Does mobile grooming mean you groom my pet in my tub, at my house?

We do come to your house to groom your pet, but no, we do not groom them in your tub, or anywhere in your house for that matter! We have a self-sufficient grooming van – our groomobile! It is a state-of-the-art grooming salon on wheels. It has been specifically designed and created for this purpose, using the most up-to-date equipment in the grooming industry. We have our own water and electricity supply, too. All we need is a parking space, and we take it from there!

Do you need to use my electricity or water?

No! Unlike other mobile groomers, we do not need to plug into your home’s electricity or water. Our customers don’t have to supply anything – just their pet!

Isn't it too hot to groom in a van outdoors?

Not at all. The entire interior of the van is air-conditioned and ventilated, and the water used to bathe your pet is temperature-controlled – for your furbaby’s comfort (and our groomer’s too).

Is warm water used?

Yes! We adjust the water temperature to your pet's comfort level.

Do you use cages?

There are no cages in our van. None. Period. At Pretty Paws, your furball is the only focus of our grooming attention; they don’t have to wait in a cage to be picked up and then wait their turn, as there are no other pets in the van with yours. If you have multiple pets to be groomed, to reduce stress, each is done individually. Meaning that they wait their turn at your home! No cages are required.

Do you use cage dryers?

In most grooming salons, pets are put in cages with dryers attached, and cage dried, which is both stressful and unsafe for your furbaby. At Pretty Paws, your pet will be fluff-dried and not cage dried. This means that after a bath, your pet is hand dried by the groomer with a professional high-velocity dryer.

How hygenic is your van?

Unlike most stationary grooming salons that sanitise only once daily at the end of the day – in our van, the tub, table, grooming supplies, tools, and entire work station are sanitised between each grooming appointment.

Do you sedate pets?

We never sedate pets, nor do we accept pets that have been sedated. If your furbaby has been known to have a strong behavioural reaction to grooming or bathing, please advise us beforehand. We also might need to end the session if a pet is truly uncooperative or made extremely uncomfortable by the process (you will be charged only for the work done up to that point). In such extreme cases, we recommend that you have your pet groomed at the vet's office where the sedatives can be administered in a safe and controlled environment.

Why would you recommend shaving my pet instead of dematting?

If we believe we can safely demat your pet, we will happily do it, but sometimes the pet will not tolerate it. If shaving your pet is suggested then it is in their best interest. We believe in "humanity over vanity." Mats are painful. They can also hide many issues, including but not limited to: skin irritation, bruising, hot spots, cuts, sores, or bacterial infections, and can even house bugs such as fleas, ticks, lice, and other unwanted creepy crawlies or debris. By shaving the matting off we can find any potential issues and hopefully catch them before they become more serious. In general, dematting should be avoided when possible and is not recommended as a regular service. It teaches the pet that a grooming salon equals pain, and it stresses the pet out which will eventually contribute to stress induced health issues. For these reasons, we do not always demat at the customer's request - we put your furball’s wellbeing first. The hair grows back quicker than you might think; we can keep your furball in your desired style and shave-free as long as you follow the recommended grooming schedule to prevent matting in the future.

What is your policy on ear hair plucking?

Ear hair plucking can irritate an ear canal if it’s prone to irritation, which can lead to and/or worsen ear problems. We do not pluck ear hair in dogs that suffer chronic ear problems as a result of plucking, or have generally irritated or infected ears. Please let us know if your pooch has suffered from irritation from the ear hair plucking in the past to prevent chronic health problems. Instead, we’ll keep the hair under the earflap and on the side of the head trimmed a little more closely. Having said that, ear hair plucking can work perfectly fine for some dogs. We’ll be happy to do it as long as it does not cause your fur bundle much discomfort, and the ear canals are free from irritation and/or infection.

Why won't you do anal glands expression?

In grooming schools during the ‘40s and ‘50s (and even some “old school” programmes today), groomers were taught to automatically express the anal glands, whether the pet needs the service or not. But, the pets were never meant to have those anal glands recurrently expressed. One of the main reasons pets today have chronic problems with their anal glands is unnecessary trauma due to recurrent squeezing. As a result, the area can become irritated and inflamed, and if those glands swell up and pinch off the outflow tract, there will be no porthole for the material to be secreted. Also, when your pet’s body becomes dependent on groomers and veterinarians expressing those anal glands, oftentimes muscle tone is lost and the body ends up not being able to do its job on its own. So, if your furball doesn’t have anal gland problems right now, it’s best to leave them alone. However, if there’s an underlying inflammatory condition or low-grade infection that’s already in the anal gland, we recommend visiting a highly trained veterinarian.

What is your flea/tick policy?

In order to prevent infestation of our grooming van, and risking infestation of other pets, we have a strict no flea/tick policy. Therefore, we will inspect each pet for fleas and/or ticks prior to entering the van, and those pets that happen to be infested will have their appointment rescheduled. We advise all pet parents to keep their furballs on a flea preventative to avoid any chance of infestation.

I'd like to have my pet shaved during summer to keep them cool. Why wouldn't you recommend it?

If your dog has a thick double coat, you might think that shaving it during hot summer weather will help your furball cool down. However, shaving doesn’t really keep your dog cool. Double-coated breeds naturally shed the undercoat in summer, leaving the guard hairs to provide them with insulation, and allowing cool air to circulate near their skin. The guard hairs also prevent your dog from overheating, sunburn, and potentially even skin cancer. Moreover, shaving a double coat can have long-term effects. While many coats grow back normally, in some cases shaving the double coat can permanently change its texture and thickness. Some of the coat may never grow back the same, or even at all. We recommend regular deshedding treatments instead, to help your pet stay cool and your place fur-free!

Do I need to brush my dog's teeth?

We are happy to offer tooth brushing as part of our service, but we also recommend that you brush your pooch’s teeth on a daily basis, as this is the only way to ensure the proper dental hygiene of your dog. Should you request our dental care service, we will inspect the condition of the pet’s teeth before proceeding. We advise against brushing if teeth/gums are in a bad, inflamed condition, as it can promote spreading the bacteria, releasing toxins to the blood stream, and worsening the issue.

What products do you use?

We use very mild, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic products, exclusively from leading manufacturers in the UK and US. They are safe and beneficial to use on dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. All our products, from shampoos, conditioners, special treatments, to cleaning and disinfecting solutions, are also biodegradable, therefore not harming the environment.

Can I have my pet washed in my own shampoo?

We'll be happy to use any preferred pet-safe or veterinarian-prescribed shampoo, as long as it is designed for and safe to use on pets.

Do you groom cats?

Yes!

Are there any breeds you will not groom?

No!

How can I book an appointment?

You can book us in several ways, including WhatsApp , phone call, Instagram direct message, Facebook Messenger, or via our website contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

What are your hours?

We groom every day of the week! Our service hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. We are, however, flexible in case you need us to come outside of our standard times. Do call us or WhatsApp, and we'll do our best to fit into your busy schedule. Our office hours are Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

What areas do you service?

We’re available for booking at any location in Bahrain as long as there is sufficient and safe parking space for our groomobile.

Do I need to be home for the grooming appointment?

Pet parents do not need to be present for the grooming session, as long as there is someone to hand over the pet and settle the fees. However, we do like to see or speak with you on the very first grooming appointment, so you can specify the services and type of cut you would like your pet to have.

Can you come to my office to groom my pet?

Yes, our mobile groomer can come to your workplace or business and groom your pet there – provided there is sufficient and safe parking space for our groomobile.

Why can't I book an appointment for a specific time instead of a time window?

We are just being realistic, and we do respect your time as well. Weather, accidents, vehicle emergency, and other unpredictable circumstances that are out of our control all can create havoc during the course of the day. We try our best to arrive within your selected 30-minute window, and we always ensure to call ahead if we are going to be more than 15 minutes late for the timeframe given.

How long does the grooming take?

The first time we groom your pet, it might take a bit longer – as we get to know them and their needs. After that, it should only take anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours, depending on the breed and service. Times vary based on the service booked as well as size of the pet, coat condition, hair length, et cetera.

How often should my pet be groomed?

We recommend at least every four to six weeks. Weekly appointments are also available. We will explain what sort of timeframe we recommend to keep your specific pet in great shape.

Do you require pets to be vaccinated?

Yes, we need our furry customers to be up to date on vaccinations to ensure everyone's safety. Required vaccinations for dogs are: DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) and for cats: FVRCP (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia.) All vaccinations should be dated not more than three years back and at least two weeks prior to the grooming appointment. Please make sure to provide evidence of up-to-date vaccination records of your pet on your first appointment. Puppies and kittens up to 4 months of age may receive services without vaccinations.

Can my children come inside your van?

For safety reasons, we do not allow children inside the van at any time. The van is fitted with electrical equipment and there are sharp grooming tools that can be easily accessed by children. Plus, pets get especially excited with their human friends around, which puts them at risk of being injured during the grooming process.

Can I watch while my pet is being groomed?

The point is that our groomer doesn’t mind having you around while he works, but pets become very excited seeing their owners. Groomers use many sharp tools while styling. Pets that move around on the grooming table are at higher risk of being injured. We’ll appreciate your understanding if our groomer informs you that you or your children may not be in the van while we are grooming your furball. It is only done for the safety of your beloved pet. However, you'll be able to watch your pet from outside through a large side window, away from your furbaby's direct view.

How long until I can get an appointment?

We can usually book your appointment within 7-10 days. However, there are times during the year, which become very busy and it is recommended to schedule as far as two or more weeks ahead.

What if I need to cancel?

Things happen. Sometimes you have to cancel your appointments, but we request you give us at least 24-hour notice so that we can offer your space to another customer. You can cancel your appointment by calling or WhatsApp. Please note that we will consider it a ‘no-show’ if you are not available with your pet more than 15 minutes past the allocated timeframe.

What are your fees?

Our rates are based on a pet's size and coat type. Click here to view our Services Menu. Feel free to call or WhatsApp for a quote for your furbaby.

Why does mobile grooming cost more than a regular grooming salon?

Frankly, your pet's experience with a high quality mobile grooming service such as ours simply cannot (and should not) be compared to one at a regular stationary salon. These are two different types of service, and are therefore priced differently. Here's why:

• We bring the salon to you! You do not have to plan your whole day around getting your furbaby groomed. Mobile grooming allows the stylist to have a personalised session with your pet while sparing you (and your furbaby!) two trips to and from the salon.
• Our state-of-the-art, self-sufficient groomobile has been retrofitted with the cutting edge equipment and innovative solutions in line with the latest trends in the mobile grooming industry. We do not need to connect to your water or electricity suppy; all we need is a safe parking space!
• Our furry customers receive our undivided attention, in a calm and safe environment. Each animal is hand dried and never placed in a drying crate, and we use only high quality, all-natural shampoos and products.

Can I tip my groomer?

Absolutely. It is not necessary, but your groomer works hard to make your pet look, smell, and feel great, so your generosity is appreciated! A nice review or a referral make excellent tips for us as well!

What sort of payment do you accept?

We accept cash and debit/credit card payments as well as debit payments through a Benefit Pay app, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.