A Clean Spaw Starts With A Clean Slate

Sep 08, 2026By Jeff Raber

JR

How Petagree Mobile Spaw Protects Your Pet Between Every Appointment


At Petagree Mobile Spaw, we believe every pet deserves more than a beautiful haircut—they deserve a clean, sanitary, and carefully maintained Spaw environment.

Because we provide mobile grooming, we clean and disinfect our grooming environment between appointments. We take that responsibility seriously. Our goal is to prevent the spread of germs, parasites, fungi, and other contagious conditions from one pet to another.

That means strict cleaning and disinfection protocols between every appointment.

Our grooming equipment, tubs, tables, floors, frequently touched surfaces, and other areas of the Spaw are cleaned and disinfected as needed between pets. When a pet has an accident, that process has to stop so we can properly clean and disinfect the affected area before the next pet can enter.

Accidents happen. We understand that!

But for pets who are extremely nervous or who have a history of urinating or defecating when placed in an unfamiliar situation, there are some things you can do to help us keep the Spaw running smoothly and safely.

Groomer's hands precisely trimming nails of calm terrier mix on professional grooming table with specialized clippers

Please Consider Feeding Your Pet After Their Spaw Day

Some pets- particularly new clients, puppies, first- time grooming clients, or pets who are extremely nervous about grooming-may become anxious enough to have an accident. 

If your pet is known to pee or poop when nervous or placed in an unfamiliar environment, we ask that you do not feed them immediately before their grooming appointment and, when practical, schedule their meal for after their Spaw Day.

A lighter stomach can help reduce the likelihood of an accident during grooming.

However, this recommendation does not apply to every pet. Pets with medical conditions, puppies requiring frequent meals, pets taking medications with food, diabetic pets, or pets whose veterinarian has instructed them to follow a specific feeding schedule should follow their veterinarian's instructions instead.

We aren't suggesting that pets should go without food for extended periods. This is simply about avoiding a large meal immediately before grooming when you already know your pet is prone to stress-related accidents.

Keeping accidents to a minimum helps us maintain the clean, sanitary environment we work hard to provide for every single pet.

Why We Take Contagious Conditions Seriously

Your pet may look perfectly healthy while carrying something that can spread to another animal.

That is why we ask our clients to tell us before the appointment if their pet has been diagnosed with—or is showing signs consistent with a contagious illness, parasite, or fungal infection.

If your pet has one of the conditions below, please contact Petagree Mobile Spaw immediately and postpone grooming until the condition has been appropriately treated and your veterinarian's guidance indicates that grooming is safe.

This protects your pet, our groomers, and the pets scheduled after yours.

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza, sometimes called dog flu, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that affect dogs.

Signs may include:

Coughing

Sneezing

Nasal discharge

Eye discharge

Fever

Lethargy

Reduced appetite


Because respiratory viruses can spread between dogs, a dog displaying signs of a contagious respiratory illness should not come into the grooming environment.

Please notify us and postpone your appointment until your veterinarian has advised that your pet is no longer contagious and is well enough for grooming.

Parvo

Adorable poodle puppy close-up showing soft fluffy coat texture, sweet expression, and perfect grooming


Parvovirus is one of the most serious contagious diseases affecting dogs, particularly puppies and unvaccinated dogs.

It can cause:

Severe vomiting

Profuse or bloody diarrhea

Extreme lethargy

Dehydration

Loss of appetite

Abdominal discomfort

Canine Parvovirus is spread primarily through direct contact with an infected dog's feces or indirect contact with contaminated objects, surfaces, and environments.

Parvo is extremely hardy in the environment and can be very difficult to eliminate once introduced into an area.

A pet with suspected or confirmed parvovirus must not come to the Spaw.

Contact us immediately, cancel the appointment, and seek veterinary care. Grooming should not resume until your veterinarian has determined that your pet has recovered and is no longer a transmission risk.

Kennel Cough

"K​​ennel cough" is a common term for contagious respiratory disease in dogs. Multiple viruses and bacteria can contribute to kennel cough, and affected dogs can spread infection through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.

Typical signs include:

Persistent or harsh coughing

Gagging

Sneezing

Nasal discharge

Lethargy

Occasionally decreased appetite or fever

Even when a dog seems otherwise happy and energetic, coughing can indicate a contagious respiratory condition.

Please don't bring a coughing dog to their grooming appointment without discussing it with us first.

Postpone grooming until the underlying condition has been treated or appropriately managed and your veterinarian indicates that your pet is safe to return to normal activities.

Fleas & Ticks

Fleas and ticks aren't simply an inconvenience—they are parasites capable of spreading disease and creating problems for both pets and their environments.

A flea infestation can spread throughout the grooming environment and potentially be carried to another pet. Ticks can also pose health risks and require careful removal.

If you discover fleas or ticks before your appointment, please tell us immediately.

Depending on the circumstances, grooming may need to be postponed until the infestation has been appropriately addressed.

Do not assume that a regular bath or haircut will completely solve an established flea infestation. Your veterinarian may recommend an appropriate flea/tick treatment and environmental control.

Ringworm

Despite its name, ringworm is not actually a worm. It is a fungal infection that can affect the skin, hair, and nails.

It may appear as:

Circular areas of hair loss

Scaly or crusty skin

Broken hairs

Red or irritated skin

Itching in some pets

Groomer's hands applying specialized coat treatment to a wet dog's fur with gentle therapeutic motions

Ringworm is contagious and can spread to other animals—and potentially to people.

Because fungal spores can contaminate grooming equipment and the environment, ringworm requires special precautions.

If your pet has suspected or confirmed ringworm, contact us immediately and postpone grooming until your veterinarian has treated the infection and advised that your pet is no longer a transmission risk.

Giardia

Giardia is an intestinal parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness in dogs and cats.

Signs can include:

Diarrhea

Soft or unusually foul-smelling stool

Gas

Abdominal discomfort

Dehydration

Occasionally vomiting

Giardia can spread through fecal contamination and contaminated environments.

If your pet has been diagnosed with Giardia or is experiencing unexplained diarrhea, please contact us before bringing them to their appointment.

Grooming should be postponed while your pet is actively ill or potentially contagious and resumed according to your veterinarian's recommendations.

When You DON'T Necessarily Need to Cancel

Not every bump, scratch, irritation, or minor medical issue means your pet needs to miss their Spaw Day.

In fact, there are many situations where we can still groom your pet safely—with some adjustments.

Communication is key. Please tell us about the condition when we arrive or, preferably, before the appointment so we can determine whether modifications are appropriate.

Ear Infections

An ear infection doesn't automatically mean grooming has to be canceled.

However, ears can be extremely sensitive when infected. We may need to modify how we handle the ears, avoid unnecessary manipulation, or adjust the grooming process to prevent discomfort.

Please tell us about the infection before grooming begins.

If the ear is severely painful, bleeding, swollen, producing significant discharge, or otherwise requires veterinary attention, grooming may need to be postponed.

We will never knowingly cause unnecessary discomfort simply to complete a haircut.

Hot Spots

Hot spots are localized areas of irritated, inflamed, or damaged skin that can develop quickly.

A small hot spot doesn't necessarily mean your pet has to miss their appointment.

In some cases, carefully removing surrounding hair can actually make it easier for the area to remain clean and allow the owner to follow veterinary treatment instructions.

However, grooming around a hot spot requires care. We may need to avoid brushing or clipping directly over the affected area.

If the hot spot is extensive, infected, bleeding, extremely painful, or rapidly worsening, veterinary care should take priority and grooming may need to wait.

Broken Nails

A broken or cracked nail doesn't automatically require cancellation.

However, broken nails can be painful and may bleed easily. We will handle the paw carefully and may avoid unnecessary pressure on the affected toe.

If the nail is severely broken, actively bleeding, infected, or the quick is exposed and extremely painful, veterinary treatment may be more appropriate before grooming.

Please let us know about the injury before we begin.

Anal Gland Problems

Anal gland issues don't automatically mean your pet has to cancel a grooming appointment.

However, there is an important distinction between a routine anal gland concern and an infected or ruptured gland.

If your pet has a history of needing routine anal gland attention, let us know.

If you notice:

Significant swelling

Pus

Blood

An open wound

A ruptured gland

Severe pain

A strong change in your pet's behavior

then veterinary care should take priority.

A painful or infected anal gland should not simply be treated as a routine grooming issue.

Other Minor Conditions That May Not Require Cancellation

There are many everyday issues that can often be accommodated without automatically canceling an appointment.

Examples may include:

Mild dry or flaky skin

Small, healed scratches

Minor areas of irritation

A small, non-infected skin tag

Mild tear staining

Minor eye discharge that has been evaluated or is not associated with illness

A small amount of normal ear wax

Mild seasonal itching

Minor coat matting

Small amounts of dandruff

A single minor scab

Old, healed surgical scars

Mild paw irritation

Normal shedding

Minor cosmetic skin imperfections

The key is whether the condition is contagious, infectious, actively worsening, painful, or requires medical treatment.

When in doubt, tell us!

Our Golden Rule: When in Doubt, Speak Up!

We don't expect pet parents to be veterinarians.

You may not know whether that cough is kennel cough, whether that skin lesion is ringworm, or whether a digestive problem is contagious.

That's okay.

That's why communication matters.

If your pet isn't feeling well, has developed something unusual, or has recently been diagnosed with a contagious condition, contact us before your appointment.

We would much rather reschedule one appointment than potentially expose another pet.

And if you're unsure whether something is serious enough to cancel, give us a call or message us.

A Clean Spaw Is a Shared Responsibility

At Petagree Mobile Spaw, our sanitation procedures aren't just something we do when a pet looks dirty.

They're part of every appointment, every pet, every time.

We clean and disinfect between appointments because the next pet deserves the same clean environment as the one before them.

Your help makes that possible.

By letting us know about illnesses, parasites, skin problems, accidents, unusual behavior, and anything else that could affect the grooming process, you're helping us protect:

Your pet.
The next pet.
Our groomers.
And the entire Petagree Mobile Spaw family.

Thank you for trusting us with your furry family members and for helping us maintain the clean, safe, and sanitary Spaw environment that every pet deserves.

Petagree Mobile Spaw

Clean. Caring. Professional. Every Spaw Day.

This information is provided for general educational and informational purposes and is not intended to replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. This is not an exhaustive list. Every pet and situation is different. When in doubt, let common sense rule—and when a medical condition is suspected, consult your veterinarian. - WOOF!