Select the correct pet and share what is true today, even if you have booked before. A saved profile can identify the animal, but it may not describe new tangles, recent treatment or a task that became uncomfortable during the last appointment.
Good information is specific enough to change the plan. You do not need to diagnose the coat or use professional terminology. Explain what you observed, when it happened and what advice you have already received.
Confirm identity before discussing the service
Check the pet's name, species and other details requested in the booking app. In a multi-pet household, do not assume the previously selected animal is the one you mean to book today. Keep each pet's appointment information separate.
If another person will receive the team, confirm that they know which pet and service are booked. Explain any limits or priorities they need to discuss at arrival. Our first-booking checklist is useful even for a repeat visit when someone else is taking over.
| Information | A helpful level of detail |
|---|---|
| Current coat | Where there are tangles, compacted patches or ordinary soiling. |
| Handling | The task, tool or body area the pet finds difficult. |
| Previous visit | What was completed, deferred or changed and why. |
| Health instructions | Relevant current advice from the veterinarian. |
| Preferences | What you hope to keep or change after assessment. |
Describe the coat without trying to prove the problem
Tell the team where you have noticed knots, dirt or an area that is difficult to maintain. If you offer a photo, take it without pulling the fur or stretching the skin. A photograph can support a conversation but does not establish what the professional will find in person.
Do not pull apart dense mats or cut them with household scissors to make the coat look better before the visit. Ask for the appropriate assessment. If an area seems painful, contact your vet before treating it as routine grooming work.
Use tangles versus mats or help for a cat's matted coat to frame the question. The important detail is the current condition, not whether you can make it look tidy before arrival.
Explain handling with observations
Instead of “aggressive” or “delicate,” describe what happened. For example: “Comfortable with brushing on the back; pulls away when the left front paw is held. Please discuss paw care before starting.” Mention any previous bite or serious struggle honestly so the team can assess the visit safely.
Cornell's cooperative-care guidance lists freezing and pulling away among possible stress signals. No single gesture establishes a diagnosis, so describe the situation and let the relevant professional assess it.
Do not repeat a distressing task just to record a video for the booking. A clear account of what you observed is more useful than creating another difficult experience. If you suspect pain, veterinary assessment should guide the next step.
Share relevant treatment and product information
Tell the team about current veterinary instructions that affect bathing, clipping, positioning or products. Include previous product reactions and the name of a prescribed product when relevant. Do not assume that “sensitive skin” communicates the full instruction.
Do not stop medication, remove a protective dressing or change a treatment schedule to fit the appointment without veterinary advice. Ask your vet what grooming is allowed, then confirm whether the team can follow those directions.
Send the information through the available booking or official support route. If there is no obvious field for an important detail, ask how to provide it. Do not assume an old chat will automatically reach everyone involved in a new visit.
Be clear about uncertainty
For a newly adopted pet, you may not know the exact breed, age or grooming history. Say what is unknown rather than inventing a confident answer. Describe the size, coat and behaviour you have actually observed, and ask the team how to handle an uncertain required field.
Our newly adopted dog guide explains why a gradual plan may be useful. Unknown history is information the professional can work with; it is not a reason to rush a complete grooming session.
Update the brief after every visit
Save the result, useful preferences and anything deferred in a simple booking record. Before the next visit, check whether those notes still apply. A comfortable task last time may need reassessment if your pet's health or response changes.
For several pets, use multi-pet planning to keep each animal's history and handling needs distinct. Clear current notes help the team begin with an appropriate discussion rather than assumptions based on the last package selected.
Sources and further reading
- Cornell: cooperative grooming care — stress signals and comfortable handling.
- Woofly contact and support — sharing relevant booking information.
- Woofly FAQ — service suitability and preparation questions.
