Topic: Why holistic grooming is crucial in the preservation of your pets health and wellbeing and how it can enhance the animal:human bond.
I'm often asked what holistic grooming is by both pet carers and professionals seeking to determine whether it is a "fad" or whether there is actually some substance to what I do, so what is 'holistic grooming'?
Holistic grooming is a modern twist on grooming that embraces the fundamentals of comfort grooming and applies it to more conventional grooming practices.
Be warned, how I define holistic grooming might be completely different to the way Helen or Harry down the road defines it so a word of caution there as well.
What I teach my students and help support dog carers with each day comes down to basic science - the purpose of holistic grooming is to acknowledge that there is more to the task of preening a dog than simply aesthetics because dogs are not inanimate objects but rather emotional, sentient beings.
Each dog that pads their way into our premises has his/her own very specific and individual needs to be considered before even thinking about popping them in a bath or lifting a pair of scissors to their coat.
Holistic grooming is about looking at the bigger picture and asking yourself,
"What does Snoopy need and how do I perform my role in a way that supports those needs?"
To summarise, holistic grooming utilises the healing qualities of 'comfort behaviours' to help enhance the overall experience and subsequent results when trying to cater to the ever-growing demand of styling complexed coat types.
But if you aren't convinced, here's a list of science-backed ways it can truly benefit you and the dog(s) in your care:
#1 - Reduces cortisol levels and induces healing
Performing grooming activities help to reduce cortisol levels meaning it is an effective stress-buster when done mindfully.
Research has shown that the brain releases hormones, specifically Oxytocin and Serotonin when a human and dog spend time together, and engage in grooming-related activities such as petting and stroking (Marshall-Pescini et al., 2012).
Furthermore, any positive experience to physical touch with a dog helps to build trust and enhance the animal-human bond.
#2: - Helps to address unidentified pain
One of the biggest causes of stress in the grooming environment is pain. It is not uncommon for a groomer to refer a dog to a Vet only to be reassured that there is nothing wrong with the dog and to carry on.
However, Australian conventional-turned-holistic vet, Dr Edward Bassignthewaite states that "soft tissue" pain cannot be detected by scans and x-rays but rather, physical touch . When a groomer is aware of what to look out for and how to successfully observe how a dog communicates, they can address pain through their roles easily putting them in an invaluable position to enhance the dog's overall health and wellbeing (Bassingthewaite et al., 2024).
#3: Prolongs a dog's lifespan
When we view a grooming session as a valid contribution to a dog's day-to-day, and that accumulatively, they make up a large portion of a dog's experiences during his life, we acknowledge that the process of grooming is very much significant to the quality of life a dog has.
Prolonged and repetitive exposure to a negative stimulus and/or experience has major consequences to a dog's health leading to a range of chronic, often life-threatening conditions and illnesses, both psychologically and physiologically (Dreschel, 2010).
When a groomer learns how to approach the process of grooming through a dog-centric lens, incorporating cooperative methods into their practice, they change the narrative and make a lasting, positive impression on the dog.
Furthermore, when all other individuals responsible for caring for a dog, approach their roles with the same holistic perspective, the very lifespan of a dog can be extended because they are less likely to suffer illness or are more resilient to illnesses.
If you would like to learn more about holistic grooming you should check out my bestselling book, 'The Magic of Holistic Grooming' for just £10.99 or consider enrolling on the iPET approved accreditation in Holistic Grooming & Behaviour via The Holistic Grooming Academy.
References:
Marshall-Pescini, Sarah et al. “The Role of Oxytocin in the Dog-Owner Relationship.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 9,10 792. 12 Oct. 2019, doi:10.3390/ani9100792
Hawkins, Julia, et al. “Hidden Pain In Dogs.” Barking Up The Right Tree, 2024, Accessed 14 Feb. 2024.
Dreschel, Nancy A. “The Effects of Fear and Anxiety on Health and Lifespan of Pet Dogs.” Science Direct, July 2010, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159110001243#preview-section-abstract. Accessed 14 Feb. 2024.