Whether you’re a newcomer to pet ownership or a seasoned veteran, you may need the services of a professional pet groomer at some point. When it comes to giving your furry family member the best possible care, it’s important to understand the importance of grooming your pet – and why it’s not something you should do yourself.
By delving into the world of pet grooming and discovering what a professional groomer does (and doesn’t do), you’ll come away with the knowledge to help keep your four-legged friend in tip-top condition. Let’s get started!
What Does a Pet Groomer Do?
A pet groomer’s job is to provide top-notch animal care and grooming services. They help keep your furry friends looking, feeling, and always smelling great.
The Day-To-Day of a Groomer
The job involves much more than simply bathing your pet, though. Pet groomers are responsible for ensuring your pup’s coat stays healthy and shiny. This includes brushing, trimming fur, clipping nails, and cleaning ears and teeth—all the little details that make a big difference in your pet’s overall well-being and appearance.
High-quality groomers also provide extra care to ensure their clients’ pets are comfortable during the grooming process. In other words, a pet groomer’s job is not only to help ensure that your furry friends look good on the outside but are also healthy and happy on the inside!
What Are the Qualifications and Certifications Required to be A Pet Groomer?
A licensed pet groomer will have completed a program approved by the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA). These programs typically involve extensive study in safety and handling techniques, anatomy, grooming tools and methods, and health and sanitation practices.
Additionally, most professional pet groomers will generally have some certification to prove they are experienced in their field. Certifications may include those offered by organizations such as NDGAA or International Professional Groomers Incorporated (IPGI). Be sure to ask about any certifications or training your groomer has before you entrust them with your beloved pet.
What Types of Services Does a Pet Groomer Offer?
A pet groomer does more than brush fur and trim nails. Grooming includes many services, so let’s break it down into the main five.
Haircuts
If you love giving your pup a fun new doo, this is for you! Pet groomers offer full haircuts from small trims to complete dye jobs! You can bring in pictures or have them work their magic and surprise you with an adorable new look for your pup!
Bath and Brush
This part of grooming typically includes giving your pup a warm bath and brushing the coat to remove any excess dirt, debris, or mats. This is also a great way to get rid of any pesky fleas or ticks that might be lurking. If needed, the groomer will clip the fur to give it a clean and healthy look.
Nail Trimming
Nail trimming can be dangerous if not done correctly, so leave it up to the professionals and let them take care of this important service. Don't forget that they trim nails and do paw pad grooming, which includes cleaning between toes and filing rough edges made by a week's walk in the woods!
Anal Glands Express
This is a service that almost all pet owners dread! The anal gland expression helps relieve your pup’s discomfort due to full anal glands. The pet groomer can manually express this safely, as long as it’s done correctly and with caution.
Ear Cleaning
How Much Does a Pet Groomer Charge?
Good question—but the answer isn’t so straightforward. It depends on the services you need and the type of pet. But we can give you some ballpark figures to help you plan your budget.
More Services, More Money
For a basic bath and brush, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 for small cats and dogs to about $90 for larger breeds. And if you want something more involved, like haircuts or nail trimming, it’ll cost extra—anywhere from about $50 for a small pet to up to $150 for larger ones.
These prices don’t include additional treatments like flea control or de-shedding treatments, which will also cost extra. But in general, it’s good to expect that pricing will range between $30 and $200 depending on what services your pet needs.
How Much Does a Pet Groomer Make
An experienced groomer can easily make $40-$50 an hour, but it all depends on the rates of the salon or grooming shop. Rates can fluctuate based on how much demand there is for pet grooming in any particular area.
Average Yearly Dog Groomer Salary
The average yearly wage for dog groomers in the US is about $29,000; however, those specializing in grooming certain breeds or showing dogs may make significantly more.
When you’re thinking about money, bear in mind that a pet groomer’s primary job isn’t just making money—it boils down to providing quality care and services for animals. The job does not require any special training or education, but if you want to increase your earnings and become a truly successful pet groomer, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends in grooming and animal care.
How Often You Should Groom Your Dog
You might be wondering how often you should get your furry friend groomed. The answer to this one depends on the breed of your pet, as well as their level of activity and the climate they live in.
Short-Haired Breeds
If you have a short-haired breed, brushing your dog once or twice a week is usually enough. This will help keep their coat clean and free of tangles and ensure no dirt or debris gets stuck in their fur.
Long-Haired Breeds
You should brush long-haired breeds regularly (at least once or twice a week) to prevent matting and tangling. You’ll also need to have them groomed more often—we recommend every four weeks—at the very least, and similarly, if they’re a breed with an especially thick coat.
Active Dogs
If your pooch is particularly active, then they may need to be bathed more often, which also means more regular visits to the groomer—especially if they’ve been playing in mud or dirt! You may also want to consider having their nails clipped regularly, too, so there’s less risk of them getting split or broken.
How Long Does Pet Grooming Take?
Are you curious about how long it takes for your pup to get groomed? It depends, but typically, the full-service package will take a few hours. Here’s how long a few individual services may take:
- Bathing and drying: Usually around 1-2 hours
- Nail trimming: 10 minutes or less
- Haircutting/trimming: Anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the size of your pup and the complexity of their cut
- Brushing and combing: 15-30 minutes
Pet groomers take great care of your dog while they’re there. The nice thing is that you don’t even have to stay with your pet while they are getting groomed! When you pick up your pup, they’ll return feeling happy, smelling great, and looking fabulous.
Pet Groomer Jobs
You can work in a brick-and-mortar store, offering services like baths, haircuts, nail clipping, and more. You could also work as a mobile groomer, visiting peoples’ homes to groom their pets.
More Than Just Bathing Your Pet
The job is physically demanding but also incredibly rewarding. You get to help pets look and feel their best and develop relationships with the pet owners. Not to mention, you get rewarded with plenty of furry hugs and snuggles!
Skills, Training, and Certification
You’ll need to have a good understanding of pet behavior and safety and be comfortable working with a variety of breeds, sizes, and temperaments. You’ll also need to be good at multitasking and able to work quickly and efficiently.
If you’re considering pet grooming as a career, you’ll need to get trained and certified. Plenty of courses are available online, as well as grooming academies where you can learn the skills and knowledge you need to become a professional groomer.
The Essential Role of Pet Groomers
Pet groomers take great care of our furry friends, ensuring they are clean, healthy, and happy. They provide essential services that can help keep pets healthy and comfortable and can help maintain the bond between pet and owner. Pet groomers play a vital role in keeping our beloved animals healthy, so if you’re thinking about getting a pet groomer for your furry friend, don’t hesitate to take the plunge and find one that fits your needs!
