets up to.
‘If you have a dog who loves rolling in the mud, it doesn’t matter, they’re all going to be more in a difficult situation than one who doesn’t like getting his feet dirty. It really is wide and varied.
‘We would encourage people to brush their dog’s coat at home because it is the first line of defence against matting, and matting is a thing that can cause discomfort for the dog.’