What does dog grooming cost? If you’ve been wondering about dog grooming costs or dog grooming prices, this guide breaks down what you’ll pay (on average), what drives the cost up or down, and how to get good value — whether you groom at home with tools or have it done professionally.
TL;DR (Quick Summary)
Wondering about dog grooming cost and dog grooming prices? Expect to pay $30–$120+ depending on your dog’s size, coat, and location. Grooming includes bathing, trimming, nail care, and optional add-ons like de-shedding or teeth cleaning. Professional salons like PetSmart and Petco set standard benchmarks (starting around $30–$50 for basic grooming), but you can save money by doing some grooming at home using quality tools and products.
💡 Tip: Regular brushing and proper shampooing keep costs down and your dog’s coat healthy longer.
Table of Contents
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What Is Grooming & What Services Are Usually Included
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Factors That Drive Dog Grooming Prices
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Typical Price Ranges — Chains & Independent Groomers
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Chain Examples: Petco & PetSmart Pricing Output
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How Much Does Grooming Cost If You Do It at Home?
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Saving Money Without Sacrificing Quality
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Internal Tools & Products That Help
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FAQ: Dog Grooming Cost Questions
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Conclusion
What Is Grooming & What Services Are Usually Included
Grooming goes beyond a simple bath. Basic grooming often includes:
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Bath & blow-dry
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Brushing / de-shedding
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Nail trimming or grinding
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Ear cleaning
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Trimming or scissoring for sanitary or paw areas
Add-ons might include specialty shampoos (e.g. for sensitive skin), de-matting matted fur, teeth cleaning, etc.
Factors That Drive Dog Grooming Prices
Several factors determine what you’ll pay for grooming:
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Dog’s Size & Weight
Larger dogs consume more shampoo, need more time, more drying etc. -
Coat Type & Condition
Thick double coats, curly or long hair, matted fur, etc., increase grooming time and complexity. -
Breed (Special Cuts / Styling)
Some breeds require more detailed work (e.g. Poodles, Goldendoodles) or breed-specific trims, which often cost more. -
Location & Salon Type
Urban salons tend to cost more. Chains like Petco / PetSmart set base pricing, local or specialized groomers may charge premium rates. -
Dog Behavior / Temperament
Dogs that resist grooming, are anxious, or aggressive often need more time, special tools, or extra handlers → all of which add to price. -
Add-On Services
De-shedding treatments, special shampoos (hypoallergenic, flea-/tick-focused), teeth brushing, etc., will increase cost.
Typical Price Ranges — Chains & Independent Groomers
Here are some benchmark prices from major pet store salons + local groomers to give you a better idea of what people are paying.
Chain Examples: Petco & PetSmart Grooming Pricing Output
To give you real benchmarks:
Petco Grooming Prices
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Bath + cut starts around $46 for small dogs (11-25 lbs). Baths start at about $24−$28 for extra small / small dogs.
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Medium to large breeds (26-80 lbs) see start prices for full grooming between $57-$68+.
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Add-ons: Nail trimming/buffing, ear cleaning, de-shedding treatments often cost extra.
PetSmart Grooming Prices
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Basic bath & brush services range from $29-$79 depending on dog size.
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Full grooming (haircut, trim) often runs $50-$105+, depending on breed, coat, and region.
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Smaller services like nail trim, ear cleaning often have fixed fees around $10-$15.
How Much Does Grooming Cost If You Do It at Home?
If you shop for tools and do grooming yourself, initial investment looks like:
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Grooming kit (clippers, guards, combs, brushes): $20–$150+ depending on quality
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Quality dog shampoo & conditioner (especially for special needs like shedding control or sensitive skin)
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Occasional replacement of tools or parts (clipper blades, etc.)
Over time, home grooming can save money — but costs vary depending on how often your dog needs grooming and how difficult their coat / behaviour is.
Saving Money Without Sacrificing Quality
Here are tactics to keep grooming costs reasonable while still giving your dog good care:
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Brush regularly at home to avoid severe matting (which costs more to fix)
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Use quality tools early — for instance, a good detangler spray or slicker brush makes brushing easier and reduces stress for dog and groomer
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Bundle services or go for package deals at salons or chains
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Choose off-peak hours or promotions (Petco / PetSmart often have specials)
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Maintain coat health with proper shampoo & conditioner so grooming sessions go faster
Internal Tools & Products That Help
To reduce grooming cost over time, using the right product can make a difference. Here are some from our shop:
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Dog Grooming Tools — clippers, guards, brushes built to last
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Dog Shampoo & Conditioner — special formulas for shedding, sensitive skin, double coats
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Dog Detangler Spray — helps avoid painful mats and reduces grooming time
Conclusion
Dog grooming cost and dog grooming prices can vary widely depending on size, coat type, behavior, location, and salon. Chains like PetSmart and Petco give good baseline examples, but many dogs require extra care or custom tools which can shift the cost.
If you’re looking to save in the long run, investing in high-quality grooming tools from our Dog Grooming Tools collections and good shampoo/conditioner sets can reduce how often you need professional grooms — while ensuring your dog looks, feels, and behaves their best.
