When you look good, you feel good.
There’s a proven connection between self-care and mental health for humans — so it’s reasonable to assume that grooming might have similar benefits for pets. Although there may not be any exclusive studies on the link between pet grooming and their mental health, there is evidence to show that regularly grooming your pet can improve their quality of life.
Professional grooming has gained significant popularity in recent years, with YouTube channels like Girl With The Dogs and Dogs by Logan generating millions of followers and views. Today, pet grooming is a $1.3 billion industry and is expected to grow as more people choose pets as their primary companions.
So, you might be asking yourself, “Is pet grooming profitable?” If you’re thinking about diving into this industry, understanding the profitability can help you get started on the right foot. Like any business venture, thorough research is important for setting yourself up for success. In this blog, we’ll explore why regular pet grooming is important, how much money groomers typically earn, and seven key factors that affect profitability.
Why Regular Pet Grooming Is Important
A trip to the nail salon or getting a new hairstyle can instantly jolt the “happy” chemicals in our brain. Just think of how you felt when that new haircut or color came out exactly like you wanted. Remember all the compliments you got for the next week? It’s no secret that a makeover or “refresh” boosts our serotonin and dopamine levels.
Regular self-care improves our physical appearance, our mental health, and promotes healthy habits. The same goes for our pets. Of course, our dogs can’t drive themselves to the groomer, so it’s up to us to make sure they’re well taken care of. Here are seven key reasons why regular pet grooming is so important.
- Prevention of health issues: There are many dog breeds that have coats that require a lot of maintenance, like poodles, Komondors, Pomeranians, huskies, and many more. They can experience intense matting that pulls at their skin and creates sores, causing extreme discomfort and overall stress.
Another example is regular nail trimming and ear cleaning. If a dog has nails that are too long, it can lead to discomfort while walking and eventually lead to joint pain. Neglecting regular ear cleaning can lead to constant ear infections that can grow into much bigger problems, especially in breeds like cocker spaniels and many types of hounds. - Early detection of health issues: Regularly brushing your pet’s fur encourages you to feel their coat and skin. This can be helpful in detecting potential issues. Do you feel a lump on your pet when you run your hand over their coat? Did you find any ticks that had to be removed? These can all prompt you to follow up with an appointment at your local vet to ensure that mysterious lump isn’t something malicious.
- Emotional bonding: Grooming is a time for bonding between an owner and their pet. It provides an opportunity for physical touch and positive interaction, which can strengthen the relationship and improve a pet’s emotional well-being.
- Reduction in shedding: Tired of the tumbleweeds caused by German shepherds or the fact that Rottweilers seem to shed all year round? This can be a pain for intense allergy sufferers and people who don’t want to spend every waking moment of their free time lint-rolling their sofa.
Regularly grooming your dog can keep the hair outside or at the groomers and not in your fresh laundry. It also prevents pet dander in the air that can irritate your sinuses. - Behavioral benefits: If your beloved dog has been acting more “catty” than usual, it could be a sign of discomfort. Yes, pets can communicate, but it may not be in a way you understand. An itchy cat or a dog with an ear infection can be irritable and unpredictable. With proper grooming, you can focus more on obedience and bonding instead of damage control.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) found that only 54% of dog owners researched or sought advice about owning a dog before purchasing one. This suggests that many pet owners may not be aware if their breed requires intensive grooming or how to properly groom it. As a grooming professional, you can use this opportunity to increase your revenue and, more importantly, educate your clients.
How Much Do Pet Groomers Make?
Earnings for groomers can vary based on location, services offered, and whether you operate a brick-and-mortar shop or a mobile salon. The average wage for a groomer in the U.S. is approximately $23 per hour, which translates to roughly $47,840 per year. Groomers in high-cost-of-living areas, such as California and Washington state, can earn nearly $10,000 more annually than the national average.
Here are some pet grooming statistics that may influence your decision to include grooming services in your pet store:
- By 2032, the pet grooming industry is expected to reach $2.5 billion in revenue.
- Dog groomers are in such high demand, owners are scheduling appointments three to four weeks out on average.
- The average cost of a single grooming session can range from $30–$90. This price can increase based on time and if a pet has extreme matting or behavioral issues.
- Pet owners that visit a professional groomer go around five times per year, though there are dog breeds that require grooming every 4–6 weeks.
- Cost is the biggest barrier for clients who would like to visit a professional groomer regularly.
- Negative press around grooming services offered by chain pet stores has led pet owners to look for safer, bespoke shops for their pet’s grooming needs.
All of these sound like pretty convincing reasons to start pet grooming sooner than later. Remember: You should only take on grooming if you have a genuine love of pets and care for their well-being. It’s a demanding job that can be dangerous if all the proper precautions aren’t taken.
Is Pet Grooming Profitable? 7 Key Factors
Overall, yes — pet grooming is profitable. The market for groomers is still in high demand. Luckily, not all groomers are created equal, meaning you can carve out a special niche or unique selling proposition (USP) to gain clients quickly. Here are seven key factors to consider.
1. Location, Location, Location
We’ve all heard it before — location is everything. Select a strategic location with high visibility and accessibility. Being situated in a neighborhood with a high density of pet owners or near other pet-related businesses like veterinary offices or dog parks can drive foot traffic and attract clients.
2. Obtain Proper Certifications
There’s a difference between being “licensed” and being “certified.” Being a licensed groomer implies that licensing is mandated by your state; however, no states currently require groomers to be licensed. On the other hand, nationally accredited institutions, like the National Dog Groomers Association of America, offer certification that demonstrates your expertise and training in grooming.
Even if you’re new to grooming, having experience with animals can significantly reassure owners that their beloved pets are in good hands. Knowing how to properly trim a bichon frise is just one aspect of grooming — experience with highly reactive or timid animals is just as important. A background in dog training or animal behavior can be highly beneficial and drastically increase the safety of both pets and staff in stressful grooming situations.
3. Pricing and Services
So, you’re taking into account competitor pricing — but you also need to consider your experience. Develop a competitive pricing strategy that reflects the quality of services offered.
Consider offering packages or add-on services to increase revenue. A standard poodle can take much more time to groom compared to an American bully, and owners will surely notice if they’re being charged the “show dog” price for a basic service. You can also consider loyalty programs or a subscription-based model to make it more affordable and encourage clients to visit regularly.
4. Offer Exceptional Customer Service
Grooming is a service, after all. Providing top-notch service includes avoiding overbooking and communicating with clients if issues arise with their pet. For example, if a client’s pet is so stressed that you cannot perform a routine nail trim, do not force it. Inform the owner that you are unable to complete the nail trim, explain the reasons, and offer recommendations or referrals if possible.
Do you have a waiting area for pet owners? If so, consider providing comfortable seating and refreshments. Many groomers prefer to work alone with the pet to minimize anxiety or excitement caused by the owner's presence.
If you have the equipment and bandwidth, consider livestreaming the grooming service and offering owners a link to check in on their dog. If live streaming is not an option, taking a few pictures to send updates can help reassure owners that their pet is safe and sound.
5. Sell Private Label Grooming Products
Once you’ve gained more experience and built your brand and following, consider offering branded grooming products. This can supplement your income and demonstrates your dedication to grooming by spending the time to formulate your own products.
For example, Vanessa De Prophetis from Girl With The Dogs provides her grooming services for free to pet owners who need extra assistance. To sustain her business, she sells branded shampoos and conditioners on her website. She also features these products in her YouTube grooming videos, which receive millions of views.
This approach serves as built-in marketing that demonstrates the effectiveness of her products and reassures viewers that the dogs are always safe in her care.
6. Share Grooming Tips Online
Use your online presence to your advantage. Share your work online, encourage clients to leave reviews and testimonials, and provide basic grooming tips to your social media following.
Remember: Cost is a significant barrier to pet grooming for many owners. You don’t need to gatekeep grooming tips, and sharing them online won’t suppress your business. Many pet owners will appreciate learning how they might be using the wrong grooming tools or inadvertently stressing their pets at home.
7. Maintain Efficiency With a Point of Sale System
Running a pet grooming business involves juggling many tasks. Keeping track of clients, restocking products, maintaining cleanliness, and handling marketing can get overwhelming. This is why using a point of sale (POS) system is not just a smart move, it’s a necessary one.
Look for a POS system that makes scheduling, reordering, and processing payments easy. Extra features like a pet product catalog or website builder can also be helpful for promoting your grooming business. Investing in a good POS system can save you a ton of time on back office tasks, so you can focus on making your furry clients look and feel great.
These seven tips are sure to get you off to a good head start when opening your pet grooming business.
Make Pet Grooming Profitable With eTailPet
eTailPet is a top-notch point of sale system designed specifically for pet store owners and groomers. Build an easy-to-navigate website without hiring pricey developers, order from a catalog of over 160,000 pet products from top vendors, and benefit from automatic purchase orders.
eTailPet’s integrated scheduling system allows you to manage bookings in one place, eliminating the need for third-party scheduling software. Clients can even schedule their own appointments directly from your website. Accept payments effortlessly, and use the loyalty program and grooming subscriptions to reward repeat customers. eTailPet offers everything you need in one comprehensive software solution.
Ready to see if pet grooming is profitable for you? Schedule a free demo today to see how eTailPet can get your grooming business off the ground.