Soft Paws

Elle P

2024-03

I recently moved to Newton and was looking for a groomer for my 6 lb. chihuahua. She had a very bad grooming experience at a Petco on the South Shore. She was so scared to go back for a grooming. . Carlos is very patient and gave her a terrific cut. I'm so glad we found Soft Paws!

Debra Corrigan

2023-09

Carlos is so AMAZING. He does a great job. My cat Fluffy is so happy after his appointment…Purrring loudly. He is the best groomer I have ever met. He genuinely cares for animals.

Maddie Perko

2019-05

Carlos is a god! My dog come back from his grooming session feeling softer and smelling better than ever. Normally when he goes to the groomer he sheds more than normal, but after seeing Carlos, my dog has barely been shedding! Also, my dog normally hates the groomer, but seemed at ease at Carlos's. Additionally, Carlos cleans animals teeth. My dog was very uncomfortable with the process and Carlos was very respectful of my dogs limits. I would recommend Carlos to anyone, he is fantastic!

Lu Dawg

2023-05

I've been going to Carlos for years. Every time, Lucy comes back beautiful and clean. I don't understand how he gets all the fur out. He trims her hair down perfectly, and she always comes back happy. She is a lovely, sweet girl and loves to see Carlos, and Carlos is always so gentle and kind with her.Grooming rates are on the cheaper side of competitive, and Soft Paws offers full services.Book in advance! This is a one (wonderful) man shop, and he's booked out more than a month in advance in some cases. That's because he is very busy, and that's because he is very good.

Stefani Amancio

2023-05

13 years ago my mother-in-law started going to Carlos, 12 Years ago my mother started going to Carlos, and now I have been customer for the past 2 years as well. My whole family goes to Carlos. My family lives in Waltham, but I drive all the way from the South Shore to bring my dog to him, that's how much I love his job, that I am willing to drive about an hour each way. He is caring, patient, and does an incredible job (this coming from a very picky/particular person).

Caitlin O'Connell

2022-05

I called Soft Paws to make an appointment for my cat to get her claws trimmed. I was pleasantly surprised when they told me I could come later on the same day! One of my cat’s claws had grown pretty long, curling up against her paw pad (but not cutting into it yet) so I was nervous the process would hurt her. Everything went smoothly, he handled her very gently and she wasn’t freaking out or anything like she does when I try to do it at home. He even offered to clean her ears. The visit was affordable and very pleasant!

Caroline Lanzo

2020-05

Carlos is the best groomer around! My 1.5 year old lab pit mix is a handful when it comes to nail clippings and grooming, but he is still able to get everything done gently and promptly! He is always able to fit me in, and is flexible with your pick up/drop off schedule. Highly recommend!!!!!

Jenn Y.

2023-05

Similar price as going to Petco/Petsmart, ~$70. My dog smelled great and felt soft. Owner is nice and I do like to support local, small businesses. However, my dog’s short haircut was a surprise at first. Samoyed/Eskimo owners know that this is not the “proper” way to groom a double coated dog. I grew to like it, but those who don’t want their double coated dogs clipped this short should probably skip trying out this groomer. Make your appointment 1-2 months in advance. He’s very popular!

gianni mazzo

2019-05

I’ve been going to Soft 🐾 for almost a year and Carlos has been so gentle but thorough, gentle with my precious Persian 🐈He has a life time costumer in me 😽

alison brown

2014-05

I regularly take my chocolate lab to Carlos and she looks so smart when he's done with her!Her coat gleams when she comes out of there and her nails are always perfectly trimmed.He's gentle but firm which labs really respond to.My dog loves going to Soft Paws and can't wait to get in the door!His prices are reasonable and I would wholeheartedly recommend Soft Paws to anyone!!

Debra Overland

2021-05

I’ve been coming to Carlos at Soft Paws since the very beginning when he was only open a few days during the week. It’s in a quirky little area on Bowers Street near Newtonville—perfect for a small business amongst a high rent area—and there’s parking!He’s exclusively groomed my dogs ever since that first visit. I’d say consistency is the main thing I love. You never get any surprises. My Llasa Tibetan terrier mix, Rocco, always comes away looking fabulously gorgeous. Groomed just right, the way I want. It sometimes takes longer, though I also know Rocco isn’t caged the whole time, and interacts freely with the dogs in the shop—and has never had an issue there. Carlos is a perfectionist, so the time is often worth it. I’m more than happy to often tell people where Rocco gets groomed. I have moved a distance away from Newton, though I will continue to bring my dog to Soft Paws.

Tiffany LeBrun

2019-05

I took my huge fluffy cat to Carlos to remove some big matted knots. He did the best job! My cat looks gorgeous and he smells so clean and fresh! Will definitely be going back!

Paul Calabro

2012-05

My dog's coat looked fantastic after Carlos was done! And he did a great job keeping my dog at ease (which can be quite difficult because my dog if afraid of pretty much everything under the sun) Overall, very impressed!Bonus points: He even trimmed my cat's nails without issue (even I can't manage to pull this off!)..Will be coming back!

Savaughn Dickerson

2019-05

I just got my 2 year old cat and needed to find a place that would trim his nails, since I wasn’t comfortable doing it myself. I called every Petco near me and none had a cat groomer. I found Soft Paws through google and the reviews convinced me to go to Carlos. Im not sure if my cat or I were more scared lol. Although my cat was not really a fan, he was (literally) in good hands! Carlos held my cat while he trimmed his nails AND cleaned his ears. Meanwhile Carlos allowed me to watch what he was doing and had a conversation with me about adopting my cat (probably could tell i was nervous). Long story short I am satisfied and Soft Paws will now be my go to place!

Kishory Matthews Murray

2015-05

Great price. My dog came out well. I looked up and down for a groomer who used scissors and did not just chop all the dogs hair off. My pom and I were very happy. His trim was great, not to short at all which is what I wanted. Great job Carlos! (Place looks a lil creepy tho outside but the service is worth it)

a a

2020-05

I called a week before and made an appointment, brought in my cat at 9:30 in the morning. At almost 2 in the afternoon, the groomer/owner called me and said he couldn't groom my cat. He said my cat was too angry and he was scared of getting scratched. Also he suggested that I make an appointment for next week, because he would need more time to groom him. He had him for almost 5 hours, and wanted me to come back next week. I rushed over as quick as I could to get poor cat out of there. My cat is 16 years old, with arthritis in his hip. When he is scared he does get defensive, but a professional groomer should know how to handle it. I've had him groomed for the past 7 years with zero problems. I wasted an entire morning/afternoon, taking my elderly cat to get some knots removed for nothing. From my past experience, the groomer seemed really unprofessional and didn't know how to deal with animals of various personalities. He wasn't even wearing rubber gloves, which is (from my understanding) the standard for grooming cats.He wasted my time, seemed completely unprofessional. If he can't groom cats, or doesn't want to groom cats of various personalities, please say so. Don't make me shove my poor, elderly cat in a cat carrier at 9:00 o'clock in the morning, only to have to pick him up 5 hours later for nothing.

Brad stearns

2018-05

First time visit because of the high ratings. Our dogs were very comfortable there, which outside of the wonderful cut on our Pom is very very important. Unlike other places we've been (particularly box store grooming places) after a 15 min walk with the Pom while waiting for the rescue's nails to be ground, I didn't have to drag her back into the shop. Coming back in I found the rescue comfortably cradled in his arms. He clearly gained their trust. The grooming was impeccable and even though the rescue only needed glands expressed and nails ground Carlos trimmed his belly and penis sheath - (Rascal never allowed another groomer near it) completely- no more dribbles on himself anymore. Yea.

victoria zahopoulos

2019-05

Carlos does an amazing job with grooming my two Cockapoos! They always come back clean and looking great. Highly recommend!!

Yi Su

2020-05

The owner has been doing an awesome job grooming my super fluffy ragdoll cats. He's very skillful and we have been using the service many times. Highly recommended!

Cara

2022-05

Terribly unreliable. clearly stated I had 3 cats when I made my appointment and that Id try to get all 3 there. I struggle 20min to chase them down, get them in carriers, cat-pandemonium as usual due to the carriers, and then he’s all like don’t come, he’s “too busy” for another hour past my appointment. What a guy. What do you think an appointment means?

Rai - Ling “Rai” Hsu

2023-05

We made the appointment and waited for 3 months. When we finally went to the appointment, the groomer said he was scared of our cat may hurt him! SO UNPROFESSIONAL!! he could have told us long ago that they don’t know how to do cats! Don’t trust this place!

Nicole Sullivan

2020-05

Best Groomer Around! I have had my ragdoll cat groomed by Softpaws for the past 3 years and hands down the best expierence for my cat. He has a lot of fur and knats and I can always rely on Softpaws to handle it with the best quality.

Ellen Thompson

2019-05

Artistry. Our shih poo gets great cuts & grooming....he likes playing w the pack of dogs. Carlos is friendly and hard working!! Knows lots about dogs

Claire Machamer

2024-02

They do a great job with our golden doodle.

Fletcher Malcom

2017-05

I have been using Carlos for nearly four years for our cockapoo and the results are always excellent! Highly recommended.

Charlie S

2021-05

Carlos is the best, very accommodating and a professional. My cat isn't exactly cooperative and he didn't mind at all. Will be going back!

Joelle Epstein

2018-05

Been taking my dog Stella there for 10 years. Carlos is THE BEST around!! We ❤ Soft Paws!!!

gabriela saenz

2023-05

I got my appointment for the next day for my puppy . The prices are similar to petco or petsmart.

Martha Golub

2018-05

Carlos is great with the dogs and gives my labradoodle a great cut every time.

Auriel W

2022-05

I take my pup here once a month — super great with small doggies