— TRANSPARENT PRICING —
Grooming Fees Explained
Most grooming businesses bury their additional fees in fine print, mention them for the first time at checkout, or do not explain them at all. We do not operate that way.
This page exists because transparency is part of how we do business. Every fee listed here reflects real time, real labor, and real care that goes into keeping your pet safe and comfortable during their appointment. None of them are arbitrary. None of them are surprises.
Every pet is assessed at the start of their appointment. If any additional fee applies, your groomer will communicate it clearly before the service begins. You will never receive an invoice that does not match what was discussed.
OUR COMMITMENT: No additional fee is ever applied without explanation. If your groomer identifies a condition that affects pricing, you will be informed as soon as it is identified during the appointment.
HOW IT WORKS
How Our Base Pricing Works
Our starting prices are breed-based and reflect a standard appointment for a pet with a well-maintained coat, cooperative behavior, and no additional service needs. The final price can differ from the starting price when conditions require additional time, specialized products, or extra handling.
The following factors influence final pricing:
- Coat condition at the time of the appointment
- Time required to complete the service safely
- Behavior and handling needs specific to your pet
- Any additional services or treatments requested
- Breed, size, and coat density
This is standard practice across professional grooming services. The difference is that we explain every charge, standbehind our pricing, and never cut corners on the care your pet receives.
QUICK REFERENCE
Additional Fee Summary
The table below is a quick reference for all additional fees. Each fee is explained in full detail in the sections that follow.
FEE TYPE RATE WHEN IT APPLIES
Dematting
$35.00 for first 30 min, then $1.50/min
Applied after the service is completed based on the time required.
Shave-Down
Starting at $20.00
Applied when severe matting makes dematting unsafe or inhumane.
Special Handling Fee
Starting at $10.00
Assessed during the appointment based on what the pet needs that day.
Flea & Tick Treatment
Starting at $15.00
Specialized shampoo used automatically when fleas or ticks are found.
Hand Scissoring
Starting at $50.00
Ideal for clients who prefer a longer, natural-looking coat finished entirely by hand scissoring.
IMPORTANT
All fees in this table are assessed at the start of or during the appointment based on your pet’s individual condition that day. They are always communicated before being applied.
MATTING & DEMATTING
Matting and Dematting Fees
Matting occurs when a pet’s coat becomes tangled to the point where brushing alone cannot resolve it. Severe matting is not just a grooming inconvenience. It pulls on the skin, restricts circulation, traps moisture, and often hides underlying skin conditions including hot spots, sores, and infections. Addressing matting properly takes time, skill, and patience.
Dematting Fee Structure
SERVICE RATE
First 30 minutes
of dematting
$35.00
Each additional minute
beyond 30
$1.50
per minute
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Dematting and shave down fees are not charged together. If a pet cannot be safely dematted, a shave down is performed instead, and the fee applies in place of the dematting fee. These fees may apply even if the full grooming service cannot be completed, reflecting the time and labor already invested.
Shave-Down Fee is starting at $20.00
In cases where matting is too severe to safely dematt, a shave down is the only humane option. Attempting to force out severe mats causes pain, skin trauma, and stress to the pet. A shave down removes the mat entirely, allows the skin to breathe, and sets the coat up to grow back healthier and more evenly.
This fee applies when severe matting requires this service. Clients with severely matted pets will be asked to sign a Matted Pet Release Form prior to service.
How to Prevent Matting
- Brush and comb all the way to the skin, not just across the surface of the coat
- Focus on friction zones including the chest, belly, armpits, behind the ears, and around the collar
- Never bathe a matted or tangled pet. Water tightens mats and makes them significantly harder to remove
- Use pet-specific brushes and combs suited to your dog’s coat type
- Maintain a grooming schedule of every 4 to 6 weeks to prevent buildup
PRO TIP
Professional brushes and combs for your pet’s specific coat type are available at exclusivepetcares.com. Ask your groomer for a personalized recommendation at your next appointment.
BEHAVIOR AND HANDLING FEES
Behavioral Support & Handling Fees
Not every pet tolerates grooming the same way, and that is completely normal. Anxiety, nervousness, and resistance during grooming are common, especially in younger dogs, rescue animals, or pets who have had difficult grooming experiences in the past.
Our team is trained to handle anxious and reactive pets with patience, calm techniques, and breaks when needed. Mobile grooming itself naturally reduces stress because there is no salon noise, no other animals, and no waiting.
However, some pets require significantly more time, additional support, or modified techniques to complete the groom safely.
When a pet’s behavior requires meaningfully more time or care than a standard appointment, a handling fee applies.
This fee reflects:
- Additional time needed to work at the pet’s pace
- Extra breaks required for the pet’s comfort and safety
- Modified grooming techniques to reduce stress
- Situations where a second team member is needed for safety
The handling fee is assessed during the appointment based on what the pet actually needs that day, and it is always communicated at the end of the service. It is not a penalty. It is an honest reflection of the additional care your pet received.
NOTE
If your pet has known anxiety or behavioral challenges, please let us know when booking. This allows us to schedule additional time, prepare our approach, and ensure the most comfortable experience possible for your pet.
PUPPY APPOINTMENTS
Puppy Appointments
A puppy’s first few grooming experiences shape how they feel about grooming for the rest of their life. We take that responsibility seriously. Puppy appointments require more time, more patience, and a gentler approach than a standard adult groom because we are not just grooming the dog. We are teaching them that grooming is safe.
Puppy Pricing Eligibility
Puppy pricing is available depending on the size of your pet and the amount of coat work involved. Your groomer will assess at the time of the appointment.
What Makes Puppy Appointments Different
• Puppies require frequent reassurance and comfort breaks throughout the appointment
• Introductions to tools like clippers, dryers, and scissors are done gradually to avoid fear responses
• The pace is slower by design, never rushed
• The goal is a positive experience first and a clean, groomed coat second
FLEA & TICK
Flea and Tick Fees
The health and safety of every pet we service is non-negotiable. Because our groomers work with multiple pets every day in the same mobile unit, we have strict policies around flea and tick discovery to protect all animals in our care.
When a Small Number of Fleas or Ticks Are Found
If a small number of fleas or one to two ticks are discovered at the start of the appointment, a specialized flea and tick treatment shampoo is used automatically in place of the standard bath. A product fee applies for this service. The treatment shampoo helps eliminate parasites, soothes irritated skin, and provides ongoing protection.
When an Active Infestation Is Found
If a pet arrives with a full flea or tick infestation, the grooming service will not be performed. Bathing an infested pet inside the mobile unit creates a risk of contamination that could affect every other pet serviced that day. We will discuss alternative options and next steps with you directly.
RECOMMENDATION
If you suspect your pet may have fleas or ticks before their appointment, please contact us in advance so we can advise you on the best course of action before the groomer arrives.
SPECIALTY COAT FEES
Specialty Coat Fees
Certain coat types require additional time, specialized techniques, or specific handling that goes beyond a standard groom. When a pet’s coat falls into one of these categories, additional time and a corresponding fee may apply.
Please note that for breeds whose coat type routinely requires these additional services, the specialty coat fee is already incorporated into the breed’s starting price. Additional charges generally apply only when the coat condition, density, length, or maintenance needs exceed what is typical for the breed.
- Double-Coated Breeds
Breeds with a double coat, including Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Pomeranians, and similar breeds, have a dense undercoat beneath the outer guard coat. Properly managing a double coat requires additional brushing, deshedding work, and drying time. Shaving a double-coated breed is strongly discouraged and goes against professional grooming best practices. We will always advise against it and require a signed release if the client chooses to proceed.
- Wire and Wiry Coat Breeds
Wiry or wire-coated breeds such as certain Terriers and some Doodle coat variations have a texture that requires specific techniques and additional time to manage properly. These coats can be prone to matting, tangling, and buildup at the skin level if not maintained consistently.
- Unusually Dense or Long Coats
Pets with exceptionally dense or long coats beyond what is standard for their breed may require additional drying time, additional brushing, or extended finishing work. This is assessed at the start of the appointment and communicated before service begins.
THE PROCESS
How Additional Fees Are Handled
No additional fee is ever applied without explanation. Every charge is communicated as soon as it is identified during the appointment.
1
Your groomer assesses your pet at the start of every appointment
Coat condition, behavior, and any visible issues are noted before service begins.
2
If any condition is found that affects pricing, the groomer contacts you
You will be informed as soon as the condition is identified – not after the fact.
3
The fee and the reason are explained clearly
You are given the opportunity to ask questions or discuss the situation before the service continues.
4
We donot add fees to an invoice without explanation
If you ever receive a charge you do not understand contact us directly and we will walk through it with you line by line.
QUESTIONS?
Call or text us at (786) 202-0404 or email exclusivepetgrooming@gmail.com. We are happyto walk through any fee before, during, or after your appointment.
Ready to Book?
Now that you know exactly how our pricing works, there are no surprises waiting for you. Book your appointment online or give us a call and we will find the right service for your pet.
Or call or text us directly at (786) 202-0404