How much does cat grooming cost in the US?

While cats are capable of grooming themselves, there are limits to the kinds of self-care they can perform. For instance, you can’t expect them to trim their own fur or brush their own tiny teeth. But when you employ the services of a professional groomer, all their hygiene-related needs can be attended to.

And if you want to book an expert, it’s important to consider the potential cat grooming cost and budget accordingly. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of the average grooming price for cats, together with various ways to keep expenses low.

What are the average costs of cat grooming in the US?

Cat with calculator and stationery on wooden desk (Source: iStock)

Check out the cat grooming price list below to get a general sense of the service’s cost across the country’s major cities:

*City prices are indicative estimates based on recent Airtasker data and current US regional cat grooming benchmarks. Actual quotes vary.

What factors affect cat grooming rates?

Many components are taken into consideration when calculating the cost of cat grooming. And in this section, we discuss these factors so you can get an idea of how much you’ll have to shell out for the service.

Grooming type and style

Cat receiving a bath as part of grooming care (Source: iStock)

The cost to groom a cat partially depends on the type and style. Full-body clipping and complicated styles like the lion cut can be quite pricey since they’re not as simple as basic brushing, grooming, or bathing.

Coat type and condition

Pet stylists and groomers also factor in coat condition and type when determining how much their service will cost. For instance, short-haired cats like British and Russian Blues can be much easier to groom than Ragdolls and other felines with longer fur, since it affects how difficult it is to manage the cat’s hair and maintain the cat’s fur, leading to lower service costs.

Similarly, it can be more affordable to handle cats with well-maintained hair than those with heavily matted or tangled fur, which require extra time and tools to groom properly.

Cat size

Fluffy orange cat on a lap during grooming (Source: iStock)

How much is cat grooming when you take size into account? Generally, it’s more expensive to groom overweight cats and those from large domestic breeds like Maine Coon since handling them takes more time and involves more fur.

Temperament and handling requirements

Unlike trained cats that know how to behave well during grooming, aggressive, anxious, or uncooperative pets may incur extra charges. This is because handling them takes more effort and may require more manpower.

Additional grooming services

Cat toothbrushing as part of routine grooming care (Source: iStock)

Adding cat care services that are not typically included in basic pet grooming can increase the total amount you have to pay. These may include clipping the cat’s nails, cleaning their ears, trimming the hair between their paw pads, and brushing their teeth.

What are some ways to lower cat grooming prices?

If you’re on a strict budget, here are some measures you can take to keep the cost of cat grooming low:

• Compare rates from different service providers by requesting free quotes.

• Book a cat groomer during a non-peak period, such as outside holidays or on a weekday.

• Opt for a package deal (which may include multiple cats, different services, or even a cat-and-dog grooming combo if you also have a canine companion).

• Keep your feline well-maintained between professional grooming visits to avoid paying for services that cost more.

What should you look for in a professional cat groomer?

Take note of these criteria if you are looking for an expert in cat grooming:

• Experience, skills, and tools: Do they have the right experience, skills, and tools to groom cats similar to yours?

• Handling: Based on your observation, do they know how to handle your cat properly?

• Additional services: Do they offer other services your pet may need, such as cat food feeding or overnight boarding?

• Reputation: How do former customers rate their services?

• Pricing: Do they offer fair and transparent pricing?

• Safety and cleanliness: Is the grooming salon or facility clean and safe?

Unsure how to fix your cat’s bad hair day? Get help meow on Airtasker

Cat fur combing as part of a grooming routine (Source: iStock)

Looking for cat grooming experts in your area? Signing up on Airtasker can make the search as quick as a catnap.

After logging in on the platform, simply post a task with all the important details, including:

• The kind of grooming service your pet needs;

• Your location;

• Your budget; and

• The date you want to schedule the booking.

Once professional cat groomers start responding to your post, you can evaluate their ratings and reviews, ask for free quotes, negotiate prices, and hire the best person for the job. And if you’re in need of related services, such as pet sitting or cat boarding, you can also turn to Airtasker any time.