Pet Grooming in Bellingham

Bellingham's groomers range from neighborhood salons and pet-store grooming counters to mobile vans that work from your driveway. A full groom usually covers a bath, haircut, nail trim and ear cleaning; most groomers also offer bath-only visits, de-shedding and quick tidy-ups between full grooms.

Ask about experience

Before the first visit, ask how long the groomer has worked, where they trained and whether they groom your breed often.

• Tell the groomer about your dog's health, age and temperament.
• Ask how dogs are dried; if a cage dryer is used, someone should check the dog often.
• Ask which vaccines they require, and reschedule if your dog is coughing.
• If the coat is badly matted, ask about a short clip rather than hours of brushing out.

Your dog's license

Dog licenses in Bellingham are sold by the Whatcom Humane Society, online or in person at its Division Street shelter. It says pet licenses are required for all dogs living in the City of Bellingham, over 4 months of age, for one-year terms that must be renewed before they expire. A valid rabies certificate is required to license a dog, and groomers will ask for proof of rabies vaccination too.

Seasons and coughs

In wet weather, paws and coats get muddy and damp: ask your groomer to keep the fur between the pads and on the belly trimmed, and dry your dog thoroughly at home. In summer, book early-morning appointments, never leave your dog in a parked car, and for double-coated breeds such as huskies and shepherds, ask for a de-shed rather than a shave: the undercoat protects them from heat and sunburn.

In December 2023 the Washington State Department of Agriculture said veterinarians had sent it 16 reports of an atypical canine respiratory illness across the state, with reports from King, Pierce, Clark and Spokane counties among others. Its advice for owners: keep your dog fully vaccinated, avoid crowds of dogs and keep yours away from sick dogs. If your dog has a cough, skip the groomer and call your vet. Details are in the state's December 1, 2023 update.

About these listings

Many listings here were added from public business data and have not been claimed by the business yet. Check hours, prices and services with the groomer directly. If you run one of these businesses, you can claim or correct your listing from its page.