HOW TO HIRE · PETS · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a pet groomer in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A pet bathing in Ireland costs €15–€50 per bath, typically around €30. 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 pet groomer in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers pet groomer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — flea and Tick Treatments — some pet bathing services provide flea and tick treatments as an add-on or included service.
- How does breed of your pet change the price?A long list is cheaper per line than a short one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does condition of their coat change the price?The first visit after a long gap is always the slowest. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does any additional services requested change the price?It is worth getting a second opinion on before you commit. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Ear Cleaning — ear cleaning is often included in pet bathing sessions to prevent infections and discomfort — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a pet 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 pet groomer work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — flea and Tick Treatments — some pet bathing services provide flea and tick treatments as an add-on or included service.
A good answer: A long list is cheaper per line than a short one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The first visit after a long gap is always the slowest. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It is worth getting a second opinion on before you commit. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Ear Cleaning — ear cleaning is often included in pet bathing sessions to prevent infections and discomfort — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a pet 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 — nail Clipping — many pet bathing services also offer nail clipping as part of the package.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the pet groomer starts, and an itemised invoice after — basic Bathing Services — pet bathing typically includes washing your pet with appropriate shampoos and conditioners.
Getting the quote right
- Breed of your pet — a long list is cheaper per line than a short one.
- Condition of their coat — the first visit after a long gap is always the slowest.
- Any additional services requested — it is worth getting a second opinion on before you commit.
- Complexity of the grooming required — it is one of the first things you will be asked about.
- 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: breed of your pet — a long list is cheaper per line than a short one
- They will not talk about it: condition of their coat — the first visit after a long gap is always the slowest
- They will not talk about it: any additional services requested — it is worth getting a second opinion on before you commit
- A price for the pet 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 pet groomer has begun
What a pet groomer costs: €15–€50 per bath
The figures are for the job, per bath, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Basic pet bathing and Grooming package each carry their own band. Pet Bathing 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
Pet 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 firstBreed of your pet — a long list is cheaper per line than a short one — that is what the pet groomer is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneCondition of their coat — the first visit after a long gap is always the slowest — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfAny additional services requested — it is worth getting a second opinion on before you commit — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherComplexity of the grooming required — it is one of the first things you will be asked about — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the pet groomer is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, check that they use pet-safe and hypoallergenic products to prevent skin irritation.
- Basic Bathing Services
- Pet bathing typically includes washing your pet with appropriate shampoos and conditioners.
- Nail Clipping
- Many pet bathing services also offer nail clipping as part of the package.
- Ear Cleaning
- Ear cleaning is often included in pet bathing sessions to prevent infections and discomfort.
- Flea and Tick Treatments
- Some pet bathing services provide flea and tick treatments as an add-on or included service.
- Basic Pet Bathing
- A standard service that includes washing, rinsing, and drying your pet with suitable products.
- Grooming Package
- An all-inclusive service that combines bathing with grooming tasks like brushing and nail trimming.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a pet groomer: questions people ask
The cost of pet bathing can vary based on factors such as the size and breed of your pet, the condition of their coat, and any additional services requested. For instance, larger breeds may require more time and resources, thus increasing the overall cost.
A typical pet bathing session usually lasts between 1 to 2 hours, depending on your pet's size and the services included. More complex grooming needs or larger breeds may take longer.
While pet bathing can often be performed by general pet care professionals, it’s advisable to choose a groomer with experience in handling specific breeds and their unique grooming requirements. However, there are typically no regulated qualifications required for basic bathing.
Many pet bathing services offer emergency or same-day appointments, but availability can vary based on the business. It’s best to contact your local service provider directly to check for immediate openings.
Yes, many pet bathing services allow you to book multiple related services, such as grooming or nail clipping, in one visit. This can often save you time and may even come with a discount.
Pet bathing services usually do not include extensive grooming tasks, such as haircuts or treatments for severe skin conditions. If your pet has specific health issues or requires medical attention, it's advisable to consult a veterinarian.
MORE GUIDES