What PetSmart Grooming Offers — Services, History & How It Works

PetSmart offers in-store pet grooming at its locations across the United States and Canada. It is one of the key services that sets PetSmart apart from ordinary pet supply stores. Grooming has been part of the PetSmart model since 1992, and it sits within a broader one-stop approach that also includes veterinary care, dog daycare, boarding, and pet adoption events facilitated by PetSmart Charities.

Grooming as Part of the One-Stop Pet Shop

Why PetSmart Chose In-Store Grooming

PetSmart was founded in 1986 and opened its first two stores in 1987 in Phoenix, Arizona. From the beginning, the company set out to be more than a retailer of pet food and supplies. The vision was a destination where you could handle most of your pet's needs in a single visit. In-house grooming centers became a central part of that plan. Grooming is one of the services PetSmart highlights most when describing what makes its stores different from competitors. Alongside grooming, PetSmart stores offer dog daycare, dog and cat boarding, veterinary care through third-party clinics inside the store, dog training, and pet adoption services. The idea is that you can drop your dog off for grooming, pick up their food, schedule a vet checkup, and browse adoptable animals — all under one roof. For busy pet owners, that convenience is the main appeal. Professional grooming takes time and planning. Having it available inside a store you may already be visiting for supplies removes a separate trip from your week. The one-stop model also means that if your pet arrives for grooming and the groomer notices something that needs veterinary attention, the clinic in the same building is right there.

How PetSmart Grooming Began

The 1992 Turning Point

Grooming was not in PetSmart's original stores. It arrived in 1992, under the leadership of CEO Samuel J. Parker. That year, PetSmart added in-house grooming centers to some stores. The company also introduced departments for birds, fish, and small pets, and brought mobile vet clinics into stores to provide vaccinations. These changes were not random additions. They were all part of a coordinated push to build out the one-stop-shop experience. Grooming, expanded pet departments, and mobile veterinary services were brought together so that customers would start to think of PetSmart as their main destination for everything related to their pets — not just the place to buy dog food. By the time PetSmart opened its 100th store in 1994, the company had also founded PetSmart Charities. That independent nonprofit was created to help save homeless pets by partnering with animal shelters and facilitating in-store adoption events. Those adoption centers inside PetSmart stores remain one of the company's most visible community-facing programs today.

Growing Across North America — and Beyond

PetSmart expanded into Canada in 1996, the same year the company attempted to enter the United Kingdom by buying and renaming a UK pet-store chain. The UK venture proved financially and operationally difficult, and PetSmart sold that chain to UK-based rival Pets at Home at a substantial loss in late 1999. The setback overseas did not slow PetSmart down at home. Under CEO Phil Francis, the company opened an average of 100 new stores per year from 2002 through 2009. By 2002, PetSmart had already connected its in-store, online, and catalog sales into a single operation, so customers could shop whichever way suited them. In 2005, PetSmart dropped the all-caps styling from its name and refocused its branding on what it called "pet parents" — customers who consider their pets part of their families. That repositioning put greater emphasis on in-store services like grooming, training, and veterinary care. The message was clear: PetSmart was not just selling products; it was supporting pet ownership. The company went public on NASDAQ under the ticker PETM in July 1993 and remained publicly traded until March 2015, when a private equity consortium led by BC Partners acquired PetSmart. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired online pet-products retailer Chewy, which went public in June 2019. By March 2021, PetSmart no longer owned Chewy, and the two companies now operate independently.

What Other Services PetSmart Stores Offer

Grooming is just one piece of what a PetSmart store provides. The full range of services typically includes:

• In-store pet grooming — available as a core service at PetSmart locations
• Dog daycare — daytime care and supervision for dogs while owners are at work
• Dog and cat boarding — overnight accommodation when you travel
• Veterinary care — provided through third-party clinics operating inside the store
• Dog training — structured training classes and programs for dogs
• Pet adoption services — PetSmart Charities donates space inside stores to local humane societies and animal shelters so customers can meet and adopt homeless dogs and cats

PetSmart made a deliberate decision not to sell dogs or cats directly. The company cited the number of animals euthanized each year as the reason. Instead of selling pets, PetSmart Charities partners with animal shelters to facilitate adoptions from within the store. As of 2020, with more than 1,650 stores across the United States and Canada, PetSmart's adoption program reaches a large number of communities.

What PetSmart Grooming Actually Involves

The available sources do not describe the specific grooming services PetSmart offers — such as whether baths, haircuts, nail trimming, or breed-specific trims are included — or what those services cost. Those details vary by location and change over time. If you want to know exactly what your local PetSmart offers, you should contact that store directly or check their current service listings. What the history does confirm is that in-house grooming has been a steady feature of the PetSmart model since 1992, and it continues to be one of the services the company uses to set itself apart. The fact that PetSmart has maintained grooming centers through multiple ownership changes — including the acquisition by BC Partners in 2015 and the later separation from Chewy — suggests grooming is genuinely important to how the company sees itself. If you are thinking about using a professional groomer, whether at PetSmart or elsewhere, here are some practical considerations worth keeping in mind:

• The exact grooming services available and their prices depend on your local store or groomer. Call ahead to ask what is offered and what it costs.
• Professional grooming is a practical choice if your schedule does not leave time for home grooming, or if your pet needs equipment or skills you are not comfortable using yourself.
• Grooming can be stressful for some pets. Let the groomer know about any anxiety, medical conditions, skin sensitivities, or behavioral concerns before the appointment.
• If you are comparing groomers, visit the facility in person if you can. Look for cleanliness, how the staff interact with the animals, and whether the space feels well-organized.
• For pets with unusual coat types or specific health needs, ask the groomer about their experience with similar animals before booking. Not every groomer is equipped for every type of coat or every temperament.

These are general considerations that apply to professional grooming broadly. The available sources do not contain enough detail to compare PetSmart grooming directly with independent groomers on price, service range, or quality. Those comparisons depend on the groomers available near you and what your particular pet needs.

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

PetSmart grooming is one of the most accessible full-service pet grooming options in the United States and Canada. It offers a wide range of services, operates out of many store locations, and employs staff who complete formal training before working with animals. For many pet owners, it is a convenient and reliable choice — especially if you want basic grooming done close to home.

That said, it is not the only option. Local independent groomers can often give more individualized care, and prices vary quite a bit from place to place. The right choice depends on your pet's breed, temperament, health needs, and what you can comfortably spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does PetSmart grooming cost?

Costs depend on your dog's size, coat type, and which services you add. Basic baths start at a lower price, while full haircuts and specialty treatments cost more. Exact prices change often, so check your local store for current rates.

Does PetSmart have mobile grooming?

Some locations offer mobile grooming vans, but this service is not available everywhere. Ask your local store whether it is offered in your area.

Can I stay while my pet is groomed?

Drop-off grooming is the standard option, but some stores let you wait in the lobby if you prefer. Call ahead to confirm what your location allows.

Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that your pet ends up clean, comfortable, and well cared for.