Certain breeds, especially those with long and/or curly hair that tangles easily need to be groomed more often (approx. every 4-6 weeks if you want to maintain a long coat). The frequency that your pet will need grooming also depends on how much brushing you can do at home! Shorter-haired breeds do not need to be groomed as frequently – we recommend every 8-12 weeks.

The short answer is: generally, no. Cats are usually very good at keeping themselves clean. If you notice that your cat isn’t grooming itself as much anymore, or is developing mats and/or a greasy coat, they may need an appointment with the vet! This can be an early sign that something isn’t right with your kitty. Most cats get by very well with regular brushing at home. Long-haired cats can sometimes benefit from sanitary trims or lion cuts if you are finding that you are unable to keep their coat free of mats.

We recommend nail trims every 4-8 weeks for both cats and dogs. Every pet is different and their nails grow at different rates (just like their coats). Older pets will need more frequent nail trims. We recommend checking your pet’s nails regularly.

Mats are solid and tight knots of fur that form when our pets aren’t brushed enough. We know that it can be very challenging to groom our pets at home – some just won’t even let you near them with a brush! We also frequently see our clients using tools for grooming that are not necessarily the best tools for their pet’s breed/hairstyle. Slicker brushes are a great grooming tool, but we often need to use combs as well as other grooming equipment regularly at home. The most common places we see mats are on dogs are on the legs & behind the ears; on cats, it’s usually the tummy, armpits, and groin – most dogs do not enjoy their legs or ears getting brushed and most cats certainly aren’t too keen on having those sensitive areas brushed!

Regular brushing helps to remove dead hair, mats, and dirt. Trimming hair around the face, ears, paw pads, and other areas can help prevent infections and irritation and keep debris from accumulating. Trimming nails can prevent joint pain, stiffness, and chiropractic problems. Regular grooming allows our groomer to get to know your pet. This will not only make your pet more comfortable with (and maybe even look forward to) grooming, but it also gives her the opportunity to see or feel subtle changes (e.g. growths, rashes, ear infections, etc.) that you may not notice at home. And sometimes, we genuinely feel that our pets deserve a nice day being pampered at the spa.