Dog Grooming Prices in Kent, Explained
Why two groomers can quote £30 and £70 for 'the same groom' — and what you're actually paying for. An honest breakdown from a Herne Bay groomer.
Written by Joanne Taylor — SEG Level 3 accredited dog groomer at The Floof Spa in Herne Bay, Kent.
If you've ever rung round three groomers in Kent and been quoted £30, £50 and £75 for 'a full groom on a Cockapoo', you're not imagining it. The headline numbers hide a lot of decisions — about time, setup, skill, and how many dogs share a room with yours. Here's what actually drives the price.
What a full groom actually includes
A genuine full groom isn't just a haircut. It's an assessment of coat condition, a thorough brush-out, a full wash (sometimes two), a proper blow-dry to prevent matting, nail clipping, ear cleaning, eye tidying, hygiene trim, face tidy, then the style itself. Skip any of these and the price comes down — but so does the quality of what you're bringing home.
Why prices vary so much in Kent
- Dog size and coat type — a Lhasa Apso takes twice the time of a Jack Russell
- Coat condition — matted and neglected coats take longer and need more care
- One-to-one vs conveyor-belt — one dog at a time means fewer bookings per day, which affects pricing
- Mobile vs studio — home visits add fuel and travel time
- Experience and accreditation — SEG Level 3 and City & Guilds trained groomers typically charge more because the handling is better
Guide prices in Herne Bay and surrounding areas
For most groomers in East Kent, expect to pay roughly £30–£50 for a small dog refresh, £40–£60 for a medium full groom, and £55–£85 for a large or heavy-coated dog. Home visits typically add £10–£20. Anything significantly below that range usually means shortcuts somewhere — often in time spent or in experience.
The Floof Spa's pricing
- Full Groom: £40 small · £50 medium · £60 large
- Refresh Groom: £30 small · £40 medium · £50 large
- De-shed: £45 small · £55 medium · £65 large
- Home grooming: +£15 on any package
Hidden extras to ask about
Before you book anywhere, ask three simple questions: 'What's included in that price?', 'Do you charge extra for dematting, and how is that decided?', and 'What happens if my dog needs breaks?'. Honest answers to those three questions tell you more than any price list.
Ready to book?
Message Joanne with your dog's breed, size, and preferred times.