Finding the Best Groomer

Grooming is an essential part of our pets’ health, hygiene, and happiness. Pets with healthy, clean coats are happier! While some dogs and cats are easy to bathe and brush at home, most also need regular trips to a professionally trained groomer. There are things you might miss that can be vital for your pet.

Not sure where to begin? Here are tips for finding the best groomer:

Ask for referrals

Ask friends, relatives, and your veterinarian for recommendations. If you see a particularly beautiful dog at the park, ask their owner, too.

Watch how the groomer works

  • Do a “walk in” without an appointment and ask a few questions.
  • Observe the staff and how they treat the dogs.
  • A good, professionally run grooming facility will require vaccination papers from your vet. This helps ensure that your pet will not contract any disease or infections from other animals at the dog spa.
  • Be sure your groomer is trained and has a good reputation.
  • Check out their references on the Internet. Remember that there are always a few bad reviews, but the majority should be good or don’t go there.

What to look for at the grooming facility

  • Does the facility smell good and look clean?
  • Is the equipment sanitized?
  • Is safety a priority?
  • Observe that pets are never left unattended while on the grooming table or in the tub.
  • Is the staff friendly and open to answering questions?

What to tell your groomer

  • Discuss any health issues that your pet may have, including their age, health issues and medications.
  • Be honest about nervous pets or previous behavioral problems.
  • If your pet has specific skin problems, your veterinarian may want your groomer to use a certain shampoo on your pet.
  • Typically, veterinarians will not want a pet to visit the groomer if they have just undergone a surgical procedure — especially if they have stitches.  Follow your vets post-surgery recommendations.
  • Your groomer is there to help keep your pets’ skin, ears, and nails healthy and in good condition. They can be a great resource for noticing ear infections and other skin related issues, which you can then discuss with your veterinarian.

City Dogs has won The BEST in the Northwest Award… 10 straight years!