Hot New Pet Trends

Dyeing their dog’s fur? Building cat playrooms? Some of the latest pet happenings.

Pet-Centric Design

Forget the doghouse—our own homes are now being planned around pets. Laura Hildebrandt, owner and design principal at Interiors by LH, says that in the past, pet owners used to consider just the durability of decor. (Can a cat shred these curtains?) But during the pandemic, the mindset shifted toward creating spaces specifically for them. “With people being home, they really just wanted to take care of all their family members, including their pet,” she says. That means building dog-washing areas (making it easier to clean animals after an adventure), crafting eating stations to suit a pet’s specific ergonomics, and even creating a shoe space for dogs with summer and winter footwear. Hildebrandt, who recently drafted plans for a designated cat room with a tunnel system, believes the “barkitecture” trend is here to stay: “For a lot of younger people, these pets really are becoming their kids, and as such, they’re getting their own rooms and their own spaces.”

GLP-1s for Cats

In December, biopharmaceutical company Okava Pharmaceuticals announced a clinical trial for a cat-friendly GLP-1. Yes, the same drug class as Ozempic, the injection responsible for our population’s slim-down. The New York Times reports that some people have been administering human GLP-1s to pets off-label, though vets we spoke to say that’s not a practice being discussed in the industry. But MEOW-1, the GLP-1 for cats, does present an intriguing premise. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 61 percent of cats are considered overweight or obese. Amir Nazari, lead veterinarian partner at CityVet Chevy Chase, says current solutions rely solely on changes in diet and activity, and a form of medical intervention could be an additional tool. Of course, there are major differences between cats and humans. Mike Dugan, senior veterinarian at Small Door on 14th Street, notes that the drug helps lessen cravings that can lead to overeating in people, but that’s not an issue for pets who don’t control when and what they eat. So he’s focused on the metabolic implications and whether the drug can actually affect a cat’s weight-loss resistance. “It would be a game changer,” says Dugan.

Dyeing Dog Fur

It’s not quite the root touch-ups on our own hair, but dogs are getting diva looks with coloring made specially for pets. At Masterpiece Canine Spa in Dupont Circle, owner Abby Kirwan says the boom periods are Pride month (rainbow tails are popular) and Halloween (think anime characters and giraffe spots). However, some clients rock a signature look year-round. Because the transformations can sometimes take hours and multiple sessions, groomers try to get a sense of whether dogs actually enjoy the process—and don’t seem agitated—before owners commit to a color job that starts around $225. Kirwan also advises people to consider their dog’s affinity for attention: “It’s going to get a big reaction in public. My dog loves attention, so he’s fantastic for it.” Jodi Goldberg, owner of From Head to Tail Grooming Spa, says most of the looks at her salon are colorful, including her shih tzu mix Bertha, who sports a pink-and-purple tail. But Goldberg also recalls the rare occasion when someone has come in and asked to color-match a dog’s growing adult coat to their more vibrant puppy fur. “It’s not like human hair coloring,” Goldberg says. “We’re not hair colorists by trade.”

 

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High-Tech Pet Products

Technology has gone to the dogs and cats

High-tech products aren’t just for people. Smart collars such as Fi collect data on sleep, hydration, and activity, like the pet version of an Oura Ring. In-home cameras are in vogue, and some are designed to entertain their animal overlords, including the Rola Mini Pet Monitor, a roaming cam with attachments that cats can swat. Gadgets are also giving pets newfound control: The Power Pet Door is a hatch activated by a collar accessory, allowing them to enter and exit the house at will.

 

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Dog-friendly Day Trips a Short Drive From DC

Take a day trip dedicated to your dog

Fun on the Farm

For plenty of new things to sniff, bring leashed dogs to Great Country Farms. Though they can’t enter the strawberry fields, they can greet the farm animals and explore the grounds. Once your dog has expelled some energy, it’s a three-minute trip to Bluemont Vineyard, where pets are allowed on the panoramic terrace and in the tasting room.

Hike and Hang

Sugarloaf Mountain offers a few different hiking routes, all accessible to dogs, from quick summit treks to longer loops. Refreshments are less than a five-minute drive away: Stop by Comus Beer Garden for frozen cocktails, live music, and sandwiches or Sugarloaf Mountain Winery for a BYO picnic to pair with wine. The outdoor areas at both are seasonal, so check before heading over.

Aquatic Adventure

Planning for the dog days of summer? Quiet Waters Park has a designated beach where dogs can roll in the sand and play fetch in the river. Capital SUP, the park’s paddle-sport rental spot, allows intrepid dogs on paddleboards. After drying off, take a 15-minute drive to downtown Annapolis. Many of the shops are dog-friendly, and Annapolis Ice Cream Company on Main Street has pup cups.

 

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Dog Bars Around the DC Area

Dog park meets bar at these places courting canine customers

Dog Daze Social Club

Dogs run free in this massive garden monitored by staff during designated hours. Pet parents unwind with thin-crust pizza, focaccia sandwiches, and cocktails.

Snouts and Stouts

Work hard, play hard: The bar/cafe is inside Canine Cardio dog gym, so you can bring yours for a swim or an agility session, then go to the eatery. Though dogs must be leashed, this is a rare indoor space that embraces four-legged guests, ideal for rainy days.

Bark Social

Kick back in an Adirondack chair with a beer while your dog roams the leash-free space. “Bark Rangers” help keep pets safe and pick up after them.

 

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Pet-Friendly Patios in the DC Area

These patios not only welcome dogs, they also offer them exclusive menu items

Dacha

These beer gardens are casual spaces for dogs to hang, and they can toast your pint with a “puppuccino” of their own.

Chef Geoff’s

Forget kibble: Fancy pooches dine on sliders, bacon, and turkey bowls at both locations. Some tables have umbrellas to help keep them cool on sunny days.

Vola’s Dockside Grill

Bring your companion to dine by the water on this expansive terrace. Dogs can go savory with chicken and rice, or opt for a sweet fro-yo.

 

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Who Wants a Treat? These Pet Owners Are Going Gourmet.

Animal companions are dining on food that isn’t so different from our diets.

Like many area parents, Sara D’Amelio tries to be conscious about what she feeds her family. Every week, the founder of the skincare line Skincando goes to the farmers market, stocking up on dill, cilantro, radicchio, and Italian parsley. Meals for her brood are arranged on glass plates, and they exclusively drink Mountain Valley Spring Water—never tap. Sometimes, as a treat, the Silver Spring resident will fly in specialty products such as hay.

If you’re wondering why her family has the diet of bunnies, that’s because Peanut Butter, Mittens, and Luki are bunnies. “I’m in the whole-wellness beauty industry—I’m very conscious about my diet,” says D’Amelio. “It trickles down to my pets.”

She isn’t alone in taking a more human approach to pet food. The “fur baby” movement, in which pets are treated like members of the family, has officially hit the dog bowl. Or in the case of these luxe bunnies, the glass plates. (“[They] don’t know what plastic is,” says D’Amelio.) In a world of dog strollers and pet acupuncture, some animal lovers are forgoing pet food for meals that more resemble our own diets in quality, content, and even presentation.

For Linda Nguyen, a visit to the people doctor served as dining inspiration for her nine-year-old Labrador mix, Tucker. A physician recommended more omega-3 fatty acids, and Nguyen, a recruiter living in Brookland, figured the same advice could benefit her dog. So on many nights, she pulls out the air fryer to make two wild-caught, fresh salmon filets: one for her husband and one with no seasoning for Tucker. “Funny enough, I don’t eat salmon at all,” says Nguyen. “I refuse—I wear gloves to touch it.” But anything for her fur baby. Beyond the fish, Tucker’s diet loosely resembles that of a CrossFit trainer: bone broth, boiled chicken breasts, pumpkin purée, carrots, and rice.

When you’re eating fresh food daily, birthdays call for a special treat. Tucker’s celebration includes a family picnic on the National Mall, complete with his own dog-friendly charcuterie board and a birthday cake baked by Nguyen.

Birthdays are a big food moment for another Lab mix, Rafa, who lives in Columbia Heights with Emmie and Lucas Derbäck. His day-to-day diet is nothing to bark at: freshly cooked salmon or ground turkey paired with vegetables and kibble, consumed in view of an eye-level gallery wall featuring framed photos of family members and dog friends. But on birthdays, Emmie and Lucas go full Michelin to celebrate their rescue.

For his second fete, they made Rafa a double-decker burger. “He took that down in three chomps,” says Emmie. “After that, we decided on small plates.” Last year, the feast was the Japanese hot-pot dish shabu shabu, full of thin cuts of meat, noodles, and broccoli. The salmon-loving dog has also enjoyed an omakase spread, and Emmie is considering Spanish tapas for his fifth birthday.

Still, despite his gourmet options, Rafa remains a dog at heart. Like many of his peers, one of his favorite foods is a simple treat: peanut butter.

 

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The Posh Life of Pets

Extra? Maybe. But when it comes to their animals, some people go all out to give them the good life.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

“We ended up with so many beds for our little shih tzu, Dublin. She likes to go from bed to bed. Friends and family started thinking that was so amusing, they started gifting beds. In this house, she has 12. The kitchen and the family room have three beds each so she doesn’t have to walk far. She also has two in Nantucket at my sister’s. She has beds everywhere she goes. When you bring a new bed in the house, you have to put an old T-shirt in or put it next to the former bed to get her used to it. One day, you’ll come down and she’s in that bed for a couple hours. You realize this is now accepted into the tribe. The most unique bed is a bear with his arms out. She climbs into the lap of the bear and snuggles in. That’s one of her top three.”

–Patricia in Great Falls, and shih tzu Dublin, 2

Crystal Yarn Ball

“My mom gifted me a session with a cat communicator. I hadn’t given any information beforehand–I even used a totally anonymous email. The first questions were general, but then she started naming really specific things in our house that Ham uses, like a specific shape of bed we attach to the window. She said, ‘First of all, he doesn’t like Costco food. Second of all, the salmon oil you put on his food–he hates it.’ The communicator also clocked his medical [condition], saying he had some pain in his rear right haunch. I took him to the vet later, and they said he had acute arthritis, which isn’t very common to see in a cat his age. My partner and I are doing another session later this month, and I’m ready to put my guard down and lean into it a bit.”

–Joseph, 25, in Woodley Park, and Ham, 4, an orange tabby

Paws-port Stamps

“Quincy and I are extremely, extremely close. I found myself missing him and almost feeling a little guilty not bringing him on personal travel. I would be doing something fun when I was traveling, and I would just be like, ‘Wow, I really wish Quincy would be here.’ I started taking more road trips and bringing him with us. In 2018, I had a trip planned to Denver, so that was the first flight we took him on. He’s small, [so he] fits under the seat in front of us. He loved seeing new places, loved experiencing all of the mountains. Now it’s not even a second thought. We took him to Europe in 2023 for our honeymoon. We flew to the Netherlands, and then we went to Belgium and Germany. We really do try to do things that include him.”

–Ally, 33, in DC’s Langdon, and Quincy, 11, a spaniel mix

Feline Festive

“I threw my cat an elaborate quinceañera. I knew I wanted to throw her a fun party. I had a custom garland, cat cake, stickers, straws, and matches made. There was tons of drinks, ceviche, carne asada, and tres leches for the human guests. I even dressed as a black cat to match her. My husband wore his Vans with her face on it. There were 35 people in our apartment there to celebrate Nala. I did get worried it was overwhelming for her because of how many people ended up coming, but it worked out. She was lavished with gifts, treats, and love from everyone. It was a rainy Monday, so it meant the world to have people come out and celebrate my baby girl. Now the question is: How can I top it for her sweet 16?”

–Maya, 31, in Mount Pleasant, and Nala, 15, a domestic medium shorthair

Fairy Tail

“She changed my whole world. I’ve thrown her birthday parties with all her friends. Punzie is short for Rapunzel. I had a company make custom Rapunzel-themed treats, a frying pan, and the crown. I broke my Cricut out, and I had a little design of Punzie’s face I had someone make. I put that on all of the gift bags for all of her friends. I had this dream of traveling with my dog everywhere. The most fabulous thing she’s ever done is Paris. Once a year, the Eiffel Tower turns pink, and Punzie is pink. She has purple-and-pink ombré right now on her ears, tail, and legs. So I was like, she has to see it. We planned our trip around her going during that time. We went to these dog cafes, and she was such a star.”

–Danielle, 31, in Southwest DC, and Punzie, 8, a toy poodle

Meow We’re Talking

“She is a diva, a princess. She has a six-foot cat tree—I call it the Washington Monument, Dua’s penthouse, Dua’s condo. I live in a studio, but fortunately the ceilings are high. On her cat tree, each level has a different perch. There’s also a scratching post, mice on rope, and all the way at the top she has a nest-looking cushion where she can sleep or look at me and judge from high above. I also have one of those cat wheels. While she can spin it herself, she demands that I also spin it for her so she can go even faster. Every evening at about 8, she gets a bit of organic boiled chicken after dinner. She also really likes ice cream. She has a bit of a sweet tooth. It has to be vanilla ice cream from Trader Joe’s, so she gets a tiny bit of that every night. She’s definitely worth going above and beyond over.”

–Brad, 37, in Navy Yard, and Dua, 6, a Bengal

Illustrations by Niky Chopra.

 

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Famous Pets Around the Region

Pets around town with a fandom

Gin

A familiar face in Dupont Circle, Gin–short for Ginsburg, as in Ruth Bader–has been a regular at Larry’s Lounge for more than seven years, where the indoor-outdoor cat stops for a top-up on treats.

Gregory

The Lahore pigeon with feathered feet landed in Alexandria’s Amtrak station last summer, stealing ticket agent Octavia Scott’s heart. She eventually brought him home and notes that Gregory “loves girls,” often cooing and stepping in a mating dance.

Babydog

West Virginia senator Jim Justice has made his English bulldog a political fixture, featuring her in campaigns and hauling the chunky canine to the Capitol in a wagon. Babydog’s favorite food is Wendy’s chicken nuggets.

Chester

The nearly one-pound toucan loves flapping around his Arlington apartment or snuggling into owner Maria Stagliano’s shirt. Having a toucan is “chaotic,” says Stagliano, but Chester’s happy honks have garnered a loyal following online (@chester_the_toucan).

Ellie and Emma

This golden-retriever pair have millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok, and the therapy dogs are frequent visitors at Children’s National Hospital. Their most beloved trick? Emma hopping up to hug Ellie for photos.

Photograph of Chester by Bryan Sirotkin/B.S. Photography.
Photograph of others courtesy of owners.

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The Latest Birthday Trend: Over-The-Top Celebrations for Your Pet

From custom cat treats to rented venues, birthday celebrations for pets are bigger than ever

At first glance, baker Sheila Raebel’s birthday cakes look like rich chocolate-covered confections. But her clientele leans toward the four-legged, furry, and chocolate-intolerant, so she’s mastered a cocoa-colored frosting made with carob, layered over a peanut-butter base. The owner of Dogma Bakery in Arlington, Raebel has made countless birthday cakes for dogs over the years. Occasionally, she’ll get a request for a feline client, such as cat food molded into the shape of a fish. (She’s also started fielding orders for gender-reveal cakes, where the pet takes a bite to uncover the blue or pink interior denoting the sex of their future human sibling.) According to Raebel, the demand for pet birthday bashes has grown in the past five years, driven mainly by millennials. These hosts take cues from kids’ birthdays, hiring vendors and sending guests home with dog-treat goodie bags.

Vienna’s Sarah Faisal is among the pet parents leaning into the trend. “It wasn’t in the cards for me to have human children,” says Faisal. “So [my dogs] are my whole world, and everything that I do in my life really revolves around them.” For her mini goldendoodle Mamba’s second-birthday party, Faisal hosted a backyard fiesta. More than 20 canine guests attended, dining on dog-friendly empanadas from Barbie’s Doggie Bakery in Falls Church. (Human chaperones ate Taco Bamba.) A caricature artist sketched pup portraits. Faisal is currently organizing a birthday bash for her youngest mini-doodle, Mookie. He was born on Pi Day, so she’s in the market for some dog-friendly pizzas.

Finding canine catering is now a priority as guest lists are shifting. “It’s more common to have a full birthday party with dogs in attendance,” says Raebel. “Before, it was like, ‘We’re going to have a little family birthday party for our dog with the humans coming.’ ” She recalls a particularly extravagant canine pool party in Bethesda where she stocked several glass canisters with homemade dog biscuits to create a luxe treat bar.

Milestone birthdays in particular call for an elaborate celebration. Chevy Chase event planner Stacy Heit tapped into her expertise when planning a “bark mitzvah” for her dachshund, Nathan. The 13th-birthday party at District Dogs included a ceremony and reception, just like a traditional bar mitzvah. For the first half, Nathan donned a custom yarmulke and prayer shawl; in lieu of a Torah portion, Heit lifted him up Lion King–style and made a speech in his honor. The wiener dog changed into a tie for the post-ceremony soirée, which featured a “kosher hot dog” theme and Ben’s Chili Bowl catering for 25 human guests. Meanwhile, Nathan’s cohort snacked on cake from the dog bakery Okra and Molly. Heit also set up “painting” stations for the animals: She filled plastic baggies with a canvas and a few squirts of paint, then smeared some peanut butter on top of the bag, letting the dogs go to town. The entire celebration, including a professional photographer, cost $1,150, but Heit has no regrets about going all out for Nathan, who passed away four months later. “It brought me so much joy because I had never seen him that happy and that engaged with everyone around,” she says. “He knew: ‘This is for me, and you are all here for me.’ ”

 

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Toy Stores for Your Pet

Pet boutiques we love for accessories, food, and other supplies

Howl to the Chief

Shoppers will find natural treats, carriers, grooming tools, and more. The shop also caters to cats, fish, and other small pets.

The Big Bad Woof

Rows of shelves are dedicated to sustainable, ethically produced pet food. Beyond toys and other merchandise for cats and dogs, the boutique carries items for chickens, horses, reptiles, goats, fish, and more.

The Dog Store

This shop in Del Ray and Belle View Shopping Center has a wide swath of products, from dog harnesses and tough toys to cat shampoo and grain-free food.

 

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Luna

The most popular name for DC cats and dogs in 2025, according to the pet platform Rover.

It’s followed by

for cats and

for dogs.

 

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How to Find Pet Care

Independent nonprofit Washington Consumers’ Checkbook shares tips to help you select the best supervision for your pet

How to Pick a Dog Walker

The best way to find someone reliable is to ask another dog parent, preferably who lives nearby. A personal recommendation for this very personal service goes a long way. Your vet is another resource. A pack of apps (Wag!, Rover, PetBacker) also link gig-economy workers with owners. “Using an app to locate a care provider can be a great way to expand your support system,” says Marny Nofi, an animal-behavior expert at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pets crave routine, says Nofi, and having a different walker every day isn’t ideal. “It’s in your pet’s best interests to narrow the field to one or two consistent caregivers.”

Always check references and documentation of liability insurance. Invite the potential walker to your house to gauge how well they get on with Scruffy or Muffy, asking questions such as “How long will you spend walking my dog?” and “How will you be sure she doesn’t eat something bad?” You’ll also want details on emergency protocol for the dog and the walker. Determine how they’ll access your property, then ask about pricing and whether a regular schedule can score a discount.

How to Pick a Kennel

Going out of town without your pet? Consult friends, your vet, or reviews at Checkbook.org for names of kennels. Once you’ve zeroed in on a few potential spots, tour where your pet will sleep and roam, examining the cleanliness. If there’s an outside area or dog run, check for adequate fencing. Ask about schedules for exercise and feeding, including whether you can provide your own food. Also inquire about staff’s ability to administer medications, which vet they call for emergencies, and required vaccines.

Before a lengthy stay, consider a one- or two-night trial run, then use the online cam—most businesses have them—to see how your pet fares. Finally, get hours and rates, including pricing for extras such as managing medication and giving your furball extra attention. Be aware: There’s often little correlation between price and quality of care.

How to Pick a Pet Sitter

Sitters generally charge $70 to $100 a day for one pet, usually more than the cost of boarding a single animal. But most offer discounts for additional pets or bill by the visit, regardless of your menagerie’s size, meaning that a sitting service could cost less than a kennel if you have more than one fuzzy friend.

To find a sitter, ask friends or vets or check ratings at Checkbook.org. Apps such as Rover and Care.com have listings, but you’ll need to do your due diligence. Check references and pricing (plus what fees cover), and dig into a business’s training and experience. Ask about the policy for taking your pet to the vet in an emergency as well as their comfort with administering medication.

Introduce your pet to a potential sitter, and before leaving an animal in new hands, show the person around your home, detailing any issues with locks, doors, or gear such as litter boxes and leashes. Leave instructions about your pal’s routine—ideally, both an email reminder and a printed note placed in an easy-to-see location.

 

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Great Pet Care Directory

You wouldn’t trust your pet with just anyone. These professionals are top-rated by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook.

When your cat needs a checkup or it’s time for the dog’s summer haircut, who are you calling? Finding the right care for your pet is an important decision. This directory is compiled by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, a nonprofit that provides vetted ratings and reviews for local businesses.

Top Veterinarians

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Burke Veterinary Clinic

6401 Shiplett Blvd., Burke; 703-455-6222

Caring Hands Animal Hospital

8100-B Arlington Blvd., Falls Church; 703-942-8800

College Park Animal Hospital

9717 Baltimore Ave., College Park; 301-441-2547

Companion Animal Hospital

7297 Commerce St., Springfield; 703-866-4100

Crosspointe Animal Hospital

8975 Village Shops Dr., Fairfax Station; 703-690-6600

Damascus Veterinary Hospital

24939 Ridge Rd., Damascus; 301-253-2072

District Veterinary Hospital

3748 Tenth St., NE; 202-827-1230

Dumfries Animal Hospital

17552 Main St., Dumfries; 703-221-1880

Elpaw Veterinary Clinic

318 S. Pickett St., Alexandria; 703-751-3707

Georgetown Veterinary Hospital

3251 Prospect St., NW; 202-333-2140

Home Veterinary Care of Northern Virginia

1634 Dempsey St., McLean; 703-451-9504

Independent Hill Veterinary Clinic

13444 Dumfries Rd., Manassas; 703-791-2083

Kentlands Veterinary Hospital

117 Booth St., Gaithersburg; 240-798-3702

Lake Forest Animal Hospital

18645 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg; 240-937-0738

Laytonsville Veterinary Practice

5910 Sundown Rd., Laytonsville; 301-948-0158

Liberty Falls Veterinary Clinic

8924 Liberty Ln., Potomac; 301-762-2070

Mapleshade Animal Hospital

5597 Mapledale Plaza, Dale City; 703-670-7668

Montrose Animal Health Center

3883 Pickett Rd., Fairfax; 703-425-5020

Northside Veterinary Clinic

4003 Langston Blvd., Arlington; 703-525-7115

NOVA Cat Clinic

3838 Cathedral Ln., Arlington; 703-525-1955

Olney–Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital

1300 Olney Sandy Spring Rd., Sandy Spring; 301-774-9500

Parkway Veterinary Clinic

5743 Burke Centre Pkwy., Burke; 703-323-9020

Paws & Care Animal Hospital

11721 Woodmore Rd., Mitchellville; 301-249-3030

Petvacx Animal Hospital & Mobile Veterinary Services

14636 Rothgeb Dr., Rockville; 301-838-9506

Poolesville Veterinary Clinic

19639 Fisher Ave., Poolesville; 301-972-7705

Potomac Animal Hospital

10020 River Rd., Potomac; 301-299-4142

Reston Animal Hospital

2403 Reston Pkwy., Reston; 703-860-6100

Rocky Gorge Animal Hospital

7515 Brooklyn Bridge Rd., Laurel; 301-776-7744

Southside Animal Hospital

10464 Dumfries Rd., Manassas; 703-368-8284

Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services

4105 Rust Rd., Fairfax; 703-281-3750

Vienna Animal Hospital

531 Maple Ave W., Vienna; 703-938-2121

Top Groomers

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Affectionate Pet Care

3851 Pickett Rd., Fairfax; 703-250-5233

Annandale Pet Spa

4530 John Marr Dr., Annandale; 703-642-5320

Bark In Style

Serves lower Montgomery County and upper Northwest DC; 202-489-1989

CleverDog Daycare, Grooming, and Boarding

2621 Garfield Ave., Silver Spring; 301-587-5820

Custom Canine

1352 Old Chain Bridge Rd., McLean; 703-506-3647

Dog-A-Do

626 Grant St., Herndon; 703-437-3901

Doggie Style Barkery, Boutique & Pet Spa

1632 17th St., NW; 202-667-0595

Fidoz N’ Felinez

19707 N. Frederick Rd., Germantown; 301-916-6832

For Pets’ Sake

1537 N. Quaker Ln., Alexandria; 703-931-2600

Fur Factory Pet Grooming

12054 N. Shore Dr., Reston; 703-437-7794

Happy Grooming

3301 Langston Blvd., Arlington; 703-528-7292

Olde Towne Pet Resort

8101 Alban Rd., Springfield; 703-455-9000

Olde Towne School for Dogs

529 Oronoco St., Alexandria; 703-836-7643

PetSmart

13866 Metrotech Dr., Chantilly; 703-378-1295

PetSmart

218 Kentlands Blvd., Gaithersburg; 301-977-9677

PetSmart

10834 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas; 703-335-1755

PetSmart

6005 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill; 301-839-4900

PetSmart

13337 Worth Ave., Woodbridge; 703-490-8676

Vienna Pet Spaw

101 Church St., NW, Vienna; 703-319-7729

Top Trainers

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A Better Companion Dog Training

Centreville; 703-475-6113 (address given after booking)

Academy Dog Training

1921 Seminary Rd., Silver Spring; 301-585-7200

A Dog’s World Dog Training and Pet Care

4410 Brookfield Corporate Dr., Chantilly; 703-328-2952

All About Dogs

14885 Persistence Dr., Woodbridge; 703-497-7878

dOgBEDIENCE

2144 Owls Cove Ln., Reston; 571-437-4200

DogiZone

501 E. Gude Dr., Rockville; 240-793-5787

Dog Sense Unlimited

601 Dover Rd., Rockville; 301-340-8766

Dog University

1203 Downey Dr., Vienna; 703-759-3648

Fur-Get Me Not

4140 S. Four Mile Run Dr., Arlington; 703-933-1935

Greenbelt Dog Training

125 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt; 301-345-6999

Off Leash K9 Training

2627 Hanco Center Dr., Woodbridge; 703-828-4044

Olde Towne School for Dogs

529 Oronoco St., Alexandria; 703-836-7643

WOOFS! Dog Training Center

4241 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington; 703-526-0218

Your Dog’s Friend

12221 Parklawn Dr., Rockville; 301-983-5913

Top Kennels

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Affectionate Pet Care

3851 Pickett Rd., Fairfax; 703-250-5233

Companion Animal Clinic

10998 Clara Barton Dr., Fairfax Station; 703-250-4100

Dulles Pet Hotel & Daycare

44931 Lane Ct., Sterling; 703-709-1111

Happy Paws

4904 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-363-7297

Kenwood Animal Hospital & Canine Clubhouse

5439 Butler Rd., Bethesda; 301-654-3000

Laytonsville Veterinary Practice

5910 Sundown Rd., Laytonsville; 301-948-0158

Olde Towne Pet Resort

21460 Squire Ct., Sterling; 703-455-9000

Old Mill Boarding Kennel & Grooming

91 Lawson Rd., SE Leesburg; 703-777-4183

Paradise for Pets

12561 Old Gunpowder Spur Rd., Beltsville; 301-776-6353

Pender Pet Retreat

4508 Upper Cub Run Dr., Chantilly; 703-631-9590

Pet Dominion

15820 Redland Rd., Rockville; 301-258-0333

Sniffers Doggie Retreat & Training Center

7300 Westmore Rd., Rockville; 301-738-6781

Washington Consumers’ Checkbook is a nonprofit devoted to helping people get the best service and lowest prices. It is supported by consumers and takes no money from service providers it evaluates. Washingtonian readers can access Checkbook’s ratings and advice (topics include auto repair, dentists, and plumbers) for free through April 30 at checkbook.org/washingtonian/pets.

This article appears in the March 2026 issue of Washingtonian.