Pet Grooming in Lafayette, LA

Our grooming menu at Vet Med Animal Hospital includes baths, nail trims, ear cleaning, anal gland expression, and sedated shave-downs. As a veterinary clinic, we’re uniquely equipped to handle pets whose grooming needs go beyond what a standard grooming salon can safely provide.

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Grooming with a Medical Backbone

Grooming at a veterinary clinic is different from grooming at a standalone salon—and for many pets, that difference matters. At Vet Med Animal Hospital, our grooming services are performed in a clinical environment by a team that understands animal behavior, stress responses, and medical needs.

Our grooming services are intentionally focused. For pets that cannot be safely groomed while awake, for example, we offer sedated shave-downs, performed under veterinary supervision using the same anesthetic protocols we apply to our medical patients. If your pet requires sedation for grooming, our team will review their health history and may recommend pre-sedation bloodwork through our Pet Diagnostics & Imaging capabilities before proceeding.

Grooming Services We Offer

Our grooming services cover the essential maintenance needs of dogs and cats. All services are performed at our Lafayette clinic by our veterinary team in a calm, controlled environment.

Maintenance Grooming

Baths, nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland expression to keep your pet clean, comfortable, and healthy between visits.

Sedated Shave-Downs

Veterinary-supervised sedation for pets that cannot be safely groomed while awake, including heavily matted or highly anxious animals.

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Is a Sedated Shave-Down Right for Your Pet?

Some pets need more than patience—sedated grooming offers a safer, more humane alternative

For some pets—those with severe matting, extreme anxiety, a history of aggression during grooming, or physical conditions that make restraint painful—standard grooming can be unsafe for both the pet and the handler. Sedated shave-downs at Vet Med Animal Hospital provide a humane alternative that prioritizes your pet’s comfort and safety.

Learn more about our anesthetic protocols on our Pet Soft Tissue Surgery page, or contact our team to discuss whether sedated grooming is appropriate for your pet.

Veterinary Supervision

All grooming at Vet Med Animal Hospital is performed in a clinical setting with the backing of a full veterinary team.

Sedation Option Available

For pets that struggle with grooming, our sedated shave-down service provides a safe, stress-reducing alternative.

FAQs About Pet Grooming

Here are answers to what Lafayette pet owners most commonly ask about our grooming services and sedated grooming options.

What grooming services does Vet Med Animal Hospital offer in Lafayette?

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Vet Med Animal Hospital offers a focused menu of grooming services for dogs and cats, including baths, nail trims, ear cleaning, anal gland expression, and sedated shave-downs. Our grooming services are performed at our Lafayette clinic on Kaliste Saloom Road by our veterinary team in a controlled, clinical environment. We do not offer full styling or breed-specific cuts—our grooming menu is centered on the core maintenance services that support your pet's comfort and hygiene.

What is a sedated shave-down, and does my pet need one?

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A sedated shave-down is a grooming procedure performed under veterinary sedation for pets that cannot be safely groomed while awake. It is typically recommended for pets with severe matting that cannot be brushed out, animals with extreme grooming anxiety or a history of aggression during handling, or pets with physical conditions that make restraint painful or unsafe.

If you're unsure whether your pet is a candidate for sedated grooming, call our Lafayette clinic at (337) 456-8010, and our team will help you assess the situation.

Is it safe to sedate my pet for grooming?

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Sedation for grooming is generally safe for healthy pets when administered and monitored by a veterinary team. At Vet Med Animal Hospital, sedated shave-downs are performed under veterinary supervision using the same protocols applied to our medical and surgical patients. Before sedation, we review your pet's health history and may recommend pre-sedation bloodwork—particularly for senior pets or those with known health conditions—to confirm they are safe candidates.

Why should I have my pet groomed at a veterinary clinic instead of a grooming salon?

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For many pets, a standard grooming salon is perfectly appropriate. But for pets with anxiety, aggression, medical conditions, or severe matting, a veterinary setting offers advantages that a salon cannot. Our team understands animal behavior and stress responses, and we have the medical resources to support pets whose grooming needs are more complex. If a health concern is identified during grooming—such as a skin lesion, ear infection, or anal gland impaction—our team can address it on the spot rather than simply noting it and sending you elsewhere.

Does anal gland expression need to be done regularly?

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Not all pets need regular anal gland expression—many dogs and cats empty their anal glands naturally during bowel movements without any assistance. However, some pets are prone to anal gland impaction or infection and benefit from periodic manual expression. Signs that your pet may need their anal glands expressed include scooting, licking or biting at the base of the tail, a strong fishy odor, or swelling near the rear end.

If your pet is showing these signs, our team can address them during a grooming or wellness appointment. Routine anal gland expression can be added to any grooming visit at Vet Med Animal Hospital.

Can I book grooming and a wellness exam at the same appointment?

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In many cases, yes. Combining a grooming service with a wellness exam or other veterinary appointment can be a convenient way to address multiple needs in a single visit—particularly for pets who find car rides or clinic environments stressful. Contact our Lafayette team at (337) 456-8010 or submit an appointment request online to discuss scheduling options. Our team will help determine the best way to structure your pet's visit based on what they need.

Learn more about our wellness services on our Pet Wellness & Preventive Care page.