Pets

Should I groom my pet myself or use a professional?

Calculate the cost savings of DIY pet grooming vs professional groomers, including equipment costs and your time value.

By ShouldICalc Team

Updated January 2025 · See our methodology

Your Numbers

Your Results

Annual Savings

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per year

5-Year Savings

$0 – $0

Break Even

— months

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Trade-offs to Consider

Every decision has pros and cons. Here's what to weigh:

Money

DIY saves 60-80% after initial equipment investment. Break-even typically in 4-6 grooming sessions. Long-term savings of $300-700/year for frequently groomed breeds.
Time

DIY grooming takes 1-3 hours vs dropping off at groomer. But no driving time, no waiting for pickup.
Quality

Professionals have training and tools for perfect cuts. DIY results vary—often good enough, sometimes uneven. Complex styles may always need professional.
Convenience

DIY requires setup, cleanup, and managing your pet's behavior. Professional is drop-off and pick-up.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does professional dog grooming cost?

Professional grooming costs vary: Small dogs (under 20 lbs): $30-50. Medium dogs (20-50 lbs): $50-80. Large dogs (50-90 lbs): $70-100. Giant/complex coats: $100-150+. Add $10-30 for add-ons (dematting, special shampoos, nail grinding). Urban areas typically cost more.

What equipment do I need for DIY dog grooming?

Basic kit: clippers ($50-150), clipper blades/guards ($20-40), scissors ($20-50), slicker brush ($15-30), comb ($10-20), nail clippers/grinder ($15-40), shampoo/conditioner ($15-30), towels, treats. Total startup: $150-350. Professional-grade clippers last 5-10+ years.

Is DIY grooming hard to learn?

It depends on the cut. Basic maintenance (bath, brush, nail trim, sanitary trim) is easy to learn. Simple all-over clips are moderate. Breed-specific show cuts are difficult and may always need a professional. YouTube tutorials can teach most basics. Practice improves results significantly.

When should I always use a professional groomer?

Consider professional grooming for: severely matted coats (requires skill to avoid injury), anxious/aggressive pets (groomers have techniques and restraints), breed-specific styles (poodle cuts, etc.), anal gland expression (if needed), and any situation where your pet or you could get hurt.

DIY Pet Grooming vs Professional: The Complete Cost Analysis

Professional grooming is convenient but expensive, especially for breeds needing frequent cuts. Here’s how to calculate whether grooming at home makes financial sense.

The Annual Cost Comparison

Professional grooming costs (medium dog, 6x/year):

Service	Per Visit	Annual (6x)
Full groom	$70	$420
Bath only	$30	$180
Nail trim (add-on)	$15	$90
Ear cleaning (add-on)	$10	$60
Typical total	$70-85	$420-510

DIY grooming costs:

Equipment (one-time)	Cost	Lifespan
Quality clippers	$80-150	5-10 years
Clipper blades/guards	$30-50	3-5 years
Scissors (thinning, straight)	$30-60	5+ years
Slicker brush	$15-25	3-5 years
Comb	$10-15	5+ years
Nail clippers/grinder	$20-40	5+ years
Grooming table (optional)	$50-100	10+ years
Total startup	$185-440	—

Ongoing DIY costs:

Item	Annual Cost
Shampoo/conditioner	$30-60
Clipper oil/maintenance	$10-20
Blade replacements (every 2-3 yrs)	$15-25
Annual ongoing	$55-105

Break-Even Analysis

When does DIY pay off?

Professional: $70/session × 6 = $420/year DIY startup: $250 (mid-range) DIY ongoing: $75/year

Break-even sessions = Startup cost ÷ (Professional cost - DIY ongoing per session)
Break-even = $250 ÷ ($70 - $12.50) = 4.3 sessions

DIY pays for itself in 4-5 grooming sessions (typically within the first year).

5-Year Cost Comparison

Year	Professional	DIY
Year 1	$420	$325 (equipment + supplies)
Year 2	$420	$75
Year 3	$420	$75
Year 4	$420	$75
Year 5	$420	$100 (some replacements)
5-Year Total	$2,100	$650

5-year savings: $1,450

For frequently groomed breeds (8-12x/year), savings increase to $2,500-3,500 over 5 years.

The Time Investment

DIY grooming time:

Task	First Few Times	With Practice
Bath	30-45 min	20-30 min
Drying	15-30 min	15-20 min
Brushing/dematting	15-30 min	10-15 min
Clipping/cutting	45-90 min	30-60 min
Nails, ears, sanitary	15-20 min	10-15 min
Setup/cleanup	15-30 min	15 min
Total	2-4 hours	1.5-2.5 hours

Professional grooming time:

Drive to groomer: 15-30 min
Drop off: 5-10 min
Wait time (or come back): 2-4 hours
Pick up drive: 15-30 min
Your active time: 45-90 min

But: The 2-4 hours at the groomer is “found time” for you. DIY requires active engagement.

Time Value Calculation

At $30/hour time value:

Approach	Your Time	Time Cost
Professional (45 min drive time)	45 min	$22.50
DIY (2 hours first year avg)	2 hours	$60
DIY (1.5 hours with practice)	1.5 hours	$45

True comparison (6 grooming sessions):

	Professional	DIY (Year 1)	DIY (Year 2+)
Money	$420	$325	$75
Time value	$135	$360	$270
True cost	$555	$685	$345

With time factored in, DIY takes 12-18 months to become cheaper—but then saves significantly.

What’s Easy vs Hard to DIY

Easy to learn (do yourself):

Basic bath and blow dry
Brushing and dematting
Nail trimming (with practice)
Ear cleaning
Sanitary trim
All-over same-length clip

Moderate difficulty:

Face trimming
Paw trimming and shaping
Blending different lengths
Scissoring body shape

Difficult (consider professional):

Breed-specific cuts (poodle styles, etc.)
Severely matted coats
Anxious/aggressive pet handling
Show-quality grooming

Breed Considerations

Best for DIY (short coats, simple needs):

Labrador, Beagle, Boxer
Most short-haired dogs
Cats (minimal grooming needed)
Any breed with “all-over same length” cut

Moderate for DIY (learnable):

Golden Retriever, Australian Shepherd
Breeds with “puppy cut” option
Medium coat maintenance

Challenging for DIY (consider professional):

Poodles (traditional cuts)
Bichon Frise
Shih Tzu, Maltese
Any breed-specific sculpted style

The Equipment Investment

Budget setup ($150-200):

Wahl Color Pro clippers: $30-40
Basic scissor set: $20-30
Slicker brush + comb: $25
Nail clippers: $15
Grooming spray: $10
Shampoo: $15

Good for: Short coats, simple clips, getting started

Mid-range setup ($250-350):

Andis or Wahl Pro clippers: $80-120
Multiple blade lengths: $40-60
Quality scissors (straight + thinning): $40-60
Full brush set: $35-45
Nail grinder: $30
Grooming table (foldable): $50-80

Good for: Most dogs, regular grooming, quality results

Premium setup ($400-600+):

Professional clippers (Andis UltraEdge): $150-200
Full blade set: $100-150
Professional scissors: $80-150
High-velocity dryer: $100-200
Sturdy grooming table: $100-150

Good for: Frequent grooming, demanding coats, best results

Tips for DIY Success

Starting out:

Watch YouTube tutorials for your breed
Start with simple tasks (bath, brush, nails)
Have treats ready—make it positive
Don’t aim for perfect—good enough is fine
Professional touch-up is okay while learning

Getting better:

Invest in quality clippers (bad tools = bad results)
Keep blades clean and oiled
Groom regularly—matted coats are harder
Work in good lighting
Take breaks if pet (or you) gets stressed

Safety:

Never pull mats (cut them out carefully)
Avoid clipper heat burn (check blade temperature)
Be careful around eyes, ears, private areas
Know when to stop and seek professional help

When to Still Use a Professional

Always professional:

Severely matted coats (risk of injury)
Pet with grooming aggression
Anal gland expression (if needed)
Injuries or skin conditions requiring expertise

Sometimes professional:

Before learning (to see how it’s done)
Special occasions (looking perfect)
Complex style changes
When you just don’t have time

The Hybrid Approach

Many owners do both:

DIY	Professional
Regular baths	Full groom every 2-3 months
Brushing	Complex cuts
Nail trims	Anal glands
Sanitary trims	Holiday touch-ups

Hybrid cost example:

2 professional grooms/year: $140
DIY maintenance: $75/year
Total: $215/year (vs $420 all professional)

The Bottom Line

DIY grooming makes financial sense if:

☑️ Your pet needs grooming 4+ times/year
☑️ Your pet tolerates handling at home
☑️ You’re willing to learn basic skills
☑️ Your breed doesn’t require complex styling
☑️ You have 1.5-2 hours per grooming session

Stick with professional if:

☑️ Your time value is very high
☑️ Your pet is anxious/difficult
☑️ You want breed-specific show cuts
☑️ Grooming frequency is low (2-3x/year)
☑️ You simply don’t want to do it

The math: DIY saves $300-700/year after the first year, with break-even typically in 4-6 grooming sessions.

The reality: Most pet owners can learn basic grooming. Results won’t be salon-perfect, but pets don’t care—and your wallet will thank you.

About This Calculator

Grooming prices based on national averages from groomer surveys. Equipment prices from major retailers. Time estimates based on owner surveys and grooming guides. Individual results vary based on pet size, coat type, and skill level. Last updated January 2025.