Approximately fifty percent of American households have at least one pet, and many of these dogs receive some type of grooming service. In fact, pet owners spend around $75 billion each year on overall pet care. Of that number, fifteen percent is spent on grooming or boarding services for dogs. While that might not seem a large amount, pet parents spend as much as $9 billion per year on grooming.
Now, this number might cause you to think that groomers charge exorbitant prices. However, that’s not the case. Depending upon your area and the grooming service involved, one session of grooming typically costs less than $100. However, dog grooming is a wildly popular area of pet ownership costs, and the costs of dog grooming are only expected to rise. There are at least 124,000 pet grooming businesses on record by the latest account; again, this is another number that is only expected to grow within the coming years.
Article Summary
What are the different types of pet grooming services?
Now, this does not include grooming such as clipping, bathing, or the like. You might be surprised to find that there are other types of pet groomers besides the shops which you carry your pup to for grooming. Today, there are mobile dog groomers as well as self-service grooming centers that offer everything you’ll need to properly groom your pooch.
Should you carry your dog to the more traditional local storefront groomers, you can expect to spend between $40 and $75 for the service. However, there are now mobile services that will come to you. This will be a tad more expensive than taking your dog to the groomer; the mobile groomer will typically charge around $75 for a medium-sized dog. If you choose, you can opt to take your pet to a “self-service” grooming station, which will provide you with everything you need to groom your pup, but you’ll have to put in the labor. This is relatively cheaper than other options, with prices ranging from $11 to $23 to take care of Fido’s bath, clipping, and other essential grooming tasks.
Of course, there are some groomers who charge by the service. We already know the full service for a small dog runs about $40 and the same for a large dog will run just under $100. However, here’s a list of pay-by-service costs:
- teeth brushing – $10
- nail trim – $10
- nail polish – $7
- ear cleaning – $10
- breath refresh – $10
- dog flea and tick treatment – $15 (may not include the price of the treatment itself
- face, feet, and fanny trim – $15
- gland expression – $10
- paw balm -n $5
- blueberry facial – $5
The price of dog grooming services may also be influenced by a dog’s weight and breed. Dogs that are very small, those under fifteen pounds, may receive full-service grooming for $25 or less. Dogs between fifteen and fifty pounds may be charged between $30 and $40 for full grooming services. Large dogs may see grooming services priced between $45 and $65 if they weigh between fifty and eighty pounds. Extra-large dog breeds that weigh over eighty pounds may be charged more than seventy dollars for grooming.
The dog’s breed may also influence the price of a grooming session. Small breeds, even those who have longer fur and may need to be clipped with dog hair clippers, typically do not see grooming charges over $40. These breeds include the Chihuahua, the Maltese, the Yorkshire Terrier, and the Dachshund. The Schnauzer, the Toy Poodle, and the Wire Terrier are slightly larger small dogs, and they may have unique grooming needs which average about $40 per session. Cocker Spaniels require a unique set of grooming services, which typically renders their services to cost about $60. Large breed dogs such as the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever often call for a grooming fee of $70 or more.
Your own location can influence the price of a grooming session. Places such as Dallas, TX that offer not only a full line of grooming services as well as additional optional grooming services including the anal gland expression or dematting and deshedding of the coat may charge anywhere from $45 to $65 for basic services. Dallas is a metropolitan area that can afford somewhat lower prices because the customer base is larger than a more rural local grooming service. One mobile pet grooming service on the West Coast offers a starting price for the grooming services of a bath, brush, ear cleaning, gland expression, and nail trim starting at $40. Dogs weighing over twenty pounds will see this price increased due to the dog’s weight.
Should I Choose a Groomer Based on Price?
Well, the old adage says that “you get what you pay for” – and that may definitely be the case with dog groomers. Choosing a dog groomer should be a well-thought-out process that involves a little research on the groomers in your area.
If you live in an area that offers just a few dog groomers, then you should check their reviews from customers. Go to their social media pages. What are people saying about the groomer? If the groomer does not have a social media presence, then ask your friends whom they use for dog grooming. You may even get on our own social media page to ask others about their experience with the groomers in your area. Word of mouth is a powerful means of advertisement. It can also help you to avoid a groomer that doesn’t have a credible reputation.
If you live in an area with many grooming services, then you should be able to do a little online research to find just the right groomer for your precious pup. You can go online and read through the National Dog Groomers Association of America’s website (BDGAA) [1] for reputable groomers in your area. Other organizations that will publish the names of certified groomers include the ISCC (the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists) [2], the IPGI (the International Pet Groomers Inc.) [3]. Now, keep in mind that groomers are not required to have this certification. However, if you are new in town or are not familiar with local groomers, these websites can steer you toward a credible groomer who has achieved a certain level of training.
You’ll need to take your dog’s personality into account when looking for a good groomer. Dog groomers must be patient as they deal with a variety of pet clients each day. Some dogs do not enjoy being groomed no matter how talented the dog groomer may be, and a knowledgeable groomer will seek your permission regarding muzzling your pup and explain why he or she feels this is necessary. Dog groomers will need to know how to deal with older dogs who may need to take frequent breaks during the grooming process. They will understand that your elderly dog needs a potty break in between grooming services or maybe just a rest break.
A highly trained dog groomer will often have taken classes in which they learned what type of cuts or trims look best on certain dog breeds. When they do this, they are certified as “master stylists” and they can often assist pet parents with choosing the perfect trim or clipping for their dog.
If you feel so inclined, schedule a meeting with the groomer before taking Fido in for an appointment. Ask if you can stop in and visit while the potential groomer is working on another client. Observe how he or she acts with the current client, and you can see whether you’d like the groomer to work with your pup as well. You’ll especially want to do this if your puppy is already somewhat nervous or tends to be aggressive with strangers. An experienced groomer will know what to do in these situations.
Now, another consideration is how often you’ll need your dog groomed. This, of course, will depend upon the breed and your dog’s particular needs. Most dogs are fully groomed every eight weeks; otherwise, you risk stripping your dog of the natural oils that make his coat shiny and healthy. Some breeds will need only visit the groomer every three months or so for basic grooming services such as clipping the nails and a regular bath.
If you’re looking to save a significant amount of money and have time anyway, why don’t you try DIY dog grooming? It’s a great way to bond with your pooch as well.
FAQs
1. How much should dog grooming cost?
The price of grooming is based upon the dog’s weight and sometimes the breed’s specific needs. Full-service dog grooming prices can run anywhere from $40 to $90, depending on these factors. Small dogs may see full-service grooming cost about $30, and for larger dogs, expect to pay upwards of $75 for full-service grooming. Dogs that have a longer coat or one that requires special grooming services such as dematting or special clipping (i.e., trimming a Poodle in the standard haircut) may see prices near $100.
2. What does a full groom include?
Full grooming will include not only a bath, fluff drying, and brushing of the coat, but often also includes nail trimming, cleaning the dog’s ears, and the expression of anal glands (only for certain breeds). Most times, having your dog clipped will incur an extra fee. This will depend on the breed of the dog and the coat type of the dog. Painting a dog’s nails, any type of “facial,” and special treatment of the feet (“paw balm”) will also incur an extra fee.
3. How much do vets charge to clip dogs?
Vets typically do not charge very much for a basic clipping of a dog. However, you will not see your vet take the time to do a “hairstyle” type of clipping for your dog. The vet may charge as little as $10 to clip your dog, or he may charge $30 in addition to any other services he provides in the office.
You may luck up and find a groomer working inside your vet’s office. This would be no different than taking your vet to a groomer in his or her own salon.
4. What is an appropriate tip for a dog groomer?
Tipping your dog groomer should fall under the same guidelines as what you’d tip your own hairstylist – fifteen to twenty percent of the total bill. Keep in mind that some groomers will offer “extra” services for free as they pamper your pup, and, if your dog behaves badly (bites or scratches the groomer, an extra dirty pup, a pup with lots of matting – these are all examples of times when you should tip your groomer even more than the standard fifteen to twenty percent.
