Pet grooming cost ranges from $0–$1,800/year depending on breed and coat type. See 2026 prices by breed size, grooming frequency, and DIY savings tips.
Pet grooming cost is one of the most variable ongoing expenses in pet ownership. Some breeds need virtually no professional grooming; others require $1,000+ per year just to keep their coat healthy and mat-free. This makes grooming needs one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a breed.
| Pet type or coat | Typical session cost | Typical frequency | Annual impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-coated small dog | \$40-\$70 | Occasional | Lower grooming budget |
| Doodle / curly coat | \$70-\$140 | Every 4-8 weeks | One of the highest annual budgets |
| Double-coated shedding breed | \$60-\$120 | Seasonal deshed plus brushing | Moderate to high |
| Domestic shorthaired cat | Usually low | Mostly home care | Low professional cost |
Professional grooming prices depend on dog size, coat type, and local market rates. Estimated national averages for a full grooming session (bath, dry, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning):
Common add-ons include matting surcharges ($10–$25+), teeth brushing ($10–$15), and de-shedding treatments ($10–$20). Heavily matted dogs may incur significant extra charges.
Non-shedding/curly coats (Poodles, Goldendoodles, Bichon Frise): Every 4–6 weeks. These breeds have continuously growing hair that mats easily without regular maintenance. Estimated annual pet grooming cost: $700–$1,800.
Long/double coats (Golden Retrievers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Collies): Every 6–8 weeks for professional grooming, plus regular brushing at home. Estimated annual cost: $400–$900.
Short/smooth coats (Labs, Beagles, Boxers): Professional grooming a few times per year for bath and nail trim. Estimated annual cost: $100–$300.
Wire/rough coats (Schnauzers, Wire Fox Terriers): Every 6–8 weeks for hand-stripping or clipping. Estimated annual cost: $500–$1,000.
Higher grooming costs: Standard Poodle, Goldendoodle, Afghan Hound, Old English Sheepdog — all breeds with continuously growing or high-maintenance coats requiring frequent professional attention.
Lower grooming costs: Chihuahua, Beagle, Dachshund, Pit Bull — short-coated breeds that primarily need occasional baths and nail trims, much of which can be done at home.
DIY helps most with maintenance between appointments rather than replacing every appointment. Brushing a coat before it mats and keeping nails under control often saves more money than trying to do a full groom from scratch with no practice.
A quality grooming kit (clippers, scissors, slicker brush, nail trimmer) costs $150–$400 upfront. With practice and patience, owners can reduce professional grooming visits substantially. For high-grooming breeds like Goldendoodles, doing full grooms at home could save an estimated $600–$1,200/year.
YouTube and breed-specific grooming communities offer excellent tutorials for learning at-home grooming techniques. Expect a learning curve — and some creative early results — but the long-term savings for high-maintenance breeds can be meaningful. The AKC’s grooming guide is a good starting point.
Factor grooming into your lifetime cost with our free breed-specific calculator.
Compare grooming-heavy breeds against lower-maintenance options before you choose a pet.
Regular brushing between appointments often prevents the extra de-matting fees owners dislike most.
Sometimes for short-coated pets, but not always for coats that mat easily or need clipping.
It depends on coat type, but many grooming-heavy breeds need appointments every 4-8 weeks.
Most cats are not, but long-haired or matted cats can still need paid grooming support.
Curly-coated, long-haired, and high-maintenance designer mixes often sit at the top of the grooming-cost range.