Log InSign Up
Article

What does a Pet Groomer do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A pet groomer is a person who cleans and styles pets' hair.

Pet Groomer job duties include:

  • Greeting pets and pet owners upon arrival to the grooming salon
  • Consulting with pet owners to discuss their pets' grooming needs
  • Bathing, drying, and brushing pets
  • Trimming and clipping pets' nails
  • Shampooing and conditioning pets' coats
  • De-shedding and de-matting pets' coats
  • Styling and clipping pets' fur into desired cuts or trims
  • Cleaning and maintaining all grooming equipment and tools
  • Sanitizing all work areas before and after each pet grooming session
  • Restraining pets during grooming sessions as needed

Pet Groomer Job Requirements

A pet groomer is someone who cleans and takes care of pets. They may work in a grooming salon, or they may be self-employed. The job requires some formal education, as well as certification from a professional organization. Experience is also important, as it helps the groomer to understand the needs of different types of animals.

Pet Groomer Skills

  • Patience
  • Gentle
  • Attention to detail
  • Physical stamina
  • Creativity
  • Artistic ability
  • Good people skills
  • Ability to handle animals
  • Basic animal care knowledge
  • Safety conscious
  • Cleaning ability

Related: Top Pet Groomer Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Pet Groomer

A pet groomer is someone who cleans and styles the fur of animals. They may also trim nails and provide other services to keep pets looking their best. Many pet groomers work in animal shelters, veterinary clinics, or pet stores. Some even start their own businesses. If you love animals and enjoy working with your hands, a career as a pet groomer may be for you!

Most pet groomers have at least a high school diploma, although some choose to get formal training through an accredited grooming program. Many community colleges offer these programs, which typically last 6-12 months. In addition to learning about animal anatomy and grooming techniques, students in these programs also get hands-on experience working with a variety of animals.

After completing a grooming program or gaining enough experience to feel confident in your skills, you can start looking for a job at a local animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or pet store. You may also want to consider starting your own pet grooming business! To be successful in this business, you’ll need to be good with people as well as animals and have excellent customer service skills.

Related: Pet Groomer Resume Example

Related: Pet Groomer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

Similar articles