Pet Grooming FAQ for Cleveland, OH

At Four Paws & Claws, dog grooming starts at $60 for a full groom — which includes a bath, blow-dry, haircut, ear cleaning, and nail trim — and $35 for a bath and nails without a cut. Pricing is not one-size-fits-all: a small Chihuahua and a large Bernedoodle are not the same appointment. Final pricing depends on your dog's breed, size, weight, and coat condition. A dog that comes in regularly and is tangle-free will almost always cost less than one with significant matting, because matted coats take more time and care to work through safely. If you're unsure what your dog will run, call us at (216) 744-0965 and we can give you a better estimate before you book. See full pricing.

Yes — and this is rarer than it sounds. Four Paws & Claws is one of the few grooming salons in the Cleveland area that offers dedicated cat grooming, handled by someone who understands how differently cats experience the process compared to dogs. Cats are not small dogs, and grooming them requires a patient, low-stress approach. A cat bath and nail trim starts at $45, a full cut-bath-nail appointment is $90, and a standalone nail trim is just $10. Whether your cat has a thick coat that mats seasonally or just needs a regular tidy-up, we can help. Call (216) 744-0965 to talk through what your cat needs before booking. Learn more about cat grooming.

Most puppies are ready for their first professional groom between 12 and 16 weeks old, typically after their initial round of vaccinations is complete. Getting them in early — even just for a bath and a brief introduction to the tools — makes a real difference in how they handle grooming for the rest of their life. A puppy that's been gently handled at a young age is far less likely to become an anxious adult on the grooming table. At Four Paws & Claws, first grooms are paced to suit your puppy's comfort level. We take it slow, keep the experience positive, and never rush through it. Call us at (216) 744-0965 to schedule your puppy's first visit. Read our puppy grooming guide.

Yes, and this is actually a significant part of what Four Paws & Claws handles. Anxious dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with severely matted coats all require more time, patience, and a different approach than a routine appointment. For matted coats, we work through what can be safely dematted and are upfront when shaving is the only humane option — pulling mats tight against the skin is painful and we won't do it. For anxious or reactive dogs, we adjust the pace of the appointment, use gentle handling, and never force a dog through a stressful experience. Please call ahead at (216) 744-0965 so we can set aside the right amount of time and prepare for your dog's specific needs. See special care grooming.

Yes. Nail trims are available on their own for $10 for both dogs and cats — no full groom required. Long nails are more than a cosmetic issue: they change the way a dog walks, put pressure on joints over time, and can curl into the paw pad if left too long. A quick trim every few weeks keeps everything in check. We recommend calling ahead at (216) 744-0965 to confirm availability, especially on busier days. We work on an appointment basis, so while we'll do our best to fit you in, having a set time makes the visit smoother for everyone. It's one of the fastest, most affordable things you can do to keep your pet comfortable. More about nail trims.

The right grooming frequency depends almost entirely on your dog's coat type. Breeds with continuously growing hair — poodles, doodles, shih tzus, bichons, and similar — need professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks to prevent matting and keep the coat manageable. If you wait much longer, the coat can become tangled to the point where shaving is the only safe option. Double-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds do well with regular brushing at home plus professional grooming and deshedding treatments every 6 to 8 weeks. Short-haired breeds like Beagles and Boxers can go 6 to 8 weeks between baths, though they still benefit from nail trims more frequently. When in doubt, call Four Paws & Claws at (216) 744-0965 and we'll help you figure out the right schedule for your specific dog.

A deshedding treatment is a multi-step process designed to remove the loose undercoat that causes the bulk of shedding at home. It involves a conditioning deshedding shampoo applied during the bath, followed by a thorough blow-dry and a careful brush-out using tools designed to reach the undercoat without damaging the outer coat. The whole process takes significantly longer than a standard bath because you have to work through the coat methodically. It is most effective for double-coated breeds — Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and similar. One thing we want to be clear about: shaving a double-coated breed does not solve shedding and can actually damage the coat permanently. Deshedding done right is the better answer. Learn more about deshedding.

Four Paws & Claws operates on an appointment basis. We do not guarantee walk-in availability, and on busier days the schedule fills up quickly. Booking ahead is strongly encouraged — it ensures your dog or cat gets the full, unrushed attention they deserve rather than being squeezed in between other appointments. To schedule, call us directly at (216) 744-0965. We'll find a time that works for you and gather a few details about your pet beforehand so the groomer is prepared. If you're in the area and want to ask a quick question or check availability in person, you're welcome to stop by — but for any actual grooming service, a call ahead is the way to go.

Four Paws & Claws is located at 4352 Pearl Rd in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland, OH 44109. Pearl Rd is a main thoroughfare that runs through the southwest side of Cleveland, making the salon straightforward to reach whether you're coming from Parma, Brooklyn, Tremont, Lakewood, or anywhere on the near west or southwest side. If you're driving in from further out, I-71 and I-480 both provide easy access to the Pearl Rd corridor. Parking is available on-site. If you need help finding us or want to confirm hours before making the trip, call ahead at (216) 744-0965. Get directions and hours.

Four Paws & Claws is open Monday from 10 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Wednesday closed, Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Sunday is by appointment only — if you need a Sunday slot, call (216) 744-0965 to check availability. Wednesday is the one day we are fully closed each week, so please plan accordingly. If you are unsure whether we'll be open on a particular day or want to confirm your appointment time, the best thing to do is give us a call. We're happy to work with your schedule as much as availability allows.

Four Paws & Claws is based at 4352 Pearl Rd in Old Brooklyn, Cleveland, and serves pet owners from across the southwest and west side of the city and its suburbs. That includes Parma, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Tremont, Clark-Fulton, West Park, Lakewood, Berea, and surrounding communities. Because the salon sits on Pearl Rd — a main corridor with direct connections to I-71 and I-480 — it's easy to reach from a wide area without a complicated drive. If you're not sure whether the commute makes sense for you, give us a call at (216) 744-0965. Many of our regular clients drive 20 to 30 minutes specifically because they trust the care their pets receive here.