Has petsmart grooming really gotten expensive?

[O RLY]

Or is it just me. It seems like they've raised prices every year by quite a bit. Even their packages are extra expensive now. A top dog (name?) package is now something like $18 additional. Extra brushing past 10 or something minutes that are included is $5 or $10 more. A bandana is separate too. Anyone else noticed? What are you paying for a small dog ? (Or large) What does yours charge extra for?

 

[abmitch01]

it did seem high last time I went. and i never knew this- when they groom my dog, the don't give him a bath, that's extra! fifty some bucks and no bath? I'm going to start looking elsewhere

 

[O RLY]

it did seem high last time I went. and i never knew this- when they groom my dog, the don't give him a bath, that's extra! fifty some bucks and no bath? I'm going to start looking elsewhere

That's just crazy. What kind of grooming did they give him without a bath??

 

[ceecee]

We have a pet resort and spa near by and they charge $35 for a large dog bath, nail trim and ears cleaned. Try checking out your local places instead of the chains.

 

[disneyfreakk]

You might want to check with your vets office. Mine offers "pet styling" at very reasonable prices.

 

[OhMari]

Over a year ago, I paid $48, with a coupon too. Expensive. My dog weighs 14 lbs.

Start asking other pet owners. My pet groomer doesn't even advertise, she is hugely popular and if you are new you will not get in for 8 weeks. I pay 28 for haircut, ears, nails and glands. Get this, my dog loves her, I say, "haircut George" and he is ready to go and jumps in my car.

 

[mousehockey37]

Or is it just me. It seems like they've raised prices every year by quite a bit. Even their packages are extra expensive now. A top dog (name?) package is now something like $18 additional. Extra brushing past 10 or something minutes that are included is $5 or $10 more. A bandana is separate too. Anyone else noticed? What are you paying for a small dog ? (Or large) What does yours charge extra for?

I can't necessarily speak for the grooming aspect, but I'm an avid fish person. The prices of the fish and aquatic stuff is pretty crazy. As well as, they've CUT BACK on their fish departments. Of all things that I see people buying in that store, they cut back on one of the biggest sellers, the fish!!!

 

[DisneyQuest]

I paid $79 for each of my dogs last month, bath and brush. Still not bad considering my big guy is over 200 lbs. Most groomers cant handle him.

 

[pooh17]

I take my 2 dogs to a local groomer. $40 each for bath, cut, nail trim, ear cleaning, etc. The works. They weigh between 45-50 lbs. Support your local businesses.

 

[Bete]

It sounds like you have a small dog.

We do our small dog ourselves. It's not that hard. First, brush the dog's hair. Then, I get into the bath tub with her and then after I take a shower myself. There are dog pads you can use for cleaning the ears.

I use human nail clippers to do the dogs nails. Just don't go too short. I even file her nails to be smoother.

Now, I don't have to have my dog's hair cut; she has short hair. I would cut her hair; I wouldn't be afraid. Look at some u- tube videos about it.

The flip side is that if you really don't like doing it then you will understand the charges.

I do believe going to a vet or a local groomer would be cheaper than a retail store.

 

[MrsPete]

An alternative:

PetCo -- or is it Pet Smart? I have both near my house. Anyway, they have a self-wash station that's $10. They have a waist-level tub so you don't have to bend over, and it's nice and deep so the dog can't jump out. They have a nice squirter hose with good pressure. They provide the soap, shampoo and towels, and you can use their dog blow-dryer when you're done.

It's located in its own little room kind of behind the reception desk area, but you're on your own (and behind closed doors, in case your dog isn't a bath enthusiast).

Of course, that doesn't help at all if your dog needs grooming, but my short-haired dog doesn't get cuts -- he just needs baths. When we had our old girl, who was a moderately large dog, she was shaved every spring, and that cost about $80.

 

[DawnM]

Grooming is just expensive. I take one of my dogs twice a year for a shave and bath. It is around $70.

Two months ago I decided to take the short haired dog in for just a bath and brush and also take the long haired dog in for her biannual grooming. It was around $110 total.

Crazy.

 

[blessedby3]

We have a groomer near our house. She has a nice set up in an addition to her own home. She charges $32 for a bath, shave/clip/trim (whatever you are wanting), nails, ears and anal glands
We have a 7 pound yorkie poo.
OP, I would ask around to find a reputable groomer outside of a pet store. Much better pricing.
My groomer doesn't use box drying fans either. She said lots of stores do…I didn't know that. Our little girl wouldn't like that too much.

 

[Iowajes]

An alternative:

PetCo -- or is it Pet Smart? I have both near my house. Anyway, they have a self-wash station that's $10.

If you do this once a month, that's $120 a year. Since our dog doesn't need grooming, we just wash her in our shower. If you are doing self-wash, I guess I don't see why you shouldn't just do it at home. We installed a shower head on a hose a few years back ($15, simple to change out, but we did it more for us than for her), so that is perfect for the dog. The dog shampoo lasts a few years at the rate we go through it. She uses an old set of our towels that are now hers.

We use an attachment on a dremmel to cut her nails.

 

[MrsPete]

If you do this once a month, that's $120 a year. Since our dog doesn't need grooming, we just wash her in our shower. If you are doing self-wash, I guess I don't see why you shouldn't just do it at home. We installed a shower head on a hose a few years back ($15, simple to change out, but we did it more for us than for her), so that is perfect for the dog. The dog shampoo lasts a few years at the rate we go through it. She uses an old set of our towels that are now hers.

We use an attachment on a dremmel to cut her nails.

True, you can do it cheaper still at home, but then you have dog hair and dog smell in your tub. You can wash a dog in their station without getting down on your knees and bending over. And you don't have to wash the dog towels afterward or have the dog shake his wet fur all over your house.

I'm not knocking the option to do it at your house, but at $10 the pet store option is a worthwhile choice.

 

[sookie]

I have a 43lb dog. I take her to Petsmart and they do a pretty good job. We add on the furminator treatment. That dog lost ten pounds the first time we had the service performed!

I had been taking her to our vet to groom before I took her to Petsmart. We have always groomed regularly and also brush her ourselves at home. She is not a long haired dog.

Anyway, I've been shocked at the service we have received at our local Petsmart. The girls who take care of my dog remember her each time, and always do an over the top job with her. They usually send her out the door with extras (sugar cookie perfume at Christmas and special bandana, bows, other special "treatments"). I'm happy to pay for what they do.

I'm sure that this varies by chain and by who is on shift, but I'm very comfortable with Petsmart providing this service for us.