We’re pet sitters and dog walkers, not groomers. So when clients ask us who grooms around here, this is the list we share.

I’ve kept it short on purpose. Several groomers on our old list no longer have a working website I could check, and I’d rather give you a few places I could confirm than a long list of dead links.

Checked Oct. 29, 2026. Every listing below was checked on the business’s own website. Hours, services and policies change, so please call before you go. We’re not affiliated with any of these businesses and don’t get anything for listing them.

Connecticut law says no one can run a grooming business or grooming facility without a license from the state Department of Agriculture (CGS § 22-344(c)). The department’s Animal Control Division inspects grooming facilities and mobile grooming vehicles. Here’s what I’d ask any groomer:

1. Are you licensed by the CT Department of Agriculture? A good groomer won’t mind the question.
2. Which vaccines do you need to see? Each groomer sets its own rules. Fur Babies asks for a rabies certificate, for example, and Beauty In The Beast asks for vaccination records. Get your vet records together before the appointment.
3. How long will my dog be there? It helps you plan your day.
4. Can you work with my dog’s needs? Mention age, health issues, matting, or a dog who’s nervous about nail trims or dryers.
5. Is my dog licensed? Not a question for the groomer, but some will ask for the number. In Connecticut, all dogs over six months must be licensed by June 30 each year through your town clerk.

It depends on the coat, but here are the basics from the ASPCA:

• Baths: at least once every three months, and more often if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or has skin problems.
• Nails: trim them when they just about touch the ground. If you hear clicking on the floor, it’s time. Our post on nail trims for dogs has more.
• Long coats: long-haired dogs do best with a daily brushing routine to stop tangles before they turn into mats. Dogs with matted, dirty coats are more prone to hot spots.

For haircuts, ask your groomer what schedule fits your dog’s coat.

For a lot of cats, mostly no. The ASPCA says a cat’s built-in grooming tools (tongue and teeth) handle most of their hair care. But some cats do need help:

• Long-haired cats can get matted, and the ASPCA notes mats can be painful and lead to skin problems. Skipping brushing can also mean more hairballs.
• Older cats groom themselves less well than younger cats, which can lead to matting, odor and skin inflammation, according to Cornell’s Feline Health Center.
• Cats who fight grooming: the ASPCA suggests booking a professional groomer or your vet, so nobody gets hurt.

Beauty In The Beast in Cheshire grooms cats as well as dogs. Our post on cat grooming has tips for brushing at home.

Our dog walkers are out 7 days a week, with a visit report and photos after every walk. Heading away? Our pet sitting visits and cat sitting keep pets home and on their routine. We’ve been caring for pets in Cheshire since 2008, and in Southington, Meriden and Wallingford too.

Sources (checked Oct. 29, 2026): Connecticut General Statutes § 22-344; CT Department of Agriculture: Animal Control Division; CT Department of Agriculture: Dog licensing; ASPCA: Dog Grooming Tips; ASPCA: Cat Grooming Tips; Cornell Feline Health Center: The Special Needs of the Senior Cat. Business details are from each business’s own website. Sarah’s Pet Sitting isn’t affiliated with any business listed here.