What Is the Cost of Dog Grooming in Canada? Updated in 2024

Grooming your dog is an essential facet of dog ownership. It’s imperative to keep their coats mat free, as it helps maintain their comfort and keeps them in better health. But sometimes, you might have a dog that’s less than cooperative, or it’s too challenging for you to stay on top of their long and thick coats.

If you’ve been considering taking your dog to a groomer but want to learn more about what you can expect and how much it might cost, you’ve come to the right place!

Grooming a dog might cost between $70 to $200 or more in Canada. How much you spend on having your dog professionally groomed depends on several factors, including your dog’s coat and size, what you want done, your chosen groomer, and your location.

Read on if you want to learn more about having your dog professionally groomed in Canada.

The Importance of Dog Grooming

Before we launch into pricing, let’s review why grooming your dog is so important.

First, brushing your dog can be a lovely bonding experience, and many dogs will enjoy being brushed. Second, it’s essential to keep mats and tangles from forming. If mats are not brushed out, they will continue to get larger and heavier and pull on your dog’s skin, which can cause lesions and infections and simply be painful for the dog.

Regular brushing removes excess fur, prevents mats from forming, and enables the skin to breathe. A dog that isn’t brushed will end up with a matted and greasy coat, leading to dandruff and other skin problems.

Giving a dog a bath with dog shampoo is also a good idea. Just remember that most dogs only need a bath about once a month or so. Some dogs need a bath more frequently, and others only need one a few times a year.

Part of grooming can include hair trims. Many breeds won’t need this, but some breeds have coats that will continue to grow unless they are clipped or trimmed.

Beyond taking care of the coat, you should also trim your dog’s nails, as they can be uncomfortable if left to grow too long.

Finally, brushing your dog’s teeth is a vital part of dog grooming. Dogs should have their teeth professionally cleaned once a year, but this is best left to your vet.

How Much Does Dog Grooming Cost in Canada?

Since grooming isn’t priced the same across the country, here are prices from three different grooming salons in three cities. These should give you a general idea of what to expect.

Dog Grooming Prices According to Service and Location

Sources: Furry Friends Spa & Daycare, Ottawa, Dashing Dawgs, Vancouver, Happy Tails Pet Resort & Spa, Winnipeg

The prices range quite broadly, and they go up depending on your dog’s temperament, size, and coat type. The longer the groomer needs to spend on your dog, the more the process will cost.

If you happen to live in one of the bigger and consequently, more expensive cities like Vancouver and Toronto, you can also expect to pay more than someone who lives in Regina or Saint John.

You will likely need to pay extra if you opt for a mobile groomer who will come to you to groom your dog. But if you only need your dog’s nails trimmed, this will be much more affordable than going for a full groom on a Newfoundland dog, for example.

You should do price shopping for groomers in your area until you find one that fits your budget. But don’t sacrifice quality, so also double-check online reviews.

Additional Costs to Anticipate

You’ll get an estimate when you book a grooming appointment for your dog, but sometimes the price may change if something unexpected happens during the session.

For example, if your dog has more mats than expected, this will cost extra. Almost anything that takes more time will cost more. Your groomer might offer to do other services, such as polishing your dog’s teeth or treating them for fleas.

Some salons have extra fees if the employee gets bitten — the average seems to be about $20 per bite. But even your dog simply not cooperating well can lead to a longer, more expensive grooming session.

Finally, there’s sales tax based on your province and the usual GST. Also, don’t forget to tip your groomer if they did an excellent job! Be prepared to give about 15% to 20%.

How Often Should I Get My Dog Groomed?

This ultimately depends on your dog and its coat type. Some breeds will need grooming at least once a month, like Poodles, while others are fine with going just a few times a year. Shorthaired dogs such as Dobermans won’t need to see the groomer too often (unless you want to bring them in for the occasional nail trim).

Double-coated dogs, such as German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, need more frequent brushings. In the spring and fall, they blow out their coats, which means more excessive shedding and daily brushings. Double-coated dogs are also more prone to mats due to the density of their fur, so it is imperative to stay on top of the brushing. It isn’t practical to take your dog to the groomer every day, so you’ll need to do it yourself in between visits.

Dogs with wire coats, like the Westie or Irish Wolfhound, should see a groomer roughly every 4 to 6 weeks, which can also include having them hand stripped. They have dense undercoats that can mat easily, so once every 2 months will do. The best thing is to do the bulk of the grooming yourself and bring your dog in about four to six times each year for the big clean-up.

What to Do for Your Dog in Between Groomings

Start by purchasing the right tools for the job. Different brushes work for different coats. Slicker brushes work well on almost any type of coat and are effective at removing mats and for dogs that shed frequently. Pin brushes are best for long silky coats, and bristle brushes are great for short coats and wiry coats.

You can also invest in a shedding blade, undercoat rake, or other deshedding tools. These will help with double-coated dogs, particularly when they are shedding excessively.

You can bathe your dog, but only use a dog shampoo and do research or speak to your vet regarding how frequently your breed should have a bath. If you bathe most dogs too often, it can strip their skin and coat their natural oils, which can cause skin irritation and dandruff.

You’ll also need nail clippers and to trim your dog’s nails about once a month. Trim the tip only so you don’t accidentally hit the quick, which can hurt and will bleed.

Finally, get a toothbrush and toothpaste meant for dogs (never use human toothpaste because it might have toxic ingredients for dogs). You should brush your dog’s teeth several times a week.

Conclusion

Now that you have a better idea of how much you’ll need to pay to have your dog groomed, the next step is finding yourself a good groomer. Read reviews, visit the salon, and ask questions.

For groomings in between professional appointment sessions, ensure that you have the right grooming tools at home. Another benefit of doing the grooming yourself is that you’ll be able to detect any changes in your dog, which can help if they develop a health issue.

Enjoy your time grooming your dog and when your dog is at the groomer. They’ll come home looking and smelling amazing!

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Featured Image Credit: Александр Гросс, Unsplash