Grooming is an essential part of dog ownership and routine maintenance. Proper grooming will keep your pup looking their best and keep them healthy too.

Brushing your dog at home is a great first step, but many owners need extra help. Professional groomers are experts at their craft and have the best tools to get the job done right. The only downfall of getting your pup groomed by a pro is that it can be costly. A full groom can cost between $85 and $260, depending on your dog’s size and where in Canada you’re located.

The cost of grooming is based on many factors, including your dog’s age, breed, temperament, and size. Even seemingly inconsequential factors, such as your province or city, can affect the final price of your pet’s grooming session.

Keep reading to find out how much you should budget to get your dog groomed in Canada.

The Importance of Dog Grooming

Regular dog grooms do more for your pup than just keep them looking their best. Grooming provides many health benefits, some of which you may have never considered.

Brushing your dog will ventilate their coat to help it grow strong and healthy while removing old, dead hair. It will also let your dog’s skin breathe and keep the grease level in their coat to a minimum. A greasy coat can block pores and cause myriad skin issues. The loose hair can become tangled when your dog sheds, causing matting. If mats are not brushed away, they can continue to get larger and pull on your dog’s skin. This pulling can eventually lead to sores and even potential infections.

Regular grooming should also consist of nail trimming. Uncut nails can cause joint pain, as your dog will have to walk with misaligned pads.

Dogs have anal glands that are filled with liquid between the muscles of their rectum. Anal gland expression is a normal part of your pup’s life and something they will usually take care of themselves through natural expression. However, if your dog cannot do this independently, your groomer can help by doing a manual expression. This involves putting pressure on the outside of the glands to push any fluids out.

How Much Does Dog Grooming Cost in Canada?

To estimate grooming prices, we visited the websites of three dog grooming salons in different areas of Canada. The guide here will provide an estimate of pricing in these areas.

Dog Grooming Prices According to Procedure and Location

Sources: Juju Grooms Toronto, Dashing Dawgs Vancouver, Calgary Dog House

The final cost will depend on many factors, including your dog’s coat length, texture, and density. Of course, the longer it takes your groomer to complete the service, the pricier it will be.

The cost of living varies significantly across Canada, and the higher the cost of living, the pricier everything will be. If you live in Vancouver or Toronto, you should expect to pay more, as these are the most expensive cities in Canada. New Brunswick is the cheapest province in Canada, so grooming services should be more affordable there.

Corporate and private groomers will have different pricing structures they adhere to. Sometimes, groomers who work for large companies will charge lower rates, as they have higher client volumes. You may also find price differences if you opt for a mobile groomer who will come to you.

Reach out to local groomers for a more accurate estimate of grooming costs. You will need to provide information like your dog’s age, weight, and breed so they can consider your pet’s grooming needs.

Additional Costs to Anticipate

The chart estimates some of the most common grooming procedures you should consider. There may be additional costs, however, depending on what other services you may ultimately opt for. For example, your groomer may offer teeth brushing, ear cleaning, flea and tick treatments, nail polish, fur coloring, or sanitary trims. Your groomer may charge extra if your dog has exceptionally matted fur or if they need to de-shed them.

You may also incur additional charges if your dog is particularly aggressive or anxious. Your groomer will need to take special precautions with your pet, which can extend the length of the groom. It’s much easier and safer to groom a friendly and laidback dog than one that will resist the process.

Don’t forget to account for a tip when you’re budgeting for grooming. A standard tip for this service is between 15% and 20% of the total cost.

How Often Should I Get My Dog Groomed?

Every dog is unique and so are their grooming needs. How often they will need professional grooming depends on a wide variety of factors, such as their coat’s length, texture, and density.

Dogs with short coats, like Pugs or Dobermans, may only need baths every 4 to 6 weeks. They can often get away with minimal brushing, and many won’t need to see a groomer for clipper cuts or trims.

Double-coated dogs like Pomeranians, Huskies, and Golden Retrievers shed their undercoat twice a year, leaving quite a mess in the process. In addition, since their coats are thick, they are prone to matting and must be properly groomed to prevent these painful knots. You will need to be diligent in grooming your double-coated breed at home, but they should also see a qualified groomer every 6 to 8 weeks for a shampoo and undercoat strip.

Dogs with curly or wavy coats, like Poodles or Bichon Frises, may shed less than most other breeds, but they are more prone to matting. It’s easy for dirt and debris to get caught in their coat, so they need a more consistent grooming and bathing schedule. We recommend seeing a professional groomer once a month to keep your pup’s coat in tip-top shape.

Wiry-coated pups like Airedales or Wire Hair Fox Terriers have rough and bristly coats. They do not shed, but the dead hair can mat close to the skin, which can become problematic. Therefore, they should see a groomer for a trim every 4 to 8 weeks.

Breeds with silky coats, such as the Yorkshire Terrier or Lhasa Apso, have long and luxurious fur. Most groomers recommend having silky-haired breeds trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks.

What to Do for Your Dog Between Grooms

There are a lot of things you can do for your pup in between grooms.

First, you should make time every week to brush your dog. This will help keep their coat neat, clean, and free of mats and tangles. Brush to the skin to boost blood circulation and loosen any dandruff flakes. You must use the right brush for your pup’s coat type and length. Pin brushes are best for dogs with long hair, while those with short or medium-length coats usually do best with bristle brushes. Slicker brushes are great for removing dead hair and mats, while curry combs work wonders to smooth coats.

Second, you can bathe your dog at home. Research your dog’s breed to determine how often they should be bathed. Those with short or thin coats, like Boxers, don’t need more than an occasional bath. Too much bathing can strip your dog’s skin and fur of its natural oils. When bathing your pup at home, use a mild shampoo designed for canines if necessary. Just make sure you’re rinsing all of the suds away.

Nail trims must be done regularly to keep your dog’s feet healthy. Nails that are too long can affect your pup’s gait, making walking painful. Use a specially designed nail clipper for dogs, as most have safety guards for protection. Only trim the very end of the nails (the part that hooks downward) to prevent cutting the “quick,” a blood vessel inside your dog’s nail. If your pup has black nails, seeing the quick is impossible. In that case, we recommend extra sharp clippers to help you make precise cuts.

Conclusion

Grooming is a necessary part of dog ownership and something you should definitely budget for. However, if you’re working with tight finances, you can teach yourself basic grooming techniques to keep your dog as healthy as possible.

Unfortunately, there are certain situations where it is best to leave the grooming job to the professionals. For example, a professional groomer will be your best bet if your dog is dealing with out of control tangles or matting or has had a run-in with a skunk.

Hopefully, this pricing guide has given you an idea of what you can expect to pay for grooming across Canada. Don’t be afraid to call around to different salons in your area to find one that works best with your budget.

Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Zinkevych, Shutterstock