Grooming Add-Ons Explained: De-Shedding, Matting, Nails & Nervous Dogs

Alongside our core grooming services, we offer a short list of add-ons — thick and double coat de-shedding, help with overgrown or matted coats, nail and paw care, and extra time for nervous or elderly dogs. But what do they actually involve, and how do you know which ones your dog would genuinely benefit from?

Here is the plain-English guide to each add-on: what it is, what it does, and which dogs it suits.

Thick / Double Coat De-Shedding (+£10)

What it is: A specialist treatment for double-coated breeds combining a de-shedding shampoo, high-velocity drying to blow out loose undercoat, and professional raking tools to remove the dead hair a normal brush cannot reach.

Which dogs benefit: Double-coated breeds — Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Huskies, German Shepherds, Border Collies — especially during spring and autumn coat changes. It dramatically reduces the fur around your home and improves airflow to the skin. For the full picture, read our guide on why de-shedding is essential for double-coated breeds.

Overgrown / Overdue Coat (+£10)

What it is: Extra time and preparation for a coat that has grown well past its usual groom — more brushing out, more careful clipping, and a longer appointment.

Which dogs benefit: Doodles and other continuously growing coats that are a few months overdue, and any dog whose coat has become dense and difficult to work through.

Matting & Extra Coat Work (from +£5, up to +£15)

What it is: The extra time needed for knots, tangles and matting, removed carefully and kindly. The amount depends entirely on how much extra work is genuinely needed — around +£5 for a little tidying, and a maximum of +£15 for a heavily matted coat.

How we handle it: We look at the coat on the day, explain what is involved and agree the price with you before we start. If matting is too severe to brush out kindly, a shorter clip is usually the gentler option, and we will always talk that through with you first. Our guide to the hidden health risks of matted fur explains why we take this approach.

Nail Dremel & Paw Balm and Overgrown Nail Care (+£5 each)

What it is: Nail trimming is already included in every groom. The Dremel add-on smooths the edges after trimming, tidies and checks the paw pads and finishes with a nourishing paw balm. Overgrown Nail Care covers nails that need slow, careful shortening over the appointment.

Which dogs benefit: Dogs who catch their nails on floors or furniture, dogs with dry or cracked pads, and dogs whose nails have grown long between grooms. If your dog does not need a full groom, we also offer a standalone Nail, Paw & Hygiene Care Visit for £30, subject to our route and availability.

Nervous / Elderly Dogs (+£5)

What it is: Extra time and patience for dogs who need it — a slower pace, more breaks, and an appointment structured around keeping the dog relaxed rather than rushing to a finish.

Which dogs benefit: Anxious dogs, senior dogs with stiff joints or reduced mobility, and dogs recovering from a bad grooming experience elsewhere. Our guide on mobile grooming for anxious dogs explains our approach in more depth.

The rest of the list

• Muzzle / Safety Handling (+£10) — for dogs who need a muzzle or extra handling support
• Anal Gland Expression (+£5) — external only, where safe and suitable
• Tick Removal (+£5) — safe removal of ticks found during the groom, where suitable
• Out of Service Area (+£5) — approved bookings that need extra travel

How to add these to your groom

Every add-on can be combined with any core service — Bath & Brush, Bath & Style, or Full Groom. Just mention what you would like when you book, or ask us on the day — if we spot something your dog would benefit from (like a heavy undercoat that needs a de-shed), we will always suggest it and explain why. See the full list on our add-ons page.

Quick guide: which add-on for which dog

• Thick / Double Coat De-Shedding — double-coated breeds, heavy seasonal shedders
• Overgrown / Overdue Coat — doodles and growing coats well past their usual groom
• Matting & Extra Coat Work — knots, tangles or matting needing extra time
• Nail Dremel & Paw Balm — dry pads, rough nail edges
• Nervous / Elderly Dogs — anxious, senior, or grooming-shy dogs

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