The average cost of dog grooming

When it comes to keeping your dogs healthy and looking immaculate, consistent grooming is the way forward. Given how frequently most dogs require grooming, many pet owners are keen to know how much regular visits to the groomer can set them back. Read on if you have ever wondered:

• Why is grooming important?
• What services do groomers offer?
• What breed of dog requires more frequent grooming?
• What factors affect the cost of grooming?

Grooming is an important part of caring for your dog and it is important to know how much visiting a professional groomer may cost.

There are many reasons why your pets need regular grooming. Although grooming can be easy to forget, there are more than a few reasons why you should try your best to stay on top of a regular grooming schedule.

Remove old fur and keep the coat healthy

Getting rid of tangles and mats allows your pet’s skin to breathe and prevents sores from developing. Regular brushing also helps spread the natural oils of your pet’s coat through their fur, which prevents dryness and flaking.

General hygiene

Just like humans, dogs need to be kept clean, and regular baths are the best way to wash your dog. This is especially important for the hair around their mouth and rear end, where food and waste tend to accumulate and create a breeding ground for bacteria.

Preventing grass awns and burrs attaching to the coat

An unkempt or scraggly coat acts like a magnet for all kinds of plants and other foreign matter. Not only do things like grass awns irritate a dog, but they can also burrow under their skin and cause infection.

Improving airflow in the ear canals and avoiding ear infections

Keeping the fur over and around the ears trimmed is a great idea, especially for dogs with floppy ears. Good airflow also helps reduce moisture and prevents the build-up of yeast and bacteria.

Aesthetics and for show purposes

Of course, a freshly groomed dog does look appealing. This is especially important for dogs who compete in shows, whose job it is to look aesthetically pleasing.

Groomers are able to bathe, brush, and trim your dog, and the cost of a standard groom ranges from CAD $42-CAD $126. While most pet owners know that groomers bathe dogs and trim their fur, there are other services that they offer, including:

Claw clipping

Most veterinary clinics offer nail trimming services, as do groomers. However, most vets do not actually perform this task themselves, as it can easily be completed by a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) or on-site groomer who is not medical personnel.

Groomers are typically the most experienced at claw clipping, as it is their bread and butter, and some even include claw clipping with their standard grooming service. The cost of claw clipping alone ranges from CAD $14-CAD $42.

Gland emptying

Every dog has scent glands on either side of their anus. Sometimes, these glands become full and may need to be emptied or expressed. A groomer can help routinely empty your dog’s glands, but if you suspect that your dog has an impaction or infection, you should seek veterinary care immediately. Anal gland expression typically costs around CAD $28-CAD $70.

Hygiene trims

Some pet owners request “hygiene trims” that only include the ears, paws, and back end. This option can keep costs down, as it is not a full groom, while ensuring the most important areas are kept clean and tidy.

Hair styles

Many groomers are incredibly talented at what they do and can make your dog look sensational. While any dog can be styled, it is usually poodles and their crosses who are given specific cuts like the Miami Trim or Lion Cut. Keep in mind that asking for a specific style costs more, potentially even double the standard price.

Sometimes, a dog needs medical attention for an issue concerning their skin, fur, anal glands, or ears, and it’s more appropriate to go to the vet.

Skin conditions

Red skin, scabs, or oozing lesions could indicate a skin issue such as an infection, allergic dermatitis, or parasites. Any sort of problem with your pet’s skin should be addressed by a vet as soon as possible.

Severe Matting

Though a groomer can help with de-matting and styling, if your pet’s fur is very severely matted, a vet may need to be involved. This is especially true when the skin underneath is sore, the dog is anxious, or sedation is required.

Broken claws

Frustratingly, a broken claw is not always an easy fix. It can be accompanied by pain and sometimes a local infection. If the break is high up, a broken claw may require removal, which is a surgical procedure.

If you’re ever unsure, you can book an appointment with a virtual veterinarian to discuss your dog’s specific grooming needs and determine whether they need to see a vet in person.

While some dogs always look neat and tidy, there are other breeds that require a little more care to keep a clean coat. A dog’s coat type is determined by their genes, and some breeds require more maintenance than others.

Long haired breeds and those with a dense coat need more regular grooming, and this repeat expense costs quite a bit over the dog’s lifetime. Breeds like poodles, Afghan hounds, and bearded collies are known for needing regular trips to the groomer.

Geriatric dogs may need to visit the groomer more often than when they were younger. Their coats can become dull and more prone to mats. Also, dogs who regularly encounter hygiene issues due to incontinence or arthritis benefit from regular trims.

Puppies don’t need much in the way of grooming, regardless of breed. As a puppy becomes an adult, their coat goes through a transition. As a puppy develops into an adult, they experience significant shedding as their adult hair comes in. This is usually when a young dog needs their first trip to the groomer.

There are several things that affect the total cost of visiting a groomer. Price is determined by the age and size of your pet, as well as the length and condition of their coat. You may also have to pay a premium if your dog is anxious or aggressive, because they will need more time. Grooming also varies in price depending on breed. A dog’s size and coat type can cause the cost of grooming to range from CAD $28-CAD $140, and getting a breed-specific cut can range from CAD $70-CAD $210.

As is true of most services, price varies with location. You are likely going to pay more for a grooming service in downtown New York, where the rent is higher, than in rural Ohio.

Cost is also dependent on the reputation and experience of staff. A groomer with a good reputation is going to be in demand and is likely to charge a premium.

There is also the option of having your groomer come to you. Mobile groomers are becoming more popular every day and are available in most large cities. On average, grooming from a mobile groomer generally costs CAD $84-CAD $140 per visit.

Advantages of mobile grooming services

Convenience

Mobile groomers are able to drive right to your doorstep. You can go about your day while your dog is being groomed from the comfort of a familiar spot. Because there’s no need for transport, dogs are usually much more relaxed when being groomed at home. It saves you the cost of travel and also saves any time spent sitting in traffic or finding parking.

Less Stress

For anxious or fear-reactive dogs, a mobile grooming service is generally better than a trip to the groomer. This is especially true for dogs who dislike being kept in crates and do not get along with other dogs.

Consistency

Mobile groomers tend to have a set list of clients, and the same groomer seeing your dog regularly helps to build trust and confidence with them. It also ensures your dog is getting a similar groom each time they are seen.

Disadvantages of mobile grooming services

Increased cost 

The cost is 20%-40% more than grooming your dog in a salon for the luxury of having the groomer travel to you. This covers the mobile groomer’s transport fees and accommodates for the groomer seeing fewer clients in a day due to time spent traveling.

Restrictive booking

Most mobile groomers are in high demand and need to be booked three to four weeks in advance. This is especially true during the holiday season and summer months.

Some of the best-known grooming parlors include Petco and Petsmart. They provide reliable service and offer in-house training, so you know you are getting a professional groom every time. These franchised groomers offer all of the main grooming services, including puppy baths, hair styles, and claw clips.

Larger companies can provide loyalty offers and many also provide military and senior discounts. Big franchises also charge a lower fee as they operate in an economy of scale, something that’s not an option for smaller grooming businesses.

Another consideration is that bigger companies such as Petsmart are able to offer payment options that let you pay smaller amounts in instalments over time. This is especially helpful if your pup is overdue for a trim but funds are tight.

Groomers sometimes offer toothbrushing (CAD $14-CAD $28) or even ultrasonic descaling (about CAD $70), with many places advising multiple sessions with discounted prices. However, these services are seen by the wider veterinary community as ineffective and potentially harmful.

It’s important to keep in mind that groomers are not qualified to assess dental health. They won’t know when a tooth needs to be removed, can’t perform oral x-rays, and are often unfamiliar with identifying oral tumours or abscesses.

When a dental treatment is performed without anaesthetic, teeth can’t be cleaned beneath the gum line and dogs may find the process quite scary or uncomfortable, especially if there is any dental disease. There is also no option for tooth removal if needed, and a real risk of bacteria spreading around the bloodstream or being inhaled by the patient who is not intubated.

There are a few things you can do to cut down on your dog’s grooming costs:

1. Sign up for loyalty programs and don’t forget to use them every visit. Most large chain groomers have some sort of loyalty discount or reduced pricing for repeat bookings.
2. Do your research and compare prices. Most pet owners simply go to the groomer that is closest to them, but cost can vary hugely from one establishment to another. Look at prices online or call the groomer directly to get an idea of what they charge.
3. Consider doing certain things, such as bathing your pooch, cutting claws, and trimming beards and moustaches, at home or at a self-serve facility. Grooming at a self-service facility typically costs less than CAD $42 a visit, and they often supply pet shampoo and other perks alongside all the necessary tools to groom your dog. If you have a calm dog, this sort of thing is usually very achievable and can fill the gaps between professional grooming appointments.
4. Reconsider if your dog needs to go to the groomer as regularly as they do. For some dog owners, a trip to the groomer every six weeks is cemented in the calendar, but stretching this to every eight or ten weeks could mean significant annual savings.

Want to conveniently discuss your dog’s grooming needs with a qualified professional? Book an appointment with a virtual veterinarian to ask how regularly your dog needs to be seen and receive guidance on how to keep at-home trimmings safe and stress free for everyone.