Pet Grooming in Gainesville

Gainesville's groomers range from neighborhood salons and pet spas to self-serve dog washes and 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.

Heat, humidity and the water

Florida's heat and humidity keep thick coats damp, which can lead to hot spots and skin infections, and pond, creek and sprinkler water add to it after outdoor play. After a swim, rinse your dog with fresh water, brush out any sand or debris, and ask your groomer to dry the coat fully and point out irritated skin. Book summer appointments early in the day, never leave your dog in the car, and for double-coated breeds such as huskies, shepherds and golden retrievers, ask for a de-shed rather than a shave: the undercoat protects them from heat and sunburn.

Permits, license and rabies

In Gainesville, dog licensing and animal control are run by Alachua County. The county's animal chapter says it applies in the unincorporated county and within the city limits of Gainesville and several other cities. It requires the owner of a dog four months or older to license it for one year starting at its first rabies vaccination, and to renew every year. Licenses and tags can only be issued by Alachua County Animal Resources or an authorized veterinarian, and if you move to the county you have 30 days to comply. Florida law also requires rabies vaccination from four months old, and groomers will ask for proof.

The county code also lets Animal Resources enter and inspect any place where animals are boarded, sold, bred, trained or groomed. Training and experience vary, so ask how long the groomer has worked, where they trained, and whether they groom your breed often. Before the first visit:

• 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.

Heat and hot cars

Alachua County's code says a driver must not leave an animal in an unattended vehicle long enough to endanger its health because of heat, poor ventilation or lack of water. Gainesville summers are hot and humid, so schedule appointments early in the day and take your dog straight inside. Book grooming well before a forecast storm, since salons fill up and close ahead of landfall.

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.