FAQ: Grooming

Do you only groom dogs and cats?

No, we offer nail trims for small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and ferrets. We do not offer other grooming services for these small animals at this point.

Do I need to book a pet grooming appointment in advance?

Yes. Our salon & spa services are very popular and fill up quickly. Call today to book an appointment or submit a Reservation Request online. Someone from our team will contact you to schedule a time that works for you!

Due to how busy the salon gets, we ask that all cancellations be at least 24 hours before your appointment. If a cancellation is necessary, you must contact Central Pet at least 24 hours ahead of time.

A late fee of $1 per minute will apply if you arrive late. Arriving more than 15 minutes late is considered a No Call, No Show, and the appointment will be canceled. After two No Call, No Show appointments, Central Pet will collect a 50% deposit on all future bookings. 

Reservations for pet grooming at Central Pet are in high demand. Your advanced notice on booking or canceling will ensure you get an appointment within the time frame needed or allows another dog or cat access to that time slot if you are no longer available. 

 
Can I book an appointment online?

To ensure that all of your needs are met, we do not offer online reservations. However, we do offer online Reservation Requests!  Simply complete the form, and one of our amazing team members will contact you to book your reservation and ensure that we have all of the needed information to provide the very best care for your little ones!

Why is the cost of pet grooming/bathing an estimate?

Your pet is unlike any other pet in the world. Totally unique. Because of this, it's hard for us to give an exact price without first meeting them, examining their coat; learning about their temperament, allergies, and medical conditions; and checking for skin conditions, matting, etc. While there are many factors that may affect the total price of your dog or cat's groom or bath, we are usually able to give an estimate within $10 of the final price. Once we get to know your pet, we should be able to give you an exact price for future appointments.

How long will grooming my dog or cat take?

Pet grooming appointments usually take 2-3 hours, depending on the condition and length of the coat as well as the desired cut and breed of your pet.

Can I stay and watch my pet being groomed?

Much like young children, pets act differently in front of their pet parents than they do when alone. Because of this, we do not allow pet parents into the grooming room. Pets who can see their owners tend to be more anxious during bathing and grooming, which can lead to more stress for them and for you. We want our guests to be as calm and relaxed as possible during their time with us so that they want to come back. You are welcome to wait in the lobby during your pet's appointment, where you can view the grooming room via a live stream webcam on our TVs.

My pet and/or myself have allergies. Do you offer scent-free or hypoallergenic shampoos/conditioners?

Absolutely! While we offer an array of luxury shampoos and scents, we also offer a specialty hypoallergenic shampoo for sensitive skin or pet parents who are sensitive to smell. Just let your pet groomer know your preference, and we will be happy to accommodate.

The groomer declined to do what I asked. Why?

When you've been doing this as long as we have, you learn a thing or two. Sometimes the things we want are not what's best for our four legged friends. Dogs and cats with long coats and excessive shedding are often shaved by pet parents with good intentions. While this is a normal occurrence, there are times that a shave can cause severe skin irritation and long term damage. If their coat is too short or if the pet is already suffering from other issues, our groomers may become concerned. Our groomers will let you know if there is a concern with your request and work to find a solution that works for you and your pet!

My pet came out of grooming with a sore/wound! What happened?

Sometimes our pet's coats are hiding underlying issues. It is not uncommon that a pet is shaved to reveal hot spots, sores or irritated skin. These sores can be caused by a number of different factors and will be disclosed to you should anything be discovered during the grooming process. In addition, clipping of a pet's nails may sometimes result in nicking a long quick. While uncommon, our groomers keep the necessary tools on hand to treat these minor injuries but may recommend that you see a veterinarian if anything unusual is found.

I heard my dog crying during their nail trim. What was going on back there?

Some pups just don't like their feet to be touched. If you have trouble clipping your pet's nails at home then you know what we're talking about. Many dogs will yelp or cry any time someone takes hold of their paws; especially if it is someone they don't know well. While we have a few tricks up our sleeves to aide in calming and distracting our more anxious guests, we still have those that insist on telling us how much they dislike the idea of a nail trim. You can trust that our groomers will treat your pet like their own and, over time, your pet will adapt to the idea of their feet being handled.

My pet is old/disabled/has medical issues. Can they still be groomed at Central Pet?

We're happy to assist in grooming or bathing your special pet. We do recommend that parents of pets with arthritis or medical issues consult their veterinarian to confirm that their pet is healthy enough for the grooming process. Be sure to disclose all concerns or conditions with your groomer prior to your appointment.

Can I drop off my pet before their appointment and pick them up later?

We ask that pets arrive 5-10 minutes prior to their grooming appointment. Be aware that pets who are running more than 5-10 minutes late may be rescheduled due to time constraints. Upon completion, you will receive a phone call to let you know that your pet is ready to be picked up. We ask that all pets are picked up within 1 hour of this call. If you are unable to drop off or pick up your pet within these guidelines, you are welcome to reserve a day-boarding room to accommodate your pet before or after your appointment. Pets not picked up within the allotted time frame may be moved to a day-boarding room and that cost will be added to your account. If your pet is moved to a day-boarding room due to overcrowding, you will not be charged a fee if you pick them up within the allotted 1 hour window after their appointment.

Will my pet wear a muzzle during grooming?

Most of our guests are fine with the grooming process but, on occasion, a muzzle may be required. Our grooming muzzles are available in a variety of sizes to ensure that your pet is as comfortable as possible. Do not assume that the use of a muzzle means you have an aggressive or "bad" dog. You don't! Some pets just use their mouths to communicate more than others. You can trust that our staff is trained and equipped to handle this situation in a way that still leaves your furry family member feeling pampered and loved.

Can I choose which pet groomer I want?

Yes! When booking your appointment, simply let our staff know which Central Pet groomer you prefer, and they will find an appointment opening that works for you.

What vaccinations are required to use Central Pet services?

At Central Pet, the safety of your pet always comes first! In order to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our guests, we require that all dogs and cats provide proof of current vaccinations. For our canine guests, this includes Distemper/Parvo, Bordetella and Rabies. For our feline guests we require FVRCP and Rabies. Do you have a young puppy or a pet who is medically unable to receive vaccinations? No problem! We accept puppies after 9 weeks of age who have received the first 2 of their Distemper/Parvo vaccinations. We do require that they finish all future vaccinations on schedule and that proof of these vaccinations is provided to Central Pet. For our guests who are medically unable to receive vaccination, we do accept Titers with the understanding that they must be renewed annually. Have further questions about vaccinations and your pet? Give us a call today!

Does Central Pet have a cancellation policy for pet grooming appointments?

Due to how busy the salon gets, we ask that all cancellations be at least 24 hours before your appointment. If a cancellation is necessary, you are required to contact Central Pet at least 24 hours ahead of time.

A late fee of $1 per minute will apply if you arrive late. Arriving more than 15 minutes late is considered a No Call, No Show, and the appointment will be canceled. After two No Call, No Show appointments, Central Pet will collect a 50% deposit on all future bookings. 

Reservations for pet grooming at Central Pet are in high demand, and your advanced notice will allow another dog or cat access to that time slot.