Little Ark Dog Grooming
About Little Ark Dog Grooming
Professional pet grooming services in San Francisco. We offer expert grooming care for your pets with 10 positive reviews and a 4.7 star rating. Located at 748 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94114.
Reviews
Overall, customers frequently express high satisfaction with the grooming services at Little Ark, highlighting the staff's friendliness and care. Many reviews commend the grooming quality, noting pets come out looking clean, happy, and well-treated, with specific mentions of individualized attention and playtime instead of kennel waiting. However, there are a couple of negative experiences, particularly regarding communication about grooming styles and specific requests not being met, which has led to dissatisfaction for some customers. Despite these issues, the majority of reviews strongly recommend Little Ark, with many expressing a long-term commitment to the grooming service.
They are so wonderful at Little Ark! Our Henri is quite grumpy and does not let people touch him. I don't know how they did it but he loves them at Little Ark. Every time we pick him up he looks so handsome, so clean and smells so good. His nails perfectly trimmed and his ears extremely clean. Our Henri always come out happy and looks so proud! Make your appointment soon! I will be forever a fan! Thank you Little Ark!
We took our schnauzer puppy to this groomer today and are very disappointed with the result. We showed specific photos depicting a classic schnauzer with some fluff including beard and eyebrows. We thought we were understood - the person we spoke to even said “teddy bear” which to non dog groomers, we reasonably assumed meant fluffy and a little shaggy like a stuffed animal. Upon calling after, what we didn’t know is that teddy bear is actually a cut mostly done on poodles (!) where they cut all around the body and leave it short. This was not on us; the groomer should have defined what that term meant to customers. We also emphasized how critical it was to pluck and clean her ears, which we have trouble doing ourselves hence taking her to professionals. Our schnauzer came out looking nothing like what we asked for. Her ears were also still dirty and smelly, so unsure if they plucked and cleaned. They also made us pay ($140!) before bringing her out. When I called, they offered a walk-in ear plucking but unsure if we will take it.
Our puppy (a cockapoo) had his first full haircut here, and looked so cute and handsome! They did a great job, despite him being very wriggly! The staff are really friendly and we love that they don’t use kennels so they can all play together in between grooming.
Major's "before" & "after". Thanks so so so much Little Ark! (Major is now ready for our September trip to Tahoe!) 🐾
We have been bringing our dog here for more than two years, and each monthly haircut is better than the last. Our dog absolutely adores Yuri and the rest of the staff. We wouldn't bring him anywhere else!
Super friendly and great to work with. I have a pitbull and every other place I called wants to charge me more just because of his breed. He's a total sweetheart who loves dogs, so it's really frustrating to be charged more because of misconceptions. At Little Ark they treat him like any other dog and he LOVES going there. He gets so excited when we go to the shop, and can't wait to go in. The staff is really nice and always does a great job. Frank (my dog) always comes out smelling amazing and in a great mood.
I was really impressed with their service and the cut my labradoodle received. He had stress colitis after his first grooming appointment at another place nearby and so Little Ark's approach of having the dogs interact with each other between the grooming steps appealed to me. When he came out he was happy and looked great. I will definitely be going back.
I love that the price includes play time with other dogs in the yard rather than waiting in a kennel. But my dog went and was shaved close to his skin, developed a rash that became infected, and when I called to discuss it was told I'm the one who should have told them not to shave his belly close. Cute cut but won't go back for the price give that we then needed a vet visit for the belly rash.
I've been bringing my mini schnauzer here for about 5 years now and he loves coming here. I don't trust any other groomers with my pup other than little ark. I know that he is in amazing hands. He always come out looking more handsome than when I leave him.
The staff is amazing. Fairly priced and my boy looks forward to his grooming every time
Contact Information
748 14th St, San Francisco, CA 94114
+1 415-626-7574
Book an Appointment
Ready to pamper your feline friend? Contact us to schedule a grooming session.
Call to BookFrequently Asked Questions About Cat Grooming
What should I expect during a professional cat grooming session?
A typical professional cat grooming session usually begins with a consultation to discuss your cat's needs. The groomer will then examine your cat's coat and skin condition before proceeding with services like brushing to remove loose fur, bathing with cat-specific shampoo, blow-drying, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and any specialized haircuts if needed. Most sessions take between 1-2 hours depending on your cat's coat condition and temperament.
How should I prepare my cat for a grooming appointment?
To prepare your cat for grooming, brush them at home a few days before to remove loose fur and minor tangles. Keep your cat in a secure carrier for transportation. Arrive a few minutes early to complete paperwork and allow your cat time to adjust to the new environment. Bring information about your cat's health, temperament, and any areas they're sensitive about. For anxious cats, consider withholding food for 2-3 hours before the appointment to reduce the risk of stress-related nausea.
Why is professional cat grooming important?
Professional cat grooming is important for several reasons: it reduces shedding and hairballs, prevents painful matting, allows early detection of skin issues or parasites, keeps your cat's coat healthy and shiny, reduces dander (helpful for allergy sufferers), and maintains proper hygiene. Professional groomers have specialized tools, products, and techniques to safely handle cats, even those with behavioral challenges. Regular grooming also helps cats become more comfortable with handling, which is beneficial for veterinary visits.
How often should my cat be professionally groomed?
The frequency of professional grooming depends on your cat's coat type, length, and lifestyle. Long-haired breeds like Persians typically need grooming every 4-6 weeks to prevent matting. Medium-haired cats may need grooming every 6-8 weeks, while short-haired cats might only need professional attention every 8-12 weeks or during seasonal shedding periods. Cats with special conditions like obesity or arthritis that prevent self-grooming may need more frequent appointments. Your groomer can recommend an appropriate schedule based on your cat's specific needs.
What's the difference between cat and dog grooming?
Cat grooming differs significantly from dog grooming. Cats have more sensitive skin, requiring gentler handling and cat-specific products. Their grooming sessions are typically shorter to minimize stress. Cats often need specialized restraint techniques and quieter environments. Cat groomers use different tools designed for feline coats and are trained to recognize signs of stress unique to cats. Cat-only grooming facilities eliminate the anxiety many cats experience around dogs, creating a more comfortable experience for your feline friend.