Taking your dog to the groomer soon? The fur may fly if you don't tip! Here's why, when and how much to tip a dog groomer.
How Much to Tip a Dog Groomer in Every Type of Situation
Updated on Oct. 22, 2024
There’s nothing like your dog’s fresh-smelling, oh-so-soft fur after a grooming appointment. Let’s be honest: The end result is a lot better than you could have done at home—plus, you didn’t have to wrangle your less-than-cooperative pup in the bath or while wielding scissors. A professional grooming is likely more thorough, safer and less stressful for your pet, and it’s important for your pet’s overall health, says veterinarian Ann Brudvik, DVM, of Woodhaven Veterinary Clinic in Edmonds, Washington. But hiring a pro can be stressful in a different way, since knowing how much to tip a dog groomer can be confusing.
When tipping, you need to take into account everything from the size of your dog to your location to add-on services, such as hand-scissoring skills for longer coats, de-matting tangled fur and cutting your dog’s nails. And that’s before you even consider your dog’s temperament and anxiety about being groomed. All that work should be acknowledged, says tipping etiquette expert Diane Gottsman, founder of the Protocol School of Texas … but is that true for everywhere you might get your dog groomed, whether it’s a fancy doggy salon, a mobile grooming truck or a no-frills store like Petco? And how much is the right amount?
Reader’s Digest spoke with Gottsman, Dr. Brudvik and Los Angeles–based groomer Cat Herrera to bring you the definitive answers about how much to tip for every type of grooming situation. Check out the etiquette rules below to eliminate all the stress before your dog’s next appointment.
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How much do dog grooming services cost?
The average price for dog grooming is anywhere from $30 to $90, but that can range wildly depending on where in the country you live, the services requested, the length of your dog’s fur, the size of your dog and the overall amount of work being done. “As the dogs get bigger, the coats get thicker and the price goes up accordingly,” says Herrera, known to her nearly 1 million TikTok followers as Cat the Dog Groomer.
Interestingly, a major haircut (which involves shaving) might be less expensive than a “trim.” That’s because longer coats require more hand-scissoring. “Also, if a dog is matted, that can be costly, as it’s time-consuming to get the tangles out, depending on the severity,” says Herrera, noting that’s often the case with doodle breeds. She acknowledges that many pet owners are surprised by the cost of a bath or grooming appointment, and handles sticker shock by explaining the steps that go into the service.
The services included in grooming often include:
- Bathing, with shampoo and conditioner
- Blow-drying
- Brushing
- Haircut
- Nail trim
- Teeth brushing
- Ear cleaning
- Anal-gland expression
“Big-chain corporate salons, like PetSmart or Petco, are where you’ll find the least-expensive grooms,” Herrera adds, “whereas private locations will be more costly, as they typically have more experience and do more in-depth haircuts.”
Do you tip dog groomers?
Yes, you should always tip dog groomers, says Gottsman. “When it comes to etiquette rules, tipping the dog groomer is similar to the tipping etiquette with a hairstylist for your child or yourself. It’s a service industry, and unless there is a no-tip policy in place at a particular store, a gratuity is very much appreciated,” she explains. “After all, you’re putting trust into the hands of a pet-grooming stylist to care for someone you love.”
Herrera agrees. “Groomers provide a service to your pet that could even lead to a lifelong relationship,” she says. “And the tip shows your groomer that everything they do for your pet doesn’t go unnoticed. That can include dealing with temperament issues. Not all dogs sit patiently on the table while being worked on—there can be anxiety, biting, drooling, poop, pee and throw-up while the groomer is trying to get the job done.”
How much to tip a dog groomer
Figuring out how much to tip a dog groomer isn’t always straightforward, but Herrera suggests handling it just as you would when tipping a server at a restaurant: Start at 15% to 20% of the full cost. So let’s say the services were $100. You’ll want to leave a $15 to $20 tip.
However, consider increasing that amount if there are extenuating circumstances that complicate the appointment, such as:
- Excessive fur
- Severe tangles or matting
- A double coat (characteristic of breeds like golden retrievers and huskies)
- Large breed
- Behavioral issues—including extreme anxiety, constant barking, or snapping and biting (which would require a muzzle)
“With a larger dog or a pet with difficult needs, your groomer might spend an extra hour with them, and you would want to adjust your tip accordingly,” Gottsman says. In those cases, she recommends increasing the tip to at least 25%—even up to 40% if the dog comes in with, say, prickly burrs or extreme matting. So for that $100 appointment, your tip may be more like $25 to $40, bringing your total to $125 or $140.
And it’s money well spent, especially for certain breeds that you might have trouble grooming on your own. “Grooming the dog breeds that have a lot of fur is so important to their health in many ways,” Dr. Brudvik says. “Keeping excess hair away from their eyes, ears and bottom can help prevent infection, discomfort and matting, and keep skin healthy.”
How much to tip a mobile dog groomer
The formula for tipping a mobile groomer who comes to your home is identical to the one you use when grooming is done in a shop: 15% to 20% of the total bill, or 25% to 40% for the special circumstances noted above.
Just keep in mind that your tip will probably be higher because your bill will be higher. Clearly, the convenience of having your dog’s bath and haircut take place in your driveway is unparalleled, so the price will most likely reflect that. These on-the-go services also take into account costs such as automotive and equipment upkeep, gas, and the challenges that accompany on-site grooming, like having limited water and space, and the extra time it might take to fully dry the pet, explains Herrera.
Should you tip a dog groomer who owns the company?
Ideally, yes. If your groomer is the owner of the salon, tipping is still encouraged. While these groomers get all the proceeds, they also likely have significant expenses, like rent, dog-grooming supplies and maybe even support staff. “Ultimately, the choice is up to you,” says Gottsman. “You may not want to leave the usual 20%, but a small gesture of kindness certainly would not hurt.” Handing over a $5 or $10 bill works well in this situation.
The same is true of mobile groomers—and is perhaps even more important in these situations. “[These sole proprietors] are doing the same work as a regular grooming employee on top of being their own business owner,” says Herrera. “Every cent counts, and often, mobile groomers invest that extra money into their tools and supplies to provide your pets with the best-quality care.”
Should you tip differently at the holidays?
It’s not required, but giving a more generous tip around the holidays is a good idea—especially if you’ve been frequenting the same groomer for a while. “Often, owners and groomers develop a close relationship, as we both care for and want the best for your pet,” says Herrera. “Because of this special relationship, clients sometimes leave an extra-large tip, gift cards, a snack, goodie bags, etc., during the holidays, and it’s truly heartwarming. I can remember almost every special gift I’ve ever received from old and new clients throughout my years of being a groomer.”
So how much should you tip dog groomers during those festive seasons? She suggests increasing the tip percentage to 40% during the holidays or handing your groomer a $100 gift card in addition to the normal gratuity.
Should you tip if you’re unhappy with the service?
The general consensus is yes, but it’s up to you if you want to tip the standard amount or a lower amount like 10%. What you’re doing is acknowledging the labor, even if you’re not fully satisfied with the result. “If a dog groomer truly put in their best effort and couldn’t achieve what you were hoping for, you should still leave at least a small tip,” Herrera says. “They likely provided all their services to the best of their abilities.”
She also urges pet owners to speak up if they’re displeased. “Make sure to communicate your unhappiness to see if there’s anything that can be done to resolve the issue,” Herrera says. “Sometimes, it can be as simple as taking the ears a little shorter.” Additionally, you can use the experience as a launchpad for constructive conversation, since your groomer can take note of how to achieve the look you’re going for at a future appointment or even suggest a colleague who might suit your needs better.
Other ways to thank your dog groomer
- Compliment them on a job well done. As important as it is to speak up when you’re unhappy, it’s equally important to give positive strokes when you like the results. And don’t forget to say thank you!
- Use social media to sing their praises. Free publicity is incredibly valuable and a perfect move if you can’t afford to leave a generous cash tip for your dog groomer. Tell your friends and spread the word, especially with a tagged photo of your freshly groomed dog on your social media accounts.
- Consider tipping even when there’s no charge for a service. Just as you can pop into the salon for a bang trim, you can bring your dog for a between-appointment nail clipping or whisker trim. “You should leave something as a courtesy—at least $5,” says Gottsman.
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of etiquette stories that help readers navigate communication in a changing world. We regularly cover topics such as the best messages to send for any occasion, polite habits that aren’t as polite as they seem, email and texting etiquette, business etiquette, tipping etiquette, travel etiquette and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. For this piece on how much to tip a dog groomer, Hillary Quinn tapped her longtime experience as a journalist who has reported on various aspects of etiquette, tipping and beauty. Then Jacqueline Whitmore, a business etiquette expert and hospitality consultant with more than 30 years of experience who owns the Protocol School of Palm Beach, gave it a rigorous review to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Ann Brudvik, DVM, Woodhaven Veterinary Clinic in Edmonds, Washington; email interview, January 2023
- Diane Gottsman, tipping expert at the Protocol School of Texas; email interview, January 2023
- Cat Herrera, Los Angeles–based groomer; email interviews, January 2023 and August 2024
- QC Pet Studies: “How to price your dog grooming services”
- Wagntails.com: “Breaking Down Mobile Dog Grooming Prices”
