Mosquito and pest prep before grooming
Florida's bug load — mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, sand gnats, no-see-ums — is the highest in the continental US. Most groomers will refuse to bathe a dog with active fleas (it just spreads them around the salon), so handle pests before your appointment.
Check for fleas by parting the fur on the lower back and around the tail. Look for tiny dark "pepper specks" — that's flea dirt. Live fleas are fast but you'll see them. If you see either, give a flea bath at home or apply Capstar (oral, kills adult fleas in 30 minutes) before driving to the salon.
Heartworm prevention is non-negotiable in Florida — mosquito populations stay active year-round, and the southern half of the state has the highest heartworm rate in the country. Use a monthly preventative: Heartgard, Sentinel, or Trifexis.
Tick checks at every grooming appointment are standard in Florida. Ask your groomer to flag any ticks they find rather than just removing them — some need to be sent to your vet for testing if your dog spends time in wooded or grassy areas.
If your dog has a known flea allergy (FAD — flea allergy dermatitis), tell the groomer in advance so they can use a calming oatmeal shampoo and skip anything with fragrance.