Is it Abuse?

Many creative groomers have been accused of abusing or harming the animals in their care. If, however, the proper standards and guidelines are followed, the animals are in no way harmed. The NAPCG would like to acknowledge the most common arguments against creative grooming:

“The dyes contain harsh and dangerous chemicals that absorb into the animal’s skin.”

The NAPCG does NOT condone the use of permanent color or bleach. Permanent dyes and bleach both do, in fact, contain harsh chemicals that should not be used on animals. These products, regardless of application, damage the coat and can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. We do not believe that an animal’s comfort and safety should ever be sacrificed for the sake of a creative groom.

The most commonly used colors are semi-permanent. It is true that some brands of semi-permanent dyes labeled for humans are not safe, but the NAPCG works diligently to educate groomers about identifying what brands and ingredients ARE safe. That being said, many dyes are available that are labeled and designed specifically for use on cats and dogs.

It is true that coloring an animal’s coat could damage the coat itself; however, a groomer’s understanding of different coat types, products, and techniques can ensures that this rarely, if ever, happens.

“The dogs spend hours upon hours on the grooming table.”

In some cases, this is true, particularly of animals used in competitions. They may spend a total of 60 hours on the grooming table, but those 60 hours are an accumulation of 1-2 hour intervals over weeks, months, or even a year.

The animals used for extensive creative grooms have high maintenance coats and must be groomed regularly. Thus, they must spend time on the grooming table, even without a creative groom. The most involved creative grooms do not add more than 60 minutes to the routine grooming process. Temporary coloring done in a groom shop to a client dog adds no more that 40 (usually only 10-15) minutes to a groom.

The NAPCG does not condone using an animal that is obese, arthritic, or has any other disorder that may make standing for extended periods difficult (even if the animal simply appears to be uncomfortable). These animals should not be used for more involved creative grooms and, in extreme situations, any creative groom at all. Competition grooms are not appropriate for every animal.

“It humiliates the animal; it doesn’t like the way it looks.”

We at the NAPCG believe that animals are not embarrassed by their appearance. We do feel that a person treating a dog a certain way will evoke a response from the dog. For example, if we tell our pets that they are beautiful and treat them as such, they will respond positively to this type of positive feedback. Likewise, if we tell them that they look ridiculous or unnatural and treat them as though they are hideous, they will respond negatively. This, however, is a result of a human’s behavior towards the pet’s appearance. Someone’s interpretation of a creative groom is not to be confused with the pet’s opinion. On a similar note, animals used for competitions and even salon creatives typically love being creatively groomed as they receive special attention as a result.

If you have read this and still feel that creative grooming is dangerous, feel free to contact us with questions at contact@thenapcg.com. We would love to elaborate on any aspect of the process that you feel is harmful. Many of those who think negatively of creative grooming do so because they simply do not understand what is involved in the creative process.