Best Dog Grooming Services of 2023

Best Dog Grooming Services of 2022 — The Spruce Pets / Design by Amelia Manley

Whether you have a poodle with a custom cut or a long-haired retriever, grooming and bathing are important parts of dog ownership. While not all breeds need a professional haircut, many dog owners will want to know where they can get their best friend a bath or nail trimming.

Are you wondering where to look before you schedule your dog’s next spa day? We’ve rounded up our picks for the best dog grooming services, from well-known companies to mobile bath time units.

Best Dog Grooming Services of 2022

Best Overall: Petsmart
Best Self-Wash Station: Earthwise Pet
Best Mobile Unit: HydroDog
Best Customizable: Petco

Why We Chose It: With experienced groomers and thorough services, Petsmart is a great choice for pet owners in need of a trim or bath for their dog.

What We Like

Separate grooming options for puppies
Services available a la carte
Brand guarantees you will like its grooming services

What We Don’t Like

Express services only available for certain breeds
Some grooming packages overlap

Major pet supplies retailer PetSmart offers quality, in-store grooming services. It features a lengthy menu of grooming packages for your furry friend and doesn’t skimp on extras like paw pad shavings and ear cleanings. While it can be difficult to distinguish some of the packages without a close read, it seems the main factor is whether or not you add on Furminator de-shedding to your service. Otherwise, PetSmart offers most options a la carte if your pet needs something specific done.

PetSmart’s pricing is based on factors like store location as well as your dog’s breed and coat condition, but booking online will provide an estimate for the services you want. Our one real gripe is that faster “express” appointments are only available for certain breeds prone to respiratory issues, rather than any dog for whom the typical visit of two to four hours may be anxiety-triggering. However, senior dogs and other dog breeds with anxiety issues may also be candidates—if needed, try calling ahead to confirm.

Why We Chose It: While Earthwise Pet does have full-service grooming, we like that it also offers self-wash stations where you can pop in as needed to bathe your dog.

What We Like

All supplies and cleanup included in self-washes
All sizes and breeds are accommodated
No harsh chemicals used

What We Don’t Like

Some locations may not offer self-wash
Fewer stores nationally compared to some brands

Earthwise Pet is a national pet products chain that’s a little smaller than big names like Petco and Petsmart, but offers great grooming services nonetheless. Our favorite feature is its self-wash grooming stations, where owners can bathe and pamper their dog whenever they want. The store supplies all the necessary products and will even clean up when you are finished. It’s a great alternative to a traditional grooming appointment (which Earthwise Pet offers as well).

Since services may vary from one location to the next, call ahead before you plan a visit for a self-wash. We also like that Earthwise Pet frequently teams up with local shelters for volunteer-run events, making it a great place to learn about rescues in your area. Earthwise Pet has franchises throughout the U.S.

HydroDog

Why We Chose It: Who says you need to go to a brick-and-mortar shop for great grooming services? HydroDog is a mobile grooming company that will drive right up to your home.

What We Like

Grooming truck will come directly to you
Appointments are easy to request online
Offers washing, grooming, plus flea and tick treatment

We We Don’t Like

Limited locations, but expanding
No a la carte services

Move over, food trucks—dog grooming trucks are pulling in. Mobile groomer HydroDog is a service that will come right to your door to give your furry friend a wash or groom. The grooming package includes a bath, brush, nail clip, and more (even a treat)—the only standalone treatment offered is a flea and tick treatment, no other a la carte options available.

It is easy to request an appointment through the HydroDog website, and we love that it regularly holds “Bathe to Save” events, committed to finding homes for rescue dogs. While HydroDog is still growing and is in the process of expanding its national presence from 18 states, it is a great option that could not be any more convenient.

Petco

Why We Chose It: The leading pet supply store’s grooming services are varied and extensive, whether your pet needs a quick trim or a full-on cleanse.

What We Like

Customized grooming packages
Post-grooming report with after-care recommendations
Simple online booking system

What We Don’t Like

Pricing likely to vary by store
Must call to cancel or change appointment

Petco is best known as a pet supplies retailer, but the brand also offers surprisingly robust grooming services. An appointment for a breed-specific cut is much more than just a trim, with everything from a brush out and blowdry to a nail trim is included as part of the package. Grooming services are also available a la carte, and Petco even features specialty offerings including flea cleanses and solutions to reduce shedding.

Appointments can be booked online, making it easy to plan your pet’s next trip. We also love that all Petco groomers complete a thorough 800-hour course, so you can feel confident your furry friend will be well cared for. Just bear in mind that because Petco is a national chain, pricing may vary significantly from one store to the next—call ahead for an estimate before booking.

Final Verdict

We chose PetSmart as our best overall dog groomer thanks to its wide variety of grooming options, along with some offerings others didn’t include. The fact that the company guarantees you will like how your pet looks or they will adjust their work to your liking is also a huge plus, and the brand has locations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

How Long Does a Dog Grooming Service Take?

Typically, a full-service dog grooming session can take around three to four hours, but it will depend on what services you are getting for your pooch and what size and breed it is. If you’re getting a minor service such as a nail trim or a quick bath, it may not take as long, while a full haircut and style will take much longer.

How Much Does It Cost to Have a Dog Groomed?

The price for dog grooming services varies on the size and breed of your dog, the length of its hair, and where you are located. Based on our research, however, expect to pay upward of $50 for a grooming service. Nail trims and baths could cost closer to $20, while add-ons could bring your total up to $100.

How Often Should I Get My Dog Groomed?

The frequency of your pet’s grooming will depend on whether it has long or short hair and how much effort you can put into grooming maintenance at home. A long-haired dog may need a full grooming service every month, while a short-haired dog could go six months or more. Ask your local groomer how best to maintain your pup’s coat.

To select the best grooming services for dogs, we looked at brands with locations across the country to ensure anything included would be accessible to as many dog owners as possible. From there, we gave top marks to groomers that offer varied services, with brushes and nail trims included in larger packages and some services available a la carte.

The best dog groomers have plenty of options for every grooming need, are convenient to schedule, and offer features that others didn’t—like grooming appointments tailored specifically to puppies.