Sanitary Trim

A sanitary trim — often called a "sani trim" or "hygiene trim" in salon shorthand — is one of the most basic and essential grooming services. It involves carefully trimming or shaving the hair around a dog's genitals, anus, and inner thighs to keep these areas clean and free from fecal matter, urine staining, and bacterial growth. On female dogs, it also includes trimming the belly to prevent moisture retention.

Sanitary trims are typically performed with a #10 blade (1/16 inch) or #15 blade for very close work. The groomer must work carefully in these sensitive areas, maintaining steady hands and gentle restraint. Nicking the skin in the sanitary area is one of the most common grooming accidents and one of the most distressing for both the dog and the owner, so proper technique is critical.

For groomers, sanitary trims are often included as part of a full grooming package but can also be offered as a standalone walk-in service between full grooms. Many clients with long-coated breeds need sanitary trims every 2-3 weeks even if they only do a full groom every 6-8 weeks. This makes the sani trim a reliable source of recurring revenue and client contact.