Most people don’t think twice about booking themselves an appointment at the salon. And as it turns out, most people also don’t think twice about booking an appointment for their canine companion. On average, Americans spend roughly $8.1 billion on dog grooming and pet boarding services every year. It’s also expected that that figure will continue to rise due to pandemic restrictions (hopefully) lifting in the future. 

Why the sudden doggo groom boom? When did a simple bath become not enough for our four-legged, furry friends? Read on to learn why you might want to book a spa day for your pooch, what typical dog grooming prices you can expect, and why it’s important to make sure they’re living their best life.

What’s Included in a Dog Grooming Package?

That depends on the type of dog you have and your pup’s particular needs. Some dogs might not have the type of fur that needs to be cut, whereas other breeds may need a very specific sort of haircut — especially if they compete in dog shows. Usually, any full-service dog-grooming package is likely to include the following:

• Bath (typically with anti-flea and anti-tick shampoo)
• Brushing
• Eye and ear cleaning
• Nail trimming
• Teeth brushing
• Haircut (if needed)
• Anal gland expression (the dog’s favorite part!)

Depending on your dog’s breed and their temperament, some of these services can be hard to perform yourself. Especially if your dog has thick, curly fur that’s prone to matting, or if you have a nervous dog that won’t sit still long enough to let you safely clip their nails. In these cases, it’s safer and more comfortable (for you and your dog) if these tasks are handled by a professional dog groomer with all the right equipment.

Read more  How to DIY Obedience Train Your Dog

As well as being able to stop them from wriggling around and getting through manes with a life of their own, groomers can also help identify potential doggy health problems that you may not have spotted yourself. They’re masters at checking for pesky parasites and ticks, nasty skin infections and gum disease. Ewww.

How Much Is Dog Grooming?

Dog grooming costs all depend on what services are included, as well as the size of your dog, and the groomer themselves. All things considered, you should expect to pay anything from $40 for grooming a small dog, to $75 to groom a large dog. That’s a small price to pay to make sure your best friend is clean and healthy — and smelling a little less like, well, dog. Make sure your beloved pooch is clean and healthy with great dog grooming deals near you.

How Often Should I Have My Dog Groomed?

Dogs with long coats or ones that get easily matted should typically be groomed every six weeks — although they’d probably prefer it was much less than that, like once every . . . never. Other long-haired breeds that require less upkeep (such as collies) can go eight weeks between appointments, while shorter-haired dogs that just require a bath and nail trim might be able to go as long as three months between salon visits. When in doubt, ask your groomer or vet to recommend a pampering schedule to best suit your pup.

My Dog Is Nervous/Aggressive. Can They Still be Groomed?

If your dog gets frightened easily or is prone to being a little aggressive around strangers or in scary situations, you may want to speak to the groomer first before booking an appointment. Most dog groomers are used to working with pups with all sorts of temperaments, but in the case of an overly aggressive dog, they may turn down the appointment due to safety concerns. In some cases, sedation for these dogs might be an option if really necessary, but it’s always best to speak to a vet before considering this. We know they’re really a softy, but when somebody’s coming at them with electric shears, it’s a different story. Who can blame them?

Read more  Dear Old Dog Coughing and Gagging? 7 Common Reasons

If you’re worried about your overly anxious dog, you may want to consider mobile dog grooming, which means they can have a bath and be pampered in the comfort of their own home. This option is typically a little more costly but may be worthwhile if you have a dog that gets anxious in new settings or suffers from separation anxiety. 

So, there you have it — everything you need to know about dog grooming prices, packages and puppy pampering. Check out all the local dog grooming deals on Groupon and book your doggo in to be spoiled — they’ll thank you for it later!