Frequently Asked Questions

What can I expect for my first time at Royal Serenity Grooming?

Frist, I will inform you what can and what cannot be doable depending on the status of your pet's coat. It may take 3hrs and 40 min, or less, or a bit longer. Being this your pets first time meeting me and being handled by me, we want to make sure he/she has a good experience and comes to trust me in order to make future grooms pleasant and faster. At the end of their grooming appointment I will communicate to you on how he/she was: how their attitude was dealt with, what encouraged them to cooperate, also what seemed to trigger fear, if any. Please bring or email a copy of their vaccine and deworming current information for our records. Thank you

What is the latest I can pickup my pet? Will it cost extra?

The latest you can pickup your pet is 7:30pm during the week. On the weekend the latest pickup time is 6:00 pm. No extra charge. If your pet does not chew up bedding or covers inform me so I can place a blanket in the waiting space, in order to make them feel more comfy and relaxed.

Do dogs get a bathroom break at Royal Serenity Grooming?

Preferably, I give them a bathroom break before the groom as to prevent them from getting dirty. However, let me know how long ago they went to the bathroom, and how often they go. That way I can schedule a bathroom break for them during their grooming appointment if they need it.

What parts of grooming make a session take so long?

Depends on the dog's needs, sometimes the nails are what take a while to do because they are scared, or because their nails are very long and need grinding too. The type of coat length, thickness, softness, amount of de-shedding determines how long it takes for their fur to dry. If a pet has skin conditions such as Yeast/Malassezia, seborrhea, or Bacterial outbreaks, and the veterinarian has not prescribed an appropriate shampoo, it can also impact drying time and work time. How dirty your dog is, may cause a longer time in the bath. If your pet is scared of their face, legs or tail being done all this pushes the groom time. If I rush the process dogs become more defensive, because they feel uncertain, insecure or discomfort making the grooming experience even more difficult. Therefore please take into consideration your pet's comfort and be patient. Also, it is their whole body being groomed not just their head, from my experience it shouldn't take longer then 3 hrs. and 40 min max.

How many dogs can be schedule for an appointment?

Maximum 3 dogs per family, however take into consideration that it will be a long time until pick up, as each dog will have their own grooming session. Again, time is determined by each dogs needs and work getting done. If there are 4 or more pets from the same family, some of them will have to be scheduled for a different day. Thank you for your cooperation.

What payment methods do you accept?

Preferably cash, but I also accept e-transfer, whichever is more comfortable for you. Cash gets disinfected, and e-transfer requires zero contact.

It looks like my pet has a minor medical problem, can I bring him in for you to look at it?

Unfortunately I cannot. If your pet needs medical attention take him/her directly to your vet. Whatever the medical situation they should provide you with an accurate and proper solution. Situations such as broken nails, ear mites, ear infections, any form of injury may require prescribed medications and pain management. Thus your pet needs their doctor and not their fur stylist. Vet techs cannot: prescribe, or diagnose; they can only assess the patient and provide observational information. In a clinical setting, veterinary technician input is and should be clearly documented and integrated into the veterinarian’s overall assessment and plan. In a grooming setting, veterinary technician observations and feedback are equally important, as they provide valuable insight into the pet’s health, comfort, and potential underlying conditions.

My dog is a senior, can you still groom him?

I definitely can. If it is a large breed with bad hips my grooming table and tub go low to the ground as to make the grooming process less physically straining. Moreover, I have padding on the hard surfaces in order for their spa day to be more relaxing and comfortable. Also I give all my pet clients a break in between their grooming session, so they can re-energize. Also they are allowed to lay down during their groom to give them a break from standing. However as mentioned before time and patience is important as well as the feedback you receive. A pet in declining health often shows subtle, early warning signs that can be easy to miss without close observation. Once feedback or concerns are identified whether by a veterinary technician, groomer, or caregiver it is important to monitor the changes carefully, document them when possible, and promptly communicate them to the veterinarian. Early reporting helps ensure timely assessment, diagnosis, and intervention before the condition progresses further.

How often should I get my pet groomed?

It depends on you and your pet's lifestyle. If you like your pet short and their groom lasts a while then 9 weeks is your best bet. If you like your pet to have a specific style but long in length, and they tend to get dirty; then every 7 weeks grooming is required in order to prevent matts from forming.

Can you cut my dogs quicks?

Unfortunately I will not. Clipping nails to the point of cutting the quick and causing them to bleed on purpose is not something I do. The best way to keep the quick from growing excessively is by keeping nails maintained. Walking on rough surfaces are their natural way of keeping their nails filed. It is possible to “chase back” the quick by gradually trimming the hard outer layer of the nail slightly further back over time. With consistent, careful trimming, the quick may slowly recede to match the new nail length. This process requires patience, time, and regular activity such as walks on abrasive surfaces to help naturally wear the nails down and prevent overgrowth of the quick. However, there is a limit to how far the quick will retract, and in some cases the nails will not shorten beyond a certain point, so maintaining realistic expectations is important when working toward a balanced, comfortable nail length.
Clipping the quick traumatizes your pet, making it difficult for them to get their nails cut by anyone in the future. It can also encourage them to become aggressive when it comes to handling everything from the elbow towards their paws. Improper nail length can encourage deformities of the pads and feet. Cutting too much of the quick can leave a nail vulnerable to infection which then leads to death of nails. The Length of their nails depends on their lifestyle. Nails aid in grip and angling of their paws when walking on straight or slanted surfaces. If the problem is sharpness I can dull them up with the nail grinder. However how much pressure a dog uses when they move their paws will still cause bruising or mild scraping on a person's skin and sound on your floors.

Will my dog interact with other dogs or be in a kennel?

No. The amount of time I book is specific to your dogs needs. Having too many dogs from different families can distract the dog being groomed. It also makes it difficult for the dog being groomed to focus on listening to the groomer. Your pet is here for a grooming spa treatment, and that is what your pet will receive. So no waiting in a kennel and no sideline observation of other dogs getting groomed. Your pet comes in and we start the appointment.

Can you brush out the matts?

It depends on the type and severity of the matting. If the matting is severe or sits very close to the skin, it cannot be safely brushed out. Mats in this condition are dense and painful when pulled, so a shave-down is the most humane option to give your pet a fresh start. Attempting to brush them out in these cases can cause discomfort and may lead to a negative association with grooming.

If the matting is loose and lifted away from the skin, it may be possible to carefully cut it out. However, this can leave the coat uneven, and the overall length still will need to be taken shorter than originally requested to achieve a balanced finish. I will always try to preserve as much of the coat as possible where there is no matting, but this may alter the final style.

For these reasons, I cannot guarantee that your pet will not require a shave-down.

Do you groom cats ?

Yes, however, if it is a cat’s first grooming experience, they should ideally be between 6–8 months of age. Older cats must already be accustomed to grooming or be very calm and tolerant when handled. Aggressive cats will not be accepted, as grooming cannot be safely or effectively performed if the cat requires constant restraint.

Preventative care is key. Maintaining a healthy weight, supporting good gastrointestinal health (no ongoing diarrhea or constipation), and keeping up with regular brushing and combing all help reduce the need for professional grooming. A balanced diet tailored to the cat’s needs, proper management of any medical conditions, and ensuring clean resting areas also support natural grooming behaviors and overall coat health.

Grooming for cats is generally discouraged unless it is truly necessary for example, if they are unable to groom themselves or have developed matting, common causes for this include obesity, arthritis or joint pain, dental disease, illness, injury, aging, or other underlying medical conditions that reduce mobility, flexibility, or energy levels.

How often should my cat be groomed?

Cats are naturally clean animals, and their ability to maintain their coat is closely tied to their overall health and environment. What often triggers allergies in humans is not the fur itself, but the dander and natural oils present on the coat.

Regular brushing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support a cat’s grooming. It helps distribute natural oils, reduces loose fur (which can help minimize hairballs), and prevents knots making it easier for the cat to keep their skin clean. Light maintenance, such as a quick wipe-down with a cat-safe dry bath or grooming wipe followed by brushing, can also help keep the coat in good condition.

Full grooming should only be considered when necessary for example, if the cat becomes too dirty to clean itself, or in long-haired cats experiencing heavy seasonal shedding combined with medical issues that lead to matting and require shaving. Routine de-shedding for long-haired cats is generally discouraged; if they are unable to manage their coat, it often indicates an underlying issue that should be addressed.

For short-haired cats, if the coat becomes excessively oily and brushing alone is not sufficient to distribute oils, a bath may be appropriate but still consider the fact that it is often caused by underlying issue that should be addressed. Cats must always be dried thoroughly, as leaving the coat damp can contribute to or worsen skin conditions, so the dryer will have to be used for them.

Dental Care ?

Brushing can be incorporated into regular grooming sessions, along with light surface cleaning when needed. However, professional dental procedures performed under anesthesia are not avoidable even with excellent cosmetic care.

By the age of 3–5, some as early as 1; most pets will require a comprehensive dental evaluation and cleaning. The timing and severity of dental disease depend on multiple factors, including diet type, genetic dental structure, how the diet influences oral pH, how easily plaque adheres to the tooth surface, and the type of plaque and tartar that forms. These variables all play a role in how quickly dental disease develops, how severe it becomes, and the likelihood of tooth loss over time.

While routine brushing and dental maintenance can slow the progression of plaque and tartar buildup, as well as visually keeping them looking nice they cannot address disease below the gumline. Anesthetic dental procedures are necessary to fully assess periodontal health, perform scaling beneath the gums, take dental radiographs for efficient dental treatment and extraction of compromised teeth.

What compromises teeth:

when the supporting structures or the tooth itself are damaged by disease, wear, or injury.
Lack of early intervention. Without early intervention, small, manageable issues can develop into advanced disease, leading to pain, infection, and eventual tooth loss.
The most common cause is periodontal disease, where plaque and tartar buildup lead to gum inflammation, infection, and eventual breakdown of the tissues and bone that hold the tooth in place (early boneloss can only be seen and evaluated with x-rays).
Other factors that compromise teeth include: Plaque and tartar accumulation that harbors bacteria that damage enamel and irritate gums
Gingivitis progressing to periodontal disease : Causes gum recession, pocketing, and boneloss
Diet and oral pH: certain diets promote plaque adhesion or alter the mouth’s environment, accelerating buildup below, above the gumline, or both.
Tooth fractures or wear : from chewing hard objects (bones, antlers, sticks) exposing the inner tooth (pulp)
Retained baby teeth or crowding: traps debris and bacteria, increasing disease risk
Genetics and jaw structure: some pets are predisposed to earlier or more severe dental issues (Teeth crowding)
Infection or abscessation: bacteria entering the tooth root or surrounding tissue
Systemic health issues: Weaken the immune response, allowing oral disease to progress faster

Clean teeth do not mean the absence of periodontal disease. A tooth may appear white and free of visible tartar, while disease is still present beneath the gumline.

Dental assessments ( probing, imaging under anesthesia are essential) cosmetic appearance alone does not reflect true oral health.