Question 1

How do I book an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please get in touch with some information about your dog, including their breed, age, current grooming schedule and the service you are looking for. I want to make sure I am the right groomer for your dog before arranging their first appointment. I may ask a few questions about their coat, previous grooming experience, temperament and any health or behavioural considerations. Bella Figura is built around a regular client base rather than one-off grooming appointments, so I will also discuss an ongoing grooming schedule with you.

Question 2

How often should my dog be groomed?

Accepted Answer

Most Bella Figura dogs visit every 3 to 6 weeks. The right schedule depends on your dog's breed, coat, chosen style and lifestyle. Regular grooming keeps the coat in good condition and makes each appointment more familiar and predictable for your dog. Shorter, consistent grooming cycles also mean we can maintain a style without your dog arriving with several weeks of coat growth, tangles or matting to deal with. I'll recommend an appropriate schedule for your individual dog.

Question 3

Can I book regular appointments in advance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Regular appointments are an important part of the way I work at Bella Figura. My clients pre-book their appointments on an ongoing schedule, usually every 3 to 6 weeks. This gives you consistency and means your dog becomes familiar with me, the grooming process and their routine. Regular grooming is particularly valuable for building confidence. Instead of each visit feeling like a new experience, grooming simply becomes part of normal life. For this reason, I don't generally offer one-off grooms.

Question 4

What happens if I need to cancel or move my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Bella Figura operates a cancellation policy and appointments are reserved specifically for your dog. Because my regular clients pre-book their appointments, my diary is planned well in advance. This means I cannot guarantee that I will be able to move your appointment to another day or find another space within your dog's usual grooming schedule. Please give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or rearrange. Late cancellations and missed appointments are subject to the cancellation policy.

Question 5

What happens at my dog's appointment?

Accepted Answer

Your dog has my individual attention throughout their groom. Depending on the service, their appointment may include bathing, drying, brushing, coat preparation, clipping or scissoring, nail trimming and finishing. I work with the dog in front of me, taking into account their coat, age, behaviour and comfort throughout their appointment.

Question 6

How long will my dog's groom take?

Accepted Answer

Most appointments take around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, although this varies according to breed, coat, condition, temperament and the work required. I'll let you know when your dog is ready for collection.

Question 7

Can I choose how I want my dog groomed?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We'll discuss the finish you'd like and what is practical for your dog's coat. I'm also very happy to suggest a style based on your dog's coat, lifestyle and how much grooming you realistically want to do at home. A beautiful groom should still be manageable once your dog goes home.

Question 8

What if my dog's coat is matted?

Accepted Answer

My priority is always your dog's comfort. Minor tangles may be removed where this can be done comfortably, but I won't subject a dog to prolonged or painful dematting simply to preserve a longer coat. If the coat is heavily matted, a shorter clip may be the kindest option. I'll explain what is achievable and we can make a plan for maintaining the coat going forward.

Question 9

My dog is nervous about grooming. Can you groom them?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the individual dog and the level of anxiety they experience around grooming. Bella Figura is based within an active dog daycare environment. It can be busy and high energy, and the sights, sounds and activity can be distracting or overwhelming for some dogs. If your dog has significant grooming anxiety, noise sensitivity or finds the presence of other dogs particularly difficult, the environment may not be the right fit for them. Please be open with me about your dog's previous grooming experiences when you enquire. This allows me to decide whether Bella Figura is likely to be an appropriate environment for them.

Question 10

What if my dog becomes stressed during their groom?

Accepted Answer

Your dog's welfare comes first. If a dog becomes excessively stressed, I may adapt or stop the groom rather than force them through something they are no longer coping with. Regular appointments can make a significant difference. Familiarity with me, the environment and the grooming routine gives us the opportunity to build confidence over time.

Question 11

Can I stay with my dog while they are groomed?

Accepted Answer

No. Owners cannot stay during grooming appointments. Dogs usually behave very differently when their owner is present and can become distracted, unsettled or focused on trying to get back to them. This can make grooming more difficult and, when scissors and grooming equipment are being used, potentially less safe. Your dog will be left in my care for their appointment and I will contact you when they are ready for collection.

Question 12

When can my puppy start coming for grooming?

Accepted Answer

Puppies can join the Bella Figura Puppy Package before they are 6 months old. Rather than booking a puppy straight in for a full groom, the package introduces grooming gradually and positively during an important stage of their development. The aim is to build familiarity with handling, brushing, bathing, drying, the grooming table, equipment and the general grooming environment. Puppy appointments are offered through the Puppy Package only.

Question 13

Do you offer teeth cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Teeth cleaning is an important part of the service at Bella Figura and most of my clients include teeth cleaning as part of their regular grooming package. Including it routinely means we can concentrate on maintaining your dog's teeth rather than waiting for significant build-up to develop. Teeth cleaning is also available as a standalone service where appropriate.

Question 14

What type of teeth cleaning do you offer?

Accepted Answer

I offer non-invasive teeth cleaning designed to help maintain oral hygiene and remove accessible plaque and tartar without anaesthetic. For regular grooming clients, teeth cleaning can be incorporated into their ongoing grooming schedule.

Question 15

Can teeth cleaning replace a veterinary dental?

Accepted Answer

No. Grooming-based teeth cleaning is not veterinary dentistry and cannot treat dental disease, infection, loose teeth or problems beneath the gum line. If I see anything that concerns me, or your dog's mouth is beyond what is appropriate for maintenance teeth cleaning, I'll recommend that you speak to your vet.

Question 16

Can you clean very heavily scaled teeth?

Accepted Answer

Not always. There is a point at which a dog's mouth needs veterinary assessment rather than grooming-based teeth cleaning. I won't attempt to remove heavy deposits where doing so would be inappropriate or where there are signs of significant dental disease. The welfare of your dog comes before completing a service.

Question 17

Should I walk my dog before their groom?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please. Giving your dog the opportunity to toilet before arriving makes their appointment much more comfortable. A short walk can also help take the edge off excess energy before grooming.

Question 18

Should I feed my dog before their appointment?

Accepted Answer

Their normal routine is usually fine, but I'd avoid giving a very large meal immediately before grooming.

Question 19

What should I tell you before the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please let me know about anything that could affect your dog's groom, including medical conditions, injuries, skin problems, allergies, recent surgery, behavioural concerns or anything that has changed since their previous appointment. It's particularly important that I know if your dog has ever bitten or attempted to bite during grooming or handling. It doesn't automatically mean I won't groom them. It simply means I can make an informed decision about whether I can groom them safely.

Question 20

Can you groom elderly dogs?

Accepted Answer

Age alone isn't a reason to stop grooming. Older dogs often benefit from shorter, practical styles and appointments adapted around their mobility and comfort. I'll always prioritise what your dog can comfortably manage over achieving a technically perfect finish.

Question 21

What if my dog has a health condition?

Accepted Answer

Please tell me before the appointment. Many dogs with ongoing health conditions can still be groomed safely, but I need the relevant information so that I can adapt their appointment where necessary. In some circumstances I may recommend speaking to your vet before grooming.

Question 22

What happens if you find a lump, skin problem or something unusual?

Accepted Answer

I'll let you know. Groomers spend a lot of time handling and looking closely at dogs, so occasionally I notice something an owner hasn't spotted. I can point out what I've found, but I cannot diagnose it. Anything concerning should be assessed by your vet.

Question 23

Do you groom large dogs?

Accepted Answer

Bella Figura specialises in small and medium-sized dogs, with a maximum weight of approximately 12kg. This allows me to provide the individual service I want to offer while working safely and sustainably.

Question 24

Do you hand strip?

Accepted Answer

No. Hand stripping isn't a service I currently offer.

Question 25

Do you groom cats?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bella Figura offers cat grooming by appointment. Cats have very different grooming needs from dogs, so appointments are tailored to the individual cat, their coat, temperament and the reason for the groom.

Question 26

What cat grooming services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Cat grooming can include brushing and coat maintenance, removal of loose undercoat, help with knots and matting, nail trimming, bathing where appropriate, and clipping including lion trims. The service recommended will depend on your cat's coat condition and what they will comfortably tolerate.

Question 27

My cat is heavily matted. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Relieving a cat from a heavily matted coat is a specialist grooming service and requires skill, patience and careful handling. Cat skin is extremely delicate, and severe matting can sit very close to the skin. Attempting to brush out or remove heavy matting incorrectly can cause pain or injury. Where a coat is significantly matted, clipping is often the safest and kindest option. My priority is to remove the uncomfortable coat as safely and efficiently as possible, rather than trying to preserve coat length. Once your cat is comfortable again, I can advise on ongoing coat care and a grooming schedule to help prevent severe matting from developing in the future. In some cases, if I have concerns about your cat's skin, health or ability to tolerate the procedure safely, veterinary involvement may be necessary.

Question 28

Will my cat need sedation for grooming?

Accepted Answer

Most cats can be groomed without sedation, and only a minority need additional support to help them cope comfortably with grooming. For some cats, however, sedation can make the experience safer and less stressful. Any sedative medication must be prescribed by your vet and administered according to their instructions. I do not prescribe or supply sedatives.

Question 29

What if my cat doesn't tolerate being groomed?

Accepted Answer

Cats are never forced through a groom simply to complete the service. I will work with what your cat is comfortable allowing me to do. If they become excessively stressed or it is no longer safe to continue, I will stop the appointment. Sometimes this means a groom cannot be completed in one visit.

Question 30

Can I stay with my cat during their appointment?

Accepted Answer

No. As with dog grooming appointments, owners do not stay during the groom. This allows me to concentrate fully on your cat and handle them as safely and calmly as possible.

Question 31

How should I bring my cat to their appointment?

Accepted Answer

Cats must arrive in a secure, suitable cat carrier. Please do not bring your cat loose, on a lead or carried in your arms. Even a normally confident cat can react unexpectedly in an unfamiliar environment, so a secure carrier is essential for their safety.

Question 32

How often should my cat be professionally groomed?

Accepted Answer

This depends on their breed, coat type, age and how well they manage their own coat. Long-haired cats, older cats and cats with particularly dense coats may benefit from regular professional grooming. Regular coat maintenance can also help prevent small tangles developing into more significant matting. I can recommend an appropriate grooming schedule after meeting your cat and assessing their coat.

Questions I'm asked most often

Appointments & Booking

Your Dog's Groom

Nervous & Sensitive Dogs

Puppies

Teeth Cleaning

Before Your Appointment

Health & Welfare

Practical Questions

Cat Grooming

Still have a question?