What is CBD and How is it Used (Simplified)?

I’ll start off by saying right off the bat: I am such a huge fan of CBD. I have been taking it for years for anxiety and insomnia, and I give it to my dog for his bad back. It has helped in so many ways, plus it’s a natural supplement, so no liver damage like with pharmaceuticals! The hardest part for me was finding the best brand, dosage, and form that worked for my needs (and I needed a company for my dog as well).

It seems that CBD is popping up everywhere: gas stations, grocery stores, and there are even independent shops opening.  We also hear all of the claims that people make about using CBD (and they all vary), but do you know why it works in pets and humans?

The CBD industry is an unregulated industry, like so many other products in its classification in the wellness category and pet care products. Knowledge is power when it comes to deciding if CBD is a good fit for your pet and how to pick out the right products. First, we have to look at the science behind it.

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The ECS is a network of cell receptors and molecules that interact with each other. These molecules relay a message to the cell receptor, giving the cell specific instructions, information, and directions. When such chemical signals (molecules) bind to a receptor, they cause a cellular tissue response or a change in the electrical activity of a cell. Like all animals, dogs, and cats have an ECS in their body that is associated with their nervous system that produces molecules called endocannabinoids.

How do Hemp Extracts work in cats and dogs?

We call CBD, hemp, and the other 100+ plant molecules like them from cannabis phytocannabinoids. They mimic the same cellular response as endocannabinoids. The only difference is that endocannabinoids are produced naturally by the body, whereas phytocannabinoids are produced from a plant.

So, here is the simple version

The best way is to look at it like a puzzle. When there are missing pieces to the puzzle, pets may have anxiety, joint issues, trouble sleeping, pain, etc. Sometimes the endocannabinoid molecules are missing and not sending the information they should be for healthy cellular/tissue- response.

The cool part about CBD (phytocannabinoids) is that they find these open spots and fill in that puzzle piece. When the spot is filled, the messages are sent where they need to go in order to function properly. The system woks as one whole piece all together, which is why when I take CBD for my anxiety throughout the day and in the evening to help sleep, it doesn’t make me want to sleep throughout the day.

How do you choose a product?

I like to ask people who have had success what they use. I then will research the company and see how it is sourced and extracted. I also look for third-party testing for the quality. If I am looking for it to do something specific, I then check out those ingredients to make sure I am comfortable with them. If I’m not, I move on to the next product to start researching.

Super Snouts Hemp Company

I have done A LOT of company and brand research when deciding what line of CBD products I would carry. I ended up landing on—seriously I did SO much research—choosing the Super Snouts brand. I love what their company offers, as well as the amount of education they offer to help choose the right products. Bentley, my 10-year-old Standard Poodle, has neck and hip issues. I use the Hemp & Joint line for him, and since I started using it, he has gotten so much pep back in his step!

The company highlights are:

-         All of the CBD products at Super Snouts are made with micro-emulsion technology, which means that they are water soluble and are 8x more bioavailable, on average, in the gut and liver than CND edibles infused with oil. This ensures a delivery platform that works.

-         There are QR codes on every package that can be scanned so you can access and read the third-party test results.

-         The variety of chewable products are formulated to help with specific issues. The Chill-Out and the Hemp & Joint tend to be the most popular.

As with any kind of wellness product, it’s not a one-size-fits-all model. Just like humans, dogs can respond differently than other dogs to just about everything. What works really well for one dog might not be a great fit for yours. I highly encourage you to have an open mind and leave some room for trial and error as you are traveling down your pet’s wellness journey.

Qualifications to Look for When Choosing a Groomer

This is one of my favorite topics to write about. The grooming industry has changed so much in the years I have been grooming. Grooming was not a popular career at the time. I started out in school wanting to be a vet, and I had never even heard of grooming until I went into the Animal Care program.

Out of our class of 21, only 1 person had any interest in grooming. Yep, you guessed it, it wasn’t me. There were only a handful of grooming salons. Corporate grooming didn’t exist at all. We learned from apprenticeships and hands-on experience.

Fast forward to today.

Now there are grooming salons around every corner, a bigger percentage of vet offices have a groomer, and big box stores have salons inside of them. Grooming schools are starting to pop up, and students at the career center have to compete to get on the skills team because of the demand.

And let’s not forget about the role the internet plays in the modern grooming world too. There is so much information out there. Where do clients even begin?!

Did you know…

The grooming industry isn’t regulated.

You read that right. Anyone can open a book, buy equipment, and call themselves a groomer. There is not a governing body through which groomers have to certify. Sure, there are a handful of national organizations that groomers can join and test out on their own to gain a certificate that states they invested the time into continuing education.

I completely believe that this needs to change. The industry needs to have standards that all groomers should follow, and that is why I co-founded the Ohio Professional Pet Groomers Association. The board members and 30+ members all want some sort of regulation for safety and skill to help clients and build up the credibility and professionalism of the industry.

What is the difference between having a certificate and being certified?

Terminology plays a huge role in the confusion that surrounds the grooming industry.

As stated earlier, there are some organizations under which you can get certified.

This does not mean that the groomer has been certified to become a groomer.

What this means is that they completed a process to achieve status within that organization. This is an extremely long and expensive process. The groomers that achieve these certificates have invested a lot to gain them. Most of them are a shining example of the industry and hold a lot of merit. The system is not perfect, and there are some that move forward in their businesses and do not uphold the organization’s standards.

And then you have the schools, of which there are very few in the area. The curriculum for these courses is made up by the individual who owns the school. They fill out all the paperwork, pay their fees, and have the state do an inspection. After that, they are considered to be a state-accredited institution. Because of the lack of regulation in the industry as a whole, there are no requirements for the curriculum.

Corporate salons also train groomers in their own academies. These are not state-accredited and are regulated by the company. 

Both types of institutions/academies will give out certificates to the attendees. These are just like a diploma or a certificate of attendance.

Let me be clear: I do not think there is anything wrong with learning via either avenue. I was trained as an apprentice. One way does not discredit a groomer and their capabilities.

Where do you start to find the right groomer for you?

There are many groomers that have their own individual background in the industry, and there are all kinds of different business models throughout as well. We all exist because we all cater to different people’s lifestyles and needs.

Looking for referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations are a great place to start. This will help you as a pet parent build a list of places to start researching. Keep in mind that everyone is human, so you will never hear only good reviewsabout a place. Just like looking into vets, everyone will have good and bad experiences, and that’s why I encourage to check out the websites, social media pages, and reviews. This will help narrow down the search and find the option that is right for you.

Next, I recommend that you start calling places to get a better feel for the business and those who work there. Asking questions about pricing, how drop-off and pickups work, and any other important information for you to know is a great way to do it. When I get calls like this at Awesome Paws, I like to extend an invitation for new clients to stop by and check out the place if possible (and I do recommend you do that as you research locations).

Lastly, make sure you include in your decision-making process where you feel the most comfortable and which salon best suits your needs.

There are so many options out there.

There is mobile grooming, vet grooming, in-home grooming, one-on-one services, cage-free, doggy daycare facilities that allow for extended days, and salons. Every situation is different, and the place you pick should accommodate you as you need it.

What we offer and how we operate at Awesome Paws may not be for everyone, and that is quite okay!

I highly recommend that if you decide to go the route of mobile grooming, in-home grooming, or a small salon out of someone’s home, make sure that have the proper insurance to cover your pets from any kind of accidents.

We are their voice.

I know this decision can be hard for some people. I always say to trust your instincts. If an environment or person doesn’t sit well with you, it probably won’t settle well with your furbabies either. Trusting the place you choose is number one on your list.

The Grooming Needs of Senior Pets

At Awesome Paws, one of our favorite parts of the business is building long-lasting bonds with our customers and their amazing pets. Our goal is to be a part of your pets’ world throughout their whole lives.

I have been grooming for 23 years, and it is such an honor to still have clients I have known for almost that entire time. I have the privilege of grooming second, third, and fourth generations of their pets. I have watched their human children grow and continue on with their dogs.

I currently have two 16-year old dogs that I have been grooming their whole lives. There’s so much growth throughout a relationship with a client that you’ve had for that long!

I have seen, learned, and grown so much through these bonds. The needs change for each individual dog, but there are also common “old timer” considerations that seem to be true across the board. By having a simple knowledge of these considerations, which are different for seniors than for younger pets, the grooming process is easier for them, causing less stress, and it allows you to be more aware of what to look for at home.

What is considered a senior pet?

We have all seen the charts that compare human years to dog years or charts that show a correlation between size and the age at which a dog is considered a senior.

Honestly, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. 

Just like humans, a lot of variables go into it.  I have seen Standard Poodles that are healthy and spry at 15 years old and toy breeds that are suffering from old-age body issues at 8.  Some grooming salons will put a number on it and not groom them after that age (usually around 10-12 years old).  We do not have an age limit at Awesome Paws, but I do understand why other businesses adopt that rule. Senior pets definitely are harder to groom and require a completely different skill set because they also bring with them a higher risk of accidents and health issues that can cause complications.

What are some of the behavioral/physical changes that we see?

The biggest changes we see are typically physical. Dogs and cats experience a lot of the same aging signs as humans. Stiff joints, arthritis, and coat changes tend to be the main ones we see pretty early on, and all of these will hinder the grooming process. It can also change their behavior for us. Let’s face it, if I was in pain and you wanted to hold my foot to cut my nails, I don’t know how happy I would be either. Because of this, we as groomers now have a whole new behavioral situation that was not there before when the dog was younger.

Dogs can also experience mental decline as they age, such as senility or dementia. Physically, they may be completely sound, but the mind is changing. This is often noticed when animals start staring at walls, barking at the air, or even looking generally confused. A lot of the times, this is harder to notice right away. Sometimes we see it in the salon sooner, take note, and discuss with our clients to see if they have noticed anything.

Changes in sight and hearing often occur as animals age as well. Those changes will make environments that they are used to seem different or foreign. You may notice them getting nervous just when going out in the yard or walking around the house. The salon also changes in their world.

What are some things we do to help our furry aging friends?

At a certain point, we consider these changes as special needs. All this means is that we have to get creative to find out the best way to work with each individual pet to make grooming as comfortable as possible. We have a whole bag of tricks to work with, but sometimes we have to get exceptionally creative. They truly love keeping us on our toes.

Our go-to methods include:

·         Reading their signals and moving them in ways that are more comfortable for them

·         Going slower than they are used to in all areas: bathing, drying, cutting hair, etc.

·         Discussing with the owners possible variations on haircuts that may take less time or be less cumbersome for the pet (example: a Schnauzer set in a pattern or a longer coat doodle could potentially get a shorter length all-over)

·         Discussing a plan to work with your furry friend’s vet to help them with the process

·         Giving them breaks as needed

·         Finding alternative methods to help if they’re getting more stressed than usual

What can you do?

·         Take them in for regular vet visits. Ask your vet what they recommend.

·         Keep notes of changes you see. That way you won’t forget something to tell them (or us).

·         Please keep open lines of communication with us or anyone who cares for your pets. Changes at home will cross over to the grooming process. We would just like a heads up if something is going on.

·         Please be patient with us. We cannot assume that every groom will be the same as your pet ages. We change accordingly throughout their time with us. It is not unheard of for a grooming session to take twice as long as normal. We cannot foresee that when you are dropping off. We prefer that you call to check in if the groom is taking longer. If you show up in the salon, it may cause the dog to get stressed (as well as the groomer). We aim to provide the best and most positive experience for them as we possibly can.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please reach out to us. We always love to help pet parents provide the best care!

Boo (16) and I enjoying one of our last grooms together.

A New Adventure

Hi! I am Denise, and I am the owner of Awesome Paws Pet Salon.  I have been in the grooming industry for 23 years.  I started out at the Medina County Career Center in their Animal Care class and then moved along my grooming path by taking an awesome grooming job that helped start my on my career.

At the time, I did not know it would become a passion, and once I discovered this, I decided that I wanted to work a little closer to home.  

I was fortunate enough to find a new position at a vet clinic doing grooming, where I worked for 13 years before I branched out on my own and opened Awesome Paws.   I saw and learned so much being a vet clinic groomer, and the amount of knowledge I gained along the way has been so invaluable.

Throughout my career, I have been to numerous trade shows, joined national organizations, taught an adult ed class for 16 years, started a state organization, and am always reading about new techniques and information contained within the industry and standard of care.   Learning is my thing.

Along with learning, I live for teaching and passing down that information.  Helping others learn and grow is my second passion in life, and I have been able to apply it throughout my career as a groomer.

Education is key to great pet care in all aspects of owning a pet, not just in the grooming industry.  It is just as important for pet parents to keep learning as it is for the professionals who are being trusted to care for them.  Let’s face it, the internet is filled with some great information, but it is equally filled with misinformation.

I have seen this industry grow so much throughout the years.  It is not the same as it was 23 years ago, and there are up and downsides to that.

For better or worse, there has been a major shift over the years, and being deep in the industry, I am able to see where there is disconnect and confusion between stylist and pet parent.  This industry does not have a governing body, nor does it have a standard.  It is sort of a free-for-all, which means that anyone can pick up a book, buy some equipment, and say they are a groomer. 

Where does a pet parent begin?

I know everyone just wants to provide the best care for their animals, and knowledge is the answer.  I aim to provide information for pet owners so that they can make the best choices for themselves and their pets.  

Unfortunately, grooming and pet care are not one-size-fits-all, and there is no information that will be exactly the same for every pet or pet owner. 

Through this blog, I will be giving insider insight to grooming, tips and tricks for your pets, and answers to questions you may have regarding the grooming side of pet care.

I am really excited to start this journey, and thank you so much for reading!

Pittsburgh Pet Expo. I placed 2nd with this rescue!