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Guide To life with a dog, dog services, and dog grooming in kennewick, Washington

Why Kennewick is Great for Dogs and "dog people"

What makes it a great place for dogs, dog owners, and those who love dogs? Well, some of the same things that make it great for people, of course, and much, much more. The climate, demographics, and economy mean it’s a lovely place for most breeds of dogs, and many people have the stability and financial means to have one or more dogs as pets. The abundance of outdoor spaces and outdoor entertainment are also ideal aspects of a dog-friendly city like Kennewick.

More specifically, however, there are three key aspects of Kennewick, and the greater Tri-Cities area, which make it very dog-friendly and welcoming to “dog parents,” too.

Dog-Positive Laws

Residents of Kennewick are allowed to have up to 6 pets, and up to 3 of each kind of pet. That means those who so choose can have up to 3 dogs at once, as well as other pets. Licensing, fees, and immunization requirements are also quite reasonable, especially compared to those in some higher-cost areas of Washington and around the country. In November 2019, the city removed an ordinance that prevented “potentially dangerous breeds” from being kept as pet, or required specific restrictions and permitting in order to have such breeds (generally, pit bulls). This cleared the way for people to have free reign over their choices of dog breeds, and only makes dogs that have been proven to be dangerous or violent subject to restrictions. That makes Kennewick a fairly progressive city in that regard as well.

Dog-Friendly Locations

It may surprise many people to learn just how many dog-friendly and dog-accepting locations there are within Kennewick. Of course, many of the public and outdoor spaces are ideal for walks with your dog and some outdoor exercise (just remember to clean up after them). You can even get them involved in some of the water-based outdoor sporting activities if you (and they) like – boating and swimming are definitely suitable for some dogs. But there are actually a wealth of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and shops, that are welcoming of dogs. In some cases, such as hotels, you may pay an additional fee, but that’s fairly standard. We’ll highlight some of the many dog-friendly locations in Kennewick later on in this guide.

A Wealth of dog-related Services

Several national pet store and pet care brands have locations within the city of Kennewick. In addition, there are services for training, adoption, dog sitting, dog walking, and dog grooming in Kennewick. Of course, there are also some 3-dozen vet practices and individual veterinarian locations as well, so you’re sure to find one that is affordable, knowledgeable, and compatible with your pet’s temperament. Some of the best and most popular animal hospitals include:

 

As we stated earlier, the city has many amenities of a much, much larger city, including this wealth of dog-related service providers and independent businesses. That is obviously not just limited to vets and veterinary hospitals. Later on in this guide, we will highlight several of these different service businesses, and talk about where you can get dogs for sale in the Tri-Cities, Washington area; dog training in the Tri-Cities; dog kennels in Tri-Cities; pet supplies and toy sources; and some of the top dog groomers in Kennewick.

Dog-Friendly Locations in Kennewick

Let’s take a closer look at some of the dog-friendly locations that exist in Kennewick and the surrounding Tri-Cities area. A quick note of disclaimer, however – always check a business’ posted rules or their website before visiting. The information we’ve included in this guide is current and accurate to the best of our knowledge as of the time of this writing, but can certainly change. The most current information will always be found with the business themselves, and their website, social media, or physical business presence.

With that said, dog-friendly locations in Kennewick (aside from, obviously, the dog service businesses such as dog groomers in Kennewick, vets, boarding kennels, etc.) include:

  • Hotels
    • Baymont Inn & Suites Kennewick/Tri-Cities
    • Best Western Plus Kennewick Inn
    • Cabin Suites Bed & Breakfast
    • Clover Island Inn
    • Comfort Inn Kennewick
    • Econo Lodge Kennewick
    • Fairfield Inn & Suites Kennewick
    • Guesthouse Inn & Suites Kennewick
    • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Richland
    • Kennewick Suites
    • La Quinta Inn & Suites Kennewick
    • The Lodge at Columbia Point
    • Motel 6 Kennewick/Tri-Cities
    • My Place Hotel Pasco
    • Quality Inn Kennewick
    • Red Lion Hanford House
    • Red Lion Hotel Columbia Center
    • Red Lion Inn & Suites Kennewick
    • Super 8 Kennewick
    • Townplace Suites Richland Columbia Point
    • Many AirBNB, VRBO, and HomeAway listings and locations
  • Restaurants
    • Barley’s Brew Hub
    • Baskin-Robbins
    • CG Public House
    • Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill
    • Dairy Queen
    • El Fat Cat Grill
    • Famous Dave’s Barbeque
    • Fresh Leaf Co
    • Ice Harbor Brewing Company
    • Mocha Express
    • Sonic Drive-In
    • Spurs Coffee
    • Starbucks
    • The Village Bistro
    • Wingstop
    • ZPizza
  • On-Leash Parks
  • Off-Leash Parks

Numerous small businesses and shops, such as those in Downtown Kennewick or along the Kennewick Waterfront, may allow dogs as well, though policies vary, and we don’t have a good list available at this time.

Dog-Related Services in Kennewick

Naturally, the dog-related service businesses and shops in Kennewick are all dog-friendly, and usually welcoming of some other pet types as well. There’s almost no limit to the types of dog-related services you can find within the city, and the greater Tri-Cities area as a whole. Listing them all would take far too long, so below, we’re just going to highlight some of the most popular and highly-rated dog service providers in Kennewick.

  • Pet Supplies
    • PetCo
    • PetSmart
    • Paws Natural Pet Emporium
    • EFC Pet Supply
  • Training
    • PetSmart Dog Training
    • PetCo Dog Training
    • A.W. Method
    • Sit Means Sit
  • Photography
    • Michael Kloth Photography
  • Pet Sitting
    • I’ve Gone Mutts
    • Royalty Pet Sitters
  • Pet Boarding
    • BnB Pet Retreat
    • VCA Meadow Hills Animal Hospital
    • Huck Finn Kennels
    • Ruff Inn It Kennels
    • VCA Vineyard Animal Hospital
    • Sun Valley Kennel
    • Fur Baby Love & Care
  • Pet Grooming
    • PetSmart Grooming
    • Animal House Self-Service Dog Wash
    • Mobile Pet Works
    • Lucky Puppy Grooming

Lucky Puppy Grooming in Kennewick, Washington

When it comes to the top dog groomers in Kennewick, Lucky Puppy Grooming is among the best. With their commitment to quality service, love, and care for your little (or not so little) pupper, you’ll agree that Lucky Puppy Grooming lives up to their promise of treating your dog as if it were their own. When considering a new place to go for dog grooming in Kennewick, or anywhere in the Tri-Cities area, you should definitely give Lucky Puppy Grooming a try!

There are many high-quality and affordable services available at Lucky Puppy Grooming, depending on your particular needs for dog grooming in Kennewick, as well as your dog’s coat type, temperament, and so on. Not all dogs are created equal, and it takes experts to understand how to properly clean and groom your unique four-legged friend effectively and affordably. Some of the services that are available include:

  • Full Service Grooming (including a haircut, full service bath with custom shampoo and conditioner, dog facial, teeth brushing, blowout/brushing, ear cleaning, nail trim, gland expression, paw pad scoop/foot trim, sanitary trim, and scent spritz)
  • Full Service Bathing (including custom shampoo and conditioner, dog facial, teeth brushing, blowout/brushing, ear cleaning, nail trim, gland expression, paw pad scoop/foot trim, sanitary trim, and scent spritz)
  • De-Shedding Package
  • Mud Bath (to exfoliate and deep condition your dog’s coat)
  • Deodorizing or De-Skunking Package
  • Doggie Daycare
  • Dog Walking
  • Overnight Pet Sitting

That’s right – not only can you get full service dog grooming in Kennewick, Washington at Lucky Puppy Grooming, but they can also dog sit and walk your dog while you’re at work every day! The professionals at Lucky Puppy Grooming can do it all, affordably, and treat your pet like the king or queen they are. To learn more about the services available at Lucky Puppy Grooming, to see the latest costs, get directions, and more, visit them online at https://www.luckypuppygrooming.com.

Below, we’re going to pass along some information on the importance of grooming your dog, and tips to make home grooming a little easier, courtesy of Lucky Puppy Grooming – one of the best dog groomers in Kennewick!

The importance of grooming for your dog

Dog grooming is incredibly important for the health and well-being of your dog. Dog grooming in Kennewickand the Tri-Cities does not always need to be done at a dog groomer’s – regular grooming at home is also an important. Most people find that grooming their dog at home, at least on a basic level – brushing, cleaning/washing, etc. – helps build trust and a bond between you and your pet.

It’s also a way to keep tabs on your pet’s health, and spot any changes, skin conditions, sores, swollen joints, or other health problems early, so that they can have the best chance of being treated successfully. Like human grooming, dog grooming helps your pet feel better, clean and energized – and can help keep them healthy, smelling great, and looking great, too!

With all of that said, many people find dog grooming to be difficult, especially in certain breeds. Knowing how short to cut their coat, how to prevent shedding or blow out a coat, how often to shampoo and condition, or – the dreaded – how to trim their nails – can be challenging. There’s no dog owner school that you can go to before you take home your first pup, after all. So, for that reason alone, many people prefer to leave the more intensive, dangerous, or complicated tasks to a professional dog groomer in Kennewick or elsewhere.

It can also be convenient, especially if you work, to leave your dog at daycare during the day and have them groomed while they are there. It takes care of two concerns at once, and leaves your pet feeling and looking great when you take them home at the end of the day. That’s one great service available from Lucky Puppy Grooming, one of the best choices for dog grooming in Kennewick!

Home Grooming Tips

For those who want to tackle some or all of their grooming tasks at home, or in between visits to a professional dog groomer in Kennewick, we’ve got some awesome tips and advice to help! As always, we recommend that you combine home grooming with a trip to a qualified dog groomer in Kennewickperiodically for the best care for your pupper! Many of the supplies you need for quality home grooming can be found at a local pet store or online – and some of the top dog groomers in Kennewick, Washington also may sell some supplies, such as shampoo and conditioner, in their shops.

There are also a ton of guides on dog grooming in Kennewick (or anywhere) that are available for free on the Lucky Puppy Grooming site, in the “Resources” section of the site. These will help with all of the most common home dog grooming questions. Now, some tips adapted from those guides!

  • Bathing
    • Always use a shampoo designed for dogs, not humans.
    • Be sure to put down an anti-slip mat in the tub if you bathe your dog there, so that they don’t injure their legs or feet.
    • Avoid getting shampoo or water in your dog’s eyes, nose, mouth, or ears.
    • Dry your dog with a towel or hair dryer – if you use a hair dryer, it should be only used on the lowest setting, and for a short period of time.
  • Brushing
    • Comb-style brushes work the best for general brushing of most breeds.
    • Don’t use a comb on matted hair, undercoats, or similar – use a shedding blade or slicker brush.
    • Brush from the base of your dog’s hair outward to the tip, not in the other direction.
    • Don’t try to brush too much of your dog at once, especially if they are not used to brushing. Let them sniff or lick the brush to get used to it, and keep some treats nearby, too.
  • Foot Care
    • Don’t trim the hair between the toes – just on the outside, until it’s roughly level with the paw pads.
    • Use grooming scissors for the best results.
  • Nails
    • Always use a nail clipper meant for dogs, not humans.
    • Err on the side of cutting too little, not too much.
    • Consider having home styptic powder on hand in case you cut too far, to stop the bleeding.
    • If you would rather leave this to a vet or a professional in dog grooming in the Kennewick area, it’s better to do so rather than injuring your pet.
  • Ears
    • Don’t insert cotton swabs or pointy objects into your dog’s ears – it can injure them.
    • Use cotton gauze or a cotton ball wrapped around your finger to gently clean the inside surface of your dog’s ears.
    • If your dog has itchy ears, or they smell, they might have an infection, which usually requires a trip to vet.
  • Teeth
    • Don’t brush a dog’s teeth with a human tooth brush or toothpaste.
    • Dog toothbrushes are available from pet supply stores or online.
    • You can also use a piece of cloth around your finger, just with water and/or water and baking soda.
    • Gently brush the front and sides of the teeth only – the backsides are kept healthy from your dog’s chewing action.
    • As with other dog grooming tasks, start slow, let your dog get used to the process, and have treats on hand. When in doubt or if it’s too intense for you, leave it up to professional experts offering dog grooming in Kennewick – don’t get bitten!

Concluding thoughts

In conclusion, Kennewick is one of the best cities in Washington for those who love dogs, have a dog or dogs as a pet, or are looking to live or work in (or visit) a place that is extremely dog-friendly. It’s got a great climate, impressive economy and growth, and a youthful and diverse population. There are loads of things to do, places to go, and sights to see, and lots of outdoor spots for you to spend time with your four-legged friend. There are also a wealth of dog-related services available within the city limits and surrounding area. These include veterinary hospitals, boarding and kennel services, obedience training, and dog grooming in Kennewick and the Tri-Cities. Whether you need dog grooming services, or do most of the grooming at home, when you need a professional, you can count on top dog groomers like those at Lucky Puppy Grooming in Kennewick, Washington.

Dogs in Kennewick, Washington

Kennewick, Washington is an amazing place to live, work, and play. The city also makes a great destination to visit in the Pacific Northwest as well. Kennewick encapsulates a certain kind of city that is characteristic of the northwest part of the US – all the charm of a more rural or smaller city or town, with the amenities, services, and attractions of a much larger city. That’s not even mentioning the amazing natural scenery and outdoor opportunities in the region. There’s an almost endless list of things to love in Kennewick, so it’s not surprising that so many people are choosing to make it their home, and city growth over the last decade has been consistently higher than the national average.

At the same time, for people who love dogs, and have dogs as pets, Kennewick serves a model of a dog-friendly city (along with other pets). There are a host of dog-related services, recreation opportunities, dog walkers and sitters, dog grooming companies, and much more within the Kennewick metro area. Compared to make cities in other states, and even within Washington, Kennewick has a major appeal for “dog people,” dog lovers, and even the dogs themselves!

In this guide, we’ll try to capture all the relevant information that makes Kennewick a unique and special place, especially for dogs and dog lovers. We’ll highlight some of the major things that Kennewick has going for it, including amenities and attractions. Then we’ll focus in on why so many dog owners and dog lovers choose Kennewick, and provide details on the major dog-friendly locations, dog parks, dog sitters, dog walkers, veterinary care, dog boarding facilities, and dog groomers Kennewick has to offer. Finally, we’ll talk a bit about the importance of dog grooming, and why many people looking for dog grooming in Kennewickchoose Lucky Puppy Grooming, one of the leading groomers in the Tri-Cities area, including within Kennewick. So, let’s get started!

Within the state of Washington, Kennewick is located in the south central portion of the state, bordering the southeast portion of the state. It is known as part of the Tri-Cities region, along with the cities of Pasco and Richland. These three sit around each other with the Columbia River running in between, roughly in the area in which three rivers – the Columbia, Yakima, and Snake – converge. Kennewick specifically is located on the southwest bank of the Columbia River, shortly downriver from its joining with the Yakima, and just before the merge with the Snake River. Put another way, Kennewick is located a little over 200 miles southeast of Seattle, and around the same distance northeast of Portland, Oregon.

Of the three Tri-Cities, Kennewick is the largest, with some 80,000 people calling the city home. Richland has a population of around 60,000, and Pasco around 75,000. Among all cities in Washington, Kennewick is the 14th largest. The combined metro area of Kennewick-Richland-Pasco is home to some 350,000 citizens, as a pseudo-contiguous mid-size city, serving as the economic, governmental, and cultural heart of Benton and Franklin counties.

Kennewick itself was founded as a town in 1904, and the name is believed to be a native word meaning “grassy place,” which is the official nickname of the city today. It also has the nickname of “winter paradise,” due to the mild climate (especially compared to the majority of the rest of the state, and the Pacific Northwest in general), as we’ll discuss in more detail in a later section below.

Kennewick Demographics

In terms of the population demographics – the people who make Kennewick what it is – the population has effectively doubled since the 1990 census, when just over 42,000 people were residents of the city. Population growth each decade since has been upwards of 20%, with the rate of growth accelerating through the 90s, 00s, and 10s. The 2020 Census will reveal the growth rate for the last 10 years, but is expected to be in the high teens to low 20s yet again – a slight slowing compared to the last 30 years prior, but still substantial growth compared to national average (7.1%). That’s another testament to the desirability of Kennewick and the Tri-Cities.

The people of Kennewick, as per the 2010 Census, include 78.5% self-identified as White, 12.1% Other Races, 4.3% Two or More Races, 2.4% Asian, 1.7% African American, 0.8% Native American, and 0.2% Pacific Islander. Around 1 in 4 (24.2%) citizens, regardless of race, self-identified as being of Hispanic or Latino background. The median age of citizens of Kennewick is 32.6 years, with 28.2% of residents being children under 18, 37.1% age 18 to 44, 23.8% 45 to 64, and 10.9% age 65 and up. Around half of households are married couples living together (49.3%), and over 1/3 of households (37.9%) reported having children under the age of 18 present in the home. In general, Kennewick has a young-leaning and family-oriented population, though with a diverse cross-section of all ages represented.

Kennewick Economy

On the economic front, Kennewick has transformed from an agrarian-dominated and light industry-focused city around the time of its founding into a modern, diversified economic engine today. In the World War II period, the Hanford Nuclear Site opened around 10 miles outside Kennewick, making it an ideal location for many of the people employed there to live. This helped grow Kennewick immensely. Other related industries also flourished in the area for many years.

These days, much of the Kennewick economy is focused on service-oriented sectors, including retail, social assistance and health care, construction, hospitality, science and scientific services, and education, among many others. Of course, a good deal of agriculture still is present, with many orchards, vineyards, and farm fields in and surrounding the Kennewick and Tri-Cities area.

Numerous big-name companies and employers attract citizens from Kennewick and the surrounding cities as major players in the area. These include Amazon, Areva, the aforementioned Hanford site, which has been repurposed since the Cold War days, ConAgra Foods, Reser’s Fine Foods, Tyson Foods, Twin City Foods (you’re likely sensing a theme here), and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

Kennewick Climate

The climate and weather are one of Kennewick’s best features, and significantly more attractive than many other areas in the state of Washington. Due to the confluence of rivers, and the geography of the areas surrounding Kennewick, the city enjoys what is known as a semi-arid climate. This means that summers are dry and hot (though with low humidity, so fairly tolerable), and that winters are relatively mild, with frequent light rain and less than 8 inches of snow per year on average. Average rainfall is around 8 inches, with most falling in the late autumn and winter. That’s significantly less than, say, Seattle, at 37 inches, or Spokane, on the eastern side of the state, at 16 inches.

The average high in July and August is around 88 degrees, and average low in December and January is around 29 degrees. Some 300 days of sunshine, on average, is yet another asset of Kennewick, especially compared to the gloomier, storm-prone areas of the Pacific Northwest. Low rainfall, lots of sunshine, and mild temperatures make it a perfect escape from the harsher snow-afflicted areas closer to the coast and in the high mountains, and an ideal place for agriculture and outdoor life.

Places to Go, Things to Do, and Sights to See in Kennewick, Washington

For residents and visitors alike, Kennewick offers a number of places to go, things to do, and sights to see. Some of these fall into the category of amenities or attractions you would hope to find in a mid-to-large size city, and even might be surprised to find in Kennewick or the Tri-Cities. Others are notable attractions that are part of what make Kennewick unique and give it a particular, irresistible charm. The latest information about many of the attractions within Kennewick can be found on the city government’s website at https://go2kennewick.com.

Just some key examples of the attractions in Kennewick include:

  • Over two dozen public parks, indoor and outdoor athletic venues, arboretums, picnic spots, playgrounds, and hiking trails.
  • The heavy water presence means that Kennewick is a great place for outdoor water activities, including fishing, sailing, power boating, wind surfing, paddle boarding, swimming, wake boarding, and more.
  • Several high-quality golf courses for you to try for a hole in one.
  • The Sacagawea Heritage Trail and other historic trails that are part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, giving you plenty of opportunities for hiking as well as history and education.
  • A 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial Monument featuring actual rubble from the World Trade Center, paying honor to those lost on that fateful day.
  • The Toyota Center, featuring numerous local, amateur, and professional sports teams, as well as numerous concerts and other entertainment events.
  • Clover Island, a 16-acre shopping, recreation, and entertainment locale, complete with a lighthouse.
    A vintage 1910 carousel, the Gesa Carousel of Dreams.
  • Over 150 wineries within driving distance in the surrounding area.
  • Historic Downtown Kennewick and the Kennewick Waterfront, replete with numerous historic buildings, shopping opportunities, landmarks, and cultural attractions.
  • Several events and festivals throughout the year.
    The Columbia Center Mall, home to over 150 shops and restaurants.
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