HOW TO HIRE · PETS · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a cat groomer in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A cat grooming in Ireland costs €35–€90 per groom, typically around €55. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a cat groomer in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers cat groomer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — post-Grooming Care — after grooming, groomers may provide advice on maintaining your cat's coat and skin health at home.
- How does cat's breed change the price?It is one of the first things you will be asked about. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does coat condition change the price?Damage found on the day adds time that was not in the quote. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does specific services required change the price?What you pick at the start sets most of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Typically, grooming does not include veterinary care or treatments for medical conditions — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a cat groomer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO LICENCE OR REGISTER APPLIES TO DOG WALKERS, PET SITTERS OR GROOMERS IN IRELAND. Anyone may trade as one. The protection is insurance and what is written down — and the insurance that matters is not the obvious one.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL cover, not just public liability — public liability pays if your dog bites a stranger; care, custody and control is what pays if your dog is injured, lost or killed while in their charge, and plenty of walkers carry only the first; How many dogs are walked at once, and whether yours is walked with strangers' dogs; Whether they are insured to drive your dog in their vehicle, and how it is secured; What happens if your dog is hurt or runs — the plan, and which vet; Keys: who holds one, how it is returned, what happens if it is lost, in writing; Two references from current clients, called not read.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect care, custody and control cover as well as public liability. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers cat groomer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — post-Grooming Care — after grooming, groomers may provide advice on maintaining your cat's coat and skin health at home.
A good answer: It is one of the first things you will be asked about. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Damage found on the day adds time that was not in the quote. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: What you pick at the start sets most of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Typically, grooming does not include veterinary care or treatments for medical conditions — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a cat groomer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect care, custody and control cover as well as public liability — health and Hygiene Checks — during grooming sessions, professionals often check for parasites, skin conditions, or dental issues.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the cat groomer starts, and an itemised invoice after — specialised Grooming Techniques — some cats may require specialised grooming, such as lion cuts or hypoallergenic shampoos for sensitive skin.
Getting the quote right
- Cat's breed — it is one of the first things you will be asked about.
- Coat condition — damage found on the day adds time that was not in the quote.
- Specific services required — what you pick at the start sets most of the price.
- Specialised Grooming Techniques — fine work is checked more often, and checking takes time.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: cat's breed — it is one of the first things you will be asked about
- They will not talk about it: coat condition — damage found on the day adds time that was not in the quote
- They will not talk about it: specific services required — what you pick at the start sets most of the price
- A price for the cat groomer before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the cat groomer has begun
What a cat groomer costs: €35–€90 per groom
The figures are for the job, per groom, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Full grooming service and Bathing and drying each carry their own band. Cat Grooming price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Cat groomers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstCat's breed — it is one of the first things you will be asked about — that is what the cat groomer is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneCoat condition — damage found on the day adds time that was not in the quote — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfSpecific services required — what you pick at the start sets most of the price — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherSpecialised Grooming Techniques — fine work is checked more often, and checking takes time — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the cat groomer is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, look for professionals who use cat-safe products to avoid allergic reactions.
- Basic Grooming Services
- Cat grooming typically includes bathing, brushing, and nail trimming.
- specialised Grooming Techniques
- Some cats may require specialised grooming, such as lion cuts or hypoallergenic shampoos for sensitive skin.
- Health and Hygiene Checks
- During grooming sessions, professionals often check for parasites, skin conditions, or dental issues.
- Post-Grooming Care
- After grooming, groomers may provide advice on maintaining your cat's coat and skin health at home.
- Bathing and Drying
- This service focuses on washing your cat using appropriate shampoos, followed by thorough drying to maintain coat health.
- Nail Trimming
- Nail trimming involves safely cutting your cat's nails to prevent overgrowth and potential injury.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a cat groomer: questions people ask
The cost of cat grooming can vary based on factors such as the cat's breed, coat condition, and the specific services required. Specialty grooming for long-haired breeds or those needing extra care will generally cost more.
A typical cat grooming session lasts between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the services included and the cat's temperament. Cats that are more anxious may require additional time for calming.
While basic grooming can be performed by general pet groomers, specialists may be beneficial for cats with specific needs, such as those with matted fur or skin sensitivities. It's important to choose a groomer experienced with cats.
Many grooming services offer emergency or same-day appointments, but availability can vary. It's best to call ahead to check if immediate assistance is possible, especially during busy times.
Yes, many groomers allow you to book multiple services during one appointment, such as grooming and nail trimming. This can save you time and may even reduce overall costs.
Typically, grooming does not include veterinary care or treatments for medical conditions. Services like vaccinations, flea treatments, or dental cleanings are usually outside the scope of standard grooming.
MORE GUIDES