Owning a pet requires a lot more care and effort than you might think, and grooming is a massive part of it all. As the recent pandemic suggests, matted fur doesn’t make for a good look and may even require a complete shave. If you’re eager to stay on top of your pet’s care, though, you must have been considering PetSmart. Today, you’ll learn more about its services and how high or low PetSmart grooming prices truly are.

Why Is PetSmart Appealing to Pet Owners?

The single most important thing about grooming your pets is finding a reliable service that is backed by a trustworthy company. With PetSmart, that may actually be possible since the company’s history spans over 30 years now.

Back in 1980, the man behind PetSmart, Jim Dougherty, saw an opportunity and took it without any second thoughts. He established the PetFood Supermart in Las Vegas, which soon grew into an enterprise, with more stores to follow.

The two main cities PetSmart operated in were Las Vegas and Phoenix, as these had a huge dog population. That fact danced around in Dougherty’s mind until he decided it was time to start his own business, having already proven his entrepreneurship by growing PetFood Supermart into a major establishment.

That’s how PetFood Warehouse stores were opened in 1987, the first ones in the pet (and even retail) industry to welcome both animals and their owners. However, that wasn’t the only feature to set it apart from the competition. PetFood Warehouse also offered pet adoptions.

In a nutshell, the store featured both grocery-store and specialty pet food brands, as well as various accessories and other pet-related products. It was supposed to be the be-all and end-all for pet owners, as they could find everything under one roof.

PetSmart Today

Was PetSmart successful? Of course. It had a few hiccups to overcome along the way, though.

For one, the name had to change in 1989 as Warehouse didn’t sound very reliable to developers, and finding new locations was becoming a problem. Thus, after conducting a contest, the new name was picked. That allowed the company to move further in the industry and become a leader it still is today.

Now, PetSmart (previously PETsMART; the company rebranded itself in 2005) is synonymous with everything you may need for your pet, including grooming and veterinary services, doggie daycare camps, training, and more. With more than a thousand stores all across the US, the company has made its presence known and is certainly only to grow even more through the years.

The Range of PetSmart Grooming Prices and Services

You don’t stay in the pet industry without proving your value, time and time again. That’s exactly what PetSmart has done, not only with the quality of its services but its range as well.

However, in terms of its grooming services, it’s rather easy to see that PetSmart prefers to keep things simple. Unlike some other establishments, it doesn’t offer a vast range of upgrades or combo deals.

Still, it has everything your dog or cat may need, including Bath & Full Haircut and Bath & Brush (with or without using FURminator®). These are the all-inclusive services available for both cats and dogs that cover a range of options (not only trims and baths), such as ear cleaning, nail trimming, anal gland cleaning, and more. Pricing varies, of course, depending on the breed.

In addition, puppies and kittens get their own services — Bath & Trim and Bath & Brush. These cover most of the things adult dogs and cats may enjoy, too, as well as some TLC to help the little ones familiarize themselves with grooming.

Other Grooming Services

Finally, PetSmart has standalone and combo services as well:

• PAWdicure and PAWdicure Plus (nail trimming and ear cleaning; the Plus also offers teeth brushing and breath freshener)
• Nail Trim and Nail Grind (trimming prevents splitting and splaying, whereas grinding keeps the edges smooth)
• Anal Gland Expression (preventative measure to avoid anal gland irritation)
• Teeth Brushing and Breath Freshener (plaque removal and other oral hygiene services)
• Nail Trimming and Ear Flushing (combo service for clean ears and trimmed nails)
• Ear Flushing or Ear Cleaning (reduces buildup and prevents any potential infections)
• Sanitary Trim (trimming of the fur in the genital area)
• Flea and Tick Services (FRONTLINE® Plus solution & application)

PetSmart Grooming Prices — Starting Costs:

Keep in mind that PetSmart grooming prices depend on the breed, age, and size of your pet. The bath and haircut prices indicated above are for the smallest breeds, such as the Chihuahua and the Siamese, at one of PetSmart’s Las Vegas locations.

The younger the animals are, the lower the price will be since there won’t be much work to do. Similarly, a larger dog may require extensive grooming, which will drive up the costs.

Price Analysis

Although PetSmart grooming prices are easy to understand and rather reasonable at first glance, it’s best to analyze them and compare them to the averages.

As it stands, the average full grooming package for dogs is $40 for smaller breeds and $75 for larger ones. This puts PetSmart in the mid-high pricing spectrum, as its small breed full package starts at $31. The pricing increases as more labor is required.

Some of its other services are equal to or more affordable compared to the average prices. For instance, nail trimming costs, on average, $10, which is the same amount PetSmart would charge you.

Furthermore, teeth brushing costs $10 on average, which is just one dollar less than what PetSmart offers — and you get a mint freshener too! A breath refresh may cost you $10 alone, so the PetSmart service is truly a bargain. Plus, ear cleaning is actually a dollar cheaper at PetSmart, as it can cost $10 on average in the US.

But there are some upticks in PetSmart grooming prices you cannot ignore. Their flea and tick services, for instance, start at a whopping $22, when on average, these treatments cost $15. The gland expression service is also $2 more than the average, coming in at $12 at PetSmart.

Is PetSmart Expensive or Not?

So is PetSmart affordable at all? In the end, it depends on the breed, size, and weight of your dog, as well as which services are indispensable to you. PetSmart is obviously trying to appeal to a large audience. Thus, apart from its flea and tick services, there isn’t much difference in the prices.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, PetSmart grooming prices are not too high or too low, which may even make them the best of both worlds. Of course, you may want to save up on your dog’s grooming, but expert trims are a real necessity for the furrier breeds.

On top of that, PetSmart offers a range of other rather useful services, which makes it a one-stop shop for pet owners all across the US. A reliable brand with a long history of quality and expertise — it’s safe to say your furry babies will be in the right hands!