Are you supposed to tip dog groomers? Or do you tip your dog groomer already? Is it customary to tip a dog groomer? So many questions may come to your mind when you take your dog to a groomer, right?
Worry not! Get all the answers to your questions here in this article. Just keep reading!
What does a dog groomer do?
A dog groomer earns his living by grooming dogs. Basically, dog grooming refers to the process of providing hygienic care and cleaning for a dog. Through this service, a dog’s physical appearance is enhanced. It is necessary for the owners to groom dogs through a professional grooming session. A professional dog groomer ensures the services of the dog being brushed, bathed, and dried, as well as trimmed or clipped with clean, sanitized brushes and clipper blades.
Read also
How Much Should you Tip to Hotel Room Cleaners in 2023
How much to tip your dog groomer?
You may be wondering what the etiquette is surrounding tips and dog groomers if it is the first ever grooming session for your dog. It is quite normal to think that way as a grooming session for your dog might take a 15-minute trim or a 3-hour session where the groomer does everything your dog will need for months to come.
Since dog groomers do a lot of work, 15-20% is considered a standard tip for a dog groomer. If you are thinking of tipping a little more or less than the standard range, that can be okay. However, aim for giving them at least a tip of 15% for simply expressing your gratitude for the “job well done.”
Related
How Much to Tip for Hairdresser and Hair Stylist 2023
When to tip your dog groomer some extra percentage?
There are certain factors based on which you can decide if you have to pay some extra tip to your dog groomer. These factors cannot be exactly the same all the time, however, there will be some sort of similarities among them.
The groomer went some extra miles
It is often seen that dog groomers go above and beyond to make sure a dog gets everything they need, even if they are not paid for it ahead of time. For example, you paid your dog groomer for a standard trim but the groomer gave your dog a brush free on the house after noticing a plaque on the teeth.
In such cases, the groomer definitely deserves some additional tips. If you feel your dog was taken really good care of, offer your groomer an extra 5-10% tip if you can. Just to be sure further, you can also ask the groomer beforehand what extra will be included in the grooming session. This way, you can be sure of exactly what you will be paying for.
Your dog is difficult to manage
Some of us may have one of those dogs who tends to growl and wriggle every single time when a stranger touches them or tries to work with them. And if you know your dog also does that, it is usually ideal that you throw your groomer an additional 5-10% as a tip. Again, just to be sure, you can ask the groomer how your dog behaved. Or, whenever it is time for payment, you can simply ask if your dog was calm during the session or had an uncomfortable feeling.
Your dog is quite big in size or has a unique coat
Say for example you have an Irish Wolfhound. So naturally, it takes a lot longer for a groomer to clean up an Irish Wolfhound than a chihuahua.
However, groomers often don’t change their prices based on the size of the dog, except for some special cases. If you feel you want to make up your groomer’s time for that, consider tipping 20-25%. This tipping percentage can vary in the range if your dog has a unique structure, your dog is especially large, or your dog has a stubborn coat to groom. There are certain breeds with crazy coats, like Pulis, Komondors, and Afghan hounds and those dogs take a lot more time to groom. You can consider adding an additional tipping amount if you are preferring any kind of customized cut for your dog.
read also
Tattoo Tipping Etiquette: How Much Should You Give Your Artist?
Now let’s look into the summarized picture for when you should tip the dog groomer some extra amount:
| Tipping Parameters | Additional Tipping Range |
| The Groomer Went Extra Miles | 5% – 10% |
| The dog is Difficult to Manage | 5% – 10% |
| Trimming Big-Sized Dogs/Dogs with Unique Coat | 20%-25% (or more) |
When you should skip the tip for your dog groomer?
Like the extra tipping factors, there are certain factors as well for which you can skip tipping your dog groomer. These factors can be similar in different situations.
The services were minor and did not require extra efforts
Usually, the average dog grooming session lasts for 2 hours. However, if you just took your dog to the groomer for a quick trim and it took the groomer just 10-15 minutes, don’t bother about the tip. Though a tip of some lumpsum amount like 5% is still appreciated, your groomer will likely understand why you skipped the tip.
Your bill contains the tip
If you see your bill for the dog grooming session contains an amount that seems like a tipping amount, you do not have to worry about tipping extra. Though this is not especially common in the dog grooming business, some salons and grooming boutiques may include a service charge in the overall bill. If you still have any confusion, you can talk to the dog’s groomer about it. And if you find out that some sort of service charge has been included, just skip the tipping!
The groomer just screwed up!
Maybe you asked for a quick and light trim and later you find out they basically shaved your dog. Awful, isn’t it? Or if you find any scratch of the trimmer on the skin of your dog and the dog groomer was downright neglectful, it’s perfectly reasonable to forgo the tip. However, if you find out that the awful service had been a rare case just maybe the groomer is new and having a bad day or is extremely apologetic about the matter, you may still want to tip for their effort. But that is totally up to you!
Let us look at the popular example of PetSmart
Do you tip dog groomers at PetSmart? Many of you do know that PetSmart offers a variety of grooming services for your pets. It is the largest pet retailer in the world with over 1,500 locations across North America. Many customers have asked previously if they have to tip the dog groomers at PetSmart.
So as per many popular query and discussion platforms like QuerySprout, Reddit, etc., it is evident that PetSmart encourages customers to tip their dog groomers even after being the largest pet retailer in the world. And the best part is that they don’t take any percentage of the tip from the groomers and it usually goes directly to the groomer’s pocket. Just to simply encourage its customers to express their gratitude to the groomers, they are allowed to keep the money for themselves solely. These tips really help and encourage the groomers for their job, because otherwise they only get a 40% commission for their service.
read also
How Much To Tip A Handyman?
How much to tip the dog groomer at Christmas or on holidays?
This question is very normal if you want to groom your dog during Christmas or the holiday season. It is generally accepted that if you work with one groomer on a constant basis, you need to give them a tip that equals one session.
However, if you go to a different groomer every time to get your dog groomed, you usually do not have to worry about a holiday tip. There can be an exceptional case only if you have a particular dog groomer whose service is top-notch and you have been sticking to them for years. Only then you can consider giving them a holiday tip equal to a whole grooming session. In that case, if the average session costs $100, consider giving them a $100 tip for the holidays.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to pay an equal cash amount of tip equaling a whole grooming session, you can always get your groomer a holiday gift – that can be a gift card or a bottle of wine – nothing will go unappreciated for sure!
Related
How Much to Tip Tutors for Holidays? Your Tipping Guide is Here!
How much to tip a mobile dog groomer?
A typical range for tipping a mobile dog groomer is between 10-20% of the total cost of the grooming service. When you are making a decision on the amount to tip, it’s important to evaluate the service you received. If the service exceeded your expectations, it may be appropriate to leave a larger tip as a way to show appreciation.
It’s also worth noting that it’s always a good idea to tip in cash, as many mobile groomers are small businesses and may not have the ability to process credit or debit card payments. Additionally, if you’re pleased with the service provided by the mobile groomer, consider leaving a positive review or referring them to friends and family.
How much to tip a dog groomer owner?
Tipping for dog grooming services is not as common as it is for other services such as restaurants or hair salons. However, if you received good service and you’re satisfied with the grooming, you may choose to tip the owner of the dog groomer. When considering a tip for dog grooming services, a general guideline is to tip the same percentage as one would for a restaurant server, typically 15-20%.
However, the final decision on the amount to tip is up to your personal preference and financial situation. If you are unsure about how much to tip, you can always ask the owner or the person who did the grooming for their suggestion.
How much to tip a dog groomer for bath?
Tipping for dog grooming services, such as a bath, is not as common as it is for other services. However, if you received good service and you’re satisfied with the grooming, you may choose to tip the groomer. When determining an appropriate tip for dog bath services, a general guideline is to tip 15-20%.
However, If you are unsure about how much to tip, you can always ask the groomer or the person who did the grooming for their suggestion.
How much to tip a dog groomer for a nail trim?
The appropriate amount to tip a dog groomer for a nail trim is usually 15-20% but not less than 10%. However, it’s important to consider the level of service received and if it met your expectations. Some dog grooming services may include a gratuity or service charge on the bill, so it’s a good idea to check the bill before leaving a tip.
Additionally, it’s always a good idea to ask about the grooming service’s policy on tips, as some businesses may prefer that tips be given in the form of cash rather than added to the bill.
Is it rude not to tip a dog groomer?
It is not considered rude not to tip a dog groomer as it is not a standard practice in the industry. However, if you were particularly satisfied with the service you received and would like to show your appreciation, you may choose to tip the groomer. If you are not satisfied with the service received or if you were not pleased with the overall experience, it is not necessary to tip.
read also
How Much Should You Tip A Housecleaner? Learn Today!
To Conclude
So now you know that deciding on how much to tip your dog groomer depends on some factors and you have to act wisely on this. You should always consider a standard range of tipping that is required for every different service that your dog groomer provides to you. Remember, it’s always appreciated to wholeheartedly acknowledge the effort of your dog groomer if he or she goes above and beyond!
