Updated 2025.
Every career has risks to your health, and the keys to minimizing those risks are proper training and preventative measures. Unfortunately, a lot of dog grooming courses don’t really delve into this topic. That’s why today, we’re going to look at the occupational health hazards of being a dog groomer, as well as the steps you can take to protect yourself!
Keep reading to learn more about the occupational health and safety hazards of being a dog groomer!
5 Health and Safety Hazards of Being a Dog Groomer
Hazard #1: Back Problems
As a dog groomer, you’ll sometimes find yourself working at odd angles. Being bent over a grooming table can be murder on your back. Not to mention, you’ll also frequently be lifting dogs into or out of the tub, as well as on and off of the grooming table.
Preventative Measures You Can Take as a Dog Groomer:
- Use mechanically-powered grooming tables and tubs. You should set a comfortable height based on the dog. Try to keep your back straight at all times.
- Use a ramp or steps for the dogs. If you don’t want to invest in a power-lifted table/tub, you can at least set up steady ramps or steps. This way, the bigger dogs can climb onto elevated surfaces on their own.
- Use the buddy system. If all else fails and you have to lift a heavier dog, get a colleague to help you.
- Use a brace. An orthopedic back brace can help prevent back strain. It also helps improve your overall posture. Poor posture can be a major cause of back pain, too.
- Exercise daily. Yoga and/or other stretching exercises can help keep your back strong and healthy. It also increases your endurance for those long days on your feet!
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Hazard #2: Sore Feet / Plantar Fasciitis
“Sore feet” can seem like such a snowflake malady, can’t it? But if you’ve ever worked a job where you literally don’t sit down for 12 hours per day, you know the real effect sore feet can have on your life. It can very easily be disruptive to your life outside of work!
Preventative Measures You Can Take as a Dog Groomer:
- Wear comfortable and supportive shoes. Heels and flats have NO business in a grooming salon! Instead, use a comfortable shoe with a good arch; one meant for walking and standing. Sneakers are a good pick for this type of environment.
- Use insoles and orthotics. Insoles and other orthotic inserts are normally recommended if you’re going to spend the entire day on your feet. Also, it’s not a bad idea to consult with a podiatrist if you start experiencing any type of foot pain from your job.
- Rest and stretch whenever you can. It might not be ideal to take your shoes off in a busy grooming salon, or in the break room where people are eating. But if you’re able to get away for 10 minutes once or twice a day to take off your shoes and stretch your feet, it’s probably worth doing.
Hazard #3: Groomer’s Lung
Yes, that’s a real thing! Being a dog groomer means you breathe in a lot of stuff that you probably shouldn’t. Over time, this can cause mild to very severe lung problems. Groomer’s Lung is unfortunately not all that well known in the grooming community, but it’s a very real and serious condition that should be taken seriously.
Pro Tip: Learn more about Groomer’s Lung here.
Preventative Measures You Can Take as a Dog Groomer:
- Use a mask. This is especially important when blow-drying a dog, or if you’re brushing out the undercoat of particularly hairy dogs. That said, it’s also a good habit to wear a mask any time a large amount of fur and other debris is flying around.
- Rinse out your sinuses. Even when using a mask, you’d be surprised how much dog hair and other garbage you can still breathe in. Using a sinus rinse – like a neti pot or hydraSense – on a daily basis can help clear out debris from your nasal passages and prevent it from being inhaled into your lungs.
- Have a good air filter in your salon. And while we’re at it, maybe have more than one. Air filters will trap all that nasty stuff flowing through the air, so less of it ends up in your lungs. Make sure to replace them frequently, too – it’ll be necessary!
- Clean like there’s no tomorrow! Try to vacuum (or at least sweep) your workstations before and after each client. Doing so will help catch errant hairs before they get into your lungs. You should also thoroughly vacuum and clean the entire grooming salon every day.
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Hazard #4: Hearing Problems
You might not think about this one until you start spending a lot of your time in a salon, but doggy hair dryers are LOUD! Being exposed to these kinds of loud noises on such a regular basis can take a toll on your ears. You probably won’t notice it at first, but hearing loss is something that comes on gradually.
Once the damage has been done, though, it can’t be reversed. So, take care of your ears!
Preventative Measures You Can Take as a Dog Groomer:
- Use ear protection. This one’s common sense, and pretty straightforward. Whenever you’re using a dryer or any other loud instrument, always make sure to protect your ears. Ear plugs are both affordable and effective. Alternately, you can also invest in a good pair of ear muffs that anyone in the salon can use.
Hazard #5: Bites and Scratches
Working with animals, it’s just a fact that the odd bite or scratch will happen. That said, it should be the exception and not the norm. For instance, there are all sorts of dog groomers out there who specialize in and who make a living working with aggressive dogs, who haven’t been bitten more than once or twice in their entire careers. If they can avoid being bitten by dogs who are unnaturally aggressive, you should know how to avoid being bitten by Fluffy on the grooming table.
Preventative Measures You Can Take as a Dog Groomer:
- Listen to the dog. A growl is the clearest sign that you should stop what you’re doing. Stiff posture, pinned back ears, hackles up, whale eyes, etc. are other common signs you should look for.
- Stay below the dog’s threshold. If a dog gets stressed during a groom, you need to slow down and let them get used to the situation. This might mean taking 3 or 4 times longer to groom a “difficult” dog. Ignoring the dog’s emotional state and pushing through anyways (just to get the job done) will ALWAYS make things worse for you and the dog.
- Avoid grooming difficult dogs. Many groomers can’t devote the time – or just don’t have the proper training – needed to groom a reactive or aggressive dog. That’s okay, though! Just be honest with yourself about the types of dogs you’re willing to groom. There are plenty of non-reactive dogs out there that need grooming. Avoiding difficult dogs will not hurt your business!
- Use a muzzle and other tools. There’s nothing wrong with muzzling a dog for a groom if he has a history of biting. Other tools in such a situation might involve an e-collar (a.k.a. the cone of shame), which physically prevents the dog from reaching your hands.
- Seek medical care for all bites and scratches. We know this isn’t exactly a preventative measure, but since these injuries are almost inevitable, it’s worth mentioning. Dog bites can be nasty. If you do get bitten, clean out the wound immediately and, if needed, seek medical care ASAP.
Helpful Resources To Bookmark
- How To Prevent These 5 Dog Health Hazards at Your Dog Grooming Business
- 3 Common Dog Grooming Salon Hazards
- Everything You Need in Your Canine First Aid Kit
- Working in a Dog Grooming Salon: 3 Critical Safety Tips
- 3 Signs You’re Burning Out as a Professional Dog Groomer (and What To Do About It)
- Why “Flooding” Can Hurt Your Pet Grooming Business
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