What Is the Cost of Dog Grooming in the UK? (Updated in 2024)
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Dog grooming includes the care and maintenance of your dog’s coat, nails, and teeth. It can consist of bathing, trimming, and clipping, although exactly what is required will depend on the size and condition of your dog, as well as the level of grooming service required.
Although costs do vary, the average cost of a full groom is £50, but you can expect to pay anything from £10 for a one-off nail trim for a small to medium dog, right up to £100 or more for hand stripping an Afghan Hound.
If you have the right equipment and a well-behaved dog with a good-condition coat, you can try grooming them yourself with the cost of a basic but full grooming kit being around £100, including the clippers, although you can pay a lot more for higher quality clippers. And, unless your dog visits the groomer every couple of weeks, you can maintain the coat and nails between visits, which will make the groomer’s job easier and potentially save you some money.
Below, we look at the typical costs of dog grooming in the UK, including the cost of professional grooming services and home grooming supplies.
Dog Grooming in the UK: Professional Grooming
Using a professional grooming service saves you time and should ensure a proper job. An experienced groomer will be able to work with difficult dogs and coats that are in poor condition. They can provide services ranging from nail trimming to a full grooming service, with some extra services like dog spa sessions also available with some groomers.
The frequency your dog needs to visit the groomer depends on the breed of dog, coat length, and whether they are active and get muddy and dirty regularly.
Nail Trimming
- £10-£20
Nail trimming can be a simple procedure and performed at home, but some dogs don’t like having their nails touched and some owners are squeamish about performing the task. Groomers ensure that the nails are trimmed to a reasonable length, preventing the discomfort dogs face when walking on long nails, and minimising the stress you might cause by trying to do the job yourself.
The task is relatively straightforward for an experienced groomer and prices range from £10 for small dogs to £15 for large dogs. Most dogs need their nails trimmed every two to three months.
Full Grooming
- £40–£80
A full grooming service includes bathing, brushing, and cutting the coat, as well as nail trimming and other additional charges. It is effectively a full service and costs can vary dramatically from one groomer to another and according to dog size, type, and condition, but range from £40 for a small dog with a smooth coat to £100 for a large dog that needs hand stripping.
| Dog Size | Full Grooming Cost |
| Small (e.g. Jack Russell) | £30–£40 |
| Medium (e.g. Dalmatian) | £35–£45 |
| Large (e.g. Labrador) | £40–£60 |
| Giant (e.g. St. Bernard) | £50–£80 |
Hand Stripping
- £50–£100
While most grooming sessions use a set of clippers to cut and remove hair, some breeds benefit from hand stripping. Hand stripping is the manual removal of dead hair. It is especially important for breeds that shed heavily and that have difficult coats.
Because the process is manual, it takes longer than using a set of clippers, and this means that the cost is usually higher, ranging from £50 for a small breed to £100 for large and giant breeds. The typical cost is around £65.
Extras
- £0-£20
Some groomers offer additional services that are not included in a full groom, for example, salt baths and aromatherapy sessions. These usually cost £10 to £20 with services like nail polishing also available, although not necessary for most dogs.
Dog Grooming in the UK: Grooming at Home
- £50–£300
If your dog is well-behaved, calm, and trusts you with a set of clippers and nail trimmers, it may be possible to groom your dog yourself. However, you do need to be careful not to cause injury or discomfort, and this means buying decent quality equipment and to practice getting the best results every time you groom.
| Equipment | Cost |
| Shampoo | £5–£20 |
| Brush | £5–£20 |
| Comb | £5–£20 |
| Scissors | £5–£20 |
| Clippers | £30–£200 |
Shampoo
- £5-£20
Unless you take your dog for professional grooming every month or two, you will likely need to bathe your dog at home at some point, which means that you need a decent dog shampoo. Options vary but include hypoallergenic natural shampoo for those dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.
You should choose a shampoo according to your dog’s coat type, too, and ensure that the shampoo is suitable for the age of your pup.
Brush/Comb
- £5-£20
Brushing your dog’s coat maintains the top layer, removing dead hair, and leaving their coat looking shiny and lustrous. Combing is required to maintain the undercoat and roots of your dog’s coat. Some breeds may not need both brushing and combing. As well as standard brushes, you can also get glove brushes that are especially suitable for dogs that dislike having their coats brushed.
Scissors
- £5-£20
Cutting your dog’s full coat using just scissors is time-consuming and challenging. However, scissors will enable you to give your dog’s coat a trim around bushy areas like the paws, and for small dogs with minimal cutting needs, scissors may be enough. They do need to be sharp, and they should be comfortable in your hand to make the process as simple as possible.
Clippers
- £30-£200
Clippers can make quick work of a dog’s coat, whether you are giving it a quick trim or a full cut. Choose a set with guards to protect your dog and that are sharp and powerful enough to cut the hair without pulling and nicking your dog. Dogs with more complex coats will benefit from more expensive, better-quality clippers.
How to Save Money on Dog Grooming
Some dogs benefit from grooming every 6 weeks, and if you are paying £100 a visit, the costs can soon mount up. There are ways to help reduce the costs and the financial burden of grooming, making it less painful for you.
- Shop Around – There is no set price for dog grooming, and different services may have different rates. Shop around and get quotes from two or three different services. Do make sure that the groomer you use is experienced and can offer the type of service you require, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to pay the highest costs.
- Regular Maintenance – You may be able to reduce the number of times you have to take your dog to a grooming service if you perform some general maintenance between groomer visits. Bathe your dog if it gets dirty and brush its coat two or three times a week to help remove dead hair and maintain comfort. You can even trim the tufts of hair around the paws, if necessary.
- Do Some of It Yourself – Even if you aren’t comfortable giving your dog a full cut, you might be able to trim their claws or cut the tufts. This means that you can increase the time between groomer visits so that you only need to visit every two or three months rather than every month to six weeks.
- Do It All Yourself – If you are confident, have access to the right tools, and your dog is well-behaved during the whole process, you might be able to do a full groom yourself, which will save you the full cost. You will need to buy the provisions and equipment required, but over time, it will save you money.
Final Thoughts
Different dogs have different grooming requirements. Some may only need to visit once every three months and have a quick coat and nail trim. Others might need to visit every 4 to 6 weeks and have a full service.
The frequency and extent of the grooming service ultimately determine how much you will need to pay, with the average cost of a full groom being around £40 to £50, although prices can range from half this amount to double. Try to keep your dog’s coat and nails in good condition, potentially even trimming them yourself between visits, if you want to reduce the overall cost. You will have to pay for some home equipment, but a pair of scissors and a brush is less expensive than grooming.
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Featured Image Credit: Anna Berdnik, Shutterstock
