If You've Ever Wondered Why The Groomer Costs More Than The Hairdresser, This Sign Should Explain Everything
Dog grooming can get expensive fast, especially when a breed needs regular baths, trims, and coat maintenance just to stay comfortable. For some pet owners, the bill is a small surprise, for others, it is a recurring expense that feels a lot bigger than a quick haircut.
That is exactly why one grooming shop's sign caught so much attention. It lays out, in a funny and blunt way, why a dog groomer can cost more than a hairdresser, and the internet had plenty to say about it.
The comparison is ridiculous, but the reasons behind it are hard to ignore.
And the top ten reasons your dog groomer costs more than your hairdresser:
# 10: Your hairdresser doesn’t wash and clean your rear end. Often, your haircut will come with a shampoo and even a head massage too, if you’re lucky. However, all pet grooming involves a full shampoo, trim, and a butt clean—something that might be slightly awkward if your hairdresser attempted to do the same during your appointment.
# 9. You don’t go eight weeks without washing or brushing your hair. Your average human will wash and brush their hair regularly, keeping it neat, clean, and smelling good. This is not the case with most pets, although most cats do a great job. Dogs, however, can show up to the salon with a matted, tangled mess of muddy fur, which can take quite a long time to sort out.
# 8. Your hairdresser doesn’t give you a sanitary trim. Hairdressers work on a small and localized area, sticking exclusively to the head. Your pubes are your problem. If your hairdresser had to head down to your delicate areas, scissors in hand, they’d probably ask for a little more compensation too.
# 7. Your hairdresser doesn’t clean your ears. Again, this is your job; we have the tools and the ability to do it ourselves. But for our pets, ear cleaning is a very important service that requires patience and training, hence the small fee increase.
# 6. Your hairdresser doesn’t remove the boogers from your eyes. Many breeds of dog have overactive tear ducts that cause mucus to build up, leading to discomfort and risking infection. This gunk can often be pretty oozy and gross, but pet groomers are more than happy to help your pup and take care of it for them.
# 5. You sit still for your hairdresser. Imagine if, instead of sitting obediently in your swivel chair, moving your head when prompted and serving up interesting conversation points, you went to the hairdresser and refused to sit still, wriggling about all over the salon and needing to be physically restrained? Welcome to the world of the pet groomer, where getting the subject to sit still is half the battle.
# 4. Your haircut doesn’t include a manicure or pedicure. We go to a different salon and pay a separate fee to look after our nails on hands and feet. However, there are no dedicated dog ‘pawicurists;’ your pet groomer does it all.
# 3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head. Again, pits, pubes, chest, toe, and nipple hair are out-of-bounds for your hairdresser; what you do with them is your own business. Not for the pet groomer, who must deal with various growths and sproutings all over your dear pet’s body.
# 2. You don’t bite or scratch your hairdresser. If you did decide to go in for a nibble on your hairdresser while they are at work, you’d quickly find yourself on the sex offender’s register. For pet groomers, however, this is a common occurrence and one of the hazards of the job. A bit of extra ‘danger’ money to take these risks into consideration is more than understandable, if you ask me.
# 1. The likelihood of you pooping on your hairdresser is pretty slim. Your hairdresser assumes that most of their clients would politely excuse themselves if nature were to come calling. Being interrupted on the job may be slightly annoying, particularly if you have a tight schedule to adhere to, but it’s nothing compared to trying to work in close contact with a poopy-pants.
And the SIGN!
So why did Copenhagen-based groomer, Laura Gedgaudaite, post her sign? In an interview with Bored Panda, she said:
People often believe I spend most of my day cuddling with fluffy puppies, but that’s not true. Some dog breeds have naturally long hair that grows non-stop, so it’s necessary to shampoo, brush, cut, and trim their coats. The owners should brush these long-haired dogs daily, but they don’t always do that!
It takes a lot of energy to handle a dog if it’s not calm, especially if it’s a larger breed. But if they are aggressive or bite, I usually choose not to groom them, and they have to go home. You have to be a strong person mentally to do this job because the dogs can feel if you are afraid or angry; they sense the adrenaline in your body and respond to it. So eventually, you learn how to trust yourself more.
I’m happiest when I do a nice job making them look super cute, clean, and fresh again. And if they are matted, it’s gratifying to help them be free of that because it irritates their poor skin. And, of course, I enjoy the owners’ reaction when they see their dog all trimmed and beautiful, and when they appreciate the job I do.
The sign did not exactly leave much room for debate.
The Internet responded... as expected.
With a dash or splash of sarcasm.
...AND HORROR STORIES.
Can we just find this hairdresser and apologize? Please?
Tales of chit-chat.
Naturally, some people added to the conversation with important details about the differences between hairdressers and groomers.
This is the same kind of power move as the fed-up groomer who told a client to book their dog’s next appointment, then refused to remind them.
Silent onlookers had their long-awaited questions answered.
Skill, people! SKILL.
Support your local groomers.
Still having nightmares? You're not alone.
Suddenly, you see the light?
Proper dog grooming is definitely not a DIY situation.
Pissed off, then pissed on.
The struggle. The costs. You decide which is more worth it.
Um, petition to have my hairdresser give me a jaunty bow or bandana??
Relatable Content.
Animals are not humans, as much as you fur-mommies and fur-daddies might be inclined to disagree.
Spa Day!!
Accurate but funny.
By far the best comment came from the hairdresser who does not mind charging less for the difference in work obstacles.
Still not convinced? See how “unrecognizable after a grooming session” turned into a full-on transformation show in 50 Times Pets Were Unrecognizable After A Grooming Session.
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