Pet Grooming Questions, Answered
Find helpful information about appointments, grooming preparation, coat care, dogs and cats, nail trimming, pickup and what to expect from your visit.
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Select a category below or scroll through the full list of grooming questions.
Booking and Scheduling
Start by contacting our team with your pet’s details and the grooming service you are interested in.
How do I book a grooming appointment?
Submit the appointment form on our contact page or call Olympic Pet Spa at (360) 350-0733.
Is submitting the contact form a confirmed booking?
No. The form sends an appointment request. Please wait for confirmation from our team before considering the appointment booked.
What information should I provide when booking?
Please include whether your pet is a dog or cat, breed, approximate size, age, requested service, coat condition and any medical, behavioral or handling concerns.
How far in advance should I book?
Availability changes, so contacting us early is recommended, especially when you need a particular day or timeframe.
Can I request a specific appointment time?
You may share your preferred date and time. Our team will confirm what is available.
What if I need to change or cancel my appointment?
Call the salon as soon as possible so the team can discuss rescheduling and make the appointment time available to another customer.
Before Grooming Day
A little preparation can help the grooming team understand your pet and make check-in smoother.
Should I brush my pet before the appointment?
Light brushing can help when your pet is comfortable with it, but do not force brushing through tight matting or painful areas.
Should I bathe my pet before grooming?
Usually this is not necessary when bathing is included in the booked grooming service.
Should my pet eat before the appointment?
Avoid making major changes to your pet’s normal routine. Tell our team about any medical feeding requirements or concerns.
What should I bring to the salon?
Bring your pet securely controlled with an appropriate leash, carrier or other safe restraint. Bring any information the grooming team requested during booking.
Should I walk my dog before the appointment?
A calm bathroom break before arrival may help your dog settle more comfortably during check-in.
What should I tell you about my pet?
Tell us about anxiety, previous grooming experiences, sensitivities, allergies, injuries, medical conditions and any areas your pet dislikes being handled.
Pets We Welcome
Olympic Pet Spa provides professional grooming care for both dogs and cats.
Do you groom cats?
Yes. We provide suitable grooming services for both dogs and cats, depending on coat condition, temperament and handling tolerance.
Do you groom puppies?
Yes. Our puppy grooming service introduces young dogs to bathing, drying, brushing, paw handling and the grooming environment.
Do you groom senior pets?
Senior pets may be accommodated depending on their health, mobility, comfort and ability to tolerate grooming. Please share all relevant medical or mobility concerns before the appointment.
Do you groom large dogs?
Contact the salon with your dog’s breed, approximate size and requested service so our team can confirm suitability and availability.
What if my pet has never been professionally groomed?
Tell us when booking. First-time pets may need additional patience and an appointment adapted to what they can manage comfortably.
Matting, Shedding and Maintenance
Coat condition affects what can be completed safely and comfortably during a grooming appointment.
What is matting?
Matting occurs when loose and tangled hair forms tight knots close to the coat or skin. Severe matting can restrict movement, trap moisture and make brushing painful.
Can you brush out every mat?
Not always. Tight or widespread matting may be uncomfortable or unsafe to brush out. The grooming approach will depend on coat condition and the pet’s comfort.
What is a de-shedding service?
De-shedding combines bathing, drying and thorough brushing to help remove loose coat and undercoat. It does not permanently stop natural shedding.
How often should my pet be groomed?
Frequency depends on species, breed, coat type, coat length, lifestyle and the amount of home maintenance performed between visits.
Can grooming stop shedding completely?
No. Shedding is a natural process. Regular coat care can help remove loose hair and make seasonal shedding more manageable.
What can I do between grooming appointments?
Follow a brushing routine suited to your pet’s coat, keep nails maintained and contact the salon before tangles or coat buildup become difficult to manage.
Choosing the Right Service
Our team can help you choose a service according to your pet’s coat and current grooming needs.
What is included in full grooming?
Full grooming generally combines bathing, drying, brushing, nail care and coat trimming or styling based on the booked service and your pet’s needs.
What is the difference between full grooming and bath and brush?
Bath and brush focuses on cleaning, drying and coat maintenance. Full grooming includes more complete trimming or styling where appropriate.
Can I book only nail trimming?
Contact the salon to ask about nail-trimming availability and whether it can be booked as an individual service.
What are spa treatments?
Spa treatments are additional coat, conditioning, freshening or finishing options that may complement a regular grooming appointment.
Can I request a specific haircut?
Yes. Discuss your preferred result during booking and check-in. The final approach depends on coat condition, coat type, matting and what can be completed safely.
Trimming and Paw Maintenance
Regular nail care helps keep your pet’s nails manageable and supports comfortable movement.
How do I know when my pet’s nails need trimming?
Common signs include clicking on hard floors, nails touching the ground while standing, snagging or visible overgrowth.
Do you trim cat nails?
Yes. Nail care may be available for both dogs and cats, depending on the individual pet’s handling tolerance.
Can very long nails be shortened in one visit?
Not always. Overgrown nails may need several regular trims rather than one aggressive trim.
What if my pet dislikes having their paws touched?
Tell us before the appointment. Handling will be adapted to the pet’s body language, previous experiences and comfort.
Can you treat an injured nail?
A torn, infected, swollen or bleeding nail may require veterinary care rather than routine grooming.
Drop-Off, Grooming and Pickup
Share final instructions during check-in and remain reachable during the appointment.
What happens during check-in?
The team will confirm the booked service, review relevant grooming details and discuss any coat, health or handling concerns.
How long will grooming take?
Timing varies according to the service, pet size, coat condition, drying time, temperament and the amount of grooming required.
Can I stay with my pet during grooming?
Ask the salon about its current handling and appointment procedures. Many pets settle more easily when the grooming team can work without their owner nearby.
How will I know when my pet is ready?
The team will contact you using the details provided during booking or check-in.
Why might the final haircut differ from my request?
Coat condition, matting, skin sensitivity, movement and safety can affect what is achievable during the appointment.
Medical and Behavioral Considerations
Grooming is not veterinary treatment. Health information should be shared before every appointment.
What medical information should I disclose?
Tell us about allergies, seizures, heart conditions, mobility limitations, skin conditions, recent surgery, injuries, medications and any veterinary restrictions.
Can you treat a skin infection?
No. Suspected infections, wounds, severe irritation or medical skin conditions should be assessed by a veterinarian.
What if my pet is anxious or reactive?
Tell us before booking. Suitability depends on the pet’s behavior, triggers, ability to tolerate handling and what can be completed safely.
Can every grooming service always be completed?
No. A service may need to be adjusted or stopped when a pet is excessively distressed, medically unwell or unable to tolerate safe handling.
When should I contact a veterinarian instead of a groomer?
Contact a veterinarian for open wounds, infections, severe itching, unexplained hair loss, painful swelling, bleeding nails, sudden mobility problems or other medical concerns.
Grooming Does Not Replace Veterinary Care
Olympic Pet Spa provides professional grooming services. We do not diagnose or treat medical conditions. Contact your veterinarian whenever your pet shows signs of illness, injury, infection or significant discomfort.
Talk to the Olympic Pet Spa Team
Tell us about your dog or cat and we’ll help you choose the appropriate grooming service.