Off the topic of stitching, but not off the topic of cats (felines)

It is customary in St. Louis, and if you don't tip, there won't be an available appointment in future. (Some of those folks are pretty snooty.) In smaller towns, sometimes yes and sometimes no. If it were me, I would tip, the sole exception being if the grooming is just a part of a few days of boarding. You might find that the $2 to $5 you tip will go a LONG way in the future.

When I took Puff to a groomer that was based in his Vet's office, I would tip her every couple of visits.

Now that I have someone who comes to the house with her equipment, and bathes Puff in my kitchen sink, I stopped tipping. She owns her business and has little to no overhead so I figured that's enough for now. I did give her a Christmas present.

Lucille

Cash's and Harry's groomer gets a tip, usually 10%. I don't know if it's customary, but I do it as a matter of course. When Satin was alive and tottering, I tipped a bit more because I knew he was a pain to groom.

Elizabeth

When I would take Dakota for grooming, I'd tip and insist "his dad" pay me back for it. It's not a high paying profession and I figure she needed the money.

Cheryl

Depends. Generally, yes. I tip the groomer, but not if he's done by the owner. I think it depends on where you are. We go to a private groomer, and they take good care of the boy. Plus, he's not in that often. The groomer is pretty thrilled when I tip. When the price went up a bunch, I will admit that I didn't tip as much. Also, if I'm not happy - then the tip isn't much if anything. But usually, I tip the groomer about $5, maybe more. They're usually happy with that - I don't think everyone tips. The owner wouldn't take a tip once, so I know not to offer him.

Do what feels right to you. Cats may be more of a PITA than dogs - don't know. Costs about $60 for Puckster - and he doesn't get much clipping. Used to be $ 45-$50 - and I'd give the groomer $5-$10. Then they raised it to $65; last time I gave her a tip of $7-$10 (not sure, I think $10) and then when I got home, was annoyed to find he had mats in his ears. So, now I check before tipping. In between, we take him to a do-it-yourself pet salon (Bubbles 'n Bark) - so the tip is to me, which is that after we do our dogs - my friend and I go for coffee!

Ellice

Thank you all for responses.

I went prepared to tip, but then I didn't see the groomer - her assistant brought him out. And the bill was over $100 - let's just say, that seems sufficient!

(Although he looks beautiful now. They bathed him and got *all* the mats out - he's long haired and doesn't like brushing. And trimmed his nails,which was the critical thing. He's not quite forgiven us for putting him through this ordeal.)

Needless to say, I don't think this will be a regular thing. Can't afford it too often!

Sue

I only pay $40 bucks for Puff's grooming. Maybe that's because he has to be done once a month to keep his long silky hair in check. If I don't brush him every day, it winds up one big, uncontrollable mat and most of the time I keep him in a puppy cut. He's so used to it that he's great and just stands still with a let's get this over with look on his face. The moment she's finished and puts him down on the ground, he makes a beeline for his treat jar and then snubs me for the rest of the day, or at least until it's time for dinner.

Lucille

I've had dogs that were more frequently groomed, and equally miffed after. The place that Puckster goes is called "Dogs Paw" - pronounces kind of like Dog Spa - and it's in the town where we used to live. So we schlep down there - often his girlfriend Lamma goes at the same time. He actually while happy to see me come for him - he does start singing - is pretty happy. Actually, he's one of those happy dogs anyhow. So, he's never been miffed after, and hangs out while I talk to the owner - without pulling for the door. But, he only goes every few months as he really needs it. Our vet lets you make a free appt for nail clipping - so we try to do that - if he's not getting enough hard surface walking (our hardwood floors don't count - they just get the scratches) I do that in between. That he's not crazy about - 2 of us have to do it involving sitting on floor with vet tech - one w/ clippers, one holding dog. But, he forgives that after a couple of minutes.

Ellice

Puff is either so used to it, or so dopey, that he lets me clip his nails when needed. Needless to say, every time he behaves means a treat and that's an incentive I suppose. He doesn't get a lot of walking on concrete time and exercises by running laps around my 20' living room, so his nails almost always need clipping in between grooming sessions.