Cat Care
Cat Grooming at Home: Brushing, Mats and When to Get Help
Cats groom themselves, but many still need help. Learn how to brush your cat, handle mats safely and recognise when to call a groomer or vet.
Pet grooming
Dog & Cat Grooming, Done With Patience
Sandy Tails gives pets a clean coat, trimmed nails and a calmer grooming experience. We go at your pet's pace and tell you clearly what their coat needs.
Coat check before we begin
Breaks when your pet needs them
- Gentle, unhurried handling
- Care matched to the coat
- Price confirmed before we start
- Clean tools for every pet
Why grooming matters
A good groom is care, not just a haircut
Regular professional pet grooming keeps skin clean, prevents painful mats and stops nails from changing the way your pet walks. It also gives a trained pair of eyes the chance to notice things that are easy to miss under a thick coat, like ticks, redness or a sore ear.
Just as importantly, it should not be something your pet dreads. That is why every Sandy Tails appointment begins with a conversation and a coat check. From there, we recommend only what your dog or cat actually needs, and we explain why.
Read about our approachOur services
Grooming for every coat and temperament
Choose a complete groom or just the part your pet needs today. If you are not sure, send us the breed and coat condition and we will point you the right way.
The complete reset
Full Groom
A bath, blow-dry, brush-out and trim suited to your dog's breed and coat, finished with nails, ears and a hygiene tidy.
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Fresh between grooms
Bath & Brush
A thorough wash, blow-dry and brush for clean skin and a soft, fresh coat, without a haircut.
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Less loose hair at home
De-shedding & Coat Care
A wash and dry with careful undercoat brushing to lift loose hair and keep double coats comfortable.
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The small things that matter
Nails, Ears & Hygiene Tidy
A quick session for nail trims, outer ear cleaning, paw pads and sanitary areas.
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A good first impression
Puppy's First Groom
A short, gentle introduction to water, dryers, brushes and being handled.
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Quiet, unhurried care
Cat Grooming
Careful brushing, mat removal and nail trims in a shorter session paced for cats.
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How it works
What happens during a Sandy Tails groom
- 1
Hello and coat check
Your pet settles in while we look over the coat, skin, nails and ears and talk through what you would like.
- 2
Wash and dry
A shampoo suited to the coat, a thorough rinse and careful drying, with breaks whenever your pet needs them.
- 3
Brush and trim
Tangles and loose coat come out, then we trim to the agreed length and finish the nails, ears and paws.
- 4
Home with notes
We tell you what we noticed, how to care for the coat at home and when a return visit makes sense.
Coat guide
What does your pet's coat need?
Curly & wool
Poodles, Doodles, Bichon Frise
These coats keep growing and shed very little, so loose hair stays trapped and turns into mats. Plan on a full groom every four to six weeks, plus brushing a few times a week at home.
Suggested: Full GroomLong & silky
Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Maltese
Beautiful, but quick to tangle behind the ears and under the legs. Daily brushing helps. Many families choose a shorter practical trim every four to eight weeks, especially in warm, humid weather.
Suggested: Full GroomDouble coat
Labrador, Golden Retriever, Husky, German Shepherd
A soft undercoat sits beneath a tougher top coat and sheds heavily. Regular de-shedding lifts dead hair and leaves the coat able to do its job. Shaving is rarely the right answer.
Suggested: De-shedding & Coat CareShort & smooth
Beagle, Pug, Indie, Dobermann
Low maintenance, not no maintenance. These dogs still shed and collect dirt, so a bath and brush every few weeks, along with regular nail and ear care, keeps them clean and comfortable.
Suggested: Bath & BrushCats
Persian, Maine Coon, senior cats
Long-haired cats can mat quickly, particularly around the belly and armpits. Older cats may also need help reaching their coat. Short, gentle sessions work best.
Suggested: Cat GroomingFrom the blog
Grooming tips for pet parents
Coat Care
Should You Shave a Double-Coated Dog in Hot Weather?
Shaving a Labrador or Husky seems like an easy way to beat the heat, but it often is not. Here is what a double coat does and what helps instead.
Puppy Care
Preparing Your Puppy for Their First Grooming Appointment
A calm first groom starts at home. Learn when to book, how to practise handling, and what to expect from your puppy's first grooming visit.
How often should my dog be groomed?
Most dogs do well with a groom every four to eight weeks. Curly and long coats sit at the shorter end, while short coats can go longer with regular brushing at home. We can suggest a routine once we have seen the coat.
Do you groom cats as well as dogs?
Yes. Cats get a quieter, shorter session focused on brushing, loose coat, mats and nails. A bath is only suggested when the cat and the coat really need it.
My pet is nervous. Can you still help?
Please tell us when you book. We take more time on introductions, work in shorter stages and stop if your pet is becoming distressed, then talk to you about the next step.
How much does grooming cost?
The price depends on your pet's size, coat type and coat condition, along with the service you choose. Send an enquiry with those details and we will confirm the price before any work starts.
Ready for a calmer grooming day?
Tell us about your pet and the coat. We will reply with the right service, the price and available times.