Why Is My Dog So Uncomfortable After Grooming?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Why Is My Dog So Uncomfortable After Grooming?“.

You take your dog to the groomer to have a nice trim and there he is moping around and clearly unhappy. How do you deal with it?

The first thing you should know is that there is probably nothing seriously wrong with your beloved pet. Mistakes can happen and groomers may not always be to blame.

In this post we’ll look at the most common problems that can occur after a grooming session and what you can do to soothe your dog since thats what matters right now.

Skin irritation after grooming

A grooming session is likely to cause this side effect most frequently. Dogs can experience clipper burn and razor rashes just like a man shaving his face every morning. There are times when dogs need to have a very close shave because they have a severe matting problem. A professional groomer uses an electric shaver to perform a stripping in such cases.

There are many things that can go wrong with that such as using the wrong blade or letting the razor get too hot and burning your dog. Nipping off the skin is quite common but if it isnot much of a problem and does not cause much bleeding you would not be aware of it.

It does not matter what caused the irritated skin it will make your dog miserable for a few hours or even days.

Following are the main signs that your dog has skin irritation:

• Restlessness
• Against the carpet or a piece of furniture his head backside or another part of his body rubs
• Scratching
• Licking the affected area
• Tenderness to the touch

When you notice any of these symptoms examine the skin of your dog to see if there are any nicks or if the irritation is severe.

Ask the groomer for an opinion over the phone. Was there any skin problem before starting the trim? Did there seem to be any bleeding?

In most cases the groomers will be able to prescribe an ointment to relieve your suffering pet. You may also be asked to bring the dog in so he can be examined. Many professionals take such issues seriously and are willing to provide free soothing baths or complimentary ointments to help solve the problem.

Although your immediate concern is getting your dog assistance do take note of the groomers behavior. You might want to find another groomer in the future if they are rude or dismiss your concerns.

It would be a good idea to use an antiseptic on your dog if it has been cut. Alcohol is bad for the skin because it burns. A vinegar and water solution (half vinegar half water) could be used to disinfect the area. Do not apply undiluted apple cider vinegar to your dog as it stings and he is already miserable. 

Meanwhile if you notice bumps and signs of inflammation you should consult a veterinarian. Sometimes skin irritations can lead to infections that make your dog even more miserable and will be more difficult (and expensive) to treat.

Relief for skin irritation after grooming

You can safely treat your dogs razor burn at home if it appears to only be a minor case.

• Wash the affected area with tepid water rinse well and pat it dry with a clean towel.
• You can apply ointment for dogs with sensitive skin on the affected area if you have one. It is especially recommended to use hypochlorous acid ointments to treat skin irritation in dogs and other pets.
• A cream or ointment based on antibiotics such as Neosporin can prevent infection.
• You can also use a bit of Aloe vera gel but make sure the dog would not lick it off since it might be toxic. Alternatively you can use baby powder.
• Your dog should not lick or scratch the affected area as this can aggravate the situation. You can keep your pet from getting into the irritated area for a couple of days by wearing an Elizabethan cone. You can also buy an inflatable doughnut collar known as a Kong Cloud which is more comfortable for the dog because it does not restrict his vision.  
• After a grooming session if you notice scabs on your dogs skin its likely because he scratched that area despite your best efforts. You can prevent infection by using the antibiotic ointment.

Why is my dog licking his private parts after grooming?

It is evident that a too-close shave resulted in your pet obsessively licking his or her private parts after grooming. Since it is a sensitive area it does not take much for the skin to become irritated. Some females may experience swelling or redness in the vulva. Your dogs efforts to soothe the pain can lead to the area becoming even more irritated.

A warm oatmeal bath can be one of the best home remedies for itching. Pour a cupful of ground oatmeal into your dogs warm bath. Ideally the dog should soak in it for at least 10-15 minutes or longer if your pet is patient enough. After the dog calms down after this you may want to give him another soothing bath a few hours later preferably before he goes to sleep.

You need not be alarmed if the dog licks some oatmeal in his bathwater since oatmeal is not toxic to dogs. 

Alternatively you can try chamomile which is also soothing. Prepare a strong chamomile tea and pour it into the bathing water or put several tea bags in the bathing water.

Ask your groomer to be more careful with that area next time you take your dog for a trim or better yet tell them to leave it alone.

Why is my dog scooting after grooming?

It is a sign of something wrong with the backside of a dog when it scoots after grooming. This could be because of irritation to the private parts or it could be related to the anal glands. During the grooming session your dog might simply feel uncomfortable if those glands are expressed. The glands are after all located in an area that is very sensitive. 

The scooting in rare cases may indicate that the anal glands have ruptured or been torn. Should your dogs behavior not calm down the next day and he seems unwell you should take him to the vet to ensure he does not have an infection.

Why is my dog biting his tail after grooming?

After grooming some pet owners complain their dogs display very weird behavior such as staring at their own butt or trying to catch and bite their tails.

Tails are also very sensitive areas and a close shave upwards can cause irritation. If the issue persists give your dog a soothing bath and some ointment and do not forget to tell your groomer about it.

Also you might want to call the groomer and ask if a rear harness something like this was used during the grooming session. Perhaps your dog struggled and hurt himself trying to get out of the harness. Sometimes dogs pull muscles trying to escape. When your dog limps after a grooming session this might be the reason.

Why is my dog vomiting after grooming?

Pet owners assume their dog picked up a bug during the grooming session when they see their dog vomiting after grooming. It is certainly possible for your dog to pick up a virus during grooming but most vomiting episodes are caused by stress. 

From the stress of being left in someone elses care to being rough-handled by the groomer the entire experience can be very traumatizing for the dog. In addition to the noise of the shaver or the indignity of having the anal glands expressed you will understand why your dog is upset. 

Even though the vomiting is psychological and not a stomach issue you should put your pet on a bland diet for a couple of days until his stomach settles down.

Can grooming cause emotional trauma to sensitive dogs?

Even though some dogs have no problem with grooming the whole experience can be torture for the more sensitive ones. Here are some signs of emotional trauma you may notice in your dog.

• The pacing around
• Aggressive behavior
• Shaking
• Hiding
• Urination or defecation in the house

The next time you take your dog to the groomer he will experience a full-blown panic attack after recalling the traumatic experience.

In order to overcome his phobia you should use counter-conditioning. our dogs okay to be handled and touched on his head ears and even privates and he would not have any problems. Additionally socialize your dog more so that he gets used to meeting strangers.

Consider making different arrangements for grooming if your dog had a negative experience. We would be happy to send a professional to your home if you can find one. If you prefer you can look for a groomer with a small business that handles one dog at a time in a calm environment. Make sure your dog is safe while they groom him and ask to be there while they do it.

Conclusion

It is possible that your dog feels uncomfortable after grooming because he got a skin irritation or he disliked the groomers handling of his private parts. Take a soothing bath and apply some ointment to relieve the itching. Take your dog to the groomer as routinely as possible and do not make such a big deal of it or your dog will perceive himself as the victim of an awful incident and will be less apt to cooperate the next time.

You should try to understand what caused the problem and discuss it with your groomer. If necessary ask them to be more gentle next time and skip the sanitary trim.

Be aware that a grooming session can be traumatic for a dog and take measures to alleviate his anxiety. Consider going to a different groomer next time.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Why Is My Dog So Uncomfortable After Grooming? (Watch Video)