If you’ve searched “how much does cat grooming cost” and found nothing but “price on enquiry”, this page is for you. In Melbourne, cat grooming costs anywhere from $60 to $300, depending on the service, your cat’s coat, and where you book. Below we put XMMO’s cat grooming prices side by side with three other salons near us, so you can see what each one costs before you pick up the phone.
01 — The Numbers
Cat grooming prices in Melbourne: XMMO vs nearby salons
These are the services people book most: a wash and dry, a lion cut, a teddy bear cut, and a full-body shave for matted coats. XMMO has the lowest price for every one of them, and the most Google reviews of the four salons, with a 4.9-star rating from 375 reviews.
| Grooming service | XMMO Lowest price | Groomzy | Uncanny Animals | Kloud9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google rating (number of reviews) | ★ 4.9 375 reviews | ★ 4.8 116 reviews | ★ 4.9 172 reviews | ★ 4.7 315 reviews |
| Wash & Dry | $60–$80 | $90–$150 | $150–$160 | $90–$130 |
| Lion Cut – No Wash | $80 | $120 | Not available | $152 |
| Teddy Bear Cut – No Wash | $80 | $120 | Not available | $255 |
| Lion Cut + Wash | $140 | $150 | $200–$220 | $152 |
| Teddy Bear Cut + Wash | $140 | $150 | $220–$240 | $255 |
| Full Body Matted Shave | $150 | $270 | $300 | $294 |
← Swipe to see all salons on mobile
Other salons’ prices and Google ratings are as publicly listed at the time of writing (October 2026). Prices change, and every salon may quote differently for coat condition, size or temperament. Always confirm directly with the salon before booking.
What the comparison shows
- Google reviews: XMMO is rated 4.9 stars from 375 reviews, more reviews than any other salon in this comparison. Kloud9 is rated 4.7 (315 reviews), Uncanny Animals 4.9 (172 reviews) and Groomzy 4.8 (116 reviews).
- Wash & dry: $60–$80 at XMMO, compared with $90–$160 elsewhere.
- Lion cut or teddy bear cut (no wash): $80 at XMMO. The next lowest price is $120, so you save $40.
- Lion cut or teddy bear cut with a wash: $140 at XMMO, compared with $150–$255 elsewhere.
- Full-body matted shave: $150 at XMMO. Nearby salons charge $270–$300, so you save $120 or more.
02 — What You’re Paying For
What’s included in each cat grooming service
Wash & dry ($60–$80)
A full bath and blow-dry that lifts out loose undercoat. The price depends on coat length and density. A short-haired cat sits at the lower end, and a thick-coated Maine Coon or Ragdoll at the higher end. For most cats, regular washes are the easiest way to reduce shedding and hairballs at home.
Lion cut ($80, or $140 with a wash)
The body is clipped short while the mane, the tail tip and the “boots” are left full. Owners of long-haired cats usually choose a lion cut in summer, when their cat is uncomfortable in the heat, or when matting keeps coming back.
Teddy bear cut ($80, or $140 with a wash)
A softer, even trim all over that keeps a rounded, fluffy shape. It suits Persians, Himalayans and other flat-faced, long-haired breeds whose coat mats easily but who look and feel better with some length left on.
Full-body matted shave ($150)
A careful shave that removes severe, pelted matting close to the skin. Matting pulls on the skin every time a cat moves, so removing it is often the kindest option, and it is the service where prices vary most between salons.
03 — Why Prices Vary
What affects the cost of cat grooming?
Two salons can quote very different prices for the same cut. Before you compare, it helps to know what drives the price:
- Coat length and condition. Long, thick or matted coats take more time, so they cost more.
- Whether a wash is included. Some salons advertise the cut price without a wash. Check that you’re comparing like with like.
- Temperament. Nervous cats need a slower pace and breaks. At XMMO, that’s part of how every groom works, not an add-on.
- Cat-only vs mixed salon. A cat-only salon is quieter and calmer, with no barking dogs and no dog smells.
- Grooming frequency. A cat groomed every 6–8 weeks rarely needs an expensive rescue groom.
04 — Compare More Than the Price
Five questions to ask any cat groomer before you book
The cheapest groom isn’t automatically the best one, and neither is the most expensive. Whoever you choose, ask these questions first:
- Do you groom cats only, or cats and dogs? Barking, dog smells and busy shared spaces add stress before a cat even reaches the table.
- How do you handle a cat who gets scared? Listen for words like pause, slow down or reschedule. Be wary of anything that sounds like “we just hold them firmly.”
- Do you scruff or force-restrain cats? We never do. You can read why in our post on scruffing.
- Is the wash included in the cut price? Some prices are for the cut alone.
- What happens if my cat has matting? Ask whether de-matting costs extra, and what the salon does if the matting is too severe to work on safely.
05 — Matted Coats
Matted cat shave cost: $150, when your cat can handle it
Severe matting is painful, and shaving it out is often the kindest fix. At XMMO, a full-body matted shave is $150 for cats who can stay calm enough for us to work safely.
Some cats can’t, and we won’t force them. If a cat is too stressed for a safe shave while awake, we’ll tell you honestly and refer you to a vet-based groomer, where your cat can be sedated under veterinary care and shaved without a struggle. That costs more than our price, but it protects how your cat feels about grooming for the rest of their life.
The cheapest matted shave is the one you never need
A cat on a 6–8 week routine rarely needs a full shave. Over a year, regular grooming costs less than rescuing a matted coat, and it’s far easier on your cat. Not sure how often your cat needs grooming? See our grooming schedule by breed.
06 — FAQs
Cat grooming prices: frequently asked questions
How much does cat grooming cost in Melbourne?
Most cat grooming in Melbourne costs between $60 and $300. A wash and dry usually costs $60–$160, a lion cut or teddy bear cut $80–$255, and a full-body matted shave $150–$300. At XMMO in Braybrook, prices start at $60 for a wash and dry.
How much is a lion cut for a cat?
A lion cut costs $80 at XMMO without a wash, or $140 with a wash. Nearby salons charge $120–$152 without a wash and $150–$220 with one.
How much does it cost to shave a matted cat?
At XMMO, a full-body matted shave costs $150. Other salons near us charge $270–$300. If your cat is too stressed to be shaved safely while awake, we’ll refer you to a vet-based groomer for a sedated shave.
How often should I get my cat groomed?
For most long-haired and medium-haired cats, every 6–8 weeks. Short-haired cats usually do well with a deshedding wash every 8–12 weeks.
Is a cheaper cat groomer worse?
Not necessarily. Price alone doesn’t tell you how a salon treats cats. Ask whether they groom cats only, whether they scruff or force-restrain, and what they do when a cat becomes scared.
Book an affordable, Fear Free cat groom in Melbourne
XMMO is a cat-only salon in Braybrook, in Melbourne’s west. We groom Fear Free and keep our prices low enough that you can book on a regular routine. Book online through Fresha, see our cat salon services, or call us on 0421 284 142 to talk through your cat’s coat first.
