05/04/2026

ON SUNDAY April 5, 2026 VI theSunday Special

I N the heart of Malaysia’s bustling cities, pet grooming has evolved from a basic necessity to a booming industry. From luxurious pet spas R̆ HULQJ EOXHEHUU\ IDFLDOV WR PRELOH grooming vans providing door-to-door services, the emphasis on keeping our furry friends pristine is at an all-time high. But amidst this grooming renaissance, a pressing question arises: Are we priori tising aesthetics over our pets’ well-being? The pet grooming industry in Malaysia KDV ZLWQHVVHG VLJQL¿FDQW JURZWK GULYHQ by increasing pet ownership and the humanisation of pets. Boutique salons LQ DUHDV OLNH %DQJVDU DQG 77', QRZ R̆ HU services that rival those of human spas, including fur colouring, aromatherapy and even pet-safe nail polish. While these services cater to pet own ers’ desire for pampered pets, it’s essential WR GLVWLQJXLVK EHWZHHQ EHQH¿FLDO JURRP ing practices and those that may be more indulgent than necessary. Understanding the grooming needs Regular grooming is vital for a pet’s health. Brushing removes dirt, prevents mat ting and distributes natural oils, while routine baths can keep skin conditions at bay. However, over-grooming, especially frequent bathing, can strip away essential oils, leading to dry skin, irritation and increased susceptibility to infections. Moreover, the use of human-grade shampoos or heavily scented products can disrupt a pet’s skin pH balance, causing more harm than good. It’s crucial to use SURGXFWV VSHFL¿FDOO\ IRUPXODWHG IRU SHWV and consult with veterinarians about appropriate grooming routines. Beyond physical health, grooming can also impact a pet’s mental well-being. The unfamiliar environment of a salon, combined with loud dryers and prolonged handling, can be stressful, especially for pets not accustomed to such settings. Some pets may exhibit signs of anxiety, such as trembling, excessive panting or aggression during grooming sessions. Clean animals are lovely, but they aren’t meant to be spotless KPƔWGPEGTU

No shampoo smells better than a happy pet

BY SIMON VELLA

• Monitor skin and coat: Regularly check for signs of dryness, redness or unusual shedding. These could indicate over-grooming or underlying health issues. • Professional guidance: Consult ZLWK YHWHULQDULDQV RU FHUWL¿HG JURRP ers to establish a grooming routine tailored to your pet’s breed, age and health status. Grooming at home Not all grooming needs to be outsourced. Many pets enjoy being brushed by their KXPDQV ± LW UHOD[HV WKHP DQG VWUHQJWKHQV the bond. A weekly “spa day” at home can be less stressful and more meaningful than a glitzy salon trip. Start slow, keep sessions short and reward them with praise or treats. For skittish pets, this can be the best com promise between hygiene and happiness.

Your pet doesn’t need to look like DQ LQÀXHQFHU 7KH\ QHHG WR EH KHDOWK\ comfortable and emotionally secure. Clean is good. Over-cleaned is not. The next time you reach for the whiten ing paw scrub or “anti-anxiety” fur mist, SDXVH DQG DVN ³:KR LV WKLV UHDOO\ IRU ± P\ pet or my perfectionism?” Because at the end of the day, no sham poo smells better than a happy, relaxed pet.

Mobile grooming services have HPHUJHG DV D VROXWLRQ R̆ HULQJ D PRUH familiar environment for pets. Companies like Paws On the Run provide in-home grooming, reducing the stress associated with traditional salons. Balancing cleanliness and comfort While it’s natural to want our pets to look and smell pleasant, it’s essential to balance our preferences with their comfort and health. Here are some guidelines: • Bathing frequency: Most dogs ben H¿W IURP D EDWK HYHU\ ± ZHHNV ZKLOH cats, known for their self-cleaning habits, rarely need baths unless they KDYH VSHFL¿F KHDOWK LVVXHV • Product selection: Always opt for SHW VSHFL¿F VKDPSRRV DQG FRQGLWLRQ ers. Avoid products with strong fra grances or those designed for humans.

Beyond physical health, grooming can also impact a pet’s mental well-being.

t’s ng. oy

Why rolling in mud is more joy than mischief for your pets

Brushing removes dirt, prevents matting and distributes natural oils, while routine baths can keep skin conditions at bay.

PET owners cringe when their freshly groomed dog heads straight for the near est muddy puddle, but for pets, this dirty habit isn’t just rebellion – it’s instinctive bliss. Animals, especially dogs, are naturally attracted to dirt, mud and even pungent smells, not to frustrate their humans, but because it taps into deep evolutionary behaviours. Rolling around in dirt provides pets with sensory enrichment. Mud cools the skin, protects it from parasites and masks its scent, harking back to ancestral survival strategies. Dirt also contains beneficial

microbes that can boost immunity and overall health. Cats, despite their meticulous grooming habits, occasionally indulge too. Outdoor felines roll in dust to soothe itchy skin, regulate body temperature or mark their territory with familiar scents. Instead of scolding your pets next time they seek out dirt, embrace it as a natural form of self-care. Allowing supervised play in mud or grass can be therapeutic, enriching and even joyful for them – far more rewarding than an Instagram-ready pose.