Super burnt out after just 9 months of grooming - Professional Pet Stylist PetSmart Employee Review

2.0
3 Dec 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Support from certain co workers - Tips

Cons

- Being pushed to take 6 dogs right after academy when you're not ready, resulting in extreme overwhelm and burnout. -Salon lead expecting all other groomers/bathers to do her work for her

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PetSmart Response
6mo
Thanks for sharing this. We’re glad you found support from some members of your team, and we’re sorry to hear about the workload and expectations you faced. We never want stylists—especially those newly out of the academy—to feel pushed beyond what’s safe or sustainable. Your feedback helps us reinforce better workload management and clearer expectations across salons. If you ever have concerns about animal care, our CareSmart line is available at 1-800-738-4693.

Explore other reviews about PetSmart

5.0
26 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good job and location nice

Cons

None that I can think of

1.0
2 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The company pushes for more and more from the bottom level employees without better pay. I worked there before the restructuring and; not much can make me cry, but working here sure did, even back then. I can’t imagine how anxiety inducing it must be to work there now. Animal welfare is a complete non-concern. The only thing that’s pushed is sell, sell, sell. It’s borderline dystopian. Bad management seems to be a common issue, not only from my experience, but many others’ as well. I worked until I was an exhausted sweaty mess to make sure everything in pet care or, when I groomed, the salon, was cleaned to perfection as expected of me (and I reiterate: “me,” because these standards were not expected of my co-workers, just me) and overall felt very unseen. The only times I did feel “seen,” was when mistakes were made. Work was treated like boot camp. A co-worker that was subtley targeting/bullying me, and even started rumors accusing me of racist remarks(!!!), was promoted and anything I reported was downplayed because they were friends with the assistant manager. Working here was an overall traumatizing experience.

Cons

Employees are expected to be work-robots

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PetSmart Response
3w
We’re disappointed to hear that your experience didn’t reflect what we aim to create for our associates, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. We invite you to contact the CareSmart line at 1-800-738-4693 so we can learn more and see how we can support you. Thank you.
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