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Bather vs animal caregiver

The differences between bathers and animal caregivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-3 months to become both a bather and an animal caregiver. Additionally, a bather has an average salary of $31,051, which is higher than the $27,665 average annual salary of an animal caregiver.

The top three skills for a bather include PET, check-in and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for an animal caregiver are pigs, PET, and animal handling.

Bather vs animal caregiver overview

BatherAnimal Caregiver
Yearly salary$31,051$27,665
Hourly rate$14.93$13.30
Growth rate28%28%
Number of jobs56,25557,251
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age3232
Years of experience33

What does a bather do?

A bather typically works at veterinary clinics and pet grooming establishments where they are primarily in charge of bathing animals, particularly cats and dogs. They are responsible for ensuring that the animals are comfortable with the water temperature, using particular soap and shampoo, drying fur, and adhering to the pet owner's other requests. They may also cut toenails, comb and brush coat, and administer particular products when necessary. Moreover, as a bather, it is essential to be proactive in dealing with issues and temperamental pets.

What does an animal caregiver do?

An animal caretaker is primarily in charge of the welfare and safety of animals in a particular area. They may work at veterinary shops and clinics, private institutions, kennels, animal shelters, and even zoos. Although their responsibilities vary on the animals and their place of employment, it typically includes feeding, bathing, grooming, exercising, and petting. There are also instances where they must clean and sanitize cages, prepare meals, administer vitamins and medication, and monitor their behavior.

Bather vs animal caregiver salary

Bathers and animal caregivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

BatherAnimal Caregiver
Average salary$31,051$27,665
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $42,000Between $20,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between bather and animal caregiver education

There are a few differences between a bather and an animal caregiver in terms of educational background:

BatherAnimal Caregiver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesBiology
Most common collegeVermont Technical CollegeStanford University

Bather vs animal caregiver demographics

Here are the differences between bathers' and animal caregivers' demographics:

BatherAnimal Caregiver
Average age3232
Gender ratioMale, 14.2% Female, 85.8%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 2.6% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between bather and animal caregiver duties and responsibilities

Bather example responsibilities.

  • Manage all breeding, whelping, raising of puppies, grooming and showing of dogs for owners in the AKC.
  • Advise customers on proper pet nutrition, and pick a proper shampoo program to ensure healthy coats for individual pets.
  • Sustain pet care excellence in a dynamic and fast-pace environment
  • Read written or receive oral instructions to determine clipping pattern desire.
  • Detail orient work and recognizing signs of rashes, allergies and potential behavioral problems in dogs.
  • Bathe dogs, clip/ground nails, clean ears, brush teeth and shave paw pads/sanitary area, express anal glands.
  • Show more

Animal caregiver example responsibilities.

  • Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
  • Educate pet owners about illnesses, medications, and general care, and answer their questions and concerns.
  • Walk all dogs, and occasionally strange animals such as pigs.
  • Create neighborhood service providing in-home pet care including; leash walks, off leash socials, and cat care.
  • Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in providing the best care possible for patients.
  • Provide routine grooming including brushing and clipping claws.
  • Show more

Bather vs animal caregiver skills

Common bather skills
  • PET, 79%
  • Check-In, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Compassion, 4%
  • Book Appointments, 2%
  • Develop Long Term, 1%
Common animal caregiver skills
  • Pigs, 51%
  • PET, 19%
  • Animal Handling, 5%
  • Animal Shelter, 3%
  • General Care, 3%
  • Facility Laundry, 2%

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