There are a few different options to look into when choosing a grooming business or service. House-call grooming may not be for you or your pet. Here's some info about house-call grooming to help figure out if it is! House-call grooming is a service where a grooming professional sets up a table and tools somewhere within your home and completes a full groom service for your pet.
Benefits of House-Call Grooming
Most house-call groomers provide a luxury service that is all-inclusive. Meaning they have set rates that include all services versus salon groomers who provide those same services for an additional fee. You have full surveillance over your pet, you can check in with them at any time. Ask your groomer to provide extra breaks for your pet if you know they may need it. Only you know your pet best and how much they can handle.
Before a groom, I communicate with the owner to make sure I know the right length and shape they are looking for. While I'm completing the groom, sometimes I grab the owner and double check with them if I'm getting the right length, which is great because then you don't have to worry about not getting the length you want. When I've completed the groom, I let the owner look over the pet before cleaning up, so if they need me to fix anything, I can quickly touch up what needs fixing. If your pet has any medical issues that come up, you are right there to take care of them and bring them to the vet if necessary.
As an alternative, you don't need to be home! Yes, if you have a hectic day, but little Olly needs a groom, just provide home access and I'll stop by and groom your pet while you're out. As we all know stress and anxiety even in animals can lead to health problems and even medical conditions. I started house-call grooming because it was a convenient option for me to be able to groom pets, I strongly believe in it and that it's really the best option for your pet.
House-Call Grooming is not for Everyone
While house-call grooming has many benefits and convenience for you and your pet, here are some reasons it may not be for everyone. In order for a house-call groomer to complete a full grooming in your home they need a place to bathe your pet. This requires use of your tub, shower, or sink. That means hair and dirt might make it down your drain. Some people may not like the idea of getting their home dirty even for a short time. (As a house-call groomer, I clean up after myself always) If your home is entirely carpeted and/or there is not an un-carpeted area available, it will be harder to clean up the hair from the groom, and while I do clean thoroughly, theres only so much I can do with the available time and supplies. A 4-5 foot square area is also needed, if thats not available it's not likely your groomer has enough room to complete the groom. If your pet has a tendency to try to escape and hide, they may end up escaping and hiding. If you can't find them or get them out of their hiding place, completing the groom will no longer be possible. Obviously there a negatives and positives to each grooming service, you just have to figure out which one is best for you!
Why not Mobile Grooming with a van?
You might think, why wouldn't I just find a mobile groomer with a van? Yes mobile grooming where a van comes to your home is also a convenient option and may be better for you. But just like a salon, your pet may be frightened of a strange new area with strange smells. Grooming is already stressful enough for your pet without the added stress of being away from home. With house-call, your pet can be within the safety and familiarity of their home. If they need to go to the bathroom or drink some water, they can do so in their own backyard and their own water bowl. Keep in mind, with a grooming van you are also stuck with a large vehicle in front of your home making loud noises and expressing dangerous fumes.
Grooming Salons?
With grooming salons you're at the mercy of the groomers and the business owners. You drop your pet off and hope that they are being treated well and not crated for too long. Most don't provide water or bathroom breaks. I've worked in grooming salons and trust me it's hard to believe but it's true. Your pets groom probably takes 1-2 hours to complete, depending on each pet, but keep in mind the rest of the time they are there, they are most likely being crated without food, water, or being let out to use the restroom. Some salons do this so they can groom more pets in order to make more money. I'm sure there are great grooming salons out there if you can find one. If you do, then a salon may be better and/or more convenient for you.
Why am I paying more than Salon or Van grooming prices?
There's a simple answer and a long answer to this. Simple answer is house-call is a luxury all inclusive service. Long answer, you're paying for a professional groomer to travel to you and care for your pet and only your pet. House-call grooming is more physically taxing (carrying heavy equipment in and out, up and down stairs, etc.) and additional skills are required for grooming in pets homes. They are also potentially risking their safety by being alone in a strangers home. Grooming pets in their home has its ups and downs. On the up side, you can check in on your pet at any time. The down side, you will be tempted to check in on your pet frequently. By doing this, it can become very distracting for your pet which makes grooming them more difficult and take longer to complete. There are several other things that could impact the groom difficulty and time it takes. Keeping all this in mind, travel expenses, time, and the physical tole, this is why house-call grooming tends to be more expensive.
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