Pet Grooming in Philadelphia

Philadelphia's groomers range from neighborhood salons and pet-store grooming counters to mobile vans, which suit rowhouse streets and busy schedules. 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.

Licenses and the groomer

Pennsylvania does not license groomers: the state's business guide lists only a sales tax license for a grooming business, so ask how long the groomer has worked, where they trained and whether they groom your breed often. In Philadelphia, groomers and boarding kennels act as dog licensing agents and are expected to check that a dog is licensed before serving it, according to the city's 311 guide.

Your dog's license

Dogs four months and older must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Licenses come from ACCT Philly, the city's animal care and control team, and you can also apply through the city. Bring your dog's license and rabies certificate to the first appointment.

Hot summers, icy winters

During a Code Red heat emergency, the city requires that dogs have shade, with fines for owners who do not provide it. Book summer appointments early in the day, 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. In winter, wipe your dog's paws after walks on salted sidewalks, and ask the groomer to keep the fur between the pads trimmed so ice and salt do not build up.

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.