Most groomers see a dog for 90 minutes and send them home. At Rice Village Animal Hospital, your pet is groomed at an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital — which means a licensed veterinarian is on-site every time, our team is trained to notice what a standard groomer might miss, and if something comes up during your pet’s appointment, it gets addressed the same day.
That’s the difference between grooming at a salon and grooming at a vet. We offer both dog and cat grooming in Houston, TX — with a medical team behind every appointment.
Grooming at a Vet: Why It’s Different
Houston has no shortage of grooming salons. What it has very few of is AAHA-accredited veterinary hospitals that offer grooming under the same roof as full medical care. Here is what that means for your pet:
| At a Standard Grooming Salon | At Rice Village Animal Hospital |
|---|---|
| Skin issues may go unnoticed | Groomers trained to flag skin infections, hot spots, and unusual coat changes for veterinary review |
| Lumps and bumps are not their job | Any lump, growth, or swelling found during your pet’s appointment can be evaluated by a vet the same day |
| Ear problems may not be reported | Ear odor, discharge, or redness caught during cleaning gets flagged immediately |
| No medical team on-site | A licensed veterinarian is present every day we are open |
| If something goes wrong, they call you | If something goes wrong, we treat it — we are a fully equipped veterinary hospital |
Dog Grooming Services in Houston
Our grooming services are available for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and coat types. Every appointment is handled with care, patience, and attention to your dog’s individual needs.
Bath Package
Our bath package covers all the essentials for keeping your dog clean, fresh, and comfortable between full grooming appointments.
- Full brush-out to remove loose fur and detangle the coat before bathing
- Warm bath with oatmeal and aloe shampoo — gentle on sensitive skin
- Blow-dry and brush-out to finish
- Nail trimming
- Ear cleaning
- Teeth brushing
- Finishing bandana or bow
Bath + Haircut Package
Everything included in the Bath Package, plus a customized haircut styled to your preferences and your dog’s breed standard.
- Breed-specific cuts, full trims, or custom shave-downs
- Scissor or clipper finish based on coat type
- Styling preferences noted and kept on file for repeat appointments
Grooming Add-Ons
Customize any grooming appointment with one or more of the following add-on services:
| Add-On | What It Does |
|---|---|
| De-Shedding Treatment | Removes excess undercoat using specialized tools and techniques — can reduce shedding by up to 40%. Recommended for double-coated breeds. |
| Moisturizing Conditioner | Soothes dry, itchy, or flaky skin while softening the coat. Especially helpful during Houston’s dry winter months. |
| Medicated Shampoo | Anti-microbial and anti-fungal treatment for hot spots, skin infections, and allergy-related irritation. Prescribed or recommended by our veterinary team. |
| Matted Shave-Down | Safe full-body shave to remove severely matted fur when detangling is no longer possible without causing pain. |
| Creative Grooming | Custom stenciled or freehand designs using pet-safe, non-toxic dye for dogs who love a little extra style. |
| Frills & Finishing | Pompoms, bows, bandana, or seasonal accessories to complete the look. |
Cat Grooming in Houston
Grooming a cat is not the same as grooming a dog — and most grooming salons know it. Cats can become highly stressed during grooming, which creates risk for the cat, the groomer, and the quality of the result. Because we are a veterinary hospital, we can provide grooming options for cats that standard salons cannot.
Routine Cat Grooming
For cats who tolerate handling and light grooming, we offer:
- Brush-out and deshedding
- Nail trims
- Ear cleaning
- Sanitary trims
Sedation Grooming for Cats
For cats who require more extensive grooming — full shave-downs, severe mat removal, or medical grooming — sedation allows us to complete the service safely, without causing the cat distress or putting your cat or our team at risk.
- Safe sedation administered and monitored by our veterinary team
- Full-body shave-downs for severely matted cats
- Partial shaving for problem areas — matted haunches, sanitary areas
- Medical grooming for cats with skin conditions or wounds requiring coat management
Important: Sedation grooming requires a pre-procedure evaluation. Please call us at (713) 527-0489 to discuss your cat’s needs before scheduling. This is a veterinary procedure — not available at standard grooming salons.
Grooming in Houston: What the Climate Means for Your Pet
Houston’s heat and humidity create specific grooming considerations that pet owners in other cities don’t face. A few things worth knowing:
- Coat length and heat management: Shaving double-coated breeds like Huskies or Golden Retrievers in summer seems logical but can actually reduce their natural insulation. We are happy to advise on the right coat management strategy for your dog’s breed before scheduling.
- Skin and coat conditions: Houston’s humidity combined with heat creates favorable conditions for yeast and bacterial skin infections. If your dog is scratching, has a musty odor, or has red or flaky skin, our medicated shampoo add-on and a same-day vet check may be warranted.
- Year-round grooming frequency: Unlike in colder climates where coats thicken seasonally, many Houston dogs need consistent grooming maintenance year-round. We recommend establishing a regular schedule and keeping it.
AAHA Accreditation: Rice Village Animal Hospital is AAHA-Accredited — a distinction held by fewer than 15% of animal hospitals in the United States. Our grooming services operate within the same standard of care as our veterinary services. Your pet is never just a grooming appointment here.
Schedule Your Pet’s Grooming Appointment
Ready to book? Call us at (713) 527-0489 or use the button below to request a grooming appointment online. Our team will confirm availability and go over any specific needs for your pet before the appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Dog & Cat Grooming in Houston
What makes grooming at a veterinary hospital different from a regular grooming salon?
The biggest difference is what happens if something is found. At a standard salon, a groomer who notices a lump, a skin infection, or an ear problem can only call you. At Rice Village Animal Hospital, a licensed veterinarian is on-site and available to evaluate any concern on the same day. Our team is also trained to observe and flag health changes — not just deliver a clean dog.
Do you groom cats?
Yes. We offer routine grooming for cats who tolerate handling, and sedation grooming for cats who require a full shave-down, mat removal, or medical grooming. Sedation grooming requires a pre-procedure evaluation — call us at (713) 527-0489 to discuss your cat’s specific needs before booking.
Why does my cat need sedation for grooming?
Cats can become highly stressed during grooming, which is dangerous for the cat and for the groomer. Sedation allows us to complete grooming safely, humanely, and without causing your cat significant distress. Because we are a veterinary hospital, we can administer and monitor sedation safely — something no standard grooming salon can offer.
Should I shave my dog in the Houston summer?
It depends on the breed. Shaving some double-coated breeds can actually impair their natural ability to regulate temperature and protect against sunburn. We recommend calling us before booking a shave-down if you are unsure — our team can advise on the best approach for your dog’s specific coat type.
How often should my dog be groomed?
This depends on breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Short-coated breeds may only need a bath every 4–6 weeks. Dogs with longer or thicker coats typically need grooming every 4–8 weeks to prevent matting. In Houston’s heat and humidity, more frequent bathing is often appropriate. We are happy to recommend a schedule at your first appointment.