Dog grooming record card: what to keep for every dog
A good record card means every groom starts where the last one finished: the right blade, the right style, and no surprises with a nervous dog. Here's what to put on yours, whether it's paper or digital.
The owner
- Name, phone number and email
- Address (essential for mobile groomers)
- Emergency contact
- How they'd like to be reminded about appointments
The dog
- Name, breed, age and sex
- Coat type and condition
- Whether they're neutered
- Vet practice name and phone number
Health and behaviour
- Allergies, skin conditions and medication
- Lumps, injuries or sore spots found at earlier grooms
- Behaviour: nervous, nips, dislikes the dryer or having their feet done
- Anything that needs the owner's say-so, such as muzzling
Each groom
- Date and service
- Blades, guards and scissors used, and where
- The style and length the owner asked for
- Shampoo and products
- Matting, and anything you found or did differently
- Before and after photos
- When they should come back
Keep it safe
Record cards hold the owner's personal details, so they come under UK GDPR. Keep paper cards out of sight and locked away, and use a secure system for digital records. Only keep what you need to groom safely and stay in touch.
Make it quick to fill in
The best record card is one you actually fill in. Digital records that show last time's groom on the next appointment, with photos, save you looking anything up.
Last updated 30 October 2026.