Professional Pet Grooming in Baltimore

Professional Pet Grooming FAQs

These Frequently Asked Questions will help you understand more about pet grooming at Falls Road Animal Hospital.

• What do grooming services include?

  Based on your pet's needs, we can provide a combination the following during a grooming session by request:

  • Stress-free Bathing: shampoo, conditioning and spray. All of our shampoos and conditioners are naturally soap and detergent-free. 
  • Day Spa: All-natural, aromatized shampoos (calming for irritated skin, moisturizing for dry skin), bubble bath for paws, facial scrub, fresh cologne. 
  • Full haircuts
  • Breed-specific haircuts
  • Teeth brushing
  • Ear cleaning
  • Nail trimming & grinding
  • De-shedding treatments (helps dogs shed less for up to 4 weeks)
  • Brushing & de-matting
• Why should I have my pet professionally groomed?

  The time commitment and responsibility of grooming your pet yourself can be a lot to take on. There are a few good reasons to bring your pet to a professional groomer to have the job done (and off your plate):

  They have the right tools. Professional groomers have numerous tools at their disposal, from specialty skin products and various clippers to bathtubs designed specifically for pets and adjustable grooming tables. They also keep a range of specialty shampoos on hands for dogs and cats with skin sensitivities or irritations, allergies, fleas and ticks, and even for dogs that have been sprayed by skunks.

  They have plenty of experience handling dogs. Professional groomers have the training to keep your dog safe during grooming. They have years of experience in handling animals with behavioural issues, senior pets and more.

  They take care of the unsavoury tasks. We love our pets - that much is undebatable. But grooming goes beyond lathering them with soap, and some of these tasks can be farm from pleasant. From removing fleas or ticks to shampooing skunked or muddy dogs and cleaning anal glands, a professional groomer gets the yucky stuff done and pays attention to the details – so you don't have to.

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• How often should I have my pet groomed?

  The proper frequency of grooming sessions will vary depending on your pet's breed, coat type and hair length. In most cases, regular grooming should be done about once a month. 

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• How long does a grooming session take?

  The duration of a grooming session will depend on the size of your pet, and the length and type of coat. It also depends on which services they require. That said, most grooming sessions at our hospital take between one and two hours. 

• How much does grooming cost?

  The cost of grooming will vary according to your pet's breed and size, and his or her coat type. Whether your pet has any significant behavioural issues can also affect the cost. For a better idea of cost, please contact us for an estimate.

• What are the health benefits of professional grooming?

  To ensure your pet stays clean and healthy, regular and thorough grooming is a necessity. With grooming, we can remove fur that's been shed but has gotten stuck to your dog's coat. We can also get rid of any mats, fleas or ticks. In doing this task, other health conditions can also be prevented or treated. 

  Mats can cause knots in your pet's hair, leading to discomfort and pain - something every owner wishes to prevent. A good brushing will leave your dog's coat nice and shiny. Nails will also be trimmed to prevent germs from invading, and curling of overgrown nails. 

  The health of your pet's skin is an indicator of overall health. Detecting skin issues or infections early is key, and your groomer will know which signs to look for. They will find any infections, new lumps, inflammations, rashes or lesions that even the most diligent owner may miss. 

  A groomer may also spot an underlying problem, and the sooner these issues are discovered, the sooner they can be treated by capable veterinarians. 

• How do your groomers handle fearful or aggressive pets?

  Our groomers are well-trained and have spent many hours handling anxious, aggravated or stressed animals. In cases where the pet has been especially aggressive or fearful, we may recommend sedation for the duration of the grooming session. However, most of the time our groomer can manage an animal by taking the following steps:

  • Creating a quiet, peaceful environment

  • Taking frequent breaks

  • Opening a window or playing music

  • Offering treats

  • Asking a dog to do something it knows (like 'sit' or 'shake')

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• What are your health requirements for pets to be groomed?

  Dogs should be up to date on wellness exam, DHPP, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza, Bordetella, and Rabies.

  In addition, dogs should have a fecal parasite exam once a year and be on Heartworm, flea and tick prevention year-round.