How to Raise Grooming Prices Without Losing Clients

Ask a room full of groomers what scares them most about running a business, and raising prices is near the top. Not aggressive dogs. Not matted doodles. Telling Mrs. Henderson that her Shih Tzu's groom is going from $65 to $72.

You're not alone. In The Daily Groomer's 2026 survey of more than 1,000 groomers, about a third said they hadn't raised prices in over a year, and half said they felt underpaid. One respondent summed it up: "I need to raise prices but I'm scared."

This guide is about raising grooming prices calmly and without drama. We'll cover the math that makes it less scary, the signs it's time, how to announce it, and the exact words to use by text, email, and in person.

Why it feels scarier than it is

The fear is simple: "If I raise prices, people will leave." Some might. But here's the math most groomers never do.

If you raise prices by 10%, you can lose about 9% of your clients and still earn exactly the same, while grooming fewer dogs.

In practice, most groomers who raise prices by 5 to 10% lose very few clients. The ones who do leave are often the clients who no-show, haggle, or bring in matted dogs every 16 weeks. Losing a few of them can make your week easier, not harder.

Signs it's time to raise your prices

You don't need all of these. Two or three is enough:

• You're booked 3+ weeks out. Demand is higher than supply. That's what prices are for.
• You haven't raised prices in 12 months or more. Your costs certainly went up in that time.
• Your costs jumped. Shampoo, blades, insurance, rent, fuel.
• You're below the local market. Use Teddy's free Grooming Price Check to compare with public prices near you.
• You're working longer hours to make the same money.
• You've added skills or certifications.

How much to raise grooming prices

Most groomers do best with small, regular increases: 5 to 10% once a year, rather than 25% after five years of nothing. Clients barely notice small annual changes, but a big jump feels like a shock.

A few approaches:

• Across the board: every service goes up the same percentage. Simple and easy to explain.
• By service: raise the services that take the most time relative to their price, like large double coats and doodles.
• By condition: keep base prices and add or raise de-matting, de-shedding, and handling fees. This charges for the actual extra work.
• New clients first: raise prices for new clients now and for existing clients in three months. This tests the new price with no risk.

If you're rebuilding your whole price structure, start with our guide on how to price your dog grooming services and the free grooming price list template.

How much notice to give

30 days is the sweet spot. It's enough time to feel respectful, and short enough that clients don't forget. For your very loyal long-timers, 60 days can be a nice touch.

Pick an effective date, such as the first of the month, and stick to it. Don't apologize, and don't over-explain. You're a business, and prices go up. People expect it.

The scripts

Copy, paste, and adjust to sound like you.

Text message (for existing clients)

"Hi Jen! Quick heads-up from [Salon Name]: starting March 1, our grooming prices are going up a little to keep up with rising costs. Coco's full groom will be $78. Thank you so much for trusting us with her. We love seeing her every six weeks!"

Notice what it does: it names the date, gives the specific new price for their dog, thanks them, and stops. No paragraph of justification.

Email (for your whole list)

Subject: A small update to our prices

Hi [First name],

Thank you for being part of the [Salon Name] family. Starting [date], our prices will increase by a small amount. This helps us keep using quality products, invest in training, and pay our team fairly.

Your next appointment for [Pet name] is on [date]. If it's before [effective date], you'll pay the current price.

As always, if you have questions, just reply to this email or text us.

Thank you for your trust,[Your name]

In person, at checkout

"Just so you know, our prices go up a little on March 1. Max's groom will be $85 starting then. Want me to book his next appointment now?"

Say it while handing back a gorgeous, freshly groomed dog. That's when your value is most obvious.

Price list or website notice

"Prices effective March 1, 2027. Thank you for supporting a small, local grooming business."

Handling pushback

Most clients say nothing. A few will ask. Stay friendly and brief.

"That's a lot more than before.""I get it. We hadn't raised prices in a while, and our costs have gone up a lot. We're still committed to giving Daisy the same care she's used to."

"The place down the street is cheaper.""They might be! Every groomer is different. We do one dog at a time with no cage drying, and Daisy's comfortable here. I'd love to keep seeing her."

"Can you keep my old price?"Decide this before you announce. Some groomers keep a "founding client" rate for a handful of long-time regulars for six months. If you do, keep it limited and time-bound. If you don't, say so kindly: "I'm not able to do that, but I really appreciate you understanding."

A smart move: tie it to rebooking

Clients who are prebooked are less likely to shop around. When you announce a price increase, encourage clients to book their next few appointments. Many groomers honor the current price for any appointment already on the books before the effective date. It's a good reason to rebook, and it fills your calendar for the next quarter.

Make the change in your system, not just your head

Once the date arrives, update your prices in your software so every invoice is right. Most grooming platforms let you save prices and durations per service. Teddy stores saved pricing and duration per service and pet, and because texting is unlimited on every plan, you can send personal price-change texts to every client without worrying about message caps. MoeGo and DaySmart Pet also support saved service prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should groomers raise prices?

Most groomers do well with a small increase once a year, usually 5 to 10%. Regular small increases are easier for clients to accept than a big jump after several years.

How much notice should I give before raising grooming prices?

About 30 days is common and respectful. For very long-time clients, 60 days can be a kind gesture. Always give a specific effective date.

Will I lose clients if I raise my grooming prices?

You might lose a few, but usually far fewer than groomers fear. With a 10% increase, you could lose about 9% of clients and still earn the same, while working fewer hours.

Should I raise prices for existing clients or only new clients?

You can do either. Raising prices for new clients first lets you test the new rate with no risk, then roll it out to existing clients a few months later with notice.

What should a grooming price increase text say?

Keep it short: the effective date, the new price for their pet, and a thank-you. Avoid long explanations or apologies. A friendly tone and a specific number work best.

The bottom line

Raising grooming prices isn't greedy. It's how you keep paying for good products, good training, and a life outside the salon. Do it a little at a time, give clear notice, use simple scripts, and connect it to rebooking.

If you want to check where you stand first, try Teddy's free Grooming Price Check. And when it's time to tell clients, Teddy's unlimited texting means you can send every message personally, from $49 a month with a 14-day free trial. MoeGo and DaySmart Pet are also solid choices for managing pricing and reminders.