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Pet Grooming Safety: Questions Every Pet Owner Should Ask

Most pet owners assume grooming is a low-risk service. Unfortunately, injuries and even deaths can occur during grooming due to falls, restraint methods, overheating, stress, improper handling, or lack of emergency procedures. Before leaving your pet with a groomer, consider asking the following questions:

1. Do you use heated cage dryers or “hot boxes”?

Some grooming facilities use enclosed drying kennels or heated cage dryers to dry dogs after bathing. Ask:

  • Is my dog ever left unattended while being dried?
  • Is heat used during the drying process?
  • How is temperature monitored?
  • Are timer shutoffs used?
  • Are elderly, anxious, toy-breed, or medically vulnerable dogs dried differently?

2. What type of restraint system do you use?

Many groomers use neck loops to secure dogs on grooming tables. Ask:

  • Do you use neck-only restraints?
  • Do you offer chest-supported or no-neck restraint systems?
  • Do you use products such as Trachea Saver or similar harness-style restraints that reduce pressure on the neck and throat?
  • Is a dog ever left unattended while restrained?

3. What happens if a dog becomes distressed?

Ask:

  • How are signs of stress monitored?
  • What is your emergency protocol?
  • Do you contact owners immediately if an injury occurs?
  • Do you have a relationship with a local veterinarian or emergency clinic?

4. Are your groomers trained and certified?

Texas currently has very limited statewide regulation of pet groomers. Ask:

  • What training has the groomer completed?
  • Are certifications current?
  • How many years of experience does the groomer have?

5. Do you carry liability insurance?

Ask for:

  • The name of the insurance company
  • Policy information
  • How claims are handled if an injury occurs

6. Is video surveillance available?

Ask:

  • Are grooming sessions recorded?
  • How long is footage retained?
  • Will footage be preserved if an incident occurs?

7. Does the business track injuries or incidents?

Ask:

  • Are injuries documented?
  • Is there an incident reporting process?
  • Can owners receive copies of incident reports?

Why This Matters

Pet owners have the right to know how their animals are being handled and what safeguards are in place. Asking these questions before a grooming appointment may help prevent injuries and encourage greater transparency and accountability within the grooming industry.

Justice for Major advocates for stronger grooming safety standards, transparency, incident reporting, and consumer protections so that pet owners can make informed decisions and pets can be cared for as safely as possible.

What To Do If Your Pet Is Injured

If your pet experiences an injury or medical emergency while in someone else’s care:

  1. Seek veterinary care immediately.
  2. Document symptoms, injuries, and changes in behavior.
  3. Take photographs and videos when appropriate.
  4. Request copies of all veterinary records and invoices.
  5. Keep written timelines and notes.
  6. Save all communication with the business involved.
  7. Ask whether the business carries liability insurance and request claim information if applicable.
  8. Consider requesting incident documentation in writing.
  9. Follow up promptly if symptoms worsen or new complications emerge.

Early documentation can become extremely important in both medical and legal situations.

Educational & Safety Information

Some animals may require additional precautions during grooming appointments, including:

  • elderly dogs
  • medically fragile animals
  • brachycephalic breeds
  • anxious or reactive animals
  • dogs with spinal or neurological conditions

Pet owners should feel comfortable discussing:

  • restraint methods
  • breaks during grooming
  • handling approaches
  • medical history
  • emergency protocols

Open communication and transparency are important parts of safe animal care.

Understanding Grooming Regulations in Texas

Texas currently does not require pet groomers to hold a state grooming license in order to operate. There are no universal statewide education requirements, certification requirements, or standardized emergency training requirements specific to grooming.

In many cases:

  • liability insurance is not required
  • injury reporting is not mandatory
  • oversight is minimal or inconsistent
  • consumers may have limited protections after serious incidents occur

Even when a business advertises that it is “insured,” that coverage may not necessarily include injuries to animals while in their care.

Advocacy & Educational Organizations

The following organizations provide information related to animal welfare, advocacy, consumer education, and legal protections: