Pet Grooming in Hickory

Hickory'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

North Carolina's Animal Welfare Section licenses shelters, pet shops, boarding kennels and dealers; groomers are 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 kennel and needs that state license, which the department says also applies to in-home boarding.

Your dog's rabies shot and animal control

North Carolina requires every dog and cat four months and older to be vaccinated against rabies. In Hickory, animal control is a function of the Hickory Police Department, which enforces city ordinances and state law and works with the Catawba County Animal Shelter. I did not find a Hickory dog license requirement, so ask the police department if you are unsure.

Kennels and zoning

The city says a kennel or other commercial animal operation should be discussed with its Planning Department and approved under the Land Development Code. A groomer that keeps dogs overnight is a kennel for state licensing too.

Coughs and canine flu

In April 2023, the state agriculture department reported canine influenza cases in Durham and Moore counties, all in dogs that had boarded or gone to day care in North Carolina within the past two weeks. Ask your vet which vaccines make sense for your dog, and reschedule a groom if your dog is coughing.

Summer heat

North Carolina summers are hot and humid, so book early-morning appointments and never leave your dog in a parked car. 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.