At PetWow, we provide sedated grooming for pets in Highland Heights, KY and throughout Northern Kentucky who cannot be safely groomed through traditional methods. Located just across from Northern Kentucky University, our Highland Heights clinic has been serving the community since 1971.

Some pets experience extreme anxiety, pain, or behavioral challenges that make grooming difficult or even unsafe. In these cases, sedated grooming allows us to complete necessary grooming safely while minimizing stress and discomfort for your pet.

Sedated grooming is a process where a pet is given medication under veterinary supervision to help them remain calm or relaxed during grooming.

This allows our team to safely complete grooming tasks that would otherwise be:

• Unsafe for the pet or groomer
• Too stressful
• Impossible to perform without risk

Because PetWow is both a veterinary and grooming facility, sedation is handled with medical oversight and proper monitoring.

Sedated grooming may be recommended for pets who:

• Become aggressive or highly anxious during grooming
• Have severe matting that cannot be safely removed otherwise
• Have underlying pain or medical conditions
• Are elderly or sensitive to handling
• Have had negative past grooming experiences

If grooming has ever been “a battle,” this option may be worth considering.

Safety

✅ Reduces risk of injury to both your pet and grooming staff.

Comfort

✅ Allows grooming to be completed without prolonged stress or fear.

Efficiency

✅ Enables us to complete necessary grooming in a controlled, timely manner.

Better Outcomes

✅ Severely matted or difficult coats can be addressed properly.

When your pet comes in for sedated grooming at our Highland Heights location, you can expect:

1. ✅Discussion of risks, benefits, and the grooming plan
2. ✅Administration of sedation under supervision
3. ✅Grooming performed while your pet is calm and relaxed
4. ✅Monitoring during recovery
5. ✅Clear discharge instructions once your pet is ready to go home

Your pet’s safety is our top priority throughout the entire process. In 2025, our Highland Heights PetWow team performed 160 fully sedated (meaning anesthetic) grooms, so it is not a rarity at our practice, and you can rest assured that we know what we’re doing.

Not every pet requires sedation, and we only recommend it when it’s truly needed for safety and comfort. If your pet becomes highly stressed, fearful, or difficult to groom safely, sedation can help prevent injury and create a much better experience.

At PetWow in Highland Heights, sedation typically falls into two categories:

Oral Sedation (“Chill Protocol”)

This is a lighter form of sedation given by mouth before grooming. Your pet remains awake, but more relaxed and less reactive. We call this our “chill protocol”.

This option is often used for pets who:

• Get anxious during grooming
• Need help staying calm
• Can tolerate grooming with reduced stress

Anesthetic Sedation

If oral sedation is not enough, we may recommend a deeper level of sedation using anesthesia. This allows your pet to be fully relaxed or asleep so grooming can be completed safely.

This option is typically considered when:

• Grooming would otherwise be unsafe
• There is severe matting
• The pet is highly reactive or fearful/has been difficult to groom in the past
• Pain or medical conditions make grooming difficult

We’ll always talk through your pet’s behavior, grooming history, and overall health before recommending a specific approach.

Important Note for Older Pets

If your pet is over 10 years old (considered geriatric), we require a consultation with one of our veterinarians before grooming. This allows us to determine the safest plan for your pet and ensure everything is handled appropriately.

You may also be interested in:

• Dog Grooming in Highland Heights
• Cat Grooming in Highland Heights
• Wellness Exams in Highland Heights
• Pet Dental Care in Highland Heights
• Pet Diagnostics in Highland Heights

View all the services we offer at the Highland Heights location.

We proudly provide wellness exams for pets in Highland Heights, KY, as well as nearby communities throughout Northern Kentucky. Conveniently located near Northern Kentucky University, PetWow has been serving local pet owners since 1971.