Pet Grooming in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids'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.

Experience matters more than paperwork

Kent County requires kennel licenses for facilities that house dogs for boarding, breeding, sale or training; grooming is not on that list. So ask how long the groomer has worked, where they trained and whether they groom your breed often. A groomer that also keeps dogs overnight is a boarding facility, so ask whether it holds a kennel license.

Your dog's license

Kent County says Michigan law requires all dogs over four months old to be licensed, and new dogs within 30 days. A dog's license is tied to its rabies vaccination, so groomers will also ask for proof of rabies shots. You can buy a license online, at the Kent County Animal Shelter on Fuller Avenue NE, or at several local vet clinics.

Winter salt and cold

Grand Rapids winters mean snow, ice and salted sidewalks. Wipe your dog's paws after walks, and ask your groomer to keep the fur between the pads trimmed so ice and salt do not build up. In a November 2023 release, the Kent County Animal Shelter and Sheriff's Office Animal Control reminded residents that state law requires dogs that spend time outside to have adequate shelter, fresh water and dry bedding. In summer, book early-morning appointments, 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.

Before the first appointment

• 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.

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.