09/30/2026
Okay, let’s actually break this down, because I think a lot of people genuinely don’t realize what goes into the price of a groom.
When you pay $100, $150, $200+ for your dog’s appointment, that money is NOT just going straight into your groomer’s pocket.
You’re paying for:
LABOR
Your dog may be with us for 3–4 hours.
During that time they’re being checked in, bathed, conditioned, dried, brushed, combed, nails done, ears cleaned, prepped, haircut, finished, cleaned up after, and safely monitored.
And unlike your hairstylist, we are doing all of this while our client may be:
• spinning
• sitting down
• licking the scissors
• trying to jump off the table
• screaming for absolutely no reason
• p**ping
• peeing
• trying to bite us
• or suddenly deciding they have never stood on four legs before 😂
PRODUCT
Professional shampoo.
Conditioner.
Finishing sprays.
Ear products.
Disinfectants.
Laundry detergent.
Clipper spray.
Blade oil.
Bows.
Bandanas.
And everything else we use throughout the day.
And no, we are not buying a $6 bottle of shampoo from Walmart.
Professional grooming products are expensive.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Clippers can cost hundreds of dollars.
Dryers can cost hundreds or even thousands.
Then you have:
Tables.
Tubs.
Shears.
Blades.
Combs.
Brushes.
Nail grinders.
Kennels.
Loops.
Drying equipment.
And our blades and shears have to be professionally sharpened and maintained over and over again.
THE SALON
Rent or mortgage.
Electricity.
Water.
Heat.
Air conditioning.
Internet.
Trash.
Repairs.
Maintenance.
And believe me… a grooming salon uses a LOT of water, electricity, and hot air.
EMPLOYEES
If you go to a salon with a team, your groom price is also helping pay actual humans.
Wages.
Payroll taxes.
Workers’ compensation.
Training.
Time off.
And hopefully enough money for those employees to actually make a livable wage while doing an extremely physical job.
EDUCATION
Good groomers spend thousands continuing their education.
Classes.
Seminars.
Trade shows.
Certifications.
Competitions.
Travel.
Hotels.
Equipment.
We do that because grooming changes.
Products change.
Techniques change.
Safety standards improve.
A lot of us genuinely care about continuing to get better at what we do.
BUSINESS EXPENSES
Booking software.
Credit card processing fees.
Website costs.
Insurance.
Accounting.
Taxes.
Licenses.
Advertising.
Phones.
Office supplies.
And yes, the government would also like their portion. 😂
CLEANING
SO. MUCH. CLEANING.
Towels.
Laundry.
Hair removal.
Disinfecting tables.
Disinfecting kennels.
Disinfecting tubs.
Cleaning floors.
Cleaning walls.
Cleaning equipment.
You are bringing us an animal.
Sanitation is kind of important.
And then there is the part people really don’t see:
OUR BODIES.
Groomers lift heavy dogs.
We bend over tubs.
We hold dogs that don’t want to stand.
We use our hands, wrists, shoulders, necks, and backs all day long.
Dog grooming is an extremely physical career, and a lot of groomers develop injuries because of it.
So when you see the price of your dog’s groom, you are not paying someone $150 for “a haircut.”
You are paying for the time, labor, education, equipment, products, overhead, staff, experience, and skill required to safely care for your dog from the moment you hand us the leash until the moment we hand it back.
And unlike a human salon, our clients usually show up naked, haven’t brushed their hair in 8 weeks, occasionally p**p on the floor, and sometimes try to bite their hairstylist. 😂
So yeah.
Dog grooming costs money.
