Anything done with clippers is technically shaving, but you have plenty of choices. We can go as long as a 1-inch guard comb and as short as 1/16th of an inch — and everything in between. Just let us know how short you're thinking, and we'll find the right fit. See our full range of options on our Pet Clip service page.

Head to Tail Pet Spa offers a full range of grooming services in Saskatoon, including:

• Bath & Nails — Bath, dry, nail trim or grind, ear cleaning, and deshedding.
• Bath & Tidy — Bath & Nails plus light trimming of the face, feet, sanitary area, and coat outline.
• Hand Scissor / Breed Specific — Scissoring and blending the coat to your desired length.
• Pet Clip — A shorter all-over clip for easier maintenance.
• Thera-Clean Microbubble Bath — A deep-cleaning therapy bath using micro-bubbles.
• Puppy Package, Nail Trim or Grind, Express Groom, Sedation Groom, and Cat Grooming.

See full details on our dog grooming page.

It depends on your dog's breed and coat type. Pet clips are usually every 6–8 weeks, while long trims, hand scissor styles, and long-haired shedding breeds often do best every 4–6 weeks.

For farm dogs or pets that only come in once a year, we strongly recommend every 3 months, once per season. Long gaps can make grooming harder, more uncomfortable, and more likely to hide skin issues, bugs, or seeds trapped in the coat.

Unfortunately, no. Our tools need to slide under the matting to remove it safely. If the mats are loose, we may be able to split them with minimal discomfort. If the matting is severe, the kindest option is to clip or shave it off.

We believe in Humanity Before Vanity because constant tugging on a matted coat is painful for your pet and hard on our groomers and equipment. Read more in our blog posts The 411 on Dematting and Tangles are Trouble.

The best approach is regular professional grooming combined with brushing at home. A slicker brush handles the top of the coat, while a steel comb reaches all the way down to the skin.

If you cannot get a comb through the coat, it is time to come in. It is easiest to build a home brushing routine while your pet is young, tired after a walk, or when the coat is still short.

Please do not use kitchen scissors to remove mats. It can be very hard to tell where the hair ends and the skin begins. Accidental cuts can be deep and may need vet attention.

The only safe way to remove matting is with clipper blades, which go underneath the mat to protect the skin.

Accidents can happen in any grooming salon. Groomers work with living, breathing, moving animals. We take our time and do everything we can to keep incidents to a minimum, but if something happens, we always let you know right away.

Our team is led by an ISCC Certified Master Pet Stylist. Learn more on our About Us page.

As soon as your puppy has had all three sets of puppy shots, they can start visiting the groomer. This can be as young as 3 months old.

Starting early helps your pup get comfortable with the process so they grow up relaxed and easier to groom. Read our guide on how to prepare your dog for grooming visits before the first appointment.

Unfortunately, no. Fleas, ticks, and lice can spread quickly in a salon, especially through blow drying or clipping.

If we spot bugs during your pet's appointment, you will be called to pick them up right away, and there will be an extra charge for sanitizing the area. The best prevention is a parasite treatment from your vet before the appointment.

Yes. We offer a full range of cat grooming services, including:

• Cat Bath & Nails — Gentle bath, dry, nail trim, and ear condition check.
• Cat Comb Out — Brush and comb to remove dead hair and prevent matting.
• Cat Lion Clip — Full body shave leaving a mane, boots, and tail.
• Cat Shave Mats — Targeted mat removal from the belly or bum.
• Soft Paw application — Gel nail caps in a variety of colours as a humane alternative to declawing.

Find out more about why cats benefit from professional grooming in our blog.

Pricing is based on your pet's size, hair type, coat condition, the style you want, and your pet's temperament. A pet that takes longer due to coat condition or behaviour may cost a little more.

We will give you a price estimate when you drop off your pet, so there are no surprises.

It depends on the service, your pet's coat, and the schedule for the day. We will talk through timing when you drop off.

If you need your pet done quickly, ask about our Express Groom — a one-on-one session that must be pre-booked.

We generally ask owners to drop off and pick up rather than stay. Pets often do better without their owners present because seeing you can make them more anxious or distracted.

We keep detailed digital notes on every pet, so your groomer always knows exactly how to care for yours.

Head to Tail is led by owner and Master Pet Stylist Brigit Willfong, who has been grooming since 2004 and is an ISCC Certified Master Pet Stylist born and raised in Saskatoon.

Our full team includes certified, experienced groomers with professional school backgrounds. Everyone on the team is passionate about pet safety and comfort.

Absolutely. We use top-of-the-line professional equipment. Our shop is ISCC Certified as a Pet Safe Facility.

Our kennel room has separate kennels of various sizes and is constantly monitored. We keep detailed digital notes on every animal so each groomer knows your pet's history and any sensitivities.

The Thera-Clean Microbubble Bath is a therapy bath that uses only micro-bubbles — no soap, no shampoo, no chemicals of any kind.

It deep-cleans the skin, not just the coat, by drawing out dirt trapped inside the pores. It is completely hypoallergenic, making it ideal for pets with allergies or sensitive skin.

We are a skin and coat specialty salon. We choose products based on your pet's specific coat type and skin condition, using high-quality, pet-safe shampoos and conditioners.

We avoid anything harsh or unnecessary.

Soft Paws are small gel nail caps that slip over your cat's or dog's claws. They are a humane, pain-free alternative to declawing that prevents scratching damage to furniture and skin.

They get removed and replaced as the nail grows and gets trimmed every 4–6 weeks.

Yes, and we have plenty of experience with it. Nervous pets benefit most from regular, consistent grooming because the more often they come, the more relaxed they get over time.

For pets with extreme anxiety or aggression that cannot be groomed safely through regular methods, we can coordinate a Sedation Groom through Central Animal Hospital.

A Sedation Groom is for pets who cannot have a safe grooming experience through regular methods. We work with Central Animal Hospital in Saskatoon, where your pet is sedated under veterinary supervision.

The groom is typically a short, all-one-length clip for speed and comfort. This service is available for both dogs and cats. Contact us to discuss whether this is the right option for your pet.

Yes. Our Puppy Package is a one-time introductory service that includes a bath, dry, nail trim or grind, ear cleaning, and sanitary area care.

We also use the time to start building good table manners — we groom and train at the same time.

Hand stripping is a method of removing dead coat using tools, similar to plucking the hair by hand. It keeps the correct texture and natural colour of a wire-coated dog's fur.

Read our blog post But I Don't Need a Show Dog! for a great explanation of why breed-appropriate grooming matters even for everyday pets. You can also check our breed-by-breed grooming schedule or see the Hand Scissor service page for more details.

A Bath & Tidy is for dogs with a full coat who need light trimming of the face, feet, sanitary area, and coat outline. The coat stays long.

A Pet Clip is a shorter all-over clip that reduces home maintenance. If you want a shorter, easier-to-manage look, go with the Pet Clip. If you want to keep the coat longer and just tidy it up, the Bath & Tidy is the right choice.

Yes. When you find a groomer your pet loves, ask to request them every time you book.

Even better, book your next appointment before you leave so you can secure your preferred groomer. Each groomer keeps detailed digital notes on your pet so there is always consistency of care.

You can request an appointment online on our booking page. Please note it is a request booking system, so you will be called or emailed to confirm your date and time.

You can also call the shop at (306) 975-0305, email headtotailpetspa@sasktel.net, or stop in and make the appointment in person.

Make sure your pet has had a bathroom break before arriving. Let us know about any allergies, skin conditions, or past grooming challenges.

If it is your puppy's first visit, mention that when you book so we can take extra care. Vaccination records may be required.

A few things can add to the time and cost: severe matting, a very thick or long coat, a pet that is difficult to manage on the table, or a coat that has not been maintained between visits.

We always give you an estimate at drop-off so you are never caught off guard.

A few things can cause this: natural skin oils returning after a bath, ear infections, dental issues, or anal glands.

If the smell comes back quickly, it could also point to bacteria or yeast in the skin. Our Thera-Clean Microbubble Bath can be especially helpful because it deep-cleans the skin itself, not just the coat.

Professional groomers are trained to spot things you might miss, including skin irritations, lumps, ear infections, foreign objects like spear seeds, or early signs of parasites.

Read our blog posts 5 Reasons to Have Your Pet Professionally Groomed and Benefits of Regular Grooming for a deeper look.

Yes. We groom all breeds and sizes, from small dogs like Shih Tzus and Toy Poodles to large breeds like Labs, Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Malamutes.

Our team has breed-specific expertise, whether your dog has a double coat, curly fur, wire coat, or smooth coat. You can also explore our local pet-friendly businesses resource for more Saskatoon pet owner recommendations.