I'm so in love with this place!!! The owner, Ursula, is so down to earth and really took the time to get to know my dogs Mocha and T-Bone!!!! Now we are all hooked on this cute spa and the human quality treats they provide! We will be customers for life!!! read more

Was in the area and we stopped inside to browse around. Owner was very friendly and very talkative. We bought a few dehydrated treats from the "biscuit bar," and our dog likes them so far. It's a cute little store. read more

Best groomer in Chicago. Great care for a great price. They also have a great selection of treats/toys. My cats hates being groomed, but this place really knows what they are doing and I swear they get excited to see the staff. read more

Best grooming experience ever! My dog usually gets nervous in new environments, but he was so calm during his grooming at Bow & Meow. The groomers clearly have decades of experience, and it really shows. I love how they never use kennels -- the dogs wait in an open room with toys instead. My dog looks amazing, and I'll definitely be a returning customer! read more

We have been coming to Bow and Meow for several years with 3 different dogs, after negative experiences with a prior neighborhood pet spa. Ursula does an outstanding and meticulous job with grooming, and appointments are scheduled and completed on time, which is not always the case elsewhere. Ursula and her staff are always professional and courteous. I highly recommend her services. read more

Incredibly rude owners - I found them to be very condescending and confrontational when questioned. I think the owner also has a referral deal with some dog obedience school as my 2 year old golden who has never so much as barked at another person evidently "scared all the other animals" and was told that they need to be put in a doggy boot camp. The place she referred me to was like $1300 and and it didn't look like the animals were treated all that well there. Very easy for me to take my business elsewhere. I can get better cuts with less lip service at just about every other groomer in the city. 1 star. read more

With my nervous Cocker Spaniel, it's been really hard to find a groomer that works for us. Ursula is so kind and helpful and after 5 years, Theo is finally becoming less anxious about grooming. Ursula is super knowledgeable and treats the dogs as if they are her own! Theo always looks and smells his best after leaving Bow & Meow. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Bow & Meow Pet Spa - Pet Groomers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I have used groomers all over the city, but no one does the kind of job Ursula does. Patient and thorough, I know when my hound is done he is spotless! Getting all his shedding fur out is a labor worthy of Hercules but somehow she does a perfect job with him. read more

I've been taking my perfect Pomachon pup, Rupert, to this groomer since he was a baby; at least 8 years. Ursula is educated about dogs, sweet, helpful and outgoing. At this point, my dog knows her name and actually gets excited when he knows he is going to the groomer. He always comes back smelling like blueberries (free blueberry facial!) with a cute new seasonal scarf around his neck, happy as can be, after playing with the staff and other dogs on site. They truly treat him like a tiny, fluffy king (just like I do!). I've seen a few people complain about Ursula or the staff on Yelp and I disagree completely. All I can say to those peeps is; this is a funny, kind woman who takes her business & the pets she cares for very seriously. She's not here to kiss your ass, but personally I respect someone who is honest and open and she's never been anything but sweet to us, so perhaps you're the problem? She's running a small business and if you come in and act like a jerk, maybe you deserve to be treated like a jerk? People are used to big corporations and minimum wage employees putting up with their BS, but a business owner does have the option to choose who they serve. Love this place! My pup couldn't be happier and he has never been, and will never go to another groomer as long as Bow Meow is open! read more

See all

Let me summarize: I just got my dog back from a grooming and he genuinely looks better than he's ever looked and seems very happy! I have taken my dog to a few groomers in Chicago and while they've all been fine, I was determined to find a GREAT one. Past groomers: left my dog needing more hair cut, cut too much hair, didn't seem to care much for my dog, didn't give any treats, didn't decorate him with a bandana/anything after, and yet, they all cost the same. Other groomers have also smelled bad inside. BUT NOT BOW AND MEOW!!! I met with Ursula when I arrived who had me fill out a quick form and show my dog's records. He got a bath, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, nail trim, glands, and hair cut all for the price I was originally quoted. He looks better than I've ever seen him! No frilly perfumes, either (I hate when he leaves a groomer smelling like old lady perfume). He seemed super happy and comfortable there and I love that the front part is actually a small retail store. They also had a day care area. After the grooming, Ursula came out and gave my dog some large treats/chew pieces right off their retail wall which made me feel extra appreciated and like she really cared for my dog! I will definitely be returning, not just for grooming but for goodies, and also will recommend Bow & Meow to friends for both! Thanks Ursula! read more

I have NEVER loved my dog's haircut like I love this one. Omg. So cute, and even more, Maggie was so happy and obviously was well taken care of because she kept running to the owner, whereas usually she's crazy eager to get out of the salon. I am blown away! Also they had appointments available the week after I called. Only catch is you need to call (no online bookings) but it takes like 3 minutes. The haircut was about 90 minutes. Cannot recommend enough. Wow. read more

Bow & Meow Pet Spa - Pre haircut - Pet Groomers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Had a wonderful experience taking my golden retriever, Kevin, to Bow & Meow for a full groom. Communication was wonderful and I was relieved to see they were taking COVID precautions seriously. Kevin came back smelling incredible and looking like the cutest pup. He desperately needed a hair cut and the owner was able to squeeze us in earlier than the month back log! We are so grateful to have a clean pup again. read more

Bow & Meow Pet Spa - Handsome boy in a new bandana! - Pet Groomers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

After reading the other multiple one star reviews I can say my experience with Ursula was not unique. Does she know and display professional dog grooming ? Absolutely. Does she care about animals and their well-being? it seems so. BUT, I too experienced her hostile, aggressive, bullish behavior. She is basically a very unpleasant person. So, if you can get past her bad behavior towards the animal owners then this is your place for grooming. Personally I am not returning. Her prices are no deal and there are plenty of other grooming services in Chicago to put up with her. read more

Major yikes. If you have respect for yourself or your pet, don't bring them to Ursula. Condescending, poor people/pet person, rude, unsympathetic, know it all. It's no surprise the magnitude of 1-star reviews on this page. Likely from every customer who had the misfortune of coming in during Ursula's shift. Criticized us for having no appointment confirmation. Turns out she sent it to the wrong owner. Spoke down to my girlfriend and walked her out of the store. This woman behaved like a petulant child. read more

TLDR: Maybe this place works if you have a designer dog with all the personality bred out of them, but if you have a dog who behaves like an actual dog, stay away Recently took my dog here for her first ever professional grooming. She's a year old rescue and she's super sweet and dog and people friendly. She struggles with a little leash reactivity, but we've been working on it with a trainer, and she plays with other dogs regularly. It's a common issue, and I would think anyone that works with them professionally would know how to handle it. I drop my dog off at Bow & Meow and get a call 30 mins early. The woman says my dog is freaking out and needs to go. She holds up the phone and says "hear that? that's your dog." I ran back to get her. My dog came out and I expected her to be traumatized but she seemed fine. Then this woman (I assume the owner) has the nerve to hand me a business card for a "dog behaviourist" and tells me that my dog was scaring the other dogs, and she needed professional help. I insisted that we were already working with a trainer and this woman said I needed way more than that for her, and that my dog would only get worse with age. That there was something wrong with her mentally. I looked up the place she recommended - it's a training camp for dogs where you have to send your dog away for TWO WEEKS and pay $1200!!! And they use shock collars! My dog is super sweet, and has never ever hurt another dog. She only gets upset when another dog gets in her space when she's on the leash. I didn't think that would be the case at a groomer, I assumed each dog would be at their own station. However, I saw another review on here (only after this incident) describe this place as a "grooming mill" where all the dogs are lined up next to each other, tethered up. Of course she would bark in that situation! That's stressful for a puppy! I can't say for certain that's how they do things as I didn't see it myself, but it's the only situation where I can imagine my dog losing it. I'm so pissed this person had the nerve to suggest my little 30-lb dog is so badly behaved I need to send her away. Maybe this place works if you have a designer dog with all the personality bred out of them, but if you have a dog who behaves like an actual dog, stay away. read more

I took my Maltese puppy to Bow & Meow for his first grooming and was so pleased with how quickly I got my pup back. He was there for less than an hour and his cut was beautiful. I will definitely be returning with Poppy and recommending them to others. read more

My last review was deleted somehow but my experience was so awful I want to inform dog pawrents to avoid this place at all costs. Owner is a bully and know it all. She was condescending towards me and my boyfriend when she messed up the reservation details. The whole exchange was horrific and terrifying. Do not bring your dog here!! read more

Don't know about all these negative reviews but I've been going to Ursula for years. As a woman who owns her own business myself I appreciate what a consummate professional business owner she is. She loves animals and it shows. I would recommend Bow and Meow to everybody if they want a top notch groom and pet advice. read more

They helped us in a pinch when our Australian labradoodle got a SUPER bad haircut from Kriser's, but it all went downhill from there... We had multiple rude interactions with the staff and were essentially scolded every time we arrived whether it was about appointment timing or daily brushing. It's clear they weren't much nicer to our pup given how much he hated going back with the groomers, they had to drag him. If you have a doodle, don't even bother going here unless you're fine with the attitude. Also we were told multiple times that we "didn't have an appointment" when we did & they clearly messed up their own calendar. read more

We just picked up Joey, our English bulldog from here and he looks amazing! I don't know why some have said bad customer service because Ursula was awesome and super friendly. Also free nail trimming when you bring them every 4 weeks which should be done for our bulldogs anyway. Definitely brining our French bulldog along with our English next time! Also, she emptied out Joey's anal glands which we appreciate since we don't have to smell it. Convenient location, good pricing and personalized service. Also they only take an hour as supposed to taking your dog to a chain where they keep them half the day. read more

Just got my dog back from his spa day at Bow and Meow- they did an incredible job! So appreciative of their flexibility (I messed up the appointment time), prompt communication (he was in and out in less than two hours), and for treating my pup to a great looking haircut/ spa day! They really listened to what we had in mind for his cut and went the extra mile to make a nervous older dog comfortable and well fed with treats :). Thank you so much and we'll be back! read more

I have been going to Bow & Meow since my cat was 10 Joey is now 19 & could not be in better hands. Ursula is more than a groomer, she cares & is concerned about all her clients & their fur babies. A very knowledgeable person to have in your corner when you need questions answered regarding your pets. read more

Love, love love Bow and Meow!!! I have been taking Dominick there for almost 2 years now. Every time I pick him he looks fresh, smells incredible and is super happy. Ursula is awesome, super friendly and you can tell really cares about the pups and their well being. Highly recommend them if you are in the area, by far the best dog grooming shop I have ever been to! read more

See all

This is a great neighborhood place to take my dogs to get them their food and to get them groomed. The staff and owner are always friendly and very generous giving dog treats to my doggos! Proud to say I am a repeat customer! read more

We were looking for a place to bring our Bichon Frise, Martini, and found Bow & Meow here on Yelp! We chose this place solely on the great reviews we read here and we do not regret it one bit! Today we're taking him for his 5th grooming and I finally decided it's time to write a review. Ursula is great with our little Martini. He's not even afraid when we leave him there. Two hours later we come back to pick up our happy and CUTE pup-pup. He smells great, too! The blueberry facial leaves him smelling like a fresh-baked muffin. The cost for the service is very reasonable. Our Martini gets a bath, haircut, ears cleaned, teeth brushed, nails trimmed, the blueberry facial, sacs expressed (eew ... give credit to anyone who can do this for a living) and a bandana with a bones-and-paw-prints graphic on it. Martini loves Ursula and her staff. And whatever makes my pup-pup happy makes mommy happy, too! read more

Let me start by saying that I will NEVER take my dogs anywhere else. I have two toy poodles. They are pretty high maintenance, and usually I have no problem maintaining them, but when I recently moved to Chicago, I just didn't know where to get them groomed. I tried a couple of other places, but didn't like what they did or how they treated my boys. By the time I finally got to Bow & Meow, to say that they were overdue for a day at the spa would be the understatement of the year. Ursula took it all in stride. She was completely professional, and as much as I apologized for their mats and claws, she wouldn't hear of it. We discussed in detail what I wanted, and I left her to it. When she encountered a problem, she called me right away to discuss it and give me options. She also told me exactly when they would be ready for me to pick them up. When I went back to get them, they were ready and SO HAPPY. They were running around like they owned the place and having fun. Their cuts were perfect, their nails were nice and short, and their anal glands were empty (something I would NEVER want to do, and always tip extra for). Plus, by the time we got home, they were tired out and snuggled up on the couch for the night. And the best part: when I took them back the second time, the service was just as great, if not better! I already scheduled their next visit. read more

The first two times I took my pet here were overall positive experiences, despite the gruff demeanor of the person who took my appointment. This time around, however, I am still shaken by how unprofessional the owner was (I assume she is the owner because I can't imagine an employee having the confidence to treat a customer so poorly--an employee would have been fired). I am all for supporting small businesses during this time and they do a good job---just be prepared for a less-than-pleasant customer service experience. Also, after reading some of the other negative reviews I feel more validated. Hours later after my interaction with the owner I'm still reeling from how she spoke to me and it's not because I'm "so sensitive" (as she claimed). read more

Best doggy spa in Chicago! I live in the neighborhood and walk past the spa everyday and my dog is obsessed with it! He always wants to stop and go inside, get treats and socialize! His haircut was also amazing! The spa owner is very kind and welcoming to you and your furry friend. She cares so much about every animal, she will educate you on how to have a healthy long living furry friend! My mini schnauzer loves all the products there. I only buy his food, treats, toys all from the spa! read more

See all

Amazing grooming done by such kind people. Seriously so quick and quality. My cat only likes coming here and I think it's because of all of the good vibes. Thank you for always taking care of my kitty! read more

We recently moved to the area and were looking for a new groomer. I came across Bucktown Bow and Meow and thought the store was cute, and they had decent reviews on google so I thought I would give it a chance...mainly because my pups NEEDED a bath! I called Ursula and she was able to get us in fairly quickly, which was great. I sent over my vet paperwork and went in for our appointment. My pups can be a bit timid but she was great with them and asked if there were any behavioral issues we needed to be concerned with, so I gave her my laundry list and she was so patient with them as she took them back. About 2 hours later they were fresh as daisies and came out with HUGE smiles on their faces! I have since taken them back into the store to shop and they have no hesitations walking in the door which tells me everything I need to know. We plan to use them regularly for nail trims, baths and are going to try out day care too. THANKS URSULA!!! read more

We adore Bow & Meow and Ursela. Her prices are unbeatable and the variety and quality of her products is unparalleled. We go to her for grooming and always love the result (you can get many services for your pet within a super reasonable package). She lives for animals and genuinely loves her clients and their pets. We visit multiple times per week (my dog Kobe drags us there to say hi) and are always welcomed in with open arms and great conversation. Highly recommend!!! read more

After several good experiences here, I just got chewed out by the owner after being 15 minutes late. And when I say chewed out, i mean she called me "a cheap ass" told me to take my dog to Petco, flicked me off and said "your mother is a fucking bitch". So what exactly happened? Here it goes. I am told that I have an 11:30 appointmeent and at the latest my dog will be ready by 1:30. I say great, give me a call and i'll come get him. At 12:30 the owner leaves me a message saying he will be ready by 1PM. I'm in the middle of a meeting, so don't receive the message. At 12:55 she calls again and says your dog is ready. I still don't get the message as i'm still in a meeting. At 1:10 she calls my wife and says my dog is ready, come get him. At 1:20 she calls her again and says my dog is crying, come get him. I am finally out of the meeting. I drive to Bow & Meow, but stop and grab a cup of coffee to go, and arrive at Bow & Meow, pulling up at 1:40, 10 minutes beyond when they said he would originally be ready. My phone rings as i'm parking, its the owner and she says your dog is crying come get him. I respond that I got the messages and am outside. I walk in, and they bring out my dog who is perfectly happy, and is wagging his tail. Me: Hi, 5 phone calls is unnecessary, one will suffice in the future. Owner: Your dog was crying. Me: He seems to be ok. I got here as fast as I could and am only 12 minutes late. Owner: I called you at 1PM. Me: Well, you still originally told me 1PM. In the ffuture, just leave me 1 message and I will get him as soon as I can. Owner: Maybe you don't care about your dog. We also have a policy. Me: Look, I care about my dog, I just don't need 5 harassing calls. I didn't leave him all day. Owner: Perhaps you should take your dog elsewhere. Me: Perhaps you shouldn't call so many times. Owner: "Take your dog to Petco ya cheap ass" (at this point I start walking out) Me: That's how you talk to customers? You just lost my business. Owner: You are a bully. Me: F-You Owner: Your mother is a fucking bitch (as she follows me out the door and flips me off) Me: Enjoy the yelp review i'm about to write you. The owner then proceeds to call and harass my wife, telling her i threatened her. What a piece of work this woman is. Perhaps the customer isn't always correct, but who chews someone out like that for being a few minutes late. I don't care if i'm an hour late. You don't think other people in this city groom dogs just as well? Bow & Meow will never get another red cent from me or anyone I know. read more

After being screamed and cursed at, and threatened with a slander lawsuit- I have decided to write a review and certainly will not be back. A month after bringing my two dogs in and having a great experience, I brought them back a second time. I asked Ursula not to blow dry my Shiba inu- which, as a breed, have sensitive skin. Rather than honoring my request, they washed and blow dryed her three times. My dog was covered in sores for weeks from scratching her extremely dry skin from the over washing and drying. She was in so much pain and lost so much of her coat that I took her to vet; he agreed her condition was a result of over grooming. The visit and medication were nearly $200. After leaving me a 2 minute long message explaining that everything that occurred was my fault for failing to care for my pets, I went in to speak to Ursula in person. This exchange ended in her screaming at me on the street, calling me names, threatening to sue me if I posted a negative review and certainly NOT giving me my money back. I will obviously not be back. read more

I scheduled an appointment to take my Cocker Spaniel here for grooming, and was so disgusted with the attitude of the groomer that I ended up walking out and taking her elsewhere. My dog has been getting groomed every 8 weeks at another place, however Bow and Meow is right down the street from and they had good reviews so I decided to check it out. The receptionist was very nice, however when the groomer came out to ask initial questions regarding my dog and the type of cut I wanted her to have, the service couldn't have been worst. She barely said hi, started touching my dog and saying how matted she was, and how she wouldn' t dare try to cut her b/c it would be animal cruelty. After going on and on about how bad of shape she thought my dog was in, she then said that the least she could do was still give her a "puppy cut" for $70. Are you kidding me????? For the record, cocker's get matted very easily since their hair is long on their legs and especially in the winter season with all the snow, mud, etc. With that said, my dog is still in good shape...it was just time for her to get groomed, hence why I brought her here to begin with. Luckily I ended up getting a last minute appt at another "dog boutique" type place due to a cancellation and couldn't have been happier with the service. I didn't receive a lecture, bad attitude, or poor service that obviously Bow and Meow specializes in. I definitely would not recommend this place to anyone else. read more

Mildly put, my dog is bad. Lily hates water, hates strangers, hates cages and hates haircuts. She's got issues. I always used to hate getting her groomed, because she despises it so much and when I take her home, she won't even look at me for like 2 days. I explained all of my concerns to Ursula at Bow and Meow. She is the nicest, sweetest person you will ever meet. She treats your dogs like she would treat her own. When I drop Lily off, she never wants me to leave, but Ursula coaxes her back and in the end when I pick Lily up, she is happy and calm, not to mention as cute as a button. Overall, they not only give a great doggy haircut (exactly to your specifications!), they really deal well with pets who have "special needs" like my crazy little pup. read more

I have a dog that's almost 17 years old who has bad vision, fairly serious arthritis and a sometimes nasty disposition. Prior to coming to Bow & Meow, we had been going the same groomer for many years. Sugars previous groomer recently closed her shop and is no longer unavailable. Going to a new groomer was pretty traumatic and the minute I met Ursula, I knew we were in the right hands. Ursula was very concerned for Sugar's comfort. I told Ursula that Sugar loathes other dogs, so she opened the shop early to groom Sugar before the arrival of other clients. I was really touched by her thoughtfulness. The final result was absolutely amazing .... Sugar looked GREAT! Ursula, thanks so much!! read more

From the moment I stepped into the spa, I knew I had found the right place to bring my cat. Most pet stores in the city cater exclusively to dogs, or they operate like Petsmart - they "put up" with cats long enough to trim their claws, but offer very limited service, or service only on certain days of the week. Not here: cats are treated as equally important creatures, and it is reflected in the quality of the work. My cat was immediately escorted to the separate "cat room", taken out of her travel carrier, and allowed to acclimate (hide). Ursula, the owner and main groomer brought me back to the cat room to see where my pet would be groomed, counseled me extensively about signs and symptoms of hair matting in a long-haired cat, suggested cuts that would allow for maximum cat hygiene while preserving the beauty of her long coat, etc. She estimated the job would take about 2 hours to cut, wash, dry, and clean teeth, ears, trim nails, and perform the shop's signature blueberry facial. In reality, the job was completed within an hour and a half, my cat was clearly calmed and relaxed at the end of the day, she looked great, her coat was so silky smooth and pleasant smelling...this was quality work. Plus, Ursula counseled me about pet food, vets, pet insurance, and a number of other "new pet owner" questions that I had. This was more than a visit to the spa. I will definitely be bringing my cat here again. read more

Ursula and her team are fabulous! Our dog, Nora, comes out looking amazing every time. We have come in before with paint on Nora, some crazy hair and long nails, all to be fixed! Ursula provides excellent care and is great with Nora and all dogs. I highly recommend Bow and Meow! read more

Bow & Meow Pet Spa - Before and after... She looks like a new pup after a good haircut! - Pet Groomers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this place and so does my dog! I have been taking my shipoo here for over a year now. They take such great care of him. I tried other dog spas and was not impressed. Ursula is very attentive and actually knows a lot about dogs. He comes home smelling great and looking cute! :) read more

Bow & Meow Pet Spa - I am clean and cute:) - Pet Groomers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Our mini dachshund needed a nail trimming STAT. It was bad--they were basically eagle talons. So on Saturday, in the midst of the snow storm, my fiance calls the Bow & Meow pet spa to see if they are open and free to do the trimming. They were actually getting ready to close early (due to the weather, I assume), but stayed open until Tom trekked it the few blocks over there with the dog on his back in a carrier. Short legs + massive snow = bad scene for little dogs. He walks in, they greet him & ask how they can help him. He says "I called about the nail trimming..." and they just sort of look at him and say "...And where's your dog???" Tom turns around and points at Leroy (who blends right in to the black carrier and black jacket) and they look relieved, laugh and say "Oh thank God! We thought you were one of those freaks who want us to cut your nails. We'll be talking about you for a while!!" Classic. We'll be back. Plus--she did a good job and advised us as to how we can get his nail super-growth to settle down. read more