Is grooming stressful for pets?

According to pet care professionals listed on our platform, grooming can indeed cause stress for some pets, particularly those unfamiliar with the process or with negative past experiences. However, stress levels vary greatly between individual animals and can be significantly reduced through various approaches. Many groomers report that pets typically become more comfortable with grooming over repeated visits as they learn the routine is safe. For anxious pets, many facilities offer options like calm environments with reduced noise, familiar scent diffusers, shorter sessions, and gradual introduction to equipment. First-time grooming experiences are often the most stressful, so many professionals recommend starting with brief, positive exposure visits. Some pets may benefit from pre-grooming exercise to reduce energy levels, or natural calming supplements (with veterinary approval). We recommend discussing your pet's specific anxiety triggers with potential groomers before booking and considering whether a mobile groomer (who works in your home) might be less stressful for particularly anxious animals.