Pet Grooming & Bathing

Making Your Pet Look & Feel Great

The professional groomer at our veterinary hospital has the experience and knowledge to groom pets of all coat types and temperaments. 

Dog & Cat Grooming FAQs

Here, you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions about pet grooming at Bear Creek Veterinary Hospital.

• What do grooming services include?

  We can provide a combination of these during a grooming session, depending on your pet's needs:

  • Brushing & de-matting
  • Bathing: shampoo & conditioning
  • Full haircuts
  • Breed-specific haircuts
  • Nail trimming & grinding
  • De-shedding treatments
  • Ear cleaning
  • Teeth brushing
• What days are bathing services available?

  Our grooming services are available by appointment Monday - Saturday.

• What time can I drop-off my pet?

  Monday - Friday drop-off time is 7am - 9am.

  Saturday drop-off time is 8am - 9am.

• What is required to bring my dog or cat for grooming?

  Dog are required to have the following vaccines: DHPP, CIV, Bordetella, and Rabies.

  Cats are required to have: FVRCCP, FELV, Rabies.

• Why should I have my pet professionally groomed?

  While you may decide to take on the time commitment and responsibility of grooming your pet yourself, there are a few great reasons to book your pet an appointment with a professional groomer:

  They have the right tools.

  With a wide range of grooming tools at their disposal, professional groomers have the equipment and know-how to get the job done right. From various clippers and specialty skin products to bathtubs designed especially for pets and adjustable grooming tables, they can easily accomplish the task. They also keep numerous specialty shampoos on hand for dogs and cats with skin irritations, allergies, ticks and fleas, and even for dogs that have been sprayed by skunks. 

  They have plenty of experience handling dogs and cats.

  Professional groomers know what to do to keep your cat or dog safe during grooming. They are experienced in handling seniors, animals with behavioural issues, and more.

  They take care of the unsavoury tasks.

  No matter how much we love our pets, when it comes to cleaning and grooming them, there are certain tasks that are far from pleasant. From shampooing muddy or skunked dogs, to removing fleas and ticks and cleaning anal glands, a professional groomer will get the yucky stuff done with a minimum of fuss – so you don't have to.

  Talk To Us To Learn More

• How often should I have my pet groomed?

  The proper frequency of grooming sessions depends on your pet's breed, hair length, and coat type. In most cases, though, regular grooming should be done about once a month.

  Talk To Us To Learn More

• How long does a grooming session take?

  The duration of a grooming session depends on the size of your pet, and the coat type and length. It also depends on what types of services are required to groom them. That said, most grooming sessions at our hospital take between one and two hours.

• How much does grooming cost?

  The cost of grooming varies depending your pet's breed and size, and type of coat they have. Whether your pet has any significant behavioural issues can also affect the cost. For a better idea of cost, please contact us for an estimate.

• What are the health benefits of professional grooming?

  Grooming is a necessity to ensure your pet stays clean and healthy. This task can remove fur that’s been shed and has stuck to your dog’s coat, fleas, mats and ticks. Other health conditions can also be halted or prevented.

  Because mats can cause knots in your pet’s hair, this can lead to pain and discomfort - something every owner wants to prevent. A good brushing will also make your dog’s coat shine. Their nails will be trimmed to prevent curling and invasion of germs.

  Early detection of skin infections or problems is key to your pet’s health, and the groomer will know what to look for. They will find any inflammations, new lumps, infections, rashes or lesions that may be missed by even the most diligent owner. They may also catch an underlying problem, and the sooner these issues are found, the sooner they can be treated.

• How do your groomers handle fearful or aggressive pets?

  Our groomers have spent many hours handling stressed, anxious or aggravated animals. In cases where the animal is especially fearful or aggressive, sedation during the grooming session may be recommended. Most of the time, though, our groomer can manage the animal with the following steps:

  • A quiet, peaceful environment

  • Offering treats

  • Frequent breaks

  • Opening a window or playing music

  • Asking a dog to do something it knows (like 'sit' or 'shake')