With the cost of living increasing, it’s no surprise that some dog owners are opting against professional services and grooming their pets themselves instead.
Racking up over 3 million views, a TikTok video posted by Nikki (@nikki_ils) says that she doesn’t “want to pay $200” on a trip to the groomers with her goldendoodle. But it isn’t long before she realizes it’s not as easy as she thought.
Ten minutes into the job, and without even a leg removed of hair, Nikki realized she needed new tools, so she purchased another clipper costing almost $150. They seemed to be worth every cent as she continued to film, shaving her dog with ease.
She explains in the caption that she “made a huge mess and spent $135 but still saved money on dog grooming.”
According to The Academy of Pet Careers website, the cost of dog grooming—including bathing, brushing, ear cleaning, and nail trimming—can range from $30 to $90 per session. The prices may vary based on factors such as the dog’s size, breed, and your location.
But this is just one of many costs that come with being a dog owner. According to dog-care website Rover, owners spend between $870 and $4,565 per year on their furry friend.
This includes basic vet care, food, essential accessories like a leash and collar, cleaning supplies, and more. Rover, an online marketplace that connects pet owners with pet sitters, dog walkers, recommended grooming at home to save money, but not all TikTok users were convinced.
“This is the reason groomers are slightly expensive sometimes, because it’s a skill,” said one user. Another added, “You should’ve paid the $200.”
A third commenter disagrees: “I’m no professional, but I think you kinda nailed it.” A fourth shared another money-saving hack, saying, “When bathing dogs, you typically want to dilute the shampoo and conditioner 🙂 This will also save on $. This looks great for a first try (way better than my first try).”
A stock image of a groomer trimming the coat of a dog. An owner has shared her dog’s transformation after giving him his first grooming session.
Photology1971/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Newsweek previously spoke to Lindsey Warren, a professional groomer at U.K.-based mobile grooming service Lush Puppy, who said that grooming at home still requires basic knowledge of dog behavior and handling.
“One of the common complications in my experience has been pet owners who nervously attempt to cut their dogs nails and end up cutting the nerve which runs through the center of the nail,” she explained. “This results in the dogs being very fearful of having their feet and nails touched.”
Newsweek reached out to @nikki_ils for comment. We could not verify the details of the video.
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