Vaccines Required for Grooming
Vaccines Required for Your Dog to Be Groomed in Michigan — and Why They Matter
At Dogology Grooming, your pet’s safety (and ours!) always comes first. Part of keeping our grooming environment safe and healthy is making sure every dog who visits us is up to date on their required vaccines. These vaccines protect not just your dog, but also our team and every other pet that walks through our doors.
Let’s take a closer look at what vaccines are required for grooming in Michigan — and why each one is so important.
🦠 The Required Vaccines
In most Michigan grooming salons (including ours), dogs must be current on:
Rabies
Distemper/Parvo combination (DHPP)
Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
These vaccines guard against highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases. Even in a clean, well-managed salon, dogs share space, tools, and air — so vaccinations are the best defense against illnesses spreading.
🐾 Why the Rabies Vaccine Is Critical
Rabies is a fatal virus that affects both animals and humans. It islegally requiredfor all dogs in the state of Michigan — not just for grooming, but for ownership in general. The rabies vaccine protects your pet and every person who comes into contact with them, from groomers and veterinarians to other clients and their dogs.
Because rabies is zoonotic (meaning it can spread from animals to humans), it’s one of the few diseases that is taken so seriously by state law. A single exposure from an unvaccinated dog could have devastating consequences, which is why we must have proof of a current rabies vaccination before grooming.
📅 1-Year vs. 3-Year Rabies Vaccines
Many pet parents are surprised to learn that there are two types of rabies vaccinations:
1-Year Rabies Vaccine:
Common for puppies receiving their first rabies shot or dogs with uncertain vaccination histories.
🗓Expires 1 year from the date given.3-Year Rabies Vaccine:
Given after the initial 1-year vaccine, and lasts longer for dogs with consistent records.
🗓Expires 3 years from the date given.
Even though both provide protection, we need to verify which one your pet received — because the expiration date determines whether your pet is legally protected and eligible for grooming.
🏷️ Why the Rabies Tag Isn’t Enough
That shiny rabies tag on your dog’s collar is great, but unfortunately, it doesn’t tell the whole story. The tag usually only lists:
The clinic or issuing agency
The year the vaccine was given
A serial number
What it doesn’t show is the actual expiration date, or whether it was a 1-year or 3-year vaccine. That information is only found on your dog’s official rabies certificate or veterinary records, which is why we require paperwork instead of just the tag.
Providing the paperwork helps us verify that your dog’s protection is current and ensures we’re all following Michigan’s animal safety laws.
❤️ Keeping Everyone Safe Together
By keeping your dog’s vaccinations up to date, you’re helping us maintain a healthy environment for all pets in our care — from playful puppies to senior companions.
When you book your next grooming appointment, please bring your dog’s vaccination records or have your veterinarian email them directly to us. It’s quick, easy, and gives everyone peace of mind.
At Dogology, we believe that health and safety are the foundation of great grooming— and vaccines are a big part of that.
