Bringing your pet to get groomed can be a stressful experience. You want your furry friend to look their best, but you also want them to be comfortable and happy throughout the grooming process. At the end of the appointment, you’re typically handed a bill and have to decide: should you tip the PetSmart groomer?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: tipping groomers at PetSmart is optional but appreciated. Most PetSmart groomers work for hourly wages without commission, so tips are not expected but go a long way toward showing your appreciation.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at tipping etiquette for PetSmart groomers. We’ll cover whether tipping is required or expected, how much you should tip, alternative ways to show your gratitude, and tips for making sure your groomer gets 100% of the tip.
Are Tips Required or Expected at PetSmart?
PetSmart Groomers Are Hourly Employees
PetSmart groomers are hourly employees who receive a regular wage and benefits from the company. They do not rely on tips as part of their compensation in the same way that service industry workers like waiters and hairstylists do.
Tips Are Not Required but Are Appreciated
While tips are not required or formally expected, PetSmart groomers certainly appreciate receiving them. Tips are essentially a bonus on top of their hourly wage that allows the groomer to feel that their excellent service is being recognized.
According to discussion forums like Reddit, many PetSmart customers do choose to tip their groomer, especially if they are repeat customers of a groomer that they like.
Average Tip Amounts for Pet Groomers
If you do decide to tip your PetSmart groomer, you may be wondering what the standard amount is. According to Rover, the average tip for pet groomers is:
- 10-20% of the total grooming bill for exceptional service
- 15% of the total bill for standard, good service
- $5-10 extra for things like cancelation charges, add-on services not in original quote, etc.
Of course, how much you tip is ultimately your personal decision and will depend on factors like your level of satisfaction, your budget, and more. But those percentages should give you a reasonable starting benchmark.
| Tip Amount | When to Tip This Amount |
| 10-20% of total bill | You received exceptional service that went above and beyond |
| 15% of total bill | You received good, standard service |
| $5-10 | You incurred add-on fees like cancellation or late charges |
As you can see, tipping follows common standards based on your satisfaction level and bill total. So feel free use those percentages to guide your tip amount the next time your PetSmart groomer provides great service.
Should You Tip Your PetSmart Groomer?
Deciding whether to tip your PetSmart groomer can be a tricky question. While tipping is customary for some personal services, policies and norms vary by business. Looking at some of the reasons for and against tipping PetSmart groomers can help make an informed decision.
Reasons to Tip Your Groomer
Groomers typically earn low wages and rely on tips as part of their income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for animal groomers, including PetSmart, is under $30,000 per year. Tips help make up the difference for these important pet care service providers.Showing appreciation for good service is another key reason many people like to tip their groomers. If you feel your PetSmart groomer did an exceptional job making your pet look and smell wonderful, a tip is a great way to say thanks.
Some PetSmart locations may expect or encourage tipping, even though corporate policy neither requires nor prevents tipping. Some grooming salons keep tip jars at the front desk. Chat with your local groomer to understand expectations and norms in your area.
Reasons You May Choose Not to Tip
On the other hand, there are understandable reasons why some pet owners opt not to tip PetSmart groomers, including:
- PetSmart prices are already higher than independent groomers, so some feel the cost of service already factors in fair pay for the groomer.
- Tipping culture creates awkward social pressure – Consumers may feel guilted into tipping even for poor service.
- As a major nationwide retailer, PetSmart arguably has a greater ability than small businesses to pay fair wages to reduce reliance on tips.
At the end of the day, whether and how much to tip your PetSmart groomer comes down to your discretion, budget, and feelings about tipping culture. If you decide to tip, 10-25% of the grooming service price is fairly typical.
And be sure to tip in cash placed directly in the staff member’s hands rather than leaving money with a front desk clerk.
Tipping Etiquette and Best Practices
Cash Tips Get Passed Directly to the Groomer
When tipping your pet groomer at PetSmart, it’s best to provide a cash tip rather than adding it to a credit card payment. Cash tips go directly to the groomer who serviced your pet, whereas credit card tips get pooled and distributed among all the groomers.
Handing the groomer a cash tip is the best way to show your appreciation for their work.
Some pet parents worry that cash tips may not make it to the groomer if handed to front desk staff. To ensure your cash tip gets to the right person, wait until the end of the grooming appointment when you pick up your pet. Hand the cash tip directly to your groomer and say thank you.
This is the most foolproof method.
Write the Groomer’s Name on the Envelope
If you prefer to leave a cash tip at the front desk, write the groomer’s name on the outside of the sealed envelope. Explain that the tip is for that specific person. This helps ensure the cash makes it to the correct groomer who cared for your pet that day.
Leaving an unspecified cash tip with front desk staff does risk the tip being pooled rather than given to your groomer. Writing their name on the envelope safeguards against that. Pet parents can also ask front desk staff to please hand the marked tip to the groomer directly.
Tip at the End of the Appointment
Regardless of whether you give a cash tip directly or leave it at the front desk, it’s best to tip at the end of your grooming appointment. This allows you to base the tip amount on how satisfied you are with the service once you see your freshly groomed pet.
If you add a tip when booking the appointment online or over the phone, you won’t be able to adjust the amount based on the quality of service. You’re locked into whatever amount you pre-authorized. Wait until the end when you can factor the groomer’s skills, your pet’s behavior that day, and the finished grooming job into your tip amount.
Tipping your PetSmart groomer is optional but a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work. With proper timing and delivery, you can ensure your cash gratuity gets directly to the person providing care for your pet.
Showing Appreciation Beyond Tipping
Leave Positive Online Reviews
Leaving positive online reviews is a great way to show your gratitude to pet groomers without having to spend any money. Sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and Facebook are commonly used platforms where you can write about your recent grooming experience.
Detail what a phenomenal job the groomer did on your pet and how they went above and beyond to ensure your furry friend was comfortable and looked fabulous. Reviews don’t take much time to write but can make a big difference for small businesses relying on word-of-mouth marketing.
According to a BrightLocal consumer survey, over 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. So your feedback will likely lead to new appointments for the grooming salon.
Bring Treats or Write a Thank You Note
Another thoughtful gesture is to bake some homemade treats or goodies for the grooming team, write them a thank you card, or get them a small gift. You could make bags of cookies or muffins and attach a note expressing your gratitude for how well they treated your pet.
Or pick up a greeting card and jot down a personalized message about what an amazing job they did styling your pup. Little acts of kindness like this will surely brighten their day. According to Rover’s Holiday Pet Parent Gift Giving Guide, 53% of pet industry professionals say that baked goods are one of their favorite client gifts.
Give Holiday Gifts
Giving holiday gifts or end-of-year bonuses is very customary for pet owners who use the same grooming services consistently. Popular presents include gift cards, holiday treats, personalized pet items, or donations to animal shelters.
According to Rover’s gift guide, the average amount spent on holiday tips for pet professionals is $25. You could get creative and buy the groomer their favorite coffee, wine, baked goods, specialty pet products, or donate to a local animal welfare charity in their name.
Adding a heartfelt card to any gift personalizes it and shows how much you appreciate their services. With many Americans projected to spend over $100 billion on their pets in 2022, a small token of thanks goes a long way in this industry.
Making Sure Your Groomer Receives Their Tip
Hand Cash Directly to Your Groomer
The best way to ensure your tip goes directly to the groomer who cared for your pet is to hand them cash discreetly at pickup. PetSmart’s corporate policy prevents groomers from accepting tips openly in the store, so be subtle when passing along the gratuity.
Wait until the groomer brings your pet out from the back and confirm it’s the right person. Then discretely pass them the cash while praising their work. This allows the tip to go straight to the person providing the service without getting pooled or lost.
Just be careful not to make a public display that could get the groomer in trouble with management.
If you’re a regular client, the groomers will recognize you and appreciate the cash tip. Even a small $5 or $10 gratuity shows your gratitude for their hard work. For an exceptional grooming experience, consider tipping 15-20% of the service cost.
Groomers work physically demanding jobs with lots of pet hair and dirt, so the tip is a welcome bonus. Just remember – no need to announce it, simply discreetly slip the cash when you pick up your pet.
Ask the Receptionist to Pass Along the Tip
If you don’t have cash or don’t get a chance to hand it directly to the groomer, another option is asking the receptionist to pass along your tip. Let them know the name of the groomer who cared for your pet and that you have a tip you’d like forwarded to them.
This may work better for phone-in tips – just call the salon afterward and ask the front desk to distribute your gratitude. You can also add the tip to your credit card payment when you drop off or pick up your pet. Just be clear the extra money is a tip for the groomer.
The downside to going through reception is there’s no guarantee how the tip gets distributed. It might go into a general pool rather than your specific groomer. For this reason, cash is ideal. But when that’s not possible, politely asking the front desk to pass along the tip is better than no tip at all.
Just provide the groomer’s name and amount you wish to give. Many receptionists will make sure it reaches your groomer, especially if you visit regularly. Just explain upfront it’s a personal thank-you for taking great care of your pet.
Conclusion
Tipping your PetSmart groomer is ultimately at your discretion. While not required, tips are certainly appreciated as a way to reward excellent service and show your gratitude. If you do decide to tip, following proper tipping etiquette helps ensure your groomer receives your full tip amount.
Beyond tipping, things like reviews, treats, and thank you notes can help highlight a job well done. With the right approach, you can make sure your groomer feels happily rewarded for helping your pet look their very best.
