Keeping your dog well-groomed is an essential part of pet ownership, but it’s not always convenient or feasible to do it yourself. That’s where pet grooming services come in.
But some owners struggle with the concept of dropping off their dog at the groomers. This hesitation is understandable since pet grooming means handing over your precious pooch to a stranger, who will do things that your pup probably won’t enjoy.
In this post, we’ll share tips for finding the best pet grooming service for your dog, so both you and your adorable furry friend are comfortable with the grooming process.
Ask for referrals from friends and family
Instead of spending hours combing through Google to find the best groomer in your area, try tapping into your network for referrals. You might even score a discount — and your referring friend likely will too!
Ask your neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family about their experience and recommendations for local grooming services. Alternatively, neighborhood social media sites like Nextdoor are also excellent places to solicit suggestions.
You may also want to consider larger pet care companies. Petsmart offers pet grooming services and has locations all over the country.
Browse pet grooming reviews from other dog owners
If you can’t find a reliable groomer recommendation from your inner circle, your next best bet is to consult online reviews. You’ll find the most reviews on Google and Yelp, but you should browse the submissions with a discerning eye to spot potential fake reviews.
Aim to find a grooming service with plenty of online reviews (not just one or two), with the majority being at least four stars. You should also double-check that reviews are relatively recent and unbiased — with extra points for photos or verified reviews.
Discuss your pet’s needs and quirks with pet grooming service
While some pups don’t mind a trip to the groomers, other dogs get extremely anxious and act out. If your dog tends to get skittish, bring up those concerns with the groomer ahead of time to prepare adequately.
Separately, if your dog has any physical ailments or special needs, alert the pet grooming service beforehand. For example, suppose your dog has sensitive areas on his or her body due to a previous injury. In that case, you should verify that the groomer understands the issue and is comfortable working on your pooch.
Visit the grooming facility before booking
Once you’ve completed your due diligence and found a suitable grooming service, we recommend checking out the facility and meeting the groomers in-person before booking an appointment. This might seem unnecessary to some people, but it’s an important step to ensure that your dog is in good hands.
During this time, you can ask the staff any questions about the facility or the service. Many pet owners like to understand what will happen during grooming, and whether it will take place within view or behind closed doors. You might also ask about the groomer’s qualifications and credentials.
All in all, finding a pet grooming service isn’t overly complicated, but it does take some research. It will all pay off knowing that your dog is as comfortable as possible during his or her trip to the groomers.
Looking for more pet-related content? Visit the PetPonder blog to find resources on pet care, products, and much more.
