Cat Grooming Cost Calculator

Professional cat grooming costs vary dramatically by coat type, from $0/year for low-maintenance short-haired breeds to $600-$1,000/year for high-maintenance Persians and Maine Coons. Our Cat Grooming Cost Calculator helps you budget for professional services or DIY grooming supplies based on your cat's specific needs.

Average Professional Grooming Costs by Coat Type

• Short-Haired (Low Maintenance): $0-$110/year (rarely needs professional grooming)
• Short-Haired (High Shedding): $110-$220/year (2 de-shedding treatments)
• Medium-Haired: $260-$390/year (quarterly grooming recommended)
• Long-Haired (Moderate): $450-$600/year (every 2 months)
• Long-Haired (High Maintenance): $680-$1,020/year (every 6-8 weeks)
• Hairless (Sphynx): $720/year (monthly bathing required)

Professional Grooming Services & Prices

Basic Grooming Package ($50-$85):

• Bath with cat-specific shampoo
• Blow dry
• Brushing/de-shedding
• Nail trimming
• Ear cleaning
• Sanitary trim (if needed)

Additional Services (À La Carte):

• Nail Trim Only: $15-$25
• De-Matting: $20-$50 (depending on severity)
• Lion Cut/Shave Down: $80-$120 (for severely matted cats)
• Flea Treatment Bath: $30-$50 extra
• De-Shedding Treatment: $25-$40 extra
• Teeth Brushing: $10-$20

DIY Grooming Cost Breakdown

Initial Tool Investment ($70-$130):

• Slicker Brush: $15-$25
• Metal Comb: $10-$15
• Nail Clippers: $8-$15
• Cat Shampoo: $10-$20
• De-Shedding Tool (Furminator): $20-$40
• Mat Remover/Splitter: $15-$25 (long-haired cats)

Annual Supply Costs:

• Short-Haired: $30-$50/year (minimal supplies)
• Medium-Haired: $60-$100/year (more shampoo, brushes)
• Long-Haired: $100-$180/year (specialized products, frequent replacement)
• Hairless: $150-$250/year (bathing products, wipes, ear cleaner)

Cost Comparison: DIY grooming for a long-haired cat costs ~$100-$200/year vs $680+ for professional grooming = $500-$600/year savings.

Grooming Frequency by Coat Type

Short-Haired Cats (Low Maintenance):

• At-Home Brushing: 1x per week
• Professional Grooming: Rarely needed
• Nail Trimming: Every 3-4 weeks
• Breeds: American Shorthair, Siamese, Russian Blue, Bombay

Short-Haired Cats (High Shedding):

• At-Home Brushing: 2-3x per week (daily during shedding season)
• Professional De-Shedding: 2x per year (spring/fall)
• Breeds: Bengal, Abyssinian, Domestic Shorthair

Medium-Haired Cats:

• At-Home Brushing: 3-4x per week minimum
• Professional Grooming: Quarterly (every 3 months)
• Check for mats: Behind ears, belly, armpits
• Breeds: Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Scottish Fold

Long-Haired Cats (Moderate Maintenance):

• At-Home Brushing: Daily recommended
• Professional Grooming: Every 2 months
• Sanitary trims needed regularly
• Breeds: Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian

Long-Haired Cats (High Maintenance):

• At-Home Brushing: Daily ESSENTIAL (1-2 hours per day for Persians)
• Professional Grooming: Every 6-8 weeks MANDATORY
• Face/eye cleaning: Daily (Persians/Himalayans)
• Breeds: Persian, Himalayan, Maine Coon

Hairless Cats (Special Care):

• Bathing: Weekly (oily skin without fur to absorb oils)
• Ear Cleaning: Daily to every other day
• Nail Trimming: Every 2 weeks (fast-growing)
• Breeds: Sphynx, Peterbald

When Professional Grooming Is Necessary

Some situations require professional grooming regardless of breed:

• Severe Matting: Never try to cut out mats yourself - risk cutting skin. Professional de-matting or shave-down needed.
• Aggressive/Fearful Cats: Professional groomers have restraint techniques and experience
• Elderly/Arthritic Cats: Can't groom themselves properly, need gentle professional help
• Medical Issues: Skin conditions, obesity preventing self-grooming
• Rescue Cats: Often neglected and need initial professional grooming

DIY Grooming: What You Can Do at Home

• Brushing: All coat types - prevents mats, reduces shedding
• Nail Trimming: Easy with proper clippers and technique
• Ear Cleaning: Weekly for hairless breeds, monthly for others
• Teeth Brushing: 2-3x per week prevents dental disease
• Bathing: Short-haired cats rarely need baths; long-haired 2-4x per year

What to Leave to Professionals:

• De-matting (risk of cutting skin)
• Lion cuts/shave downs
• Sanitary trims near sensitive areas
• Aggressive cat handling
• Full grooms for high-maintenance breeds (Persians)

Grooming Cost by Breed (Annual Estimate)

• American Shorthair: $0-$110 (occasional professional de-shedding)
• Siamese: $0-$50 (DIY brushing sufficient)
• Bengal: $110-$220 (2x yearly de-shedding)
• British Shorthair: $200-$400 (quarterly grooming)
• Ragdoll: $260-$520 (quarterly to bi-monthly)
• Maine Coon: $600-$800 (every 6-8 weeks)
• Persian: $680-$1,020 (every 6-8 weeks MANDATORY)
• Sphynx: $720-$900 (monthly bathing)

How to Save Money on Cat Grooming

• Learn DIY Basics: Brushing, nail trimming = $200-$600/year saved
• Brush Daily: Prevents mats = saves $20-$50 per de-matting session
• Mobile Groomers: Often 10-20% cheaper than salons
• Off-Peak Appointments: Weekday mornings may have discounts
• Multi-Pet Discounts: Groom multiple cats same day for 10-15% off
• Buy Quality Tools Once: $100 upfront vs $20 tools that break repeatedly
• Prevent Problems: Regular brushing cheaper than fixing severe mats
• Membership Plans: Some salons offer monthly subscriptions

Warning Signs Your Cat Needs Professional Grooming

• Visible mats or tangles (especially near skin)
• Cat seems uncomfortable when touched in certain areas
• Excessive shedding creating hairballs or digestive issues
• Strong odor even with regular cleaning
• Difficulty moving or grooming themselves
• Skin irritation, flakes, or visible dirt buildup
• Cat stopped grooming themselves (sign of illness or obesity)

Breed Cost Comparison

Compare grooming costs by breed

Cat Adoption Cost Calculator

Calculate total first-year costs

Multi-Cat Household Calculator

Grooming costs for multiple cats