Think of it as a medical chart for a salon. It captures temporary conditions (fleas, ticks, hot spots) and permanent notes (the dog has a benign lump on the left ribcage; the cat hates rear-leg handling).
Before you even pick up the clippers, grab the pet. Run your hands over the body. As you feel a lump, say it out loud and have an assistant (or a voice-to-text app) note: "Lump, left flank, size of a pea." Transfer this to the PDF. notes from grooming table pdf
A: Check your local laws. Generally, retain for 3-7 years. For dogs with chronic conditions (seizures, diabetes), keep the notes for the life of the pet. Think of it as a medical chart for a salon