2024
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Our Recommended Top 14
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Washington DC Dog Groomers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
152Reviewed
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14Top Picks
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Providers
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Featured Provider
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (194)
- 4.5 (19)
Why choose this provider?
The Muddy Mutt is a professional dog grooming salon that serves pets and owners in Washington DC. The salon provides full-service and express bathing services as well as full grooming services. These include bath, drying, brush out, ear cleaning, nail trim, and anal gland expressions. Pet owners can also choose to wash their dogs on their own through the salon's self-wash services, and the salon is equipped with the essentials. Additionally, The Muddy Mutt offers walk-in services, which include sanitary trim and paw treatment.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 3.5 (86)
- 4.9 (16)
Why choose this provider?
Established in 1997, Bonnie's Dog and Cat Grooming is an animal grooming and care facility that serves residential and commercial clients in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas. The company provides comprehensive pet grooming services, including nail filing, shampoo and bath, ear cleaning, and spa facial shampoo services. Bonnie Peregoy, the facility's owner, began as a dog groomer competing in the American Kennel Club's conformation and obedience events. She has produced several pet training videos featuring positive reinforcement and behavior shaping.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.0 (36)
- 4.8 (17)
Why choose this provider?
SNIFFERS Doggie Retreat & Training Center is a dog grooming company that serves Washington DC and the nearby areas. It several services such as daycare, overnight boarding, and grooming services. The company's staff has completed a twelve-step training course with Outstanding Pet Care University aimed to ensure that they can provide the care that pets need. Additionally, SNIFFERS offers training services to help manage dogs' behavior issues and help them socialize well with people and other dogs.
Why choose this provider?
Woofie's - Ashburn-Lansdowne is a pet care company that serves clients in Washington DC. It provides full-service dog grooming and bathing services as well as a mobile pet spa. It also offers pet sitting and dog walking services. The company was established in 2004, and it aims to continue providing personalized care for most kinds of pets. Additionally, it was named as one of the top 100 small businesses by the US Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and featured on CNBC's The Job Interview in 2017.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (58)
- 4.9 (18)
Why choose this provider?
Belly Rubs n Suds is a dog grooming salon that caters to pets in Washington D.C. and the nearby areas. It provides styling and individualized grooming. Its spa bath packages include massaging bath, hand fluff dry and bushing of coat, normal de-shedding of undercoat, and nail trimming. It has A la carte forming services that include ear cleaning, sanitary trim, and de-skunk treatment. It uses eco-friendly and biodegradable products for pets. The salon has an online shop where pet owners may shop its featured products.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- 4.7 (14)
- Yelp
- 4.5 (14)
Why choose this provider?
Perfectpaws Doggie Spa is an Oxon Hill-based grooming facility that works with clients in and around the surrounding communities, including Washington, D.C. Committed to providing personalized service, the groomers take into account the pet's coat and skin condition when bathing and grooming them. They thoroughly comb a pet's hair before bathing them twice and trimming their nails. Perfectpaws Doggie Spa also accommodates clients who wish to bathe their pets themselves by providing grooming equipment such as a small bathing tub, shampoo, brushes, and hair dryers.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 3.0 (59)
Why choose this provider?
For Pets' Sake provides dog grooming services in Washington DC. Its owner, Jackie Barchesky, has been grooming dogs since 1976. She offers a full groom package that includes nail trimming, anal gland expression, and ear cleaning services. She also requests two to four hours allowance for dog washing, drying, and hair cutting services. Additionally, For Pets' Sake is also available for cat grooming, de-shedding, and hand stripping services. It has also received the Pawsitive Impact Award from Alexandria Animal Shelter in 2003.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (89)
- 4.4 (44)
Why choose this provider?
Life of Riley is a pet care facility that serves clients in Washington, D.C. It provides dog grooming services such as manicures, baths and blowouts, and partial and full grooming. It also has indoor and outdoor play areas for puppies and older dogs at its Rockville and Adams Morgan locations. Life of Riley offers a daycare program, boarding care, and training. Training is administered by skilled dog trainers and includes individual training, socialization, group time, and leash training.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 3.0 (23)
- 5.0 (2)
Why choose this provider?
Chichie's Grooming Spa is a pet grooming company in Washington DC that offers sensory, restorative, and relaxation-based treatments for dogs in the area. The firm has been operating for more than 45 years and has its own developed methods for pet grooming and styling based on its breed and hair length. Its services include sensitive skincare treatments, coat conditioning, de-shedding treatment, ear and foot care, and a deep cleansing spa. It also specializes in de-shedding treatments for double-coated breeds.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 3.5 (61)
Why choose this provider?
Blue Dog Boarding & Daycare caters to clients in the Washington, D.C. metro. The company offers grooming services, such as ear and teeth cleaning, nail trimming, and coat brushing. It uses specific brushes for different types of dog breeds. It also operates crates to help animals avoid food fights with other pets and accommodate those with restricted diets. The company has been featured in a variety of media outlets, ranging from Bethesda Magazine to The Washingtonian.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 3.5 (120)
- 4.5 (88)
Why choose this provider?
Doggy Style Bakery, Boutique & Pet Spa is a woman-owned pet care center operating in Washington D.C. Founded in 2002, it has been offering spa and grooming services that can include bath and brush, blowouts, haircuts, nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression. Additional services, such as mud baths, facial scrubs, and paw therapy, are also available. Doggy Style Bakery, Boutique & Pet Spa is a founding partner of TogetherFurever.org that helps fur parents provide their pet's needs.
Expertise.com Rating
Why choose this provider?
All Dogs Club is a grooming and daycare facility for dogs near Washington DC that offers grooming and boarding services to pets in the area. The company has been operating for over 12 years is composed of trained pet groomers and veterinary professionals. Some of its services include baths with blowdrying, spa treatments, daycare packages, boarding packages, and cleaning treatments. All Dogs Club was recognized as the Top Pet Care Provider in 2020 by the Washingtonian.
Why choose this provider?
Established in 2000, Dogma Bakery & Boutique - Lake Anne Plaza has delivered dog grooming services to pets in the Washington DC community. Clients who book an appointment with Dogma Bakery & Boutique can expect a style consultation, shampoo and conditioner washing, blow-drying, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and full haircut if requested. It also offers teeth brushing and nail filing. Dogma Bakery & Boutique was acknowledged by Sun Gazette's 2018 Best of Arlington and 2018 Best of Nova.
Expertise.com Rating
Review Sources
- Yelp
- 4.5 (7)
Why choose this provider?
Paws of Enchantment offers dog grooming services in Washington DC. It provides a wide range of grooming services, such as natural luxury shampoos, paw massages, coat restoration, de-shedding, and energetic healing services. The salon was also rated as Best in Dog Grooming by the Washingtonian Magazine and was featured on BBC Radio and ABC News. Other services include Reiki, aromatherapy, and animal communication services. Paws of Enchantment also supports local facilities, including Network Chiropractic clinics consisting of veterinary chiropractors.
Compare our Top Dog Groomers
Name | Expertise Rating | Address | Promotions | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Muddy Mutt | 2603 South Oxford Street, Arlington, VA22206 | View More | ||
Bonnie's Dog & Cat Grooming | 1364 E Street Southeast, Washington, DC20003 | View More | ||
SNIFFERS Doggie Retreat & Training Center | 7300 Westmore Road, Rockville, MD20850 | View More | ||
Woofie's - Ashburn-Lansdowne | 44200 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, VA20147 | View More | ||
Belly Rubs N Suds | 43330 Junction Plaza, Ashburn, VA20147 | View More | ||
Perfectpaws Doggie Spa | 6289 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD20745 | View More | ||
For Pet's Sake | 1537 North Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA22302 | View More | ||
Life of Riley - Rockville | 7326 Westmore Road, Rockville, MD20850 | View More | ||
Chichie's Grooming Spa | 1742 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC20007 | View More | ||
Blue Dog Boarding & Daycare | 4101 Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD20895 | View More | ||
Doggy Style Bakery, Boutique & Pet Spa | 1642 R Street Northwest, Washington, DC20009 | View More | ||
All Dogs Club | 5115 Berwyn Road, College Park, MD20740 | View More | ||
Dogma Bakery & Boutique - Lake Anne Plaza | 11414 Washington Plaza West, Reston, VA20190 | View More | ||
Paws of Enchantment | 1100 Ednor Road, Silver Spring, MD20905 | View More |
FAQs
What is dog grooming?
Grooming is a key part of keeping your dog’s coat and skin healthy. Brushing and combing stimulate circulation in your dog’s skin and help keep fur clean between baths. Bathing gets rid of the dirt, and depending on the soap used, bathing can moisturize, relieve itching, or kill parasites, like fleas and ticks.
How can I groom my dog at home?
Brushing should be a part of every dog owner’s routine to keep the fur in excellent condition. Ideally, brush your dog’s coat at least twice a week. Choose tools to match your dog’s coat, such as a wide-toothed brush for longer, coarse fur and a narrow-toothed brush for shorter fur.
How often should I groom my dog?
You should typically brush your dog twice a week and bathe it once a month. Frequent brushing removes loose debris and distributes natural oils from your dog’s skin throughout its coat. Monthly bathing usually prevents fur from getting smelly without overdrying a dog’s skin.
What is included in dog grooming?
Some basic services to expect from a professional dog groomer include bathing, brushing, and trimming fur. Groomers generally make sure to remove matted fur and clip fur into breed-specific styles. Groomers also clean ears and clip a dog’s nails when needed.
Does dog grooming include nail clipping?
While dog groomers typically trim nails, it isn’t necessarily included with a basic grooming session. Every groomer is different, and while one may include it, another groomer may charge an extra fee. Some other additional services groomers offer include expressing anal glands, brushing teeth, skin therapy regimens, and flea treatments.
How long does dog grooming take?
Expect a full grooming session to take two or three hours. If your dog has thick fur, it could take even longer. Making sure your dog’s coat is dry is one detail that takes extra time. It’s important that the coat be completely dry to prevent hot spots, known as acute moist dermatitis.
Should I bathe my dog before grooming?
You rarely need to bathe your dog before taking it to a groomer. However, it may depend on the groomer’s personal preferences. For example, if you’re taking your dog in for a detailed style, your groomer may prefer that the basic grooming steps be done ahead, such as bathing and brushing out matted fur.
How much does dog grooming cost?
If you take your dog to the groomer’s facility, a basic dog grooming session typically costs around $40 for a small dog and $75 for a large dog. Expect to pay a higher price if a mobile groomer comes to you. Additionally, expect to pay more for complicated styles and extra services.
Can I use CareCredit for dog grooming?
While CareCredit doesn’t specifically cover dog grooming costs, it covers some routine care grooming services that veterinarians provide. So, if your pet needs to be sedated by your vet for tasks that include clipping matted fur or trimming nails, that’s typically covered. Dental cleanings are generally covered if performed by your veterinarian.
Do I need to tip my dog groomer? How much?
While tipping a dog groomer is optional, it’s standard practice if you’re satisfied with the work. The standard tip to offer a groomer is 20%, as of 2021. If your dog is difficult to groom, it’s considered polite to offer a larger tip.
What vaccines do dogs need to get groomed?
Dogs need to be current on vaccinations before getting groomed. The specific vaccinations vary based on the animal’s age and the regulations in your state. Parvovirus, adenovirus, canine distemper, rabies, and para-influenza are among the common vaccines an adult dog should have before visiting the groomer.
Can a dog get groomed without shot records?
You must present your dog’s shot records before a groomer can work on your pet, and you might only have to share records on your dog’s first visit. Some groomers may work on the honor system and might not ask to see your pet’s vaccination records.
How can a dog groomer groom a matted dog?
A groomer can groom a dog with matted fur by starting with a rough cut to remove mats. If the mats are too close against the dog’s skin, the groomer might use clippers or shave under the mats. The groomer would then bathe and dry the dog before finishing the style.
How will a dog groomer handle an aggressive dog?
A dog groomer might handle a mildly aggressive dog by covering its face or muzzling it before grooming. A groomer might also require that a more aggressive dog be sedated before grooming begins.
How do you become a dog groomer?
You have several options for becoming a dog groomer, beginning with on-the-job training. With this option, you get paid while learning how to groom dogs. You could also take online courses or attend dog grooming school. With this option, you gain certification that you can present to an employer to show your qualifications.
Do you need a license to groom dogs?
No license is required to groom dogs. However, there are certifications available that a groomer can earn to show expertise and advance their professional careers. You can gain certifications for grooming specific breeds, or you can complete all the certifications and then test to become a National Certified Master Groomer.
How do I become a certified dog groomer?
The National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. (NDGAA) offers breed-specific material you can study when you want to earn certification as a dog groomer. After studying the materials, you would then attend an NDGAA workshop and take the certification test that’s offered at the end of the workshop.
Find top Dog Groomers nearby
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