Scheduling is the heartbeat of any grooming business. Double-bookings, forgotten appointments, and calendar chaos cost time, money, and stress.
The right scheduling software prevents these problems while making booking easier for both you and your clients. Here are the best options for pet groomers in 2026.
What Makes Great Scheduling Software
Effective grooming scheduling software should:
- Prevent conflicts – No double-bookings or overlapping appointments
- Handle complexity – Multiple groomers, varying service lengths
- Enable online booking – Clients can book without calling
- Send reminders – Automatically reduce no-shows
- Work on mobile – Access your schedule anywhere
The best platforms do all this while remaining intuitive for a busy day.
Quick Comparison
SoftwarePriceCalendar QualityOnline BookingSMS RemindersTeddyCompetitiveExcellentRequest-basedUnlimitedMoeGo$69/moExcellentDirect bookingPaid add-onDaySmart$29/moGoodDirect bookingPaid add-onGrooMore$39/moGoodDirect bookingLimitedPawfinity$60/moGoodDirect bookingLimited
1. Teddy – Best Request-Based Scheduling
Free Trial: 14 days
Teddy's request-based system prevents conflicts by having clients submit booking requests for your approval instead of booking directly into your calendar.
Why It Excels at Scheduling
- Request-based system – You control bookings
- Clean calendar interface – Day/week/month views
- Multi-groomer support – Color-coded by groomer
- Drag-and-drop – Easy rescheduling
- Unlimited reminders – SMS included at no extra cost
Pros
- Prevents scheduling conflicts
- Unlimited SMS reminders
- Modern, clean interface
- Easy to learn
- Affordable
Cons
- Requires approval for bookings
- Web-based only
- Newer platform
Best For
Groomers who want full control over their calendar and unlimited reminders.
2. MoeGo – Best Full-Featured Calendar
Price: Starting at $69/month | Free Trial: 14 days
MoeGo is feature-rich: direct booking, smart scheduling suggestions, and route optimization for mobile groomers.
Why It Excels at Scheduling
- Comprehensive calendar views – Multiple display options
- Direct online booking – Clients book available slots
- Smart suggestions – AI-assisted scheduling
- Route planning – For mobile groomers
- Waitlist management – Fill cancellations easily
Pros
- Most features available
- Strong mobile app
- Efficient direct booking
- Waitlist functionality
Cons
- Higher price
- SMS costs extra
- Slightly steeper learning curve
Best For
Established salons needing robust scheduling capabilities.
3. DaySmart – Best Budget Scheduling
Price: Starting at $29/month | Free Trial: 14 days
DaySmart provides reliable scheduling at a low price, with a functional calendar despite a dated interface.
Why It Excels at Scheduling
- Reliable calendar – Stable and proven
- Direct booking – Clients book online
- Multi-groomer support – Team scheduling
- Low price – Budget-friendly
Pros
- Affordable
- Reliable
- Good for basic needs
- Proven track record
Cons
- Outdated interface
- SMS costs extra
- Fewer modern features
Best For
Budget-conscious groomers needing functional scheduling.
4. GrooMore – Best Simple Scheduler
Price: $39/month | Free Trial: 14 days
GrooMore offers essential scheduling without overwhelming features. Ideal for groomers seeking simplicity.
Why It Excels at Scheduling
- Simple interface – Easy to navigate
- Basic online booking – Clients self-schedule
- Appointment reminders – Automated notifications
- Affordable – Competitive pricing
Pros
- Simple to use
- Affordable
- Covers the basics
- Quick setup
Cons
- Limited SMS
- Fewer advanced features
- Less polished interface
Best For
Groomers wanting straightforward, affordable scheduling.
5. Pawfinity – Best for Growing Businesses
Price: Starting at $60/month | Free Trial: 14 days
Pawfinity grows with your business, offering tiered features as needs expand.
Why It Excels at Scheduling
- Scalable features – Add as needed
- Multi-groomer support – Team scheduling
- Direct booking – Online appointments
- Good interface – Clean and usable
Pros
- Scales with growth
- Balanced feature set
- Decent interface
- Multiple pricing tiers
Cons
- SMS limited by tier
- Higher starting cost
- Some features locked
Best For
Businesses anticipating growth and needing scalable scheduling.
Request-Based vs. Direct Booking
Request-Based (Teddy)
- Clients request times; you approve
- Full calendar control
- Prevents problematic bookings
- Requires attention to approve requests
Best for: Groomers managing new clients, complex schedules, or avoiding conflicts.
Direct Booking (MoeGo, DaySmart, etc.)
- Clients book directly into open slots
- Fully automated
- Less management required
- Works 24/7
Best for: Established businesses with predictable clients wanting automation.
Essential Scheduling Features
Calendar Views
- Day view – Detailed look at one day
- Week view – Overview of the week
- Month view – Long-term planning
- Groomer view – Side-by-side staff schedules
Recurring Appointments
- Set standing appointments (e.g., every 6 weeks)
- Automatic future bookings
- Easy modifications
Drag-and-Drop Rescheduling
- Move appointments visually
- Swap between groomers
- Quick time adjustments
Service Duration Management
- Set default service lengths
- Adjust for pet size or coat condition
- Include buffer times between appointments
Appointment Reminders
Reminders reduce no-shows significantly.
Timing Options
- 48-hour reminder – Initial notification
- 24-hour reminder – Confirmation request
- Same-day reminder – Morning of appointment
Delivery Methods
- SMS – Highest open rates (~98%)
- Email – Lower open rates (~20%)
- Both – Maximum coverage
Confirmation Requests
- "Reply YES to confirm"
- Identify potential no-shows early
- Provides time to fill gaps
Teddy offers unlimited SMS reminders at no extra cost.
Online Booking Considerations
For Your Website
- Embed booking widget
- Match your branding
- Ensure easy client experience
Booking Rules
- Advance booking limits
- Same-day restrictions
- New client requirements
- Deposit requirements
Client Information
- Contact info
- Pet details
- Service selection
- Special requests
Scheduling for Multiple Groomers
Calendar Management
- View all groomers at once
- Color-code staff
- Identify availability quickly
Appointment Assignment
- Assign to specific groomers
- Balance workloads
- Handle preferences
Conflict Prevention
- Block breaks and lunch
- Prevent double-booking
- Manage shared resources
Mobile Scheduling Access
What to Look For
- Mobile-responsive interface
- Native apps (MoeGo, DaySmart)
- Quick load times
- Full functionality on mobile
Common Tasks
- Check next appointment
- View client/pet info
- Reschedule or cancel
- Send quick messages
Integrations That Matter
Calendar Sync
- Google Calendar
- Apple Calendar
- Outlook
Payment Processing
- Square
- Stripe
- Built-in options
Seamless booking and payment is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best software for solo groomers?
Teddy for control and unlimited reminders. DaySmart is cheaper, but SMS costs extra.
How to reduce no-shows?
Use automated SMS reminders at 48 hours, 24 hours, and same-day. Request confirmations. Consider deposits.
Request-based vs. direct booking?
Request-based gives control, direct booking automates. Many use request-based for new clients and direct for repeat clients.
Can clients book after hours?
Yes, online booking works 24/7.
Grooming-specific vs. general scheduling?
Grooming-specific software tracks pet profiles, history, and features. General tools (Calendly, Acuity) may cost less but lack industry features.
Our Recommendation
- Controlled scheduling: Teddy – request-based system with unlimited SMS
- Comprehensive features: MoeGo – full-featured calendar at $69/month
- Budget operations: DaySmart – $29/month, reliable basics
- Simple scheduling: GrooMore – $39/month, essential features
Test free trials to ensure your workflow works before committing.