Finding Great Grooming Services for Your Pet

You may be well-equipped to take care of your pet’s basic grooming needs, but everyone can use an extra hand for big jobs like haircuts and nail trimming. The trick is to find pet grooming services that both you and your pet can trust.

Determine your needs
Before you start searching for the perfect pet groomer for your dog or cat, make a list of your requirements so you’ll know where to search and which questions to ask. Is it important that you find the location nearest your home? Will you stay while your pet is being groomed, or do you want to be able to drop them off? Do you need mobile grooming services to make a house call? You should also think about what specific pet grooming services you need, from nail trimming to flea and tick treatments. Once you know exactly what you are looking for, you can start asking for recommendations.

Shop around
Your furry friend deserves a good grooming experience from caring professionals. To make sure you find the right groomer for your pet’s needs and temperament, try shopping around before you make a decision. Friends are a great resource for advice, so get referrals from your buddies who have well-groomed dogs or cats. You can also find local groomer listings on sites like Find A Groomer. Once you get a few suggestions, do some investigation of your own. Visit sites like Angie’s List, Kudzu and Yelp to read reviews from other users who have tried local pet groomers.

Once you’ve narrowed your choices to a couple of groomers, call and ask about their services. Be sure to talk to the person who is actually doing the grooming, not just the owner. Then, schedule a visit so you can see how clean the grooming facility is and what the staff is like in person.

Another option is to visit pet stores in your neighborhood and observe their services on-site. Larger stores like PetSmart and Petco typically have open grooming areas where you can see the grooming experience in action.

Give it a go
Once you’ve chosen a groomer that you want to try, schedule an appointment for a trial run. Once the pet grooming service is complete, make note of how your pet looks and behaves. Did the groomer do a good job with your pet? Did your pet seem relaxed after the experience, or stressed out and unhappy? If the experience is less than perfect, try the next groomer on your list.

Taking care of your pet is important, so keep testing out groomers until you find the right fit. Finding great grooming services for your pet may take a little legwork, but a happy, well-groomed pet is well worth the effort!