Faq
New to mobile grooming? You’re not alone! Here are answers to the most common questions to help guide you through the process.
Why is mobile grooming more expensive than a salon?
Mobile grooming is a premium service that brings a fully equipped salon right to your doorstep. Unlike traditional salons that see multiple pets at once, we work one-on-one with your pet in a calm, quiet environment — no cages, no wait time, and no stressful car rides.
Our pricing reflects the convenience, exclusivity, and personalized care your pet receives, along with the time and cost it takes to maintain a safe, sanitized, and climate-controlled mobile salon. This means your pet enjoys a stress-free grooming experience while you enjoy the comfort and convenience of home.
What are the benefits of mobile grooming?
Mobile grooming is an elevated experience designed for pets and their owners. Your pet enjoys exclusive, one-on-one care in a calm, cage-free environment, while you enjoy the convenience of a premium salon arriving at your doorstep. This service is particularly beneficial for senior pets or those with car sickness, anxiety, or other special needs, as it keeps them in a familiar environment and reduces stress. Every detail — from the use of high-quality products to the personalized pace of the appointment — is tailored to ensure comfort, safety, and a polished finish that reflects the very best in pet care.
What is your service area?
We proudly serve Somerset, KY, and the surrounding communities within a 30-mile radius of our address. For clients outside this range, we offer an extended service area of up to an additional 20 miles, with a travel fee of $2 per mile ($1 per mile each way, round trip). If you’re unsure whether you fall within our service area, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to confirm.
How does mobile grooming work?
All grooming is done inside our climate-controlled, fully equipped mobile salon — not in your home. We supply our own water and electricity, so there’s no mess for you and no need to transport your pet anywhere else. Your pet enjoys a calm, spa-like experience right outside your door and is returned to you looking and feeling their absolute best.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Booking is simple and convenient. You can reach us by call or text, connect with us on Facebook, or schedule through our website — whichever works best for you.
What forms of payment do you accept?
For your convenience, we accept cash, all major credit and debit cards, as well as digital payments through Zelle or our secured online payment link. Payment is due at the time of service.
Do I have to be home for you to groom my pet?
Life is busy — and we want to make things convenient for you! For your first appointment, we do ask that you be home so we can meet you and your pup, go over any details, and build a relationship. After that, if all goes well, you won’t need to be home for future appointments. We’ll work out arrangements for caring for your pet and for processing payment so you can enjoy a stress-free experience, even when you’re away.
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask for at least a 24 hours’ notice when cancelling an appointment so we can offer your time to another client and keep our schedule running smoothly. If less than 24 hours’ notice is given, a $50 non-refundable deposit will be required to book future appointments.
If we arrive and you are not available — and no prior arrangements were made to access your pet — a fee of 75% of the scheduled groom will be charged and must be paid before rescheduling. Clients with repeated last-minute cancellations or no-shows may be removed from our schedule to ensure availability for others.
Are you licensed and insured?
Absolutely. Top Dog Mobile Grooming is fully licensed and insured, giving you peace of mind that your pet and property are always protected.
How long should a mobile grooming session take?
Most grooming sessions take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on your pet’s size, coat condition, and temperament. Smaller dogs are usually on the shorter end of this timeframe, while larger breeds — especially Doodles and other high-maintenance coats — may require closer to 3 hours. If your dog needs a specialty cut or has behavioral concerns, the appointment may take a little longer. For cats, grooming times can vary, particularly if breaks are needed or if they don’t tolerate dryers well.
My dog is really matted. What can you do for him/her?
The approach depends on the severity of the matting. Minor tangles can sometimes be gently brushed out, but in many cases, shaving is the safest and most humane option. Severe mats can pull on the skin, cause discomfort, and often hide issues such as hot spots, dermatitis, sores, or redness. In these situations, removing the coat is in your pet’s best interest to restore comfort and skin health. While our goal is always to preserve coat when possible, sometimes a fresh start is the kindest choice. Afterward, we’ll recommend a grooming schedule to help prevent matting and keep your pet’s coat healthy moving forward.
How often should my dog be groomed?
The ideal grooming schedule depends on your dog’s breed, coat type, and lifestyle, as well as your personal preferences. Many of our clients keep their pets on a regular 4 to 6-week schedule, which helps maintain a healthy, beautiful coat, reduces shedding in your home, and makes upkeep between appointments much easier.
We encourage booking your next appointment in advance to ensure you get the time that works best for you. Once our schedule fills, a waitlist may apply, and we can’t guarantee availability without pre-booking
Can I schedule just a nail trim?
Yes, nail trim appointments are available; however, our minimum trip fee is $75. This fee applies even for a single pet and can cover nail trims for up to three dogs at the same stop. Additional pets may be added for an additional charge.
I’d like my dogto be on a regular schedule. Can you set that up?
Absolutely! We’re happy to reserve a recurring grooming schedule for your pet so you never have to worry about missing an appointment. We can provide you with an appointment card and send reminders before each visit. Pre-booking in advance — even up to a year — ensures you secure the times that work best for you, especially around holidays, training events, or vacation periods.
Because mobile groomers care for fewer pets per day than a traditional salon, our schedule fills quickly. Once it does, we are unable to accept new clients and a waiting list will apply. By pre-scheduling, our existing clients are guaranteed consistent grooming appointments and peace of mind knowing their pets will always be cared for on time.