Frequently Asked Questions

Fear-free grooming means every decision — handling techniques, order of services, tools used, even the environment — is made with your pet's emotional wellbeing as the priority. We avoid any technique that causes fear, anxiety, or pain. We go at your pet's pace, take breaks when needed, and will stop or reschedule a service if the pet is struggling.

Most grooming salons operate on high volume — many dogs in a day, crate drying, assembly-line handling. At Nova&Co., every appointment is one-on-one. Your pet isn't put in a crate between services or left to wait. Vanessa's veterinary background means she's reading body language the entire time, not just getting through the groom as fast as possible.

This is one of the most common situations we see. The answer is almost always yes — though it may take more time and more sessions to rebuild trust. Vanessa's vet tech background gives her a real advantage here. We ask that you share your pet's history so we can plan the first appointment thoughtfully.

Use the booking form on this site, or call/text (412) 216-4123 directly. We're open Saturday through Tuesday, 8am–4pm. Texts are welcome and often fastest.

Spots tend to fill 2–4 weeks out, especially for creative grooms. If you need something specific (a holiday appointment, a creative groom for a special occasion), reach out as early as possible.

Most dogs take 2–4 hours. Small dogs with short coats may take less; large double-coated breeds or pets with matting may take longer. Cats typically take 1.5–2.5 hours. Because it's one-on-one, your pet is with Vanessa the entire time — no waiting in a kennel.

No — most pet owners drop off and return when the groom is complete. Vanessa will text or call when your pet is ready. However, for a pet's very first visit, it can sometimes help if an owner is reachable by phone in case any questions arise.

Grooming pricing is genuinely individual. A 5lb Maltese and a 70lb Bernedoodle in the same service category will take completely different amounts of time and effort. Coat condition matters too — heavily matted coats, excessive shedding, or a pet that needs extra patience all affect the time required. Vanessa will always communicate before going beyond the estimate.

Yes — this is a firm requirement, not just a suggestion. The routine groom serves two purposes: it lets Vanessa evaluate your pet's temperament (creative grooms require a pet that genuinely tolerates the process), and it allows for a dye patch test to check for skin reactions before any color is applied.

Bath, blow-dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, sanitary trim, paw pad trim, paw butter treatment, coat conditioning treatment, and your choice of style (haircut, brush-out, or deshed). Literally everything in one visit.

Individual à la carte services are available: nail trim ($15), paw pad trim ($10), sanitary trim ($15), and ear cleaning ($15). For cats, the Lion Cut and Teddy Bear Trim are available as a $30 add-on to the standard cat groom.

Yes. For the safety of all pets served at Nova&Co., current vaccination records are required. At minimum, dogs need rabies and distemper (DHPP). Cats need rabies and FVRCP. Please review the full requirements on the Policies page.

Dematting is possible for light-to-moderate matting and is always attempted humanely. Severe matting that causes pain or skin damage will require a shave-down rather than a comb-out — animal comfort and safety always comes first. Please never expect or request painful dematting.

Senior pets and pets with health conditions are welcomed — Vanessa's vet tech background makes her especially equipped for this. Please share all relevant health history when booking so she can plan accordingly and communicate with your vet if needed.

Safety — for your pet and for Vanessa — is the priority. If a pet becomes too stressed or unsafe to continue, we will stop the groom and contact you. Depending on the situation, we may recommend a vet visit, medication support from your vet, or a series of shorter desensitization sessions before attempting a full groom.