Grooming is the much-needed yet the most difficult aspect of a dog’s life. It is not easy to groom your dog at home, as they are not easy to handle which is why professional grooming is recommended.
No doubt professional groomers are best at their work and do it with ease without complicating the situation for your dog. But people think that this grooming service costs an arm and a leg.
To relieve this stress through our blog, “How much does dog grooming cost?” will provide you with all the information regarding the cost and factors affecting it.
Why Is Dog Grooming Important?
Dog grooming is very essential part of their lifestyle. Unlike humans, dogs don’t bath regularly, which is why they attract dirt particles. The dog’s coat is full of dirt debris and fleas, if they are not groomed from time to time then this could lead to skin infection and allergies.
Grooming keeps a dog’s coat healthy, smooth and shiny. It is important to clean dog’s ears[1] to prevent yeast infection in them. If you avoid grooming dogs then they may suffer from skin allergies, infection, irritation and constant itching.
How Often Should You Groom Your Dog?
The grooming period in dogs differs based on their size, breed and coat. Dogs with large furs require more frequent grooming than the ones with less fur. For dogs with longer fur, the grooming is done about every 4 to 6 weeks. At the same time for dogs with short fur, the grooming is done in the period of 8 to 12 weeks.
Here are some general grooming guidelines for dogs that you can follow:
- Eye care: Twice a month
- Ear: Every week
- Oral care: Twice a month or as per requirement
- Nose: Every week
- Nails: Once every two weeks
- Coat: Daily brushing
If your dog frequently indulges in physical activities or likes to play outdoors, then he may require frequent bathing. If your dog is feeling irritated, or itchy then it can also be a sign your dog needs a bath. When deciding on a grooming schedule, also consider how long does dog grooming take.
How Much Does Dog Grooming Cost?
The average dog grooming[2] cost in the UK is about £43. However, this cost varies according to the location, the dog’s coat length and the breed size.
Here are some factors affecting the average cost of dog grooming:
Location:
Dog price varies according to the place. The dog grooming price is slightly higher in London as compared to other places in the UK.
Dog Breed:
The grooming prices differ according to breed. Some breeds have heavy coats while most of them don’t even require grooming. There are a few breeds which are small in size, some require more trimming of nails while many don’t. Thus the grooming charges depend on the variety of breeds.
Dog behaviour:
The behaviour of the dog also matters during the grooming session. Many dogs are easy to handle while some of them might show aggression. If the dog is aggressive then the grooming process becomes difficult for the groomer. This is the reason why the grooming price widely depends on the dog’s behaviour a lot.
Dog grooming services:
The dog grooming price depends on the service included. On taking the basic grooming package then the cost will be less. If you include the services like flea treatment, pedicure, and styling then the grooming charge may increase.
If your dog has a curly coat and you want to style it specifically then the groomer will charge extra for you. Some people prefer a variety of cuts, so the grooming charges change as per the complexity of the cut.
The overhead costs involved in running a dog grooming business, like equipment, location rental, utilities, insurance, etc. must also be factored in when setting pricing. For tips, check out our guide on how to start a dog grooming business successfully
Dog Grooming Cost by Breed
Here are some of the dog breed and their grooming cost:
Labrador
Labradors have short and thick coats. To keep their coat healthy, Labradors need regular brushing this helps prevent excessive shedding and distributes the natural oil. They need occasional bathing.
The grooming service of Labrador should include, bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and anal gland cleaning. This grooming service for Labrador costs nearly around £60 in the UK.
As mentioned in bechewy, "For dogs with short double coats, like Labrador Retrievers and Pugs, use a rubber brush, like the Zoom Groom, at least once a week and as often as every day using medium to firm pressure."
Pug
Pug has a short coat, and with regular brushing the dirt in their coat can be cleaned. They require a less frequent bath and basic grooming services. The average grooming cost of Pug is about £40 in the UK.
Beagle
Beagles are medium size dogs with dense coats, they need regular brushing. Their grooming service should include bathing, nail trimming, brushing teeth and ear cleaning primarily. The average grooming cost of a Beagle is about £50 in the UK.
Poodle
Poodles are dogs with curly and dense coats. They require regular brushing to prevent the tangling. Their grooming service must include nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing. The average cost of Poodle grooming is £75 in the UK.
Tips To Save Money on Dog Grooming
Here are the tips to save money on dog grooming:
- Compare the dog grooming services and their cost. By doing this you will get knowledge of the cost of grooming services and then you can choose wisely. The comparison makes it easy to choose the grooming service according to your budget.
- Try the online grooming services. These online grooming services are cheaper and provide home services. Moreover, they also offer great deals and discounts.
- Groom your dog yourself. To save money you can even groom your dog at home yourself. Though grooming your dog is a lot more difficult as it requires a lot of practice, with time you will get used to it and learn it.
While self grooming your dog you must learn to keep patience and handle your dog with love. Consider investing in basic grooming equipment like dog grooming tables and clippers. Having the proper tools can make at-home grooming much easier and save money over time.
FAQs
How often should dog be groomed?
The grooming period varies in dogs, depending upon the season, length of their coat, type of coat and their health conditions. Dogs with longer fur need grooming every four to six weeks whereas dogs with shorter fur can go up to 8 to 12 weeks without grooming.
How much does dog grooming cost?
The average dog grooming cost in the UK is about £43. These grooming charges vary as per the size, breed, dog’s coat type and location. This £43 includes haircut, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and bathing. If you want to add some additional grooming like flea and tick treatments then the cost may change.
Why do dog groomers charge so much?
Dog grooming is not an easy task for a dog groomer. To handle a dog takes a lot of effort and professional knowledge. If you have ever tried grooming a dog at home then you must know the difficulty of this process and a minute mistake can injure a dog and give him the fear of a lifetime.
Is grooming stressful for dogs?
Yes, grooming can be stressful for dogs if they are not handled well. If the dog is groomed in an unfavourable environment then he might get stressed up. Making the grooming experience less stressful for a dog is very much required as it gives him fear for a lifetime.
How to groom at home?
To groom a dog at home start with brushing his hair, cutting the nails, cleaning the ears, and brushing the teeth. Once these basic steps are done prepare your dog for a bath and give him a nice clean bath.
Conclusion
We hope that our blog, “How much does dog grooming cost?” solves your queries. Though this dog grooming might seem expensive they are best for your dog if he is not easy to handle. Try grooming your dog at home and if you are not able to then try this grooming service.
Always choose what is best for your dog and compare all the grooming charges and services so you can choose according to your dog’s needs.
Reference:
- Admin. (2023, August 4). What is the Importance of Regular Dog Ear Care? – Merryfield. Merryfield.
- Grooming techniques – All about dog grooming. (n.d.).
