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Social ServiceISCO 5164

Animal groomer

Animal groomers are in charge of grooming a range of animals, using the correct equipment, materials and methods. It includes use of appropriate and safe handling techniques and the promotion of good hygiene, health and welfare of the animal.

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Check yourself in a minute: animal groomer

Rate 5 of the 24 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

treat animals ethically

control animal movement

dry dog's coat for further treatment

manage animal biosecurity

bathe dogs

About animal groomer

As an animal groomer in Poland, you will provide professional grooming services for a variety of animals, most commonly dogs, but also cats and other companion animals. You will use specialized equipment, techniques, and products to clean, cut, style, and maintain the health and hygiene of animals in your care. This role combines technical skills with genuine care for animal welfare, requiring both artistic sensibility for grooming styles and practical knowledge of animal behavior and health.

Your daily responsibilities include bathing animals, drying and styling their coats, trimming nails and fur according to breed standards or client preferences, checking for skin conditions or signs of illness, and handling animals with patience and safety in mind. You will interact frequently with pet owners, understanding their grooming preferences and providing expert advice on coat health, maintenance routines, and proper care techniques. You must also maintain immaculate hygiene standards in your workspace, manage equipment properly, and apply first aid when necessary, always prioritizing the welfare and comfort of the animals.

Career prospects in Poland's growing pet care industry are positive, with opportunities in independent grooming salons, veterinary clinics, pet shops, animal shelters, and luxury pet hotels. As you build experience and reputation, you can establish your own grooming business, specialize in particular animal breeds or grooming styles, or advance to training and management roles within grooming facilities. The profession offers flexibility and the satisfaction of contributing to animal health and owner satisfaction.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a animal groomer.

1

Animal Grooming and Coat Care

  • Bathe dogs and other animals using appropriate shampoos and water temperatures
  • Dry animals' coats using proper drying techniques to prevent damage
  • Trim and style fur according to breed standards or customer preferences
  • Trim nails, clean ears, and maintain overall hygiene
  • Apply grooming products and treatments for coat health and appearance
2

Animal Health and Welfare Assessment

  • Identify signs of animal illness, injuries, or skin conditions during grooming
  • Monitor animal behavior and stress levels throughout the grooming process
  • Provide first aid to animals when minor injuries or health issues occur
  • Report health concerns to owners and recommend veterinary consultation when needed
3

Animal Handling and Safety

  • Control animal movement using safe, ethical, and stress-minimizing techniques
  • Handle animals with care considering their species, temperament, and special needs
  • Maintain safe work practices in grooming environment to prevent injuries
  • Manage animal biosecurity and prevent disease transmission between animals
4

Customer Service and Grooming Consultation

  • Plan dog grooming work based on breed standards, coat condition, and client requests
  • Communicate with pet owners about grooming services, options, and recommendations
  • Advise customers on proper animal care and coat maintenance between grooming sessions
  • Handle customer complaints professionally and resolve grooming-related issues
5

Workplace Hygiene and Equipment Management

  • Apply animal hygiene practices and maintain high sanitation standards in grooming area
  • Clean and maintain grooming equipment regularly to ensure functionality and safety
  • Manage animal waste and maintain clean workspace between appointments
  • Use safety protocols when handling grooming tools and cleaning chemicals

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (24)

signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...physiology of animalsphysiology of animalsThe study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.safe work practices in a veterinary settingsafe work practices in a veterinary settingSafe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, ...anatomy of animalsanatomy of animalsThe study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.animal speciesanimal speciesThe characteristics of different species and breeds of animals (relevant to the occupation).animal behaviouranimal behaviourThe natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.treat animals ethicallytreat animals ethicallyCarry out activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong, including transparency in work practices and conduct towards clients and their animals.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.dry dog's coat for further treatmentdry dog's coat for further treatmentDry a dog’s coat and skin and prepare it for styling and finishing, using the appropriate equipment and products.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...bathe dogsbathe dogsPrepare dog by removing excess hair, knots and tangles. Bathe and clean a dog’s coat and skin.handle customer complaintshandle customer complaintsAdminister complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...plan dog grooming workplan dog grooming workAssess customer wishes and plan dog grooming work; assess the dog's head shape and its type of coat, recognising signs of abnormalities, and select the appropriate methods and equipment.apply safe work practices in a veterinary settingapply safe work practices in a veterinary settingApply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemi...apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals,...monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...advise on animal welfareadvise on animal welfarePrepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommenda...groom animalsgroom animalsPrepare the environment for grooming, select the correct grooming equipment and grooming methods for the animal. Apply occupational health and safety principles, of basic animal anatomy and physiology...style a dog's coatstyle a dog's coatStyle and finish a dog's coat using various trimming methods. Make sure to follow the standards for how different breeds should look.handle veterinary emergencieshandle veterinary emergenciesHandle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.biosecurity related to animalsbiosecurity related to animalsAwareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
Optional (16) — show
environmental enrichment for animalsenvironmental enrichment for animalsTypes, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, so...take advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary sciencetake advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary scienceUse different channels and learning styles such as journals, courses, and conferences to obtain new information, knowledge, skills, and know-how in relation to working with animals.understand the animal's situationunderstand the animal's situationCategorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorcope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorMaintain a positive attitude during challenging situations such as a misbehaving animal. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.'.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.manage a small-to-medium businessmanage a small-to-medium businessManage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.calculate rates per hourscalculate rates per hoursMake simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.assess animal's conditionassess animal's conditionInspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.apply numeracy skillsapply numeracy skillsPractise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.make decisions regarding the animal's welfaremake decisions regarding the animal's welfareMake a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.understand the needs of animalsunderstand the needs of animalsLearn and understand the needs of an animal and practice concern for its well-being, no matter how small the task.'.interview animal owners on animals' conditionsinterview animal owners on animals' conditionsAsk questions appropriate to the setting and purpose, with the aim to elicit accurate information on the animal's health condition, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis.breed reptilesbreed reptilesPrepare a suitable environment for reptile breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate terrariums for specific kinds of reptiles. Monitor the reptile's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. I...deal with challenging peopledeal with challenging peopleWork safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how...manage animal welfaremanage animal welfarePlan, manage and evaluate the application of the five universally recognised animal welfare needs as appropriate to species, situation and own occupation.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does an animal groomer do?

Animal groomers are in charge of grooming a range of animals, using the correct equipment, materials and methods. It includes use of appropriate and safe handling techniques and the promotion of good hygiene, health and welfare of the animal.

What skills does an animal groomer need?

An animal groomer needs 24 essential skills, including signs of animal illness, animal welfare legislation, animal welfare, physiology of animals, safe work practices in a veterinary setting.

Will AI replace animal groomer jobs?

The AI disruption score for animal groomer is 18/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: calculate rates per hours, follow work schedule, apply numeracy skills. Most resilient: control animal movement, bathe dogs, treat animals ethically.

AI Replacement Risk

18/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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Quick Facts

SectorSocial Service
ISCO GroupPersonal service workers
Essential Skills24

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