Did you know you can now book online? It’s much easier and quicker to do it this way, and you can do it by looking at the menu at the top and selecting “book online.” You can still book an appointment or make enquiries by calling our salon on 020-8857-2888. You cannot book by email but can make enquiries.

For your convenience, we aim to be able to give your pet an appointment within two weeks of your enquiry. As we are fully staffed and are open 6 days a week, we can usually accommodate a wider choice of appointments.

Please make sure you walk your dog before your appointment. This releases energy and allows your dog time to go to the toilet before the grooming process starts. A good walk will make the grooming time easier and more enjoyable for your dog.

Our appointment system works to minimise the time your dog is in the salon and provides a stress-free environment.

Appointment times:

Morning appointments will arrive at 9 – 9.30 am and will be picked up at 12.30 pm.
Afternoon appointments will arrive at 1.00 pm and will be collected at 4.00 pm.
If you need an alternative time, then please email us at info@absolutelyanimals.biz.

Please bring a treat with your dog-preferably something really tasty that your pet won’t refuse. Cheese or sausage is a favourite. This acts as a tasty reward for good behaviour.

You may feed your dog a small amount at least two hours before their appointment, as this can keep them comfortable during the grooming. Please do not overfeed and allow your dog the opportunity to toilet well before your arrival.

We offer a range of styles for you to choose from. The styles available for your dog will depend on the condition of the coat and the temperament. You can see all our dog grooming styles by selecting “services” from the main menu, and then navigating to “all dog services”.

We offer consultations at no additional cost.

For the safety of the staff and your pet, we need to know if your dog is prone to any types of aggressive or difficult behaviour so we can take the necessary precautions.

When we are dealing with dogs that have difficult or aggressive behaviour, we need to work with their owner as well, so these dogs can be supported into accepting the grooming procedure.

Some really aggressive dogs that we work with will need to come in at the end of the day with the owner.

Dogs with aggressive or difficult behaviour will incur an additional charge. We provide experienced and knowledgeable groomers for these kinds of dogs, with up-to-date handling aids and techniques to complete the job safely.

Please call or email your situation to discuss it with one of our team members.

At Absolutely Animals, we do not crate or cage dogs. Although dogs are situated in comfortable areas in the salon, where they are included in the ambience of the room, they can see each other and this settles them for the short time they are with us.

Please contact us if you require special arrangements for your dog.

We advise you to start your puppy’s grooming with a bath and trim at least ten days after the final vaccinations. Your puppy can come in for an enjoyable puppy session to get used to the sights and smells of the salon and settle in from an early age.

Dogs are not sedated on these premises.

We do accept dogs under prior arrangement and assessment who may be sedated by their owner under veterinary recommendation, but we find that sedation is not usually necessary.

This service is only offered with a view to re-training the dog’s behaviour and minimising any sedation over time.

Appointments are only available at 4:00 pm.

This is a commonly asked question. We can remove mats using various methods, techniques, and products, but this can also depend on many other factors.

The amount of hair left after knot and matt removal depends on many contributing factors. The severity (tightness and extent of the mats) as well as the disposition of the individual animal.

We use every technique to save coats and style them as owners wish, but we also need to put humanity before vanity, so please be guided by our professionals when deciding the best course of action for your pet.

Sometimes, removing the coat and starting again is the only option.

Ideally, regular weekly brushing and combing of your pet, as well as regular grooming appointments, will avoid the build-up of knots and the need to remove the coat. It also encourages a healthy coat and skin.

There will usually be an additional charge for knot and matt removal. Prices are determined by the individual pet requirements and any contributing factors.

The animal welfare act stipulates it is an offence to cause animals pain or discomfort, and we reserve the right to remove the coat if we feel this is in the best interest of the animal in question.

Please ask a member of staff about your individual pet.

We don’t offer a discount on initial multiple dog appointments as we offer a loyalty card. Please stop by and pick up our Customer Loyalty Card.

As we cherish our loyal customers, we would like to reward you. You will receive a 5% discount at every other appointment with our Customer Loyalty Card.

Please don’t forget your card as we cannot backdate it.

You will need a brush and comb for your pet’s coat type and will usually need to use them on a weekly basis to remove knots and debris from the coat.

A secure table makes a good place for grooming as your pet will be in a more comfortable position for you to reach around the legs.

Regular grooming at home makes the grooming sessions more pleasurable for your pet.

It is also beneficial for your pet if you remove the hair from the cup of the ears on a weekly basis.

If you would like to learn from a professional how to groom your pet properly at home, we offer to teach you for £20 for a half-hour session.

Please talk to a member of staff.

Prices are realistically set based on the breed and the required amount of work. We cannot give you a set price without seeing your dog and the work to be carried out.

Please see the price list guide on our website.

You may incur additional charges for the removal of stubborn knots, overdue and unkempt coats, aggressive behaviour, or flea baths.

We do not use drying boxes.

All the dogs at Absolutely Animals are hand dried and under supervision at all times.

We can only groom so many dogs in a day, so please note that if you fail to attend your appointment, you will lose your £20 deposit.

We are a small business and cannot afford to lose money through no-shows. Although your money does not cover the money we have lost, it does go some way towards covering costs.

Please remember that deposits are non-refundable but are transferable 48 hours before the appointment time.

Students may be working on your dog, along with an experienced tutor. We are fully insured for this and assure our clients that their pet is in the best possible hands as our students follow structured instructions and are supervised at all times. We have also reflected this in our prices and are positive that our clients will still receive an outstanding finish.

At Absolutely Animals, we provide tuition for students who want to learn the art of pet grooming and styling from the best in the business. Students leave us with the knowledge and skills to deliver quality grooming.

As there are no restrictions on groomers practising without qualifications in the UK, as an approved centre, we feel our clients can be assured of quality work as our students work towards qualifications in pet grooming.

The students receive thorough supervision and instructions at all times and often watch grooming being demonstrated. One of our qualified tutors also checks every animal before their departure.

Our main priority is the welfare of the animals at all times. Absolutely Animals and the students follow a strict health and safety programme and ensure your pet’s mental and physical welfare is met at all times.

We thank and appreciate our clients for their support and, together, sit in the knowledge that those students tutored at Absolutely Animals have learned and will go on to practise good handling techniques and quality grooming across the world.

Anal glands are situated on either side of the anus and are scent-producing glands. These can be externally emptied if they have become blocked or are uncomfortable for your dog. We do not routinely empty these glands as we feel if there is no problem with them, they should be left alone.

If your dog is having a problem, they will be scooting their bottom along the floor, or you may notice a particularly offensive smell around the rear of your dog. (If this is the case, please consult your veterinary surgeon).

We are always appreciative of a tip as this boosts staff morale and goes towards our holiday celebrations. We have a place you can put tips on the reception desk. Thank you!

Collection and delivery is available under prior arrangement at an additional cost of £3.50 per mile or £25 minimum charge. Please call for a quote.

As the grooming is carried out by hand, we offer a free correction service for the first 24 hours after collection.

You can get a 5% discount every time your pet gets a full groom. You will need to bring the card every time your pet is groomed and a staff member will sign the card. The loyalty card is non-transferable and cannot be back-dated.