Pet grooming isn't cheap. Let's be brutally honest about what you'll actually pay.
UK owners spend £1.2 billion a year on pet grooming products, and that doesn't even include professional grooming services.
But here's what you need to know: there's often limited price transparency. One salon charges £40 for a Cocker Spaniel groom. Another charges £75 for the "same" service. Same town. Similar credentials. Wildly different prices.
What You'll Learn
- Real average costs by service, breed, and region
- Why London groomers charge 50-80% more (and when it's justified)
- Hidden fees nobody warns you about
- How to spot overcharging
- Smart ways to save without compromising care
What Pet Grooming Actually Costs in the UK (2025)
Dog Grooming Prices
Basic Bath & Dry (no haircut)
- Small dogs (under 10kg - Jack Russell, Chihuahua): £25-£40
- Medium dogs (10-25kg - Cocker Spaniel, Border Terrier): £35-£50
- Large dogs (25-45kg - Labrador, German Shepherd): £45-£70
- Giant breeds (45kg+ - Newfoundland, Irish Wolfhound): £60-£90
Full Groom (bath, dry, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning)
- Small dogs: £35-£60
- Medium dogs: £45-£75
- Large dogs: £60-£100
- Giant breeds: £80-£140
Breed-Specific Grooming
- Cocker Spaniels (clipping): £50-£75
- Border Terriers (hand-stripping): £60-£90 - find hand-stripping specialists
- Poodles/Doodles (full groom): £65-£110 - find Doodle specialists
- Staffordshire Bull Terriers (short coat bath): £30-£45
Add-On Services:
- Nail trimming only: £8-£15
- Teeth cleaning: £10-£20
- De-shedding treatment: £15-£30 extra
- Flea treatment: £12-£25
- Anal gland expression: £10-£18
Cat Grooming Prices
Cats are typically more expensive per hour due to specialised handling:
Full Cat Groom:
- Short-haired breeds (British Shorthair): £40-£65
- Long-haired breeds (Persian, Maine Coon): £55-£95
- Matted coat de-matting: Add £20-£40
Why Cats Cost More:
- Require more patience and specialist handling
- Higher stress levels = longer appointment times
- Fewer groomers trained in cat grooming
- Sedation sometimes needed (arranged through vet, not groomer)
Regional Price Differences
Location dramatically affects grooming costs:
London:
- Small dog full groom: £50-£85
- Medium dog full groom: £65-£110
- Large dog full groom: £80-£140
Why London Costs More:
- Commercial rent 2-3x higher than other regions
- Staff wages higher (London Living Wage)
- Wealthier clientele willing to pay premium prices
- Higher business rates and operating costs
South East (excluding London):
- Small dog: £40-£65
- Medium dog: £50-£80
- Large dog: £65-£105
Midlands:
- Small dog: £35-£55
- Medium dog: £45-£70
- Large dog: £55-£90
North England:
- Small dog: £30-£50
- Medium dog: £40-£65
- Large dog: £50-£80
Scotland & Wales:
- Small dog: £30-£50
- Medium dog: £40-£65
- Large dog: £50-£85
Mobile vs Salon Grooming Costs
Mobile grooming typically costs £10-£15 more but includes: (find mobile groomers in London)
- No travel required
- One-on-one attention for your pet
- No exposure to other animals
- Convenience factor
When mobile is worth the premium:
- Multiple pets (discounts often apply)
- Anxious/reactive dogs
- No car access
- Mobility issues
When salon makes more financial sense:
- Single pet
- Budget-conscious
- Dog enjoys social environment
The Real Annual Grooming Cost by Breed
- High-Maintenance (6-week intervals): Poodles, Doodles, Bichons: £450-£990/year
- Moderate-High (6-8 weeks): Cocker Spaniels, Yorkies, Schnauzers: £320-£560/year
- Moderate (8-12 weeks): Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Cavaliers: £250-£540/year
- Low-Moderate (10-16 weeks): Border Collies, Beagles, Bulldogs: £120-£350/year
- Low-Maintenance (12-20 weeks): Staffies, Greyhounds, Jack Russells: £90-£200/year
Questions to Ask Before Booking
- "What exactly is included in the full groom price?" - Should include: Bath, dry, haircut, nails, ears, anal glands (if needed)
- "Do you charge extra for matting?" - Get their policy in writing
- "What's your cancellation policy?" - Fair policies: 24-48 hours notice required
- "Are you insured and qualified?" - They should have public liability insurance
- "How long will the appointment take?" - Less ideal: "As long as needed" (vague). Better answer: Specific timeframe based on breed
- "Can I see where my dog will be groomed?" - Reputable groomers welcome salon visits
Find Trusted Pet Groomers Near You
Compare prices, read reviews, and book qualified groomers across the UK.
Find Groomers →The Bottom Line
You should expect to pay:
- Small dog, low maintenance (Staffie): £30-£45 per groom, 4-6x yearly = £120-£270 annually
- Medium dog, moderate maintenance (Cocker Spaniel): £50-£75 per groom, 6-8x yearly = £300-£600 annually
- Medium dog, high maintenance (Cockapoo): £65-£95 per groom, 6-9x yearly = £390-£855 annually
- Large dog (Golden Retriever): £55-£90 per groom, 5-7x yearly = £275-£630 annually
In London, add 40-80% to these prices. In Northern England/Wales/Scotland, you might pay 20-30% less.
The key is finding groomers who:
- Are transparent about pricing
- Communicate clearly about your pet's needs
- Don't upsell unnecessary services
- Deliver consistent quality
- Have proper qualifications and insurance
Pet grooming is expensive, but it's not optional. Regular grooming prevents health issues that cost far more to treat. A £60 groom every 8 weeks beats a £500 vet bill for matting-related skin infections.
Shop smart. Compare prices. But never compromise your pet's welfare to save money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog grooming in the UK costs £35-£60 for small dogs, £45-£75 for medium dogs, £60-£100 for large dogs, and £80-£140 for giant breeds. Prices vary by location, with London typically 40-60% higher than Northern England. A basic bath and dry costs less, while full grooms including haircut, nails, and ear cleaning are at the higher end.
Yes, mobile grooming typically costs £10-£15 more per session than salon grooming. However, this includes no travel required, one-on-one attention for your pet, no exposure to other animals, and added convenience. Mobile grooming is worth the premium for anxious dogs, multiple pets (discounts often apply), or owners without car access.
Doodle grooming costs £65-£110 because their coats are high-maintenance with unpredictable genetics. They often have dense undercoats trapped by curly topcoats, making them prone to matting and requiring more time and skill to groom properly. Cockapoos, Labradoodles, and Goldendoodles typically need grooming every 6-8 weeks.
Hand-stripping costs £60-£90 for breeds like Border Terriers, West Highland Terriers, and Schnauzers. It's more expensive than clipping because it's time-intensive skilled work that maintains the wire coat texture properly. Not all groomers offer hand-stripping, so you may need to find a specialist.
Matting surcharges range from £10-£80 depending on severity because dematting takes 2-3x longer, requires specialised tools, and is physically demanding work. Light matting adds £10-£20, moderate matting £20-£40, and severe matting requiring shave-down £40-£80. Regular brushing between grooms prevents these extra charges.
Cat grooming costs £40-£65 for short-haired breeds and £55-£95 for long-haired breeds like Persians and Maine Coons. Cats typically cost more per hour than dogs because they require specialist handling, patience, and longer appointment times. Dematting adds £20-£40 extra.
Grooming frequency depends on breed: high-maintenance breeds (Poodles, Doodles) need grooming every 6 weeks, moderate breeds (Cocker Spaniels, Schnauzers) every 6-8 weeks, and low-maintenance breeds (Staffies, Labradors) every 10-16 weeks. Regular grooming prevents matting surcharges and keeps your dog healthy.
A full dog groom should include bath, blow dry, haircut/trim, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and sanitary trim. Some groomers include anal gland expression, while others charge extra (£10-£18). Always ask what's included before booking to avoid surprise charges.