How To Start a Pet Grooming Business: 10 Essential Steps

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The pet grooming industry is booming, with growth projected to exceed 7% annually for at least the next five years. This isn’t just luck — it’s driven by the steady rise in both pet populations and pet ownership. As our relationship with animals evolves, so does the way we care for them.

Whether you’re on board with the "pet humanization" trend or not, one thing is clear: People want the best for their furry friends — and that includes top-notch grooming services. If you’re thinking about diving into the world of pet pampering, we’re here to guide you through how to start a pet grooming business from the ground up.

10 Essential Steps To Start Your Pet Grooming Business

Entrepreneurship is still a big part of the “American Dream.” A recent survey showed that over 60% of Americans want to be their own boss, but many hesitate because of aspects like money and time. Another survey found that a quarter of people said their biggest barrier to becoming a business owner is not knowing where to start.

But here’s the good news: Social media is full of content about pampering pets — even French tip nail sets for dogs. With 74% of consumers making buying decisions based on social media, trends like these create a huge opportunity for pet grooming businesses. As people see pet grooming services go viral, they’re more likely to seek out professional grooming for their own pets, making it a great time to enter the industry.

Now, let’s dive into the 10 steps you need to follow to start your own pet grooming business.

1. Become a Certified Pet Groomer

If you’re already a certified groomer, you can skip ahead to step two. If not, it’s time to get your certification. While there aren’t any strict laws requiring certification to groom pets, getting certified definitely gives your career a boost — so don’t skip this step.

To sharpen your skills, check out programs from places like the American Kennel Club (AKC), the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), or the American Grooming Academy. You can also search “dog grooming schools in [your location]” to see what’s available nearby.

Do your research, though — some programs are as short as two weeks, while others can take up to a year. If you want to learn the basics, find shorter courses. But if you’re looking to specialize in grooming tasks like custom haircuts or dye jobs, those programs take longer and are usually more expensive. Before committing, make sure any course you choose covers pet safety and handling, for both your comfort and your clients’.

And be ready for the cost: Courses range from a couple thousand dollars to around $12,000. If that’s a bit more than you expected, don’t worry — many groomers start out as apprentices. But keep in mind, this route can take time, and pay (if any) is usually pretty limited.

2. Choose Your Business Model

The next step for your business is deciding how you want to operate and deliver your pet grooming services. Here are a few options:

Brick-and-mortar pet grooming salon: A physical location gives you the flexibility to design the exact experience you want for pets and their owners. Want a cozy waiting area where clients can sip coffee while they wait? Or maybe you want to offer pet accessories like stylish outfits and sparkling collars? A salon may be the best fit. But remember: This option comes with higher overhead costs, including rent and utilities.

Mobile pet grooming salon: Mobile grooming brings the service directly to your customers, which offers them the convenience of having their pets groomed at home. This is also less stressful for pets who may not enjoy being kenneled for hours at a salon. But outfitting a van is expensive. You’re at the mercy of weather conditions, and you may be limited in the size of dogs you can groom, too.

Renting space in a preexisting pet store: Renting space in an established pet store is a great way to get started quickly. You have built-in foot traffic and customers, and the space may already be set up for your needs — or at least with some negotiations, you save on renovation costs. Like with any rental space, there are some drawbacks. You may have limited branding opportunities, less control over the customer experience, and challenges when it comes to scaling.

3. Take Care of Legal Requirements

After you choose your business model, the next step is to handle the legal stuff. This includes registering your business, obtaining the necessary permits, and ensuring you comply with local animal care regulations.

Depending on the state you live in, you may also need a business license, liability insurance, and specific certifications. To make sure you’re meeting all the legal requirements, check with your state’s business licensing office or visit your state’s official website. They give detailed info on permits, certifications, and regulations specific to your area.

4. Create a Business Plan

Like grooming certifications, a business plan isn’t required to start your business, but it’s highly recommended — especially if you need to secure funding from external sources. To put it into perspective:

Companies with business plans receive over 130% more funding than those without.
They experience faster, more successful, and sustained growth.
They’re more likely to hit the five-year mark that many businesses struggle to reach.
Entrepreneurs with a solid plan are 260% more likely to launch their business than those who just dream about it.

When creating your pet grooming business plan, be sure to include key elements like your grooming certifications and qualifications — this shows you have the right skills. You also want to outline your services and pricing structure, so potential investors and clients understand what you’re offering. Be clear about your target market and how you plan to reach them. It’s important to include a marketing plan detailing how you hope to attract customers.

Financial projections are also important, so include a breakdown of your startup costs, expected revenue, and how you’re going to make a consistent profit. Finally, describe your day-to-day operations, including staffing, equipment needs, and location, so you have a solid plan for running your business smoothly.

5. Invest in the Right Equipment

Investing in the right grooming tools is essential for both efficiency and the safety of the pets you’re working with. It helps you set your prices, too. The higher the quality of the tools and equipment, the higher your prices can be.

You need essentials like grooming tables, bathtubs, dryers, shears, clippers, brushes, shampoos, and pet-safe disinfectants. If you’re running a mobile grooming business, make sure your van has a power source, water tanks, and proper ventilation.

High-quality tools are a necessity. Dull trimming scissors, for example, can hurt dogs or cats by pulling their fur or even cause skin injuries. Using sharp, quality tools helps prevent this and ensures a smoother grooming experience. Products like Happy Hoodies can also reduce stress for pets during grooming, keeping them calm and comfortable.

The right equipment is key to marketing your business. You need to showcase your professional setup and tools to attract clients, plus you need them to build your portfolio to gain credibility. So, before promoting your services, make sure your grooming space (or mobile setup) is complete and ready to go.

6. Install a POS System

A point of sale (POS) system made for pet grooming businesses is a must-have from the start. It helps you manage everything smoothly, from processing payments to tracking inventory. You can monitor the stock of your grooming supplies, like shampoos, clippers, and brushes — and even reorder them automatically when you’re running low.

Plus, it keeps a record of your expenses and sales, which makes managing your budget and understanding your profits way easier. A good POS also helps you stay connected with customers by storing their info and appointment history, so you can offer personalized service right from the get-go.

7. Build Your Online Presence

With the right POS system, setting up an online presence is simple. You can easily create an e-commerce site to sell pet products or allow clients to book grooming appointments on their own. A solid POS system allows you to drag and drop modules and integrates seamlessly with your site. This means you don’t have to waste time figuring out the techy stuff.

You can manage your website, inventory, and appointments — all in one place. Plus, as your business grows, the system scales with you, so you’re always ready to expand and offer more to your customers.

8. Market Your Pet Grooming Business

A POS system significantly enhances your marketing efforts and makes it easier to stay connected with your customers. By integrating your POS with your social media accounts and email systems, you can promote your business without the extra hassle.

It also helps you collect valuable customer data, allowing you to target the right audience for your offers and new services. Best of all, you don’t need to be a marketing expert — the POS system handles the technical side, so you can focus on running your grooming business.

Here are some marketing tasks your POS system helps with:

Connect to social media: Post updates, special offers, or content to engage with your audience — all automatically.
Send promotional emails: Create and send email campaigns for discounts, new services, or seasonal offers.
Run loyalty programs: Reward returning customers with points, discounts, or exclusive perks to encourage repeat visits.
Send appointment reminders: Reduce no-shows and keep customers informed with automated reminders for upcoming appointments.
Target the right customers: Use customer data to tailor your marketing efforts, promoting the right offers to the right people.

With a POS system, you have a lot of marketing power at your fingertips — which frees you up to concentrate on grooming.

9. Focus on Customer Service

In the pet grooming business, customer service is everything. Pet owners want peace of mind knowing their pets are in safe hands. If they don’t feel comfortable with you or the environment, they won’t hesitate to go elsewhere. Small details, like clear communication and a welcoming atmosphere, make all the difference.

Make sure pets feel cared for, whether they’re being groomed or just hanging out while waiting. If a pet is nervous, take the time to calm them — tools like Happy Hoodies can be a lifesaver during more stressful grooming steps, like blow-drying. Building trust with both pets and their owners is essential. If a pet gets traumatized or an owner feels uneasy, they’re unlikely to come back.

10. Collect Feedback From Customers To Tailor the Experience

Your POS system can automatically ask customers for reviews after their appointments, which gives you direct, honest feedback. Read through the reviews carefully to see what’s working and what needs improvement. If customers point out something specific — whether it’s the service, the atmosphere, or how their pet behaved during grooming — take it seriously.

Positive reviews help build your reputation, and negative ones give you the chance to fix any issues before they become bigger problems. Listening to your customers helps you grow and ensures they keep coming back.

Each step, from getting certified to investing in quality equipment, builds the foundation for a successful business. With the right systems in place, like a solid POS, a strong online presence, and effective marketing, you’re well on your way to creating a business that attracts loyal customers and thrives.

Manage Your Pet Grooming Business With eTailPet

eTailPet is built specifically for pet stores and groomers, providing a POS system that simplifies your daily operations. With features like the grooming services module, managing appointments is effortless.

The integration of these features helps you streamline the booking process, which makes it easier to keep track of appointments, groomer schedules, and customer preferences. As demand for your grooming services grows, this tool saves you valuable time and guarantees you never miss a detail.

In addition to appointment scheduling, eTailPet helps you manage inventory, track sales, and stay connected with your customers. With its user-friendly interface and all-in-one solution, you can focus more on running your business and less on juggling administrative tasks.

Want to see how it can work for you? Schedule a free demo today.