business plan examples dog grooming

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

Elon Glucklich

8 min. read

Updated February 20, 2024

Download a free one-page dog grooming sample business plan

The bond between humans and their canine companions has always been strong. But spurred by increases in dog ownership across the U.S. , household spending on pets has risen in recent years.

The $5.4 billion global pet grooming services market is projected to grow at a 7% annual rate through 2030, creating new opportunities for dog-loving entrepreneurs to turn their passion into a business opportunity.

Whether you’re starting a boutique grooming salon or a mobile grooming service—a business plan can significantly increase your chances of success.

Download a free dog grooming sample business plan and complete it as you work through this guide.

• What should you include in a dog grooming business plan?

Here are the common sections to consider when writing your dog grooming business plan.

• Executive summary
• Market analysis
• Services and products
• Marketing and sales strategy
• Operations plan
• Company summary
• Financial plan and forecasts

The details of your plan will differ based on factors like the services you offer, whether you hire full-time employees or contractors, and whether your business is based in a brick-and-mortar building or goes to clients’ homes.

Check out our step-by-step guide to writing a full business plan for more details.

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• The 8 elements of an effective dog grooming business plan

Don’t make your dog grooming business plan longer than it needs to be . If you’re writing it for yourself, stick with a few pages and cover the aspects that will help you run your business.

But if you’re writing the plan because you’re seeking a bank loan or investment , it will likely need to be more detailed.

1. Executive summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your dog grooming business plan. The executive summary should briefly touch on your company overview target market but shouldn’t be more than 2 pages long.

Its purpose is to highlight the mission and unique aspects of your business, whether that’s to provide superior pet care or introduce innovative grooming techniques to your market. 

2. Market analysis

What’s the opportunity that exists for your business? 

The market analysis section is a detailed assessment of the market you’re entering. In this case, you should cover current trends in the dog grooming industry, such as increasing pet ownership rates and a growing emphasis on pet care and wellness.

You must also identify your primary customer segments . Include demographics that help define who your customers are and what they want. Maybe you target pet owners in urban areas, busy professionals, or families seeking convenient and comprehensive grooming services.

Be sure to list out key competitors in your region, noting their service offerings, pricing, and market positioning. This analysis will help you identify opportunities to differentiate your business. For instance, your research might lead you to realize there are a lack of options in your area for mobile grooming services, or specialized care for anxious pets.

3. Services and products

The products and services section is where you detail the full range of grooming services and products you plan to offer. 

Consider writing them out as a list, like this example:

Basic services

• Washing and drying
• Hair trimming
• Nail clipping
• Ear cleaning.

Specialty services

• Breed-specific grooming
• Skin care treatments
• Flea and tick treatments

Also, consider incorporating related products for sale, such as dog shampoos, conditioners, brushes, and other grooming tools. Whatever mix of products and services you choose to offer, connect them to your market opportunity. At its most basic, running a successful business is about identifying customer problems and providing solutions .

Detailing these services and products gives your customers a clear understanding of what your business provides and its value proposition .

4. Marketing and sales strategy

Your marketing and sales strategy turns your market research into a set of marketing strategies you can execute to attract customers. 

Through your research, you should understand how your target customers find dog grooming services — online, in print advertisements or commercials, through social media or word of mouth, etc.

Based on what you think are the most relevant marketing channels , develop strategies to make your business more visible. Strategies to consider include:

• Advertising online or in local publications
• Creating a website and establishing a social media presence
• Interacting with the public at community events
• Pursuing partnership opportunities with local pet stores

You may also want to consider discounts or special offers for repeat customers to build loyalty. 

Whatever tactics you deploy, it’s crucial to measure the impact of your marketing efforts through key performance indicators, and adjust your strategies based on what delivers value.

5. Operations plan

The operations section outlines how you will run your dog grooming business efficiently day to day. 

Whether you’re operating out of a brick-and-mortar building, a mobile van, or in clients’ homes, include details on the physical setup of your grooming salon, equipment needs, and staff requirements.

You should also discuss the process for booking appointments and managing customer relationships. Detail any software or systems you’ll use for scheduling and record-keeping. Also, outline your plan for meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining a clean, safe environment for pets.

6. Milestones

Outlining the key milestones for your business can help you determine how long it will take to meet your goals. You can keep these brief, even writing them in bullet points. Milestones for a dog grooming business could include:

• Obtaining initial financing
• Securing relevant permits
• Initiating marketing efforts
• Acquiring a certain number of clients
• Reaching specific revenue benchmarks

Each milestone should have an estimated completion date and designated team members responsible for achieving them.

7. Company summary

Summarize the history of your business, including its legal structure and location. Also, highlight your background in pet grooming and your reasons for wanting to start a dog grooming business.

If you’re just starting out, discuss the initial startup costs required to get the business off the ground. If you’re writing your business plan to secure a bank loan, state how much funding you need, what you will use it for, and how it will benefit your grooming business.

8. Financial plan

The financial plan is where you provide a look into your dog grooming business’s financial projections, including sales , costs , and profitability .

Remember, financial forecasts are really just educated guesses created to give you a sense of how your business can be profitable over the long term. 

They’re meant to be adjusted over time as your actual financial numbers come in, helping you determine which aspects of your business are performing as expected and where you might need to adjust your strategy.

Your financial plan should include a cash flow statement , income statement , and balance sheet .

• Tips for writing a dog grooming business plan

Understanding pet owners’ needs and how you can best serve them is vital for writing a dog grooming business plan that you can actually use to help your business grow.

As you write the plan, give some attention to these key points.

1. Consider your business structure

Choosing the right structure is pivotal. When writing the company overview section, consider factors like taxation, liability, and business growth potential to determine whether an LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation best suits your needs. This decision will influence your operational flexibility, financial management, and legal obligations.

2. Develop a pricing strategy

Establishing a pricing strategy that balances market competitiveness with profitability is essential. As part of your market analysis, take the time to explore pricing tiers and client expectations. Offering a variety of service packages can cater to different customer needs and enhance revenue streams. Connect those packages and pricing tiers to your projected revenues and expenses as you create your financial forecasts.

3. Create an online presence

A strong online presence is non-negotiable. So, even if you plan to leverage traditional marketing channels, you will still want to have digital marketing efforts be part of your plan. 

At a minimum, invest in a professional website, optimize for local search , and engage actively on social media platforms. This visibility attracts new clients and serves as a platform for showcasing your work and customer testimonials.

4. Highlight your credentials and training

Highlighting your credentials and commitment to ongoing professional development can set your business apart. 

Regular training in new grooming techniques, customer service excellence, and pet safety reassure clients of the quality and reliability of your services. Start by mentioning the qualifications of you and your team and include any supporting documentation, like resumes or awards, in your appendix.

5. Build on success with client referrals and reviews

Encourage satisfied customers to refer others and leave positive online reviews . Word-of-mouth and digital endorsements can significantly impact your business’s reputation and trustworthiness. Consider implementing a referral program to incentivize clients to share their positive experiences.

• Download your free dog grooming one page sample business plan

Download your dog grooming business plan sample now for free. You can also explore Bplans’ collection of over 550 sample business plans to find other examples.

Writing a business plan for your dog grooming business helps you stand out in a crowded market. It’s one of numerous reasons that a business plan increases your chance of success. 

The plan is essential for getting your business funded. But even if you don’t need a bank loan, thinking through each aspect of your business will help you make the best strategic decisions and use your limited resources effectively.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

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Dog Grooming Business Plan

Mar.18, 2023

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Table of Content

1. Dog Grooming Business Plan Sample and Template

Dog grooming is a growing industry, with many pet owners seeking out services to care for their furry friends properly. A well-crafted business plan can help you to create a successful business that caters to the needs of dog owners.

The main objective of this business plan is to create a successful and sustainable dog grooming business by providing high-quality services to customers. It seeks to build a strong brand and customer base and maximize profitability.

This business plan works well as a Dog Training Business Plan and other businesses.

2. Executive Summary

Business overview.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming is a full-service dog grooming business that specializes in providing quality services to all breeds of dogs. We strive to offer a modern, clean, and relaxing atmosphere for both our customers and their pets. Our services range from traditional grooming, such as baths and nail trims, to more specialized services, such as breed-specific cuts and specialty treatments.

In the Dog Walking Business Plan , we understand the importance of proper grooming in the healthy maintenance of a dog’s coat and skin, as well as its overall health and appearance. Our team of highly trained and certified groomers provides a safe, humane, and stress-free environment for your pet. We strive to ensure that each customer is satisfied with their experience and that their pet looks and feels their best.

We understand the importance of providing a safe and comfortable experience for our customers and their pets. That is why we take great care to ensure our facility is clean, organized, and well-maintained. We use only the highest quality products and equipment, and our team of certified groomers is experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of dog grooming.

At Furry Friends Dog Grooming, we offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of our customers. Our services include

• Basic dog wash, Brushing, and pet grooming
• Nail trimming
• Fur trimming
• Ear cleaning
• Teeth cleaning
• Paw pad trimming
• Anal gland expression
• Flea and tick control
• Deshedding treatments
• Coat coloring
• Skin treatment
• Nail grinding
• Pet cologne

Customer Focus

At our dog grooming salon, we are committed to providing the highest quality dog grooming services to our customers. In the Dog Daycare Business Plan , our team of certified groomers is experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of dog grooming and is dedicated to providing a safe, humane, and stress-free environment for your pet. In running a dog grooming business, we strive to ensure that each customer is satisfied with their experience and that their pet looks and feels its best.

Management Team

The management team at Furry Friends Dog Grooming consists of experienced pet groomers and professionals who have the knowledge and skills to provide the best service possible. We believe that our team is essential to the success of our business and strive to provide our employees with the best working conditions and benefits.

Success Factors

In the Veterinary Clinic Business Plan , the success of Furry Friends Dog Grooming will be based on our commitment to providing the highest quality of service and care to our customers and their pets. We will also focus on building a strong reputation in the community through word of mouth and referrals.

Financial Highlights

The business plans to raise initial funding of $50,000 to cover the costs of launching the business, including the purchase of grooming equipment, the lease of the property, and the hiring of staff. Launching the business is anticipated; dog grooming start-up costs $35,000, and the remaining $15,000 will be used to cover operating expenses for the first three months.

• Initial funding: $50,000
• Launch costs: $35,000
• Operating costs for first three months: $15,000
• Total revenue for the first year of operations: $75,000
• Net profit for the first year of operations: $45,000

3. Company Overview

Who is furry friends dog grooming.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming is a small business owned and operated by two lifelong dog lovers who have years of combined professional experience in the pet care industry. When we opened a dog grooming business, our first location was in 2015, and since then, we have grown to serve clients all over the Greater Los Angeles area. Our mission is to provide our clients with the best possible grooming experience and ensure their dogs feel safe and comfortable with us.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming History

Furry Friends Dog Grooming was founded in 2015 to provide high-quality and affordable dog grooming services to the Greater Los Angeles area. Since our founding, we have grown to serve clients all over the area and become a trusted dog grooming name. We strive to provide our clients with the best possible grooming experience and to ensure their dogs feel safe and comfortable while with us.

Furry Friends provides professional grooming services, including bathing, brushing, trimming, and styling, all tailored to each pet’s individual needs.

Furry Friends also provides a range of products to help keep dogs looking and feeling their best. The store carries a variety of shampoos, conditioners, and other grooming products, as well as nutritional supplements, beds, and toys.

The key elements of the business concept are the following:

• High-quality services: At Furry Friends Dog Grooming, we strive to provide the highest quality of grooming services available. We use the best tools and products to ensure our clients’ dogs look and feel their best.
• Experienced and friendly staff: Our staff are all experienced in the pet care industry and are passionate about their work. We strive to make our clients and their dogs feel comfortable and safe during their grooming.
• Affordable prices: We believe that everyone should be able to afford quality grooming services for their dogs, which is why we strive to keep our prices as affordable as possible.
• Safety: Safety is our top priority. We take all necessary precautions to ensure our client’s dogs are safe and comfortable during their grooming.
• Customer service: Furry Friends Dog Grooming is committed to providing our clients with the highest level of customer service. We strive to ensure all our clients are satisfied with their experience with us.

4. Industry Analysis

The pet grooming industry is growing rapidly. It is estimated that the pet grooming industry achieved $8.5 billion in total revenue in the United States in 2020, representing a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The industry is expected to continue to grow over the next five years, achieving an annual growth rate of 3.8%.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet grooming spending in the US alone was expected to reach $11.80 billion by 2023. The increasing number of pet owners and the rising demand for professional grooming services drives this growth. With more people owning pets and the increasing popularity of social media, pet owners are becoming more aware of the importance of proper grooming for their pets. As a result, pet grooming business owners can capitalize on this growing trend and tap into the lucrative pet grooming market.

The industry is also expected to benefit from increased demand for pet grooming services as pet owners seek to maintain the health and hygiene of their pets. Additionally, the industry is expected to benefit from the introduction of new technologies such as mobile dog grooming services and automated pet grooming equipment.

5. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Our primary target market is dog owners in the local area. Our customers will range from younger owners of small dogs to older owners of larger dog breeds. We anticipate that our customer base will be comprised of a diverse range of ages, incomes, and lifestyles. Specifically, our target customers are likely to include:

• Dog owners aged 35-65, with an average household income of $70,000+
• Dog owners with a passion for their pets and the time to care for them properly
• Dog owners who value convenience and are willing to pay for the convenience of having their pets groomed professionally
• Dog owners who are looking for a quality service that they can trust

Customer Segmentation

In order to effectively meet the needs of our target market, we will need to segment our customers. Our customer segmentation will be based on factors such as the breed of dog, size, lifestyle, and budget. Specifically, our customer segments may include

• Small breed owners: owners of small breed dogs such as Chihuahuas and Toy Poodles
• Large breed owners: owners of large breed dogs such as Labradors and German Shepherds
• Active pet owners: owners of active breeds such as Greyhounds and Border Collies
• Luxury pet owners: owners of high-end breeds such as Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
• Budget-minded pet owners: owners of lower-priced breeds such as Beagles and Shih Tzus
• Specialty pet owners: owners of rare breeds such as Basenjis and Chinese Crested Dogs

By segmenting our customer base, we can better target our services and marketing efforts to meet the specific needs of each group. This will enable us to create more personalized and effective marketing campaigns that will result in increased customer loyalty and satisfaction.

6. Competitive Analysis

The pet grooming industry is highly competitive and diverse. The sector is made up of both small independent businesses, as well as larger companies that offer a wide range of services. In order to remain competitive and differentiate ourselves from other grooming businesses, our plan is to offer high-quality services coupled with an excellent customer service experience.

Direct and Indirect Competitors

Direct Competitors

There are a number of direct competitors in the pet grooming industry in our area. Some of the main ones include

• Pawfect Pet Grooming: a full-service pet grooming business that offers grooming, bathing, nail trimming, and other services. They have been in business for over 20 years and have a good reputation in the local community.
• Furr-ever Friends: another full-service pet grooming business that offers a wide range of services, including brushing, bathing, nail trimming, and more. They have good reviews and a loyal customer base.
• Pets 4 Paws: a smaller, independent pet grooming business with a focus on natural and organic products. They have a small but loyal customer base and have a good reputation in the local community.

Indirect Competitors

In addition to direct competitors, there are a number of indirect competitors in the pet grooming industry. These include pet stores, pet supply stores, and online pet grooming services. These businesses may offer some of the same services as our business, but they may not be as specialized or customized as our services.

Competitive Advantage

Our competitive advantage over our competitors is our focus on high-quality services and customer service. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction will set us apart from the competition and will help us to build a loyal customer base. We also plan to offer a wide range of services, including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and more. This will help us to attract customers who are looking for a full-service pet grooming experience.

7. Marketing Plan

Furry Friends Dog Grooming will be marketed through various channels, including direct mail, print media, radio and television advertisements, and social media campaigns.

• Direct Mail: We will send out direct mailers to local pet owners, veterinary clinics, and other pet-related businesses in the area. These mailers will include information about our services, prices, and promotions.
• Print Media: We will advertise in local newspapers, magazines, and pet-related publications. We will also distribute flyers and brochures in pet stores, veterinary clinics, and other pet-related businesses.
• Radio and Television: We will purchase radio and television advertisements to reach a wider audience. These advertisements will include information about our services and prices.
• Social Media: We will use social media to reach potential customers. We will create social media profiles and post updates about our services, promotions, and events.

Furry Friends Dog Grooming will have several direct and indirect competitors in the area. The direct competitors will include other dog grooming businesses, while the indirect competitors will include pet stores, veterinary clinics, and pet boarding facilities.

Direct Competitors:

• Pawfect Pet Grooming
• Furr-ever Friends
• Pets 4 Paws

Indirect Competitors:

• Veterinary Clinics
• Pet Boarding Facilities

Promotions Strategy

In the dog grooming business plan outline, we will use a variety of promotions to attract and retain customers. Our promotions will include discounts, loyalty programs, and referral programs.

• Discounts: We will offer discounts to new customers and returning customers. These discounts can be used for services, products, or both.
• Loyalty Programs: We will offer loyalty programs to reward customers for their loyalty. These programs will include rewards such as discounts, free services, and special offers.
• Referral Programs: We will offer referral programs to reward customers for referring their friends and family to our business. These programs will include rewards such as discounts, free services, and special offers.

Our pricing strategy will be based on market research and competitor analysis. We will offer competitive pricing that is in line with the market rates while also offering discounts and loyalty programs to attract and retain customers. We will monitor our competitors’ pricing and adjust our pricing accordingly.

8. Operations Plan

Operation functions.

Grooming: The primary function of the business will be providing pet grooming services. This includes bathing, brushing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and hair styling. The business will use high-quality products and tools to ensure the best results for each pet.

Boarding: The business will also offer overnight boarding services for cats and dogs. The boarding area will be clean and comfortable, and the pets will be given food, water, and plenty of attention throughout their stay.

Pet Supplies: The business will also offer basic pet supplies such as food, treats, toys, and grooming tools. These supplies will be available for purchase in-store and online.

3/15/202X – Establish a business plan and timeline

3/22/202X – Acquire the necessary licenses and permits

4/1/202X – Design and implement a marketing plan

4/8/202X – Hire qualified staff

4/15/202X – Purchase the necessary equipment, supplies, and materials

4/22/202X – Design a customer service plan

5/1/202X – Design and implement a safety plan

5/8/202X – Set up an online presence

5/15/202X – Develop a customer loyalty program

5/22/202X – Develop a pricing structure

9. Management Team

Company staff.

Owner has been in the pet care industry for the last ten years. He has a degree in business management and is the founder of Dog Grooming Enterprises. The owner has developed a reputation for providing high-quality pet care services and grooming to various pet owners.

• Manager/Operations
• Office Manager
• Receptionist
• Customer Service Representative
• Administrative Assistant

10. Financial Plan

We are seeking funding of $50,000 to cover start-up costs and initial operating expenses. This funding will purchase equipment, rent a space, and hire staff. We will also use the funding to pay for marketing and advertising expenses. The funds will be repaid after three years through profits generated by the business.

Key Revenue & Costs

Key Revenue

The primary source of revenue for our dog grooming business will be from services provided to customers. Services offered will include basic dog grooming, nail trimming, and flea and tick treatments. We will also offer additional services such as specialty baths, fur trimming, and creative styling. We will also offer pet supplies for sale.

• Dog Grooming Services – 40%
• Nail Trimming – 20%
• Flea and Tick Treatments – 10%
• Specialty Baths & Fur Trimming – 15%
• Creative Styling – 10%
• Pet Supplies – 5%

The main costs associated with running our business are salaries for staff, rent for our facility, insurance, utilities, and supplies. We must purchase grooming equipment such as clippers, dryers, and tables. We must also purchase supplies such as shampoos, conditioners, and brushes.

• Salaries – 25%
• Insurance – 5%
• Utilities – 15%
• Supplies – 20%
• Grooming Equipment – 25%

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Funding Requirements

Startup Costs: $12,000

Use of Funds

• Rent: $2,500/month
• Furniture and Equipment: $5,000
• Legal/Accounting: $1,500
• Insurance: $500/year
• Licenses: $500
• Marketing: $1,000
• Miscellaneous: $1,000
• Salaries and wages: $3,000/month
• Advertising and marketing: $500/month
• Utilities: $300/month

Key Assumptions

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

The essential assumptions necessary to reach the income and cost estimates in the financials and to obtain the company loan are shown in the following table.

Grooming services will be offered at the rate of $25/hour

Retail products will have a 10-20% markup

Rent will be fixed at $2,500/month

Insurance and Licenses will be renewed annually at a fixed cost

Salaries and wages will be fixed at $3,000/month

Advertising and marketing will be fixed at $500/month

Utilities will be fixed at $300/month

Financial Projections

Income statement, projected balance sheet, cash flow statement.

• What is a dog grooming business plan? A dog grooming business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the business objectives, strategies, operations, and financial goals of a dog grooming business. It serves as a roadmap for the business’s success, providing a clear plan of action and strategies to reach the desired goals. It also outlines the resources needed to make the business successful and the strategies to acquire them. A good dog grooming business plan should include an executive summary, market analysis, business model, operational plan, marketing plan, financial plan, and personnel plan.
• What are the main types of dog groomers? There are a few main types of dog groomers. Mobile groomers provide services from their own vehicle, which they can drive to a customer’s home. Self-employed groomers run their businesses from their homes or a grooming salon. Salon-based groomers work in a grooming salon and are supervised by a professional groomer. Finally, there are pet groomers who work in pet stores. These groomers are usually supervised by a veterinarian and often require some veterinary training.
• What are the main sources of revenues and expenses for dog grooming? The main sources of revenue for dog grooming are services such as bathing, brushing, nail trimming, and haircuts. Expenses for dog groomers include the cost of supplies such as shampoo, clippers, scissors, and combs; rent for the grooming space; wages for groomers; and insurance.
• How do you get funding for your dog grooming business plan? One way to get funding for a dog grooming business plan is to apply for a loan. There are many different types of loans available, such as small business loans, unsecured lines of credit, and even government-backed grants. Before applying for a loan, it is important to create a detailed business plan that outlines the goals of the business, the expected costs, and how the business will be profitable. This will help lenders understand the business’s potential and make an informed decision about loaning money. Additionally, having a good credit history and collateral may help secure a loan. Other sources of funding may include crowdfunding or private investors. These methods may require more effort and care to be successful, but they can be a great way to get the funding you need for your dog grooming business.

Download Dog Grooming Business Plan in PDF

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Dog Grooming Business Plan: How-To Guide & Best Practices

BUSINESS  |   2/22/21 10:28 AM  |  by Gingr

Thinking of starting your very own dog grooming business, or incorporating grooming services into your new dog daycare resort or boarding facility? Maybe you’ve always been a dog lover ever since you got your first pet as a kid, or you’ve dreamed of becoming a self-made entrepreneur and owning your own business. Whatever the case may be, you’ve come to the right place!

At Gingr , we’ve helped hundreds of pet care professionals get their businesses up and running. With the help of our pet business software, groomers, boarders, and daycare owners can stay organized and efficient with scheduling tools, communication features, and a speedy payment processing program. We’ve been around the block a few times, and we know what it takes to set yourself up to become the most pup-ular business owner around town. 

We’ll cover the basics of creating a dog grooming business plan in the following sections: 

Key Questions to Ask Before Starting a Dog Grooming Business

Components of a successful dog grooming business plan.

• Pet Grooming Business Plan Best Practices

As with any new business, starting a pet business comes with its own set of risks. But as the saying goes: nothing ventured, nothing gained. The benefit of owning your own business is that YOU have the power to make your own decisions, course correct when you face challenges, and reap the direct benefits of your hard work. 

This guide will answer key questions, provide guidelines for creating your business plan, and offer concrete steps to take to get your business underway. Let’s get started!

Before you embark on your dog-grooming journey, there are probably a lot of questions on your mind about what starting a pet care business will entail. We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about starting a dog grooming business to help address your concerns.

How profitable is a dog grooming business?

Dog grooming has the potential to be a very profitable venture, but the success of your business will depend on a few factors:

• How quickly you can grow your customer base
• What you decide to charge for your services
• Your startup and operational costs
• The level of competition in the local market

Your profitability will depend on localized aspects such as the cost of rent or how many competitors there are in the area. You also may have to factor in new costs as you grow, such as employee wages.

The good news is that the pet industry is seeing a striking growth spurt, with an estimated $99 billion spent on pets in 2020. We know that people are willing to spend piles of cash to pamper their pets. To become profitable, you must entice them to spend their money at your business rather than competitors’.

What is the best setup for a dog grooming business?

One benefit of starting a dog grooming business is that you have a few options for how you want to set up your business. 

Groomers can operate out of their homes, use buses or vans in a mobile set-up, or rent or purchase a space to set up their own grooming facility with a storefront. Home and brick-and-mortar businesses are more traditional options, while mobile pet grooming is a rising pet industry trend . Each option has pros and cons:

Home business

• Pros: You can eliminate commute time by running your business from home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about overhead costs like commercial rent.
• Cons: It can be hard to strike a work-life balance when working from home, and you’ll have to rely on word of mouth or digital marketing as you won’t have a physical storefront to draw in customers.

Brick-and-mortar store

• Pros: Your business will benefit from having a physical presence and sign that can attract people passing by, and you can offer extra services to customers such as a self-wash station where they can wash their own dogs inside your facility.
• Cons: You’ll have traditional business costs such as commercial rent and utilities.

Mobile grooming

• Pros: Taking your business on the road is convenient for customers, less stressful on pets, and a safer option for health-conscious clients during the pandemic.
• Cons: You’ll have to check local laws and regulations about where you can park your mobile business, and you’ll have overhead costs for gas and vehicle maintenance.

As you can see, each option comes with advantages and disadvantages. Decide what matters most to you (having a flexible schedule, room to grow, lower operating costs, etc.) and go with the option that best aligns with your overall business strategy. 

For example, say you have a dream to expand your business into a large operation with several staff members and a vast client base. In that case, you’d want to consider a brick-and-mortar store to have room to grow.

What do you need to start a pet grooming business?

You already have one of the most important assets needed to get your dog grooming business started—a passion for pets! In addition, here’s the basic equipment you’ll need to get your business underway:

• Bathtubs/sinks
• Doggie shampoo and nail clippers
• Grooming tables
• Pet clippers and grooming shears
• Deshedding and dematting tools
• Puppy accessories (bows, bandanas, etc.) 
• Cleaning supplies

Along with your physical equipment, be sure to invest in a proper dog grooming business software system . Your business software can handle the organizational side of your business, from scheduling appointments to collecting payments. It will take much of the stress of running your business off your hands by allowing you to manage your digital processes more efficiently.

Finally, you’ll need a comprehensive business plan to give your business a solid foundation and a guide for completing your goals. Read on for an explanation of what a dog grooming business plan should look like.

Your dog grooming business plan offers a high-level overview of your business and can help guide your decision-making or help you access a business loan. If you are using this document to acquire a loan, be sure to tailor your language to be as persuasive and positive as possible to present your business as a dependable investment that will achieve long-term success. Your business plan should include these seven sections:

Company Description 

At the start of your business plan, introduce yourself and your vision for the business. Explain who you are and your qualifications. Describe the need in your community for this service and how your business will stand out from competitors (perhaps you’ll be a fully-mobile groomer or specialize in tough-to-groom breeds such as gigantic Newfoundlands or shaggy Old English Sheepdogs).

Products and Services

In this section, describe the goods and services you’ll be offering to customers. Will you just offer dog grooming services, or will you also provide products such as leashes, bandanas, or specialty dog shampoos? Emphasize the unique features of your products and/or services (e.g., you’re the only mobile grooming company in town, or you’re the only business with a full line of boutique shampoos) that meet an existing need in the market.

Market Research

Prove your expertise in the dog grooming industry within the market research section of your business plan. Answer these questions as you research: 

• Market need: What gap in the market do you intend to fill with your products and/or services?
• Competition: Who will be your local competitors? What do they have to offer? 
• Pricing: How much are competitors charging for their goods and services? 
• Target customer: What is your target market? Who are you trying to reach with your services? 

Describe how your new business will fit into this puzzle and emphasize your competitive advantage . For instance, you might have special training or experience at national dog shows, a prime location, or state-of-the-art equipment. Any feature that your business will have that competitors lack gives your business an edge in the market that can draw in more investors.

Marketing and Advertising

Describe your plan to market and advertise your business to attract customers. Perhaps you’ll launch a digital marketing campaign with targeted social media ads and geofencing strategies to reach people in a specific geographic location. You may also choose to send out direct mail flyers or purchase local radio or TV ad spots promoting your new grooming business. 

Use the data you gathered while creating the market research analysis to justify your marketing decisions. For instance, if you found in your market research that your target customer is likely a suburban resident in their early thirties to mid-fifties, you can place flyers in mailboxes in neighborhoods in your area as part of your marketing strategy.

Management Summary

Provide an outline of your management structure and descriptions of the key personnel involved. If you already have a few staff members on board, explain who they are and what their duties will be. If you’re bringing on additional staff members, describe the qualifications you’re looking for in new employees and what their day-to-day responsibilities will entail.

Financial Analysis

In this section, you’ll create a breakdown of important financial information. Include profit projections, a balance sheet, and cash flow statements:

• Profit projections: Broadly, your profit will be your business’s total revenue minus total expenses. Your expenses will include variable costs (expenses that fluctuate regularly, including charges for hourly wages, cleaning services, etc.) and fixed costs (costs that rarely change, such as rent or utility payments). Your revenue will be how many dogs you predict you’ll groom multiplied by how much your charge per dog. Use this information to create a profit projection chart for how you envision your business will stay profitable over the first five years of operation. 
• Cash flow statement: Similarly, your cash flow statement will show how much money you need to make in a given period such as a month or year to remain in business. It will paint a picture of where the needed cash will come from and also where money will be flowing out of your business to pay for expenses. 
• Balance sheet: This is a breakdown of your assets and liabilities. Assets are your resources or investments that help your business generate income, such as your state-of-the-art grooming equipment. Liabilities are debts or financial obligations you owe such as loans or mortgages. 

Overall, your financial section should include a profit breakdown and a more complex financial analysis for how you see your business growing over a five-year period. If you’re using your business plan to solicit a loan, be sure to include the monetary amount you’re seeking and what the funds will be used for.

Legal Requirements

Prove that your business is qualified and fit for operation by describing how it adheres to all legal requirements. 

First, define your business structure—whether you’re operating as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. If you decide to structure your business as a corporation, you’ll have to register with your state’s Secretary of State office. Registering your business as a corporation establishes it as a separate legal entity, protecting you from personal liability if you were to be sued by a customer. 

Additionally, acquire any necessary business licenses issued by your state or local government and show proof of these licenses in your grooming business plan. This will protect your business from fines and ensure you can operate without any legal ramifications. 

Finally, research your options for business insurance and invest in a solution that meets your needs. Check out this guide to pet business insurance for detailed explanations of each type of insurance, including commercial liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and property insurance. 

Commercial liability insurance covers your business as a whole if an accident were to take place such as a customer slipping on a wet spot and getting injured in your facility. Professional liability insurance accounts for liabilities that are directly related to grooming businesses, such as a dog being injured while getting a haircut. Lastly, property insurance protects your business if any unexpected disasters were to occur like a tornado or fire. 

Once you’ve finalized your legal considerations, you’ll have a completed business plan to present to investors or use as a guiding force as you get started with your business. Be sure to take your time with this document. Think deliberately and realistically about your overall business strategy to create an accurate portrayal of your grooming business.

Pet Grooming Business Best Practices

In addition to creating a business plan, there are several best practices to adhere to that can take your grooming business to the next level. These include finding a niche, enhancing customer service, and leveraging powerful dog grooming software.

1. Define Your Pet Grooming Business Niche

Take the time to pinpoint your pet grooming business’s niche and how you will describe this niche to potential customers. 

First, define the breeds you will groom and how they will be served by your grooming business. For instance, will you serve all breeds, or specialize in a few such as large breeds? 

Further, think deliberately about your grooming business operating concept —the setup you choose to run your business out of. For any setup you choose, decide which unique offerings you’ll provide to customers. For example, if you choose a brick-and-mortar operation, you may decide to offer luxury doggie spa services to customers. Or, if you go with a mobile option, you can also provide dog-walking services.

However, you must also ensure the scope of your business is well-defined. You don’t want to offer too much to customers and confuse them about the purpose of your business, or offer too little and cause them to go with a competitor’s services instead. Take a Goldilocks approach and start by offering a few services that you can focus on growing and perfecting. 

Defining your niche up front gives you a focus point for all your planning as well as more time to hone your business’s concept. Once you have a clear picture of your business offerings, you’ll be better positioned to enact effective marketing campaigns that describe your business more accurately.

2. Focus On Customer Experience

As a new business owner, it’s critical to refine your customer service strategy. Providing clients with a streamlined, pleasant experience will keep them returning to your business each time their pet needs a trim.

As you gain new customers, keeping track of all customer interactions and pet information can quickly become an unwieldy task. This is where grooming business software can become a key asset to help you stay organized and give your customers an easy, hassle-free experience with your business. 

For example, Gingr’s grooming software allows groomers to develop appointment cards for each canine customer to track important information such as grooming history, behavior notes, and rates. You can use these cards to quickly access information at check-out time and schedule appointments while the customer is right in front of you.

Further, through your dog grooming business software, you can create custom email and text messages to ensure customers hear from you regularly and know when and how they can schedule their appointments. 

Customer service is more important now than ever because you need to communicate about how you’re prioritizing customer health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic . Clients will appreciate knowing that your business has responsibly instituted social distancing measures during pet drop-offs and pick-ups and increased sanitization efforts.

3. Leverage Effective Dog Grooming Software

When thinking about ways to set your business apart from competitors, it’s clear that investing in quality dog grooming software will not only make your life as a business owner easier but provide a framework for growing your client base. Dog grooming business software has the following advantages: 

• Saves time. You can schedule and view upcoming appointments, assign staff members to clients, and manage time-off requests all within one system. You won’t have to worry about keeping track of employee schedules or upcoming appointments within a complex spreadsheet or ad-hoc email chain. 
• Helps you communicate more effectively. You can automated email and text messages to go out to customers to save you time from having to plan and manually send messages. This boosts your marketing efforts by ensuring regular communication between you and your customers. 
• Increases profitability. Streamlined payment processing within your business software system ensures you get paid on time and accurately for your services. You can even increase your tip income by presenting tip options at check-out time.

Your business software is the last piece of the puzzle that will kick your business plan into high gear and impress prospective customers. Be sure to contact us here at Gingr with any questions about how dog grooming business software can enhance your business management operations and fit into your business strategy.

Now that you have a solid understanding of how to create a dog grooming business plan and how to use your competitive advantage to set your business apart, you’ll soon be ready to open your doors to a flood of new furry friends and give them the most stylish haircuts they’ll ever receive. Be sure to check out these additional resources as you get prepped to open your business: 

• Starting a Dog Grooming Business: The Complete Guide . Check out this article for another perspective on starting your very own dog grooming business. 
• 10 Pet Industry Trends to Know. This guide outlines current pet business trends to consider implementing in your business.
• COVID-19 and Pet Care Businesses: The Essential Guide. The pandemic has changed the way pet care businesses operate. Find out what this means for your grooming business with this guide.

Related Blog Posts

Hosting a pet photography day at your pet-care business, certifications for dog trainers: expanding your expertise, tools and toys: elevating training sessions, optimize your pet-care business, find out how gingr helps you streamline and grow your business..

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Dog Grooming Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a dog grooming business can be an incredibly rewarding endeavor, but developing a successful business plan is key. Knowing what steps to take and what information to include in your business plan is essential for success. With the #1 Dog Grooming Business Plan Template & Guidebook, you'll get a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to creating the perfect plan for your pet-grooming venture. From understanding the market landscape to creating a detailed financial plan - this guide will help you take the guesswork out of writing your dog grooming business plan.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Dog Grooming Business [11 Steps]
• 10+ Best & Profitable Dog Grooming Business Ideas [2023]
• 25 Catchy Dog Grooming Business Names:

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your dog grooming business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your dog grooming business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a dog grooming business:

Our mission at [Business Name] is to provide top-quality dog grooming services to our clients in an efficient, caring, and professional manner. We strive to offer a safe, clean environment for all furry friends to enjoy the pampering that they deserve. We strive to build lasting relationships with our clients through our values of trust, respect, and excellence.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Dog Grooming Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your dog grooming business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your dog grooming business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your dog grooming business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your dog grooming business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a dog grooming business?

• Professional dog grooming tools (brushes, clippers, scissors, combs, dryers, etc.)
• Shampoo and conditioner specially formulated for dogs
• Dog nail clippers and dremel tools
• Dog ear cleaning tools
• Towels and other grooming accessories
• Business permits or licenses specific to the area where the business is located

5. Management & Organization of Your Dog Grooming Business.

The second part of your dog grooming business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your dog grooming business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Dog Grooming Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a dog grooming business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a dog grooming business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your dog grooming business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your dog grooming business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your dog grooming business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Grooming Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a dog grooming business.

A business plan for a dog grooming business is essential to evaluate the potential of the business, clarify your vision and objectives, set strategy and target markets, establish projections, analyze the competition, estimate startup costs and forecast cash flow. It will help potential investors or lenders understand the potential of the venture and assess its risk factors. In addition, having a written business plan met allow you to track progress and make changes as necessary to ensure success.

Who should you ask for help with your dog grooming business plan?

You should ask a business consultant or an advisor with experience in small business planning, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). They will be able to help you create a comprehensive plan and identify any potential risks and opportunities. Additionally, your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office may have resources available to help you navigate the process.

Can you write a dog grooming business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a dog grooming business plan yourself. To do so, you will need to consider the various aspects of opening and managing such a business, such as market research and customer service, financial planning and business operations. Additionally, you will need to explain your vision for the business, including the services you plan to offer, pricing strategies and estimated startup costs. Also important are any strategies you may have for promoting your business and managing employees.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

Business Plan Template for Dog Grooming Business

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

Starting or expanding a dog grooming business requires careful planning and a solid strategy. That's where ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Dog Grooming Business comes in handy!

This comprehensive template is designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the dog grooming industry. It helps you outline your business objectives, identify your target market, develop a pricing strategy, plan your marketing efforts, streamline your operational processes, and create realistic financial projections.

With ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Dog Grooming Business, you'll have a comprehensive roadmap that sets you up for success in the ever-growing pet industry. Start grooming your way to success today!

Business Plan Template for Dog Grooming Business Benefits

When using the Business Plan Template for Dog Grooming Business, you can expect the following benefits:

• Clear and organized structure for outlining your business objectives and strategies
• Detailed analysis of your target market, helping you identify and reach your ideal customers
• Pricing strategy guidance to ensure profitability and competitiveness in the market
• Comprehensive marketing plan to effectively promote your dog grooming services
• Streamlined operational processes to optimize efficiency and customer satisfaction
• Accurate financial projections to support funding requests and track the financial health of your business

Main Elements of Dog Grooming Business Business Plan Template

Starting or expanding your dog grooming business? ClickUp's Business Plan Template has got you covered:

• Custom Statuses: Keep track of the progress of each section of your business plan with statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do.
• Custom Fields: Add important details to your plan such as Reference, Approved, and Section to ensure all aspects are covered and easily accessible.
• Custom Views: Utilize different views like Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide to organize and visualize your business plan from different angles.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with your team in real-time, assign tasks, discuss ideas, and attach files to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Integrations: Connect with other tools you use, like accounting software or marketing platforms, to seamlessly integrate and streamline your workflow.

How To Use Business Plan Template for Dog Grooming Business

If you're starting a dog grooming business and need some guidance, follow these steps to effectively use the Business Plan Template in ClickUp:

1. Define your business concept

Start by clearly defining your business concept and what sets it apart from other dog grooming businesses. Identify your target market, unique selling points, and the specific services you plan to offer. This will help you build a strong foundation for your business plan.

Use Docs in ClickUp to brainstorm and outline your business concept, including your mission, vision, and values.

2. Conduct market research

To ensure the success of your dog grooming business, it's crucial to understand the market and your competition. Research the demand for dog grooming services in your area, analyze your target audience, and study your competitors' pricing, services, and marketing strategies.

Utilize the Table view in ClickUp to create a market research spreadsheet, where you can track and analyze data related to your target market, competition, and pricing.

3. Develop a marketing strategy

Create a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote your dog grooming business and attract customers. Identify the most effective channels to reach your target audience, such as local advertising, social media marketing, and partnerships with local pet stores or veterinarians.

Use Goals in ClickUp to set marketing objectives and track your progress, ensuring that you're consistently implementing your marketing strategy.

4. Plan your operations and finances

Outline the day-to-day operations of your dog grooming business, including staffing, equipment, supplies, and pricing. Determine your pricing structure based on factors like the type of grooming services provided, the size of the dogs, and the level of difficulty.

Utilize the Gantt chart in ClickUp to create a visual timeline for setting up your operations, including tasks like hiring staff, purchasing equipment, and acquiring necessary licenses.

5. Monitor and revise

Once your business plan is in action, it's important to regularly monitor your progress and make necessary revisions. Keep track of your financial performance, customer feedback, and any changes in the market or industry trends. Adjust your strategies accordingly to ensure the continued success and growth of your dog grooming business.

Set up Automations in ClickUp to receive regular reports and reminders for financial monitoring, customer feedback collection, and market analysis, allowing you to make informed decisions and take timely action.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Dog Grooming Business

Entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their dog grooming businesses can use the ClickUp Business Plan Template to create a comprehensive roadmap for success.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a detailed business plan:

• Use the Topics View to outline and organize different sections of your business plan, such as objectives, target market, pricing strategy, marketing efforts, operational processes, and financial projections.
• The Status View will help you track the progress of each section, with statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do.
• The Timeline View will allow you to set deadlines and visualize the timeline of your business plan.
• Use the Business Plan View to have a comprehensive overview of your entire plan in one place.
• The Getting Started Guide View will provide step-by-step instructions on how to use the template and create your business plan.
• Customize the template by adding custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to add more relevant information and track progress.
• Update statuses, custom fields, and assign tasks to team members to keep everyone informed and on track.
• Monitor and analyze your business plan to ensure maximum productivity and success.
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Dog Grooming Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Dog Grooming Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Dog Grooming business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their dog grooming businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Dog Grooming business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is a startup dog grooming business located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Company is founded by Lisa Williams, an experienced dog groomer who has gained valuable knowledge on how to run a dog grooming business during the past five years while working at Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming. Now that Lisa has experienced managing a dog grooming business, she is ready to start her own company, Fur Friends Dog Grooming. Lisa is confident that her dog grooming skills combined with her customer service experience will enable her to run a profitable dog grooming company of her own. Lisa is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a dog grooming business – sales and marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, product procurement, and janitorial operations.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will provide a wide selection of dog grooming services for dog owners in the Wilmington, Delaware area. Fur Friends will be the go-to dog grooming business in Wilmington for high quality dog grooming services delivered by expertly trained groomers. The Company will be the ultimate choice for customer service while offering the best prices in the area.

Product Offering

The following are the services that Fur Friends Dog Grooming will provide:

• Conditioner
• Teeth Cleaning
• Nail Trimming
• Clip & Hair Cut
• Eye & Ear Cleaning

Customer Focus

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will target dog owners in Wilmington, Delaware. The Company will target owners of dogs of all breeds, sizes, and grooming needs. No matter the customer, Fur Friends Dog Grooming will deliver the best communication, service, and prices.

Management Team

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be owned and operated by Lisa Williams. Lisa is a graduate of Delaware University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. She has over ten years of experience working as a dog groomer for another local business, the last five of which she has worked as the manager for the company. Lisa will be Fur Friends Dog Grooming’s Owner and Manager. She will oversee the training, scheduling, and day-to-day operations of the grooming staff.

Lisa has recruited Scott Smith, an experienced marketing director, to be the Company’s Marketing Director. Scott has a Master’s degree in Sales & Marketing and has worked as a marketing consultant for numerous companies in the pet industry. Scott will handle all sales and marketing campaigns, tactics, and strategies for the Company.

Success Factors

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Skilled team of dog groomers who will ensure every customer receives the best service and every dog receives the best care possible.
• Fur Friends Dog Grooming makes it easy for customers to obtain the Company’s services. The Company will have a brick and mortar location and a mobile operation to give customers more flexibility in the way they can get their dog’s grooming services.
• The Company offers competitive pricing and discounts for regular customers.

Financial Highlights

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is seeking $300,000 in debt financing to launch its dog grooming business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the retail space and purchasing dog grooming business equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and marketing expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Retail space build-out: $100,000
• Dog grooming equipment, supplies, and materials: $70,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, utilities): $110,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Fur Friends Dog Grooming.

Company Overview

Who is fur friends dog grooming.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is a newly established dog grooming company in Wilmington, Delaware. Fur Friends will be the first choice for busy dog owners in Wilmington and the surrounding communities for convenience with its centrally located brick and mortar location and its mobile operation that brings grooming services straight to their door. The Company also has a convenient app customers can use to schedule their appointments, pay for services, and monitor their dogs during the grooming process.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be able to guarantee the best of care and high quality service provided by professionally trained and capable dog groomers. All groomers go through a rigorous vetting process to ensure that all dogs are groomed by only the best talent.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming History

Fur Friends Dog Grooming is owned and operated by Lisa Williams, an experienced dog groomer who has gained valuable knowledge on how to run a dog grooming business during the past five years while working at Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming. Now that Lisa has experienced managing a dog grooming business, she is ready to start her own company, Fur Friends Dog Grooming. Lisa is confident that her dog grooming skills combined with her customer service experience will enable her to run a profitable dog grooming company of her own. Lisa is recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals to help manage the day-to-day complexities of running a dog grooming business – sales and marketing, bookkeeping, customer service, product procurement, and janitorial operations.

Since incorporation, Fur Friends Dog Grooming has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Fur Friends Dog Grooming, LLC to transact business in the state of Delaware.
• Has signed a lease to rent the retail space.
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include former customers, dog owners, friends, and family members to help spread the word about the new dog grooming business.
• Began recruiting a staff of accountants, dog groomers, janitorial, and sales personnel to work at Fur Friends Dog Grooming.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming Services

Industry analysis.

Dog grooming is part of the larger pet grooming industry. The United States pet grooming market is valued at $2.1M and is expected to grow by 6.3% by the year 2030. There are approximately 154,000 pet grooming businesses with over 295,000 employees across the country.

The pet grooming industry is dominated by the dog grooming segment, followed by smaller segments of cat grooming and other pet grooming. There are more than 90M dogs in the United States. Market drivers include an increased focus by pet owners on their dog’s health and wellbeing as well as a growing demand for aesthetic and styling services. Regular grooming keeps dogs clean and healthy while protecting them from allergies, skin infections, and other diseases. Pet owners spend over $123B per year on their pets. Dog owners currently spend more money on dog care than ever before, spending on everything from regular grooming to costumes and toys.

The pet grooming industry can be separated into segments based on service type. The most common service segments are the spa and massage service category and the shear and trim service category. Some industry operators specialize in one particular category, while others provide a wide range of services.

The dog grooming industry can also be divided into segments based on channel of operations. The most popular category is the commercial or physical brick and mortar segment. The fastest growing category is the mobile pet grooming segment. Although this segment is much smaller than the commercial segment, it is expected to grow exponentially over the next several years as more people are coming to prefer the convenience and comfort for their pets that a mobile service can provide.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The precise demographics for Wilmington, Delaware are:

Customer Segmentation

Fur Friends will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Gen Z dog owners with disposable income
• Millennial dog owners with disposable income
• Gen X dog owners with disposable income
• Baby Boomer dog owners with disposable income

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming

Founded in 2005, Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming is one of the largest independently owned dog grooming businesses in Wilmington, Delaware. The company provides a full suite of pet grooming services including shampoo and conditioner bath, nail care, dental care, brushing, blow dry, and styling. Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming operates six brick and mortar locations throughout the city. Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming aims to deliver high quality service for all of its customers. The company has a strict dog groomer vetting program to ensure only the top talent is entrusted with the care of the customers’ precious pups. Fuzzie Wuzzlez Dog Grooming’s team of experienced dog grooming professionals have years of experience working with dogs of all temperaments and grooming needs so they are well equipped to care for any dog.

Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming

Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming is a small dog grooming business catering to local show dog owners in Wilmington, Delaware and surrounding areas. Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming provides mobile dog grooming services using three fully-equipped vans. The company provides a variety of grooming services for small to medium sized dog breeds to prepare them for dog shows and competitions. The owners of Paul’s Paw Pals Dog Grooming are former dog show competitors themselves, so they have a unique understanding of the specific grooming needs of their customers’ dogs who are preparing for competition. The company provides grooming services for non-show dogs as well, but grooming for show is their specialty.

Ball of Fluff Dog Grooming

Ball of Fluff Dog Grooming is a trusted Wilmington, Delaware-based dog grooming business that provides superior dog grooming service to consumers in Wilmington and the surrounding areas. The company is able to provide a wide variety of services to pamper pups from head to toe using proven dog grooming techniques and products. Ball of Fluff Dog Grooming serves local dog owners with the piece of mind that all products used on their dogs are natural, safe, and effective. The company only uses all natural, vegan products and works with local suppliers to help support other small business owners.

Competitive Advantage

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Skilled team of dog groomers who will handle all dogs with the best of care and attention. The Company’s dog groomers are all expertly trained and vetted for excellence in customer service and dog care.
• Fur Friends Dog Grooming makes it easy for customers to obtain the Company’s services. Customers can schedule appointments through the app, online, over the phone, or in person. Customers can also choose to bring their dog into the centrally located facility or have the mobile unit come out to their homes for even more convenience.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Fur Friends Dog Grooming provides flexibility and convenience. Customers can schedule appointments, make payments, and monitor their dogs through the Company’s app. Customers can also choose whether they want to bring their dog in or have the mobile unit come out to their homes.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Fur Friends Dog Grooming is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

The Company’s marketing director will create accounts on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. They will ensure Fur Friends maintains an active social media presence with regular daily updates and fun content to get customers excited about the Company’s dog grooming services.

Professional Associations and Networking

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will become a member of professional associations such as the Dog Grooming Association, American Dog Groomers Society, and the Delaware Pet Grooming Association. The leadership team will focus their networking efforts on expanding the Company’s vendor and customer network.

Print Advertising

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events. The Company will also send direct mailers to local businesses where potential customers frequent.

Website/SEO Marketing

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will utilize the in-house marketing director that designed the print ads to also design the Company’s website. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all the services that Fur Friends is able to provide. The website will also list information on all the products Fur Friends uses such as shampoos, conditioners, and flea baths.

The marketing director will also manage Fur Friends’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone types in a search engine “dog grooming service” or “dog grooming near me”, Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the Company’s services. Fur Friends will give new and regular customers discounts to encourage repeat business.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Fur Friends Dog Grooming.

Operation Functions:

• Lisa Williams will be the Owner and Manager of the Company. She will oversee the activities and schedules of the dog groomers, the day-to-day upkeep of the facility, and customer relationships. Lisa has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Scott Smith – Marketing Director who will oversee all marketing strategies for the company and manage the website, social media, and outreach.
• Susan Smith – Accountant/Bookkeeper who will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting.
• Jill Davis – Lead Mobile Dog Groomer who will oversee all activities of the mobile grooming unit.

Milestones:

Fur Friends Dog Grooming will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

11/1/2022 – Finalize the lease on the facility.

11/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the Fur Friends Dog Grooming management and dog groomer teams.

12/1/2022 – Begin build-out and remodel of the facility and purchase equipment and supplies.

12/15/2022 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing plan.

1/15/2023 – Finalize contracts for initial grooming product suppliers.

2/15/2023 – Fur Friends Dog Grooming officially opens for business.

Lisa has recruited Scott Smith, an experienced marketing consultant to be the Company’s Marketing Director. Scott has a Master’s degree in Sales & Marketing and has worked as a marketing consultant for numerous companies in the pet industry. Scott will handle all sales and marketing campaigns, tactics, and strategies for the Company.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Fur Friends Dog Grooming are the fees charged to customers in exchange for the Company’s dog grooming services. The pricing of Fur Friends Dog Grooming will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing the Company’s services. Fur Friends will give new and regular customers discounts to encourage repeat business.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a dog grooming business. The expenses will be the payroll cost, utilities, grooming equipment and supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Average number of grooming sessions per month: 2,500
• Average fees per month: $10,000
• Overhead costs per year: $140,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, dog grooming company business plan faqs, what is a dog grooming company business plan.

A dog grooming company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your dog grooming company business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your dog grooming company business plan using our Dog Grooming Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Dog Grooming Companies?

There are a number of different kinds of dog grooming companies , some examples include: Designer dog grooming, Mobile dog grooming, and Franchise dog grooming.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Dog Grooming Company Business Plan?

Dog grooming companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Dog Grooming Business?

Starting a dog grooming business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Dog Grooming Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed pet grooming business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your dog grooming business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your dog grooming business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Dog Grooming Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your dog grooming business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your dog grooming business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Dog Grooming Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your dog grooming business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your dog grooming business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful dog grooming business:

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How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

So you are thinking about launching a dog grooming business; it’s not a bad idea because there are many dogs in every city and town that require trimming, cutting and a host of other grooming services on a routine basis to keep their health up. Your next step in planning is to learn how to write a dog grooming business plan , and do it accurately.

Although not all owners do it, every dog should be groomed at least twice a year. With the rapid growth of the pet industry, this guarantees dog groomers a steady stream of clientele.

When people think of pet groomers, they think of doggy haircuts and facial cleaning, but there is actually much more to it than that. Many of the services that dog groomers offer are needed by all canines, not just long-haired breeds, including:

• Nail Trimming
• Ear Cleaning
• Flea and Tick Treatments
• Teeth Brushing

Dog grooming is the type of undertaking that pretty much guarantees there will be a large amount of potential customers close by to wherever you want to set up shop. A word of caution to the wise though, even though it may seem like a simple business to start, there is a lot more that goes into starting a dog grooming business than meets the eye.

If you’re just beginning to think about starting a dog grooming business and you’d like a little more information, check out our column How to Start a Dog Grooming Business . You’ll find lots of information about what to expect when starting your business and what you can do to ensure it is a success. We're currently expanding our Business section, so be sure to check back with Top Dog Tips  for the most up to date dog business information, dog product reviews and dog supplies news.

RELATED: How to groom a dog at home?

If you don't believe that you will need a business plan for your dog grooming business, you are mistaken! Creating a business plan will ensure that you understand what will be required of you in starting the business, becoming licensed and certified, and it will give you a plan to follow to put your business on the track to success for the future.

Your dog grooming business plan is essentially your business's first impression to investors, business partners, and the bank. Just telling someone about your plans and hoping for the best is not going to cut it. You need a concrete plan with researched evidence that proves your business has a good chance of success. That's what will be included in your business plan.

Even if you're planning to fund the business yourself and you aren't going to have a business partner, you still need to create a business plan. This plan will include your goals for the future of your business, and you will be able to use it as a guide to get your business where you want it to be in 12 months, 3 years, 5 years, or even more.

Access the Need for Dog Grooming

The first thing that needs to be done before even thinking about how to write a dog grooming business plan is to access the need for a business of that type in your area. When assessing the need, you have to look at such things whether the area is already saturated with that type of business or if the area has the proper income level to support that type of enterprise.

You'll also want to see just how many dog owners live in your area. Grooming services may be something that people are willing to travel a small distance for, especially if there are no dog groomers in the towns around you. If you live in a rural area, you can get information on the number of dogs licensed in your town, or surrounding towns, by checking with the local animal control office or at the town office.

RELATED: How to Become a Dog Groomer?

If you live in a more urban area it should be even easier to find out how many dogs are in your neighborhood. Take a walk down the street, visit a local dog park, or swing by a doggy daycare in your area. If there are a lot of dogs around you, chances are a dog grooming business would do very well in that area.

If there is another groomer in your area, don't count yourself out just yet. Is there enough of a need that two groomers could both run successful businesses in your area? Would you be able to offer different services or something unique that would help your grooming business stand out and gain attention from dog owners? You may still be able to make it work, it might just take a little more planning.

Your business plan needs to clearly state that you've researched the need for a grooming business in your area. Investors want to see that your business has a good chance of success. They aren't going to waste their money on a business that looks like a failure right out of the gate.

State Your Pet Grooming Business Goals

The fist part of your business plan will be where you state your short and long term business goals. You can tie in the need for your business here. Where do you see your business in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, and what is your ultimate goal? This section should be short and to the point. Investors aren't looking for specifics in this section, just a broad view of what you would like for your grooming business.

If there is a large need in your area perhaps you see your business expanding quickly. If you're in a more rural area, maybe you don't want to expand your business at all and you just want to gain enough loyal customers to turn a decent profit. Whatever your goals are, make sure to state them clearly so investors will be able to see exactly what you want for your company's future.

Listing out these goals will help give you a perspective on the business startup and also give you some concrete goals to focus on for the future. These goals will show the bank or your investors exactly where you plan to take this business , and they will be looking for details in other parts of your business plan about how you will get there.

In this section you should also include whether or not you will have a business partner(s) and what type of entity your business will be. Will it be a sole proprietorship, a single member LLC, or an S-Corp?

RELATED: Do You Tip Dog Groomers?

Most of the time, dog grooming businesses start out as a sole proprietorship for the first year or two. Then once you have all the paperwork, bills, and tax requirements under control you can start looking into filing for an LLC to separate your personal assets from your business.

If you have decided to start your business with a partner, you need to decide now if you will run it as a limited liability company (LLC), a corporation, or a partnership. You need to discuss all of this with your business partner and be sure to make all major business decisions together.

Dog Grooming Business Scope

The next step is to define the scope of the business. You need to plan such things as what breeds you will groom and how the dogs will get to your grooming salon; will you offer a pick-up service or will the customers come to you? Are you planning on offering a mobile grooming service or having a commercial location?

Mobile dog grooming businesses can be very enticing to pet owners that don't have the time or the means to get their dog to regular grooming appointments. Commercial locations work well too, but you need to make sure that the location you choose will be convenient for customers to get to and that it is located in a high traffic area where lots of dog owners will see it.

Another piece to add when talking about the scope of your business is what services you will offer. If you want to stand out you may want to offer some specialty doggy spa services, or something similar, so your clients know you are different than other local groomers.

You want your business to stand out, but you don't want to offer so many services that your scope is too large.  This can be confusing to dog owners who are just looking for a standard grooming for their furry friend. Select a handful of services that you are good at performing and grow from there.

RELATED: How to Start a Dog Walking Business

Decide how big you want your business to be in the beginning. Will you hire employees or do all the grooming yourself? Doing everything yourself will save you money, but it will also limit the amount of dogs you can take. Remember, more clients doesn't necessarily mean more money.

The larger the scope of your business, the more it will cost to run. Extra supplies and employee salaries will get quite expensive. Also, the larger your business, the more space you will need. More space leads to higher rent and utilities. Make sure to weigh the costs against what extra money you will be making if you start your business on a larger scale. It may be more beneficial to start small and grow over time.

Competition and Pricing

These two aspects of a business plan go hand-in-hand. You need to establish who your competition is, what services they provide, and what their prices are. You can easily do this by performing a quick internet search, making some anonymous phone calls, or stopping in to your competitors establishments and asking a few simple questions.

You already know what services you will offer, now it is time to set prices. You need to price your self competitively with similar businesses in your area or you may not have any business at all. If your prices are too high it will drive customers away.

When thinking about prices figure out how much the supplies for the service will cost you, and make sure that you are paid for your time as well. You may not want to price your services too high, but you still need to pay your bills as well. It's a fine line in the beginning, but as your business expands and your reputation grows with it, you will able to start increasing your prices to make a greater profit.

Advertising and Marketing

Now you need to plan for the advertising and marketing that you'll do to promote your business. Don't be intimidated. You won't need to take out billboards in Times Square. Your marketing plan can be as simple as handing out business cards and brochures. You just need to come up with a plan that will work in your area.

RELATED: How to Start a Pet Business with Dogs

Advertising can get expensive. Radio slots and television advertisements are great, but they also cost a lot of money. Try to keep things simple in the beginning. Maybe you could start by posting flyers at your local dog park, pet store, or other location where dog owners frequent. You could spend an afternoon handing out business cards in these locations as well.

If you're going to offer a specialized service, like mobile grooming, think about your target market before you advertise. Dog owners that would be interested in mobile grooming are probably do not have the means or are unable to take the time to bring their pet to the groomer. Try advertising at senior centers where many residents may not be able to drive or in the business district of your city where lots of busy businessmen and women are likely to be. Thinking outside the box while advertising will be more beneficial in the long run and will probably save you money too.

Here's where things get tricky. You need to plan for your future expenses. Nothing has to be set in stone, just a ballpark figure of how much startup capital you'll need and what you'll be spending it on. You will likely need quite a bit of startup capital for your business, even if you're running it out of your home.

Some of the expenses you'll need to plan for are:

• The facility itself including rent and utilities
• The cost of renovating the space, if required
• Equipment (bathing tubs, dryers, grooming tables, etc…)
• Grooming supplies (shampoo, brushes, clippers , etc…)

Those are your major expenses. These will vary, of course, depending on your particular business. If you'll be running your business out of your home, your expenses may be a little less, and if you need to buy and convert a van into a mobile grooming parlor, they may be a little more.

When figuring your finances, don't forget to include your advertising costs as well as your office expenses. You will need a computer, business telephone, and other office equipment. Don't forget about the desk, chair, and other furniture you may need for your human clients.

When planning your finances and creating your initial budget, leave no stone unturned. Think about every aspect of your business and all the day to day duties you will be performing. Make sure to list as much as possible, so your budget will be as close to accurate as you can get it.

RELATED: How to Write a Dog Training Business Plan

When writing your dog grooming business plan, it is best to over estimate in this case. You don't want to underestimate and then have your business fail quickly because it was underfunded. Do your research and be as accurate as possible, but make sure to leave yourself a little bit of wiggle room. There are bound to be expenses that you didn't plan for when starting your dog grooming business.

Legal Responsibilities

This is the last section of your dog grooming business plan, but it is also the most important. Making sure that your legal responsibilities are taken care of needs to be a top priority. If you don't take the proper legal precautions, it could mean big trouble for yourself, your employees, your investors, and your clients. Not to mention it would quickly ruin your reputation as a groomer .

Your legal responsibilities will vary depending on where you live. Different states and cities have their own rules and regulations for business owners, so make sure you abide by the ones that govern you and your business.

Be sure that your dog grooming business plan addresses:

• Your licensing and certification responsibilities
• Liability waivers for your clients
• Any specific laws in your region
• Client contracts

Again, and I can't say this enough, your business plan is not set in stone . You don't need to stick to your plan 100%, in fact, I don't believe there are many business owners that have. This is your guideline to make sure that you've thought your plan through fully and you know where your business is headed. Once you begin to research and write your dog grooming business plan, you will realize that there is a lot more to it than you thought.

The more serious you are with your business planning, the more serious you will look to the bank and potential investors. A solid business plan will be the foundation of your success, so it should not be taken lightly.

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How to Start a Dog Grooming Business

Starting a dog grooming business can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful dog grooming business.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a dog grooming business is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Dog Grooming Business :

• Choose the Name for Your Dog Grooming Business
• Develop Your Dog Grooming Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Dog Grooming Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Dog Grooming Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Dog Grooming Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Dog Grooming Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Dog Grooming Business Equipment
• Develop Your Dog Grooming Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Dog Grooming Business
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Dog Grooming Business

The first step to starting a dog grooming business is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your own business:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your dog grooming business.

2. Develop Your Dog Grooming Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a dog grooming business is to develop your dog grooming business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your own pet grooming business.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your dog grooming business and what type of dog grooming business you operate. For example, are you a pet salon, self-service dog wash, or a mobile dog groomer?
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the dog grooming industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing services like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your dog grooming business? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your dog grooming business make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

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3. choose the legal structure for your dog grooming business.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your dog grooming business and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the business owner and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small business owners. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a dog grooming business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a dog grooming business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a dog grooming business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your dog grooming business, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

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4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Dog Grooming Business (If Needed)

In developing your dog grooming business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a dog grooming business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a dog grooming business that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

When starting a dog grooming business, the most important thing is to find a location that is convenient for your customers. You should try to find a location that is easily accessible, has plenty of parking, and is in a safe neighborhood. You may also want to consider choosing a location that is close to other pet-friendly or pet grooming businesses, since this will be a good indicator that there is a demand for your services.

6. Register Your Dog Grooming Business with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your dog grooming business’ name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your dog grooming business to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

When starting a pet grooming business, you will need a business license and a permit to operate from the city or county. You may also need to obtain a permit from the health department or animal control agency, depending on your location. Check with your local municipality to find out what licenses and permits are required in your area.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Dog Grooming Business

The type of insurance you need to operate a dog grooming business will depend on the specific pet services you offer.

Some business insurance policies you should consider for your dog grooming business include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Auto insurance : If a vehicle is used in your business, this type of insurance will cover if a vehicle is damaged or stolen.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
• Commercial property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Business interruption insurance : This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
• Professional liability insurance : This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Dog Grooming Business Equipment

The business will require some basic equipment such as grooming tables, nail clippers, scissors, combs, brushes, a bathing tub, and a dryer. You may also want to invest in a vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner to keep your business premises clean. You will also need to purchase some dog grooming products such as shampoos, conditioners, and colognes.

12. Develop Your Dog Grooming Business Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your dog grooming business.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your dog grooming business. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional dog grooming business website provides potential customers with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your dog grooming business.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Dog Grooming Business

You will need software to manage your appointments, inventory, and finances. You may also want to consider software to create marketing materials for your business. There are a number of different software options available, so be sure to do your research to find the one that is best suited for your needs.

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your dog grooming business. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.

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How to Start a Dog Grooming Business FAQs

Is it hard to start a dog grooming business.

No, starting a pet grooming business is not hard , but there are some initial steps you need to take. You will need to do some research and have a solid business plan in place. You will also need to find a location for your business and purchase the necessary equipment.

How can I start a dog grooming business with no experience?

One way to start a dog grooming business with no experience is to do some research on the industry. There are a number of websites and articles that can provide you with information on how to start a dog grooming business. You can also attend workshops or seminars that will help you learn about the basics of running a business. Additionally, you can consult other dog grooming business owners for advice. 

Where Can I download a dog grooming business plan PDF?

You can download our dog grooming business plan pdf here.

What type of dog grooming business is most profitable?

The most profitable type of dog grooming business is a mobile dog grooming business. This is because mobile grooming can charge more for services since they are coming to the customer instead of the customer having to bring their dog to the pet groomers . It is also a more convenient option for the customer. Additionally, mobile services require less overhead than a brick-and-mortar business because you don’t have the rent or utility expenses. 

How much does it cost to start a dog grooming business?

The cost of starting your own dog grooming business can vary depending on the size and type of your business. You may need to rent or purchase a grooming space for your business, purchase grooming equipment, and hire dog groomers and other employees . On average, you can expect to spend around $10,000-$25,000 to start a dog grooming business.

What are the ongoing expenses for a dog grooming business?

The ongoing costs for a dog grooming business can include advertising and marketing, utilities, rent or mortgage, and insurance. Depending on the size of your business and the grooming services you offer, other expenses may include employee salaries, professional training, and grooming supplies.

How does a dog grooming business make money?

The most common way for a pet groomer to make money is by charging for grooming services. This can include basic pet grooming, such as brushing, nail clipping , and bathing, as well as more specialized services, like trimming hair or removing mats. In addition to the pet grooming service , other groomers sell products such as shampoos, conditioners, and brushes. Finally, most dog groomers offer boarding services, which can be a lucrative option for owners who do not live near a large city.

Is owning a dog grooming business profitable?

Yes, dog grooming businesses can be profitable. There is a high demand for grooming services, as many pet owners do not have the time or expertise to groom their dogs themselves. In addition, dog groomers typically have low overhead costs and can charge premium prices for their specialty services.

Why do dog grooming businesses fail?

One of the most common reasons dog grooming businesses fail is a lack of planning and preparation. Other reasons include the inability to attract and keep customers, inadequate financial planning, and not having the proper licenses and insurance.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

How to Build a Dog Grooming Business Plan

by MoeGo on Mar 21, 2023 1:01:28 PM

Thinking of starting a pet grooming business? You're definitely barking up the right tree, but getting started can be a real paw-stopper. Lucky for you, we've dug up all the essential elements of a pet grooming business plan and put them together in this blog post. Sit, stay, and read on!

Types of Business Plans

There are two types of business plans:

• a business plan that includes market research and in-depth analysis that you can use to secure a loan to fund your pet grooming business, and;
• a practical business plan that functions as a checklist to help you, the new owner, take the right steps toward opening your first business.

In this blog, we’re focusing on the second type of business plan to give you the practical tools and information you need to build a successful grooming business.

What to Include in Your Pet Grooming Business Plan

Your dog grooming business plan should include the following elements. Don't worry, we’ll get to all of them below!

• Business Model
• Supplies & Equipment

Your Customer Focus

• Marketing & Advertising
• Financial Funding

Pricing Strategy

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Choosing the Right Business Model

There are three types of dog grooming businesses: at-home, mobile, and brick-and mortar.

• At-home dog grooming services generally take place in the groomer's residence, providing a personal touch and comfortable environment for pets.
• Mobile dog grooming services , on the other hand, bring the grooming services to the client's doorstep. This convenience saves time and energy, eliminating the need for pet owners to transport their furry friends to a grooming salon.
• Brick-and-mortar dog grooming shops , also known as grooming salons, are traditional storefronts that provide a range of pet grooming services. These businesses often have a team of experienced groomers and advanced grooming equipment to cater to various pet grooming needs.

Each type of dog grooming business provides unique advantages that cater to different pet owners' preferences and schedules. At the end of the day, the "best" business model boils down to your preference, needs, and lifestyle as the owner.

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Business Model Pros & Cons

At-home business

• Pros: Eliminates commute time and overhead costs. 
• Cons: May be challenging to maintain work-life balance and attract customers without a physical storefront. 

Brick-and-mortar store

• Pros: Physical presence can attract passing customers and offer extra services. 
• Cons: Traditional business costs involved such as commercial rent and utilities. 

Mobile grooming

• Pros: Convenient for customers and pets while being safer during the pandemic. 
• Cons: Overhead costs for gas and vehicle maintenance, and local laws and parking regulations can get tedious. 

🐶 Check out our in-depth look at each grooming  business model: Salon vs. Mobile vs. At-Home

Grooming Supplies & Equipment 

The exact supplies you need will depend on your business model. That said, here's a checklist of some essential items you will need to include in your business plan:

• Dog Grooming Clippers : Essential tools for groomers in order to maintain a consistent, efficient, and quick grooming process.
• Clipper Blades : A range of removable clipper blades are necessary to address different coat types.
• Clipper Oil : Helps maintain clipper blade function.
• Coat Stripping Tool (like the Coat King): Necessary for longer-coated canines to remove undercoat.
• Scissors : Groomers require a variety of straight, curved, and thinning scissors to style and shape hair.
• Slicker Brushes : Use these brushes to brush out and untangle matted fur.
• Combs : Necessary for detangling and grooming hair.
• Sterilizer : A basic need for cleansing metallic grooming equipment.
• Shampoo : Need a variety of shampoos that cater to different skin concerns and coat types.
• Finishing Spray : Helps provide a long-lasting scent customers will love.
• Professional Dryer : A reliable tool that dries dog's fur quickly.
• Grooming Table : Can choose between hydraulic or non-hydraulic models to accommodate budget and needs.
• Tub / Sink : Necessary for bathing dogs before grooming.
• Bath Equipment : Mitts, sponges, combs, and towels are essential for bathing dogs.
• Nail Clippers : Vital for preventing claw infections and clipping nails.
• Leashes / Leads : Necessary for safely controlling each dog.
• Grooming Shoes : To protect your feet from hair slivers and keep them dry.
• Accessories: Bows, bandanas, etc. to keep your furry customers looking their best.
• Cleaning supplies : To keep your grooming space tidy and grime-free.
• Vacuum : To clean up excess hair after blow drying and clipping.

The cost of each item on this list can vary widely. If you're just starting out, look into mid-range or affordable options so that you can figure out what your preferences are for certain tools. As your business grows, look into upgrading to tools that include the features most important to you.

Your customer focus will help you answer the two critical questions when it comes to your target market: "Who do you want to buy your grooming services?" and "Who is your ideal customer?" By identifying your target audience, you can tailor your marketing efforts to attract them effectively.

This might include understanding their dog's breed, size, and personality to offer grooming services that meet their unique needs. It could also include targeting specific neighborhoods to reach high-earning pet parents.

If you're just starting out, you may not know who your ideal customer is yet - and that's okay! This can change over time as you build your customer base and launch various marketing efforts.

Tips to Build Your Customer Base

• Leave your business card at local vets, coffee shops, doggy daycares, and community boards.
• Offer referral discounts for existing customers
• Encourage all customers to leave reviews on Google, etc.
• Use social media to promote your business (Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook groups, etc.)
• Ask customers if they'd like to rebook before they leave, or offer a small discount for rebooking before they leave.
• Partner with local animal shelters to give free nail trims or discounts to newly adopted dogs.
• Give discounts to veterans and emergency responders

Also, remember that retaining clients is just as important as getting them through the door the first time. Create a pawsome customer experience by handing out new customer welcome bags, for example.

You could also consider offering loyalty programs that provide customers  with special discounts or perks if they return for repeat business. Providing a personalized experience can help build stronger relationships and positive word-of-mouth referrals for your business within your pet-loving community.

Marketing & Advertising 

As a dog groomer, marketing and advertising can help you attract new clients and is an important part of your business plan. Social media, online advertisements, and your business website are all ways to help your business stand out from the competition. Here, we'd like to focus on two of the most important ones: your website and Google. 

Your Website

Your business website is like a digital business card. You can use it to feature your services and pricing, offer discounts, and as a landing page for paid ads (if you want to invest in them). A few common website builder platforms include Wix, Squarespace, and Wordpress.

Pet grooming website best practices:

• Clearly define your services and the city where you provide them
• Include before and after pictures of dogs you have groomed 
• Showcase customer testimonials
• Have a contact page with your business address (if applicable), phone number and email address
• Feature an “About Us” page so visitors can learn more about you
• Feature offers or discounts, if you offer them (such as a veteran's or first-time customer discounts) 
• Make sure the website is easy to read on mobile devices, because most people search from their phones (Many website builders can do this for you)

The cheapest way to build a website as a dog groomer is to do it yourself. However, this can take a lot of time - something most new business owners don't have a lot of. That said, hiring someone to build it for you can be expensive, not to mention maintenance or changes to the website you may want to make. 

If you want to avoid the cost of a website altogether, consider using a grooming software like MoeGo that includes a website landing page in its online booking portal. This can help you show up when people search for your business on Google.

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Your Google Listing

Google listings (Google Business Profiles) are a great way to help customers find your business online. Plus, they're free! A Google listing will allow customers to find you through Google searches and Google Maps, so it’s an important (but often overlooked) part of your new business plan.

Here are some steps for setting up your Google listing:

• Visit the Google Business website and sign in with your Google account
• Enter your business name and address (you may need to verify ownership of the location)
• Add a profile photo, logo, and other relevant information about your business
• Include additional images of your grooming services or dogs you’ve groomed
• Set up your hours and contact information
• Monitor your reviews and respond to them appropriately
• Include a link to your website (if you have one)
• Add any additional categories or services you offer 

Having a Google listing also allows customers to leave reviews and feedback, which can help establish your credibility in the pet grooming industry.

Google Ads can be used to target potential customers who are looking for pet grooming services in their area, as well as those searching for specific services such as dog washing, nail trimming, and styling. Here are some tips for setting up Google Ads and maximizing your budget:

• Research keywords related to your services to ensure you reach the right audience
• Create targeted campaigns for each service you offer
• Set a daily budget so that you don’t overspend
• Monitor and adjust bids for keywords regularly to get the most out of your budget
• Check reports regularly to make sure you’re getting the most out of your campaigns
• Try different ad types such as display or video ads to target a wider audience
• Link ads back to relevant pages on your website for better conversion rates

To fund a pet grooming business, you can use personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, or angel investors. Most pet grooming businesses rely on personal savings and bank loans for funding. But, to get a bank loan, you must submit a convincing business plan that ensures loan repayment with interest. The loan officer will assess your business plan and financial projections to see if your business can thrive.

Just like any business, pet groomers need to have a strong brand to stand out from competitors - especially at the beginning. Here are a few things you'll want to have in place as part of your business plan to create a strong and memorable brand:

• Your mission and values
• Appealing brand colors and logo
• A memorable business name
• Services and products offered

Setting the right prices for your dog grooming business is crucial for success, so include it in your business planning. Not only does it play a role in gaining and retaining customers, but it also affects your profitability. 

Creating a pricing menu that outlines each service's cost and how those prices vary based on the dog's weight is usually the best approach. Weight-based pricing is more effective because it eliminates confusion between owners about what size category their pet falls under.

It’s important not to undervalue your services to attract new business. Charging what's fair for your valuable grooming services is best for long-term success, opposed to setting the precedent that your services are worth less than competitors.

Here are a few tips for creating a pricing strategy that works:

• Different dog breeds and sizes make pricing grooming services complicated.
• Pricing should be weight-based instead of by standard size categories.
• Beware of undervaluing services while accounting for competition.
• Charging what's fair for valuable grooming services extends the understanding of their true worth to customers.

If you like this post, check out our tips for starting a dog grooming business ! 😍

How Profitable Can a Dog Grooming Business Be?

While dog grooming has the potential to be a very profitable venture, there are multiple factors that may impact your success. These factors include:

• Customer base: The speed at which you can grow your customer base will impact your profitability, as a larger customer base may lead to more revenue.
• Pricing strategy: What you charge for your services can affect how much revenue you generate. Pricing too high may drive potential customers away, while pricing too low may lead to lower profits.
• Startup and operational costs: The costs associated with starting and running your dog grooming business may impact your profitability. Larger costs may require more revenue to offset them.
• Competition: The level of competition in your local market will impact your profitability, as more competition may lead to fewer customers.
• Cost of rent: Depending on your location, the cost of rent may be a significant expense that affects your bottom line.
• Employee wages: As your business grows, you may need to hire employees to keep up with demand, which will impact your profitability.

The Growing Pet Industry

Despite these potential challenges, the pet industry is experiencing remarkable growth. In 2020, an estimated $99 billion was spent on pets. In 2022, 2 out of 3 U.S. households had a pet and  $124 billion was spent on them - roughly the net worth of Bill Gates. In other words, the pet industry is growing and so is the need for pet care professionals, including groomers. 

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Home » Sample Business Plans » Pet

How to Write a Pet Grooming Business Plan [Sample Template]

Are you about starting a pet grooming business? If YES, here is a complete sample pet grooming business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE . Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a pet grooming business.

We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample pet grooming marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for pet grooming businesses. So let’s proceed to the business planning section.

Why Start a Pet Grooming Business?

Starting a pet grooming business is not only a relatively easy business to start up, it can also be quite profitable especially if you have lain out strategies that make you stand out from your competitors in the industry. The demand for other services for pets asides the regular basic services have grown as owners now also want their pets to live long, stay healthy as well as happier.

However, before starting this kind of business, it would be best for if you have some sort of experience as well as a general passion for pets. Also, no matter how easy a business looks, writing a business plan is very essential especially if you do not have all the necessary funds at hand and intends to source for funds externally.

While the business plan for a pet grooming business might not need to be too technical, it needs to be comprehensive and show certain aspects that would make an investor comfortable enough to invest in the business. While writing a business plan might look intimidating, it should be as there are loads of free templates online to aid you in writing yours. Below is one of such, a sample pets grooming business plan;

A Sample Pet Grooming Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

According to franchise help, half of all the households in America which amounts to about 80 million own at least a pet – cat, dog, fish, bird, horse or lizard. This therefore means that there are over 300 million pets that needs to be cared for which has made the pets grooming business to leap in demand.

As at 2015, 65% of US households owned at least a pet and with a thriving pets industry, which provides toys, food, daycare, beds, trainings, cages, medical services, grooming and lots more, owners of these pets are being kept happy. It has been found that even though most of the pets might not care about such services, the owners do, which translates to 60% of those in high-income households.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) in 2016 stated that the revenue expected from the pets industry will amount to $62.75 billion, which will be an increase of 4% from 2015. Over the last two decades, revenue has been growing steadily for this industry and has been at 5.4% since 2014.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the pets industry has seen a job growth of 11% from 2014 which is expected to continue till 2024. The largest segment where pet owners spent were on food with pets grooming being 5 th on the list and expected to bring in revenue of $5.73 billion in 2016 as compared to the $5.41 billion in 2015.

The reason for this growth in the services for pets business is due to the fact that most pet owners are seeing their pets as part of the family and some are beginning to treat their pets as human, which is why more people are getting quality foods as well as expensive medical treatments and accessories for their pets.

Also, the growth for pets’ specialized care in the industry is due to baby boomers, ages 55 to 64, who after their children have left home are replacing them with pets. A study has shown that baby boomers between these ages are the ones spending more on their pets.

However, the baby boomers are not the only ones that have developed a strong bond for their pets as millenials, those born between 1985 to 2010, started seeing pets as humans more than animals. These age groups spend their disposable income on pets and even spoil them as well.

The pets industry survived the economic downturn including the great recession, and so it is a strong industry that will continue to boom. The reason for this could be due to the HABRI study, which linked an improved savings in healthcare to the fact that those who owned pets fared better health wise.

2. Executive Summary

Petsky Groomer Salon is a business based in Nevada – California and established to cater to pet owners by offering grooming services to their pets. These grooming services also includes other pets services such as pets product retail, pets boutique, aroma and general healthcare, dietary supplements for pets, pets Self-service wash tubs, pets gourmet food, and consultation services.

Our aim is to set a standard amongst other pet grooming businesses and be amongst the top three pet grooming services here in Nevada – California, and to achieve this we have put forth strategies in place that we ensure that we attain these goals.

First off, we have a solid policy in place regarding the whole direction our business intends to take. We would keep reviewing and tweaking these policies as time goes by so as to remain adaptive and proactive to changes that might likely occur in the pets industry regionally and nationally.

We are serious about having a solid business structure and so we sourced for and hired competent and experienced employees who understand the business and its industry and who are attuned to our company’s vision and will take us from where we are to where we intend to be.

We would provide a conducive environment for our employees to work in and we are prepared to pay them very well as their welfare packages are one of the best across the industry for similar start-ups of our size. We also intend to train them so as not to only enhance their skills but to increase their productivity for Petsky Groomers Salon as well.

We offer an excellent customer care as our customer care executives are all trained on how well to treat and attend to customers. We are currently offering the best customer care as can be found in Pets grooming businesses here in Nevada.

We have great marketing strategies that will ensure that we penetrate the market and get a huge share of our target market. Our strategies which are in tune with our corporate goals will be carried out both physically and online on all our social media platforms and via our website as well.

Finally, our Chief Executive Officer and owner, Ms. Jackie Collins has the knowledge, passion and 10 years of expertise in the industry that is needed to bring this business to its desired level. Ms. Collins has worked in several pet stores and even a veterinary and we are confident of her ability to ensure the business attains its goals and objectives.

3. Our Products and Services

Petsky Groomers Salon is one that is being established not only to make profit but so that clients who care about their pets and want to give them properly groomed can have a place to go to.

Asides our grooming service, we also intend to offer other services and sell some products so as to boost our revenue base and conveniently sustain our business here in Nevada – California. Additionally, offering more services will attract more customers to our business, thereby allowing us more share of the market.

We intend to offer only services that are in line with grooming and caring for pets and to do so within the permissible laws of the united states of America. Some of the products and services we intend to offer at Petsky Groomers Salon are;

•  Pet grooming services
• Pet products retail
• Pets boutique
• Aroma and general healthcare
• Dietary supplements for pets
• Pets Self-service wash tubs
• Pets gourmet food
• Consultation services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• To set a standard and be amongst the first three preferred go-to pet salons in the whole of California.
• In order to achieve our vision, we have put in place strategies that will ensure that we stand out from our competitors in the market, here in Nevada and in the whole of California as well.

Our Business Structure

To be able to attain our desired goals and objectives, we would need to ensure that we get our business structure right, which is why we have hired only competent employees with the necessary experience to help us set the right foundation from the beginning on which the business would be run.

Our employees do not only have the right expertise in handling the business, they are also committed to our vision of becoming the top three dog grooming business in the whole of California. This is as our management team is ensuring that we source for and hire only the best staff for Petsky Groomers Salon.

Our staffs have excellent customer service as we have already set a standard for having the best customer care in the pets industry here in California. Asides from having the best employees working at Petsky Groomers Salon, we also on our part have ensured that the environment is conducive enough and that the pay is right and competitive as regards similar start-up such as ours in the pets industry.

Below is the business structure we therefore intend to build at Petsky Groomers Salon;

Chief Executive Officer

Admin and Human Resource Manager

Grooming Supervisor

Marketing Team

Accountants/Cashiers

Customer Service Executives

Purchasing Manager

Security Guard

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

• Creates policies that will affect the strategic direction of the company
• Ensures that all polices are correctly interpreted and implemented by all the employees
• Engages in investment strategy on behalf of the firm to ensure that it is sustained
• In charge of sourcing for and recruiting competent employees based on the company’s business structure
• Drafts and implements policies that would affect the employee in the workplace
• Ensures that all the administrative functions in the salon as well as the paperwork are handled effectively
• In charge of ensuring that employees are trained to enhance their skills and increase productivity for the firm
• In charge of monitoring and coordinating all grooming activities on pets
• Reviews old techniques and comes up with better grooming techniques for pets
• Researches new markets on behalf of Petsky Groomers Salon, for possible penetration
• Drafts and implements effective marketing strategies on behalf of Petsky Groomers Salon
• Conducts direct marketing for the salon
• In charge of handling cash vouchers and receipts on behalf of the salon
• In charge of preparing financial statements on behalf of the salon
• Ensures that the books of the salon and that of the bank are reconciled every month
• In charge of answering customer’s enquiries and directing them to the right department
• Ensures that customers complaints are resolved promptly without denting the image of the salon
• Stores and updates accurate customer database on behalf of the salon
• In charge of purchasing all the needed equipment and supplies for the pets salon
• Sources for reliable vendors and suppliers and negotiates for a fair deal on behalf of the salon
• Prepares and reviews contracts of reliable vendors
• Ensures that the property of Petsky Groomers Salon and the premises are secured at all times
• Ensures that all the properties of customers are secured while at the salon
• Carries out any other duties as might be determined by the admin manager
• Ensures that the salon is kept clean at all times
• Takes care of the convenience for pets and ensures that it is cleaned with the right chemicals
• Takes care of the convenience for staff and customers use at all times
• Ensures that cleaning supplies are always in stock

6. SWOT Analysis

Because we understand how important it is to ensure that our business concept is right, we have engaged the help of a business consultant who is reputable here in Nevada and understands the industry thoroughly, to look through our business and determine if we were likely to make it in this business.

The business consultant made use of the SWOT ( Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats ) analysis to determine how likely we were to succeed if we started the pets grooming business here in Nevada. Below is a result of the analysis conducted on our behalf;

We have several factors that can be regarded as a plus for our business. First off, the products we intend to use for our grooming business are those that have been recommended by veterinaries and we will make this fact known whenever we are promoting Petsky Grooming Salon.

We also intend to offer a wide variety of service for pets so as to be able to attract diverse customers into our salon. Our employees are very competent and experienced as regards pets care and this is also to our advantage, finally, our Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jackie Collins has vast experiences that will be of great advantage to us in this business.

As with any other business, we have weaknesses that crop up during the start-up and running of the business, we do not have the necessary funds to be able to get all that we would need to conveniently serve our customers. However, we are looking into this as we have sought for funds from our bank.

We also would not be starting off with all the employees that we should and this might severally limit our competitive edge against our competitors, we are however sure that in 6 months, we would have made enough money to get more employees for our business.

• Opportunities

There are several opportunities that exist in this industry in the sense that more people are beginning to show care for their pets than before, leading into more booming businesses for pets grooming businesses. Also, opportunities exist for us to network at fairs and events held for pets in order to build a database for our pets grooming business.

Threats are considered as external factors that cannot be readily controlled; however, every business should be prepared for threats, as we have laid down strategies to ensure that we are proactive in dealing with our threats. One of the threats that we would likely encounter during the course of running the business are; other competitors especially those who have long been in the business before us.

Another threat that we are likely to encounter is in pet owners who groom their pets themselves or do it for their neighbours for a lower fee. As earlier mentioned, we are quite sure that we would be able to handle any threats that pop up.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The pets grooming business is one that is booming as more people are showing more than the average care for their pets and do not mind paying a very good amount in ensuring that their pets are happy. To run a standard pets grooming business, it will require that you have the necessary facilities in place and that you are located in an area that is very convenient for the client to get to.

This is why you should be careful when searching for a location, as searching for a place too far out even if it looks perfect might not result into growth for your business. Also, the business is one that requires being in a good network with other pet businesses so as to have loads of referrals from there.

Another trend lies with the employees. It is important that a business with focus employs only those who are competent and experienced enough to help run the business in order to attain its objectives. Also, employees hired should be committed to the goals of the business and know how best to ensure that these image is reflected to customers – either potential or existing. Employees working in the pets’ stores or salons are usually those that love pets and so would handle them the right way.

Technology has revolutionized businesses in the sense that more businesses have the opportunity to reach out to potential customers and penetrate the target market than they would have done if there hadn’t been technology. The rise of social media which is one best and inexpensive way at advertising and gaining publicity for the business whilst ensuring that customers become more aware of existing products and services has seen the pet grooming business boom in the pets industry.

8. Our Target Market

The target market for those who own pets in America is quite huge as according to a survey by the American Pet Product Association in 2015, there were more than 300 million pets owned by at least 65% of Americans. Most of those who owned pets and who had higher incomes and spent more on their pets were about 60%. This showed that a high number of people are willing to go the extra mile in ensuring that their pets get the best care.

To however help us accurately determine our target market, we conducted a thorough market survey so that we could get facts on our clients and determine what they likely expected from us and what behavior we should expect from them as well.

From our result, it would seem that we are in business to groom the pets of the following groups of people here in Nevada – California;

• Corporate Executives
• Business people
• Celebrities and important personalities
• Sports men and women

Our competitive advantage

Every business established to make profit has to contend with other similar businesses competitively in order to survive and sustain itself by having strategies that will enable it have an edge over others in the market.

Our first competitive advantage is the fact that we are offering quality and better services than any other pets grooming business here in Nevada; this has already given us an edge and has won us more customers already.

Secondly, we have hired competent and highly professional employees that understand the business thoroughly and therefore knows what is required. Our employees also undergo constant training that ensures that they remain productive. Also, we pay our employees better than most pets grooming salons here in Nevada, and this has put our business in a good light as employees are happy to work here.

We have the best customer service in the whole state as our customers are often repeat ones due to the personalized service that they get whenever they come to Petsky Groomers Salon. Due to this, we are constantly reviewing the customer care skills of our customer care executives so that we would remain on top.

Finally, our marketing team has top notch strategies that would see the awareness of our business increase tremendously as well as our bottom line.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Petsky Groomers Salon is the leading pets grooming business here in Nevada – California which has been established with the aim of generating revenue via its different services that will be offered to clients via their pets. Therefore Petsky Groomers Salon intends to generate income from offering the following services and products;

• Pet grooming services

10. Sales Forecast

Survey has found out that more American especially those that earned high income was going to cause an increase in demand for dog grooming services especially as the intention was to cause their pets to be happier. We have conducted a thorough sales forecast and with our strategic location here in Nevada, we are likely to generate and exceed our target in the first year of business, which we will then use in sustaining and growing our business.

The sales forecast we conducted was jointly carried out by a sales consultant and made use of accurate data so as to be able to correctly predict what we were likely to earn at the end of three years. Below are therefore the expected sales projections for a three year period conducted on behalf of Petsky Groomers Salon;

• First Fiscal Year-: $150,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $300,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $600.000

N/B : It should be noted that the above sales projection were conducted based on certain factors like lack of competitors and positive economy. Should a new competitor arrive or the economy changes for the worse or even better than what it is currently on, it would affect the sales projections and cause the figures to either increase or decrease.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

Marketing is a dual sword for any business because it not only generates revenue for the business and sustains the business; it also inadvertently creates publicity for the business during the course of advertisement. This is why every business that intends to succeed pays serious attention to its marketing strategies and ensures that it picks the ones that are most suitable for the business.

Before we draft our marketing strategies, we intend to first conduct a survey on the market so as to understand our target market better and draft the best strategies that would be able to not only penetrate the business but also bring in customers as well.

It is for this purpose that we hired the services of a reputable marketing consultant who understands the industry thoroughly and knows what strategies would best suit us moving forward as a business. The survey was conducted based on information and data gotten from similar start-ups here in Nevada and in the whole of California as well.

Our marketing team has also been empowered to draft and review each strategy and ensure that they are in tune with our overall corporate organizational goals. We have also incorporated the use of technology into our strategies so as to be able to reach a wide segment of the market.

Below are the marketing strategies we intend to adopt at Petsky Dog Groomers Salon;

• Ensure that we place advertisements in local newspapers and magazines as well as on radio and television stations
• Engage in direct marketing
• Pass out fliers and handbills in conspicuous and strategic places
• Advertise our pets grooming business via our social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• Ensure that we are listed in offline as well as online directories
• Throw a pet themed party at our grand opening launch so as to create and generate interest here in Nevada – California

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Even though Petsky Groomers Salon is a standard pets grooming business that offers the best care to pets, we would need to still engage in publicity especially if we intend for our business to achieve its intended goals and objectives and boost its bottom line for future sustainability. We know how good publicity is for our business and we intend to use it effectively in penetrating the market here in Nevada – California for the growth of our business.

To this end, we have hired a reputable publicity consultant here in Nevada who is quite skilled and understands the pets industry well to help us draft effective strategies that we can use in creating the needed awareness for our pets grooming business here in Nevada – California.

The strategies have combined several factors in ensuring that we use only what would be best for our business in the long run. Therefore the following strategies below are what we intend to use in promoting Petsky Groomers Salon to our customers.

• Ensuring that we place adverts in relevant media such as newspapers, magazines and on local radio and television stations.
• Attending pet events and fairs and networking with other pets businesses as well as pet owners
• Ensure that our fliers are properly distributed in conspicuous target locations
• Place attractive and colorful Petsky Groomers Salon flexi banners in conspicuous locations
• Leverage on our social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn by throwing up contests that will get the audience and keep them interested.
• Create an interactive and colorful website that is user-friendly

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Determining what prices to set for all the services that would be offered at Petsky Groomers Salon will depend on a whole lot of factors, such as location, overhead and running expenses. We have checked what our competitors are offering and coupled with the above named factors have set forth the right strategy that will allow us arrive at the right prices for our different services, especially as each service or product sold aren’t the same.

Our intention is to break into the market first and so we would slightly lower our prices for all the products we intend to sell and services we intend to offer for the first 6 months of operation, so as to bring in more customers as well as increase awareness for our salon. We have critically looked at the prices we intend to offer and have seen that even though they would lower our margins a bit, we would not be running at a loss throughout this period.

• Payment Options

Because we offer different services in addition to our core service, we are aware of the fact that our customers will have different payment preference for the different services and so we have created several payment platforms to accommodate this fact.

Therefore the payment options that will be made available in our salon are;

• Cash payments
• Payment via credit card
• Payment via Point of Sale (POS) Machine
• Payment via check

The above payment platforms are those that would be very convenient for all our various customers here in Nevada – California, and would be without any hitches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In starting and setting up a pets grooming business, we expect to spend the bulk of our capital on leasing a place, renovation, paying employee salaries as well as paying utility bills; this is because we intend to run a standard pet grooming salon here in Nevada – California for our clients and their pets.

Therefore the key areas where we expect to spend our start-up capital on are;

• Total fee for registering Petsky Groomers Salon in the United State of America – $750
• Obtaining certifications, licenses and permits as well as accounting software – $1,250
• Cost of hiring a business consultant – $1,000
• Insurance coverage (general liability, property insurance, workers’ compensation) – $5,000
• Marketing promotion expenses (general promotion expenses and grand opening promotion expenses) – $3,000
• Cost of leasing and renovating a facility for the period of one year – $20,000
• Operational cost for the first three months (employees’ salaries, payment of utility bills) – $50,000
• Start-up expenses and purchases (high-end grooming tables, dryers and tubs, grooming supplies and treats) – $10,000
• Other start-up expenses (stationeries, phones, computers, business cards, signage, tools and equipment) – $3,500
• Cost of launching a website – $500
• Cost of throwing a grand opening party – $2,000
• Miscellaneous – $4,000

From the above analysis, the total amount of $100,000 would be suitable to run a standard pets grooming salon here in Nevada – California. The bulk of the start-up capital will be used to lease a facility, pay employees and purchase the necessary tools and equipment that will make sure we attain our desired goals and objectives.

Generating Funding / Startup Capital for Petsky Groomers Salon Business

Petsky Groomers Salon is a business owned and operated by Ms. Jackie Collins. She is not only a lover of pets but a strong business woman who has all it takes to bring the business to its intended goals and objectives. Ms. Collins has decided not to go for any external partnership for her pets grooming business and so would seek for loans from these three major sources;

The three major areas that we intend to generate our start-up capital from are;

• From personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from commercial bank

N.B: We were able to generate the sum of $25,000 from the personal savings of Ms Jackie Collins. The sum of $15,000 was sourced from close family members and friends. We were able to secure an approval for the sum of $60,000 from our bank, and all the necessary documents have been signed, and we have been assured by our banker that the money would soon be credited into our account by the end of this week.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

It is vital that any business that intends to make profit and compete against its competitors in the industry draft sustainability strategies that would ensure that it remains in business for a long time to come. We have therefore identified the aspects – employing competent employee, offering excellent and additional services and ensuring that we retain a large number of our loyal clients – which we would focus our strategies on in order to ensure that we remain in business for a long time.

Employing staffs that are competent and experienced and that is clearly attuned to our vision of attaining our goals and objectives is a must for us. Our employees will always undergo continuous trainings that will enhance their skills, increase our productivity and give them an edge over their other colleagues in the same industry.

All our employees will be trained in the art of offering excellent customer care to clients and ensuring that the image of the company is positively projected at all times. We also intend to pay our employees well whilst ensuring that they work in an environment that is conducive for them.

We hope to remain proactive and innovative in the offering of our services, as we would continually look for new ways to attract more customers while also keeping the existing ones. Continually offering our clients new services for their pets would not only keep them loyal and make them refer others to us, it will also increase our popularity and bottom line as well.

Finally, we intend to ensure that we seek for different ways to retain our clients, by offering them excellent customer car, a special discount for old tie customers at certain times of the month, a referral program for those that refer us and bring in a client. We know how important our customers are and we intend to treat them right always. We know that if we adhere to these strategies, we would effectively sustain and then expand our business successfully.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Conducting feasibility studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and around the community: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – wholesale suppliers / merchants: In Progress
• Purchase of trucks: Completed

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Dog Grooming Business Plan Template

Whether you want to start your own dog grooming business or expand an existing one, you need a business plan. the following dog grooming business plan template lets you know what elements you need to include in a successful dog grooming business plan., fill the form to download business plan templates.

To ensure your dog grooming business success in this highly competitive market, you need a properly structured dog grooming business plan. With over 12 years of experience, we have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs create business plans to start and grow their dog grooming businesses.If this is your first time writing a business plan , we’ll walk you through these sections and give you some key things to consider.

Things to Know Before Writing a Dog Grooming Business Plan

As more and more families consider their pets to be part of the family, consumer spending has shifted toward premium dog grooming services, which largely benefit pet grooming and boarding services operators.

A variety of services are offered here, including animal shelters, obedience training, guard dog training, pet boarding, and animal grooming. Operators of this industry do not typically sell products, board horses, transport pets, or practice veterinary medicine.

In the 3 years to 2024, rising per capita disposable income and a high pet ownership rate will fuel industry growth.

Accordingly, industry revenue is forecasted to increase by 2.7% annually to $9.2 billion by 2024.

Key Success Factors for the Dog Grooming Business

Despite the challenges of the art dog grooming industry, we have identified 5 factors that can help you boost profitability, efficiency, and ultimately success.

• Being close to key markets: Being located near households with high levels of pet ownership, especially dogs and cats, will likely benefit industry players by ensuring consistent demand for their products and services.
• Quality control: High-quality grooming and pet care services ensure repeat visits by customers and word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Access to multi-skilled and flexible staff: Having flexible, appropriately trained staff that can perform a variety of tasks and services lowers labor costs and increases industry expertise and value.
• Complying with government regulations: Meeting all the ongoing government business licensing requirements and pet and animal laws is a basic requirement.
• Word-of-mouth marketing: Businesses that maximize customer satisfaction are more likely to gain favorable word-of-mouth recommendations, which are important to gaining new clients.

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What is a Dog Grooming Business Plan?

A business plan for a dog grooming business is a written document that sets your company’s financial goals and discusses how you’ll reach them.

It describes your business concept, defines your target clients, explains your marketing strategy, and details your financial projections, among other things.

A solid, comprehensive plan will serve as a road map for the next three to five years of the dog grooming business. Any bank or investor you approach will require a dog grooming business plan, so putting one together will be critical to securing funding.

In short, writing a business plan can help you succeed if you’re thinking of starting a dog grooming business or pitching to investors or venture capitalists.

Why You Need a Dog Grooming Business Plan

A business plan provides an overview of your dog grooming business as it stands today, and outlines your growth plans for the next five years. It also explains what your business objectives are and how you plan to achieve them. A market research report is also included to support your plans.

Dog grooming agents who have a business plan grow 30% faster than those who don’t, and 71% of fast-growing businesses have one.

The following is what a good dog grooming business plan will show you:

• Where you are right now
• What you want to achieve
• How will you get there
• How will you measure your success
• Where and when to make corrections

A dog grooming business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Funding Sources for Dog Grooming Business

The main sources of funding for a dog grooming business are personal savings, government grants and business funding, business credit cards , and bank loans. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay the loan and interest.

To gain this confidence, the loan officer will not only look at your financials. However, they will demand a professional plan. A well-developed business plan will ensure that they are confident that you can successfully run a business.

Free: Business Plan Examples

Do you need help creating a business plan? Check out these six free, proven business plan examples from different industries to help you write your own.

Dog Grooming Business Plan PDF and Word

Download our dog grooming business plan in PDF and Word here.

How to Write a Dog Grooming Business Plan

To write a dog grooming business plan, you don’t need to be an expert. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to write a dog grooming business plan, or you can just download our proven business plan sample pdf  to get a better idea.

Executive Summary

The executive summary is the most important part of the document since it outlines the whole business plan. Despite the fact that it appears first in the plan, write the executive summary last so you may condense key concepts from the other nine parts.

It’s a part that catches the investor’s eye and provides key information about your company’s overview and upcoming short- and long-term goals.

Tell them what kind of dog grooming business you have and what stage you’re in; for example, are you a startup, do you have a dog grooming business that you want to expand, or do you have a lot of dog grooming businesses?

Finally, an executive summary should provide investors with a preview of what they may expect from the rest of your document.

• Provide a high-level overview of the dog grooming industry
• The name, location, and mission of your dog grooming company
• A description of your dog grooming business, including management, advisors, and a brief history
• Discuss the type of dog grooming business you are operating, Give an overview of your target customers., and how your company differs from competitors in the industry
• Create a marketing plan that describes your company’s marketing strategies, sales, and partnership plans.
• And give an overview of your financial plan

Check out these executive summary examples to help you write a perfect one for your dog grooming business plan.

Free: Executive Summary Examples

An executive summary is the most important part of your business plan, and it need not be challenging to write. This is why we have put together some awesome free Executive Summary examples for you.

Company Analysis

• Company summary: Your company analysis will describe the type of dog grooming business you are running and its future goals. The type of dog grooming business you might be focused on are: ( Designer dog grooming , Mobile grooming services, Dog grooming franchises, etc.)
• Company history: When and why did you start your dog grooming business?
• What milestones have you achieved so far? Your milestones could include sales goals achieved, new store openings, etc.
• Legal structure and ownership: Do you have S-Corp status? Is it an LLC ? A sole proprietorship ? Describe your legal structure.
• Mission statement: An overview of your dog grooming company’s guiding principles. Learn how to write a perfect mission statement .

Industry Analysis

You need to include an overview of the dog grooming business in the industry analysis you performed before sitting down to write your dog grooming business plan.

While this research may appear to be unnecessary, it helps you to build strategies that maximize business opportunities while lowering or avoiding the identified risk.

Furthermore, market research can improve your strategy, especially if it identifies market trends. As an example, If there is a trend toward any grooming style, it would be beneficial to ensure that your plan includes this option.

The third purpose for conducting market research is to demonstrate to readers that you are an industry expert.

Industry analysis can be presented as a 8-step process when written as part of a company’s business plan.

• Give a quick overview of the dog grooming industry. Define the dog grooming business in terms of size (in dollars), historical background, service region, and products.
• Examine previous trends and growth patterns in the dog grooming industry.
• Identify the market’s major competitors.
• Age, gender, and general lifestyle of the targeted market
• Determine the factors that have an impact on the dog grooming industry. These might include government regulatory rules and other businesses’ competitive activities.
• Using research data, the industry forecast expected growth over the next five to ten years. Predictions should be made for both the long and short term.
• Describe how your dog grooming business intends to position itself in the industry. Concentrate on how your dog grooming business can benefit from opportunities highlighted in the industry.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section is an important part of any dog grooming business plan since it evaluates the consumer segments that your company serves. It identifies target customers, determines what those customers want, and then explains how the products will meet those requirements.

Customers can be categorized into the following segments:  Pet owners aged 31 to 60 years, Family consumers with children under 18, etc.

If you intend to offer extended-stay dog boarding, you should think about segmenting customer behaviors as well. For marketing and advertising, local dog owners who are planning a vacation would be a good target.

Customer analysis may be divided into two parts: P sychosocial profiles and Demographic profiles .

With regards to demographics , include information about: the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of your customers. When targeting businesses, describe what kind of business, size, and location your target customers are.

The psychological profiles of your target clients reveal their wants and needs. The better you understand and identify these demands, the better your chances of attracting and retaining customers will be.

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Competitor Analysis

Who are the main competitors in your target market, and what makes them your main competition? How will you beat them? Use competitor analysis to:

• Identify the strength and weakness of your dog grooming business competitors.
• Search for opportunities to distinguish your dog grooming company from competitors.

The first step is to determine who your direct and indirect competitors are.

The direct competition consists of other dog grooming businesses. These are alternatives to direct competitors that customers have.

Indirect competitors, such as DIYers, pet retails, and pet sitters, dog walkers, are other options for customers to purchase from that are not direct competitors. You must mention such competition to demonstrate that you understand that not every dog owner uses a dog grooming every day.

Provide an overview of each direct competitor’s business and detail their strengths and weaknesses.

You will be able to position yourself competitively in the market if you perform proper competition research. Perform a SWOT Analysis to learn your competitors’ strengths, weaknesses, and competitive advantages in the following areas:

• Prices – Are they offering cheaper dog grooming service or more costly than you and other competitors, what value do buyers get for that price?
• Quality –  Are they offering better quality services, the perceived worth in the eyes of the customers
• Customer service – How they respond to their consumers, whether they treat them poorly or well, and the degrees of satisfaction customers show
• Reputation — The sum of everything mentioned above: their credibility, how loved the brand is, and the loyalty of their customers

The final section of your competitive analysis should include a list of your areas of competitive advantage. for example: Are you going to offer premium dog grooming services? Will you offer unique dog  grooming service and plans that your competitors don’t offer? Will you offer better pricing or will you offer greater customer support?

Consider how you will outperform your competitors and include them in this portion of your dog grooming business plan.

Free: SWOT Analysis Examples

Take advantage of our free SWOT analysis examples. Make your business future-proof by identifying your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats using this free SWOT Analysis Template.

Marketing Plan

Creating a marketing plan for a dog grooming business involves identifying the target demographic and finding dog grooming services that suit their preferences.

As part of your marketing plan for a dog grooming company, you should include:

Pricing and Product Strategy

Your dog grooming business must offer services that are different from those of your competitors, better quality service and plans are available in affordable prices.

Research what your competitors offer and how they price their dog grooming services. Unique and quality services identifies your dog grooming business as the place to go for unique dog grooming services and differentiates it from others.

Placing and Promotions

Is your dog grooming business located near a big colony, office buildings, gyms, parks dog where owners come for dog’s walk etc. That is heavily populated? Discuss how your location might be able to provide a steady stream of customers.

Promoting your dog grooming business is the final part of your marketing plan. In this step, you document how you will drive customers to purchase your dog grooming services. A few marketing methods you could consider are:

• Get a website for your business and promote it
• Introduce the dog grooming and pet related business by sending introductory letters with our brochure to corporations, households, and key players in the pet industry
• Make flyers and business cards and strategically post them in office buildings, libraries, public facilities, train stations, etc.
• Engage in pet-related expos, seminars, business fairs, etc
• Marketing on social media
• Advertise in local papers and magazines
• Hold special pet events

You should also think about your services Unique Selling Proposition (USP), which should explain why clients should choose you over other dog grooming businesses. Ensure that your USP is reflected in your market.

Pro Tips: Learn how to write a sales and marketing plan in business plan to help you write a winning dog grooming business plan. 

Operations Plan

While the previous sections of your dog grooming business plan described your goals, your operations plan discusses how you will achieve them.

An operational business plan is helpful for investors, but it’s also helpful for you and employees because it pushes you to think about tactics and deadlines.

Your operations plan should be divided into two individual parts, as seen below.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your dog grooming, such as check-in, supply procurement, facility cleanliness, and so on.

Long-term goals are milestones you hope to reach. It may be the date when you expect to serve your 1000th customer or when you hope to reach $X in sales. Another example would be when you expect to hire your Xth employee or start a new location or service.

Management Team

A strong management team is necessary to demonstrate your dog grooming’s ability to succeed as a business. Highlight the backgrounds of your key players, emphasizing the skills and experiences that demonstrate their ability to grow a business.

You and/or your team members should ideally have prior experience working in a dog grooming company. If so, emphasize your knowledge and experience. However, you should emphasize any experience that you believe will help your dog grooming business succeed.

Consider forming an advisory board if your team is lacking. An advisory board would consist of 2 to 8 people who would act as mentors to your company. They would assist in answering questions and providing strategic direction. If necessary, seek out advisory board members with experience running dog grooming company and/or retail and small businesses.

Read Later: How to write a management team section in a business plan .

Financial Plan

As part of your financial plan, you should present a 5-year financial statement broken down monthly or quarterly for the first year, and then annually. Financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.

Income Statement

A profit and loss statement is more commonly called an income statement . It shows your revenue and subtracts your expenses to determine whether you were profitable or not.

As you develop your income statement, you need to develop assumptions. For instance, Will sales grow by 2% or 11% per year? Your choice of assumptions will greatly impact your business’s financial forecasts. Conduct as much research as possible in order to ground your assumptions in reality.

Free: Income Statement Template

Create a financial statement for your business by downloading our free income statement templates.

Balance Sheet

While balance sheets include much information, to simplify them to the key items you need to know about, balance sheets show your assets and liabilities.

The balance sheet shows your dog grooming business’s net value at a specific point in time. It categorizes all of your company’s financial data into three categories:

• Assets: Tangible goods with the monetary worth that the company owns.
• Liabilities: Debt owing to a company’s creditor.
• Equity: The net difference when the total liabilities are subtracted from the total assets.

The equation that expresses the relationship between these financial data elements is Assets = Liabilities + Equity.

Create a pro forma balance sheet for your dog grooming business plan that highlights the information in the income statement and cash flow projections. A balance sheet is normally prepared once a year by a company.

Balance sheets indicate your assets and liabilities, and while they contain a lot of information, they are simplified to highlight the most important things you need to know.

For example, spending $100,000 to build out your dog grooming business will not result in instant revenues. Rather, it is an asset that should help you earn money for many years to come.

Similarly, if a bank write you a check for $50,000, you do not have to pay it back right now. Rather, that is a liability that you will repay over time.

Cash Flow Statement:

Your cash flow statement will help you determine how much money you need to start or grow your dog grooming business. In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a dog grooming business:

• Cost of equipment like grooming tables, fur dryers, and fur dryers
• Costs for shampoos, conditioners, and utilities
• Obtaining a space for 6 months or more
• The amount required to pay bills and staff members for at least two to three months
• Additional Expenditures, including Business Cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions
• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of maintaining an adequate amount of supplies
• Taxes and permits
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Legal expenses
• Business insurance

Pro Tips: If you are a DIY business plan writer, This guide on how to create a financial plan in a business plan can help you to make a winning business plan.

Free: Balance Sheet Template

Create a financial statement for your business by downloading our free balance sheet templates.

List any additional material you cannot include elsewhere, such as resumes from key employees, licenses, equipment leases, permits, patents, receipts, bank statements, contracts, and personal and business credit histories.

Attach your full financial projections along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling in the appendix.

Bonus Tip: Learn how to write a business plan appendix for your dog grooming business.

Summary of the Dog Grooming Business Plan

A dog grooming business plan is a worthwhile investment. As long as you follow the template above, you will become an expert in no time. By following the template, you will understand the dog grooming business, your competition, and your customers. The plan will help you understand the steps necessary to launch and grow your dog grooming business.

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Since 2010, Wise business plans’ dog grooming business plan writers has developed business plans for thousands of companies that have experienced tremendous success.

Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template  allows you to quickly and easily write your pet grooming business plan.

Starting a pet grooming business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Pet Grooming Business
• Create Your Pet Grooming Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Pet Grooming Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Pet Grooming Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Pet Grooming Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Pet Grooming Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Pet Grooming Business Equipment
• Develop Your Pet Grooming Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Pet Grooming Business
• Open for Business

Download Our Dog Grooming Business Plan Template

We will show you some real-world business plan examples so you may know how to write your own, especially if you are seeking a bank loan or an outside investment and need to use SBA-approved formatting.

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Competitive Analysis for a Pet Grooming Business (Example)

• May 10, 2024
• Business Plan , Competitive Analysis

A competitive analysis is not just a tool for gauging the position of your pet grooming business in the market and its key competitors; it’s also a fundamental component of your business plan.

This analysis helps in identifying your pet grooming business’s unique selling points, essential for differentiating your business in a competitive market.

In addition, the competitive analysis is integral in laying a solid foundation for your business plan. By examining various operational aspects of your competitors, you gain valuable information that ensures your business plan is robust, informed, and tailored to succeed in the current market environment.

Pet Grooming Business Plan

Fully editable 30+ slides Powerpoint presentation business plan template.

Download an expert-built 30+ slides Powerpoint business plan template

Identifying Your Competitors in the Pet Grooming Industry

The first step in a competitive analysis is identifying your competitors. Start by listing local pet grooming services. For example, if your service specializes in grooming large breeds, your direct competitors include nearby pet grooming businesses that offer similar services, as well as pet stores that provide grooming. Don’t forget indirect competitors such as mobile grooming services or pet sitters who also offer grooming as part of their services.

Utilize online tools like Google Maps to understand the geographical distribution of competitors. Platforms like Yelp and Google Reviews offer customer reviews and ratings, which shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of these competitors. For instance, if several reviews praise the gentle handling and stylish cuts at “Pampered Paws,” this highlights a key strength of your competitor.

Pet Grooming Competitors’ Strategies

Analyzing the strategies of competitors involves looking at several factors:

• Service Offerings: Review the range of grooming services they provide. If “Eco Groomers” is becoming popular for its use of organic and hypoallergenic products, it might suggest a market shift towards environmentally conscious pet care.
• Grooming Techniques: Assess the grooming techniques and styles used. A service like “Classic Cuts” that offers traditional grooming styles might attract a different clientele compared to “Trendy Tails,” known for creative and fashionable pet hairstyles.
• Pricing Strategy : Compare your pricing with that of competitors. Are your services priced competitively with “Affordable Pet Care,” or do they align more with the high-end services at “Luxury Pets”?
• Marketing Tactics: Examine how competitors market their services. Do they have a strong online presence, or do they engage more with the local community through events and partnerships?
• Customer Experience: Evaluate the customer service experience. For instance, “Friendly Fur” might be recognized for its welcoming staff and comfortable waiting areas, which enhance the overall customer experience.
• Operational Efficiency: Look at whether competitors use technology or innovative practices to make appointments and services more efficient, such as “Quick Clips” with its online booking system.

What’s Your Pet Grooming Business’s Value Proposition?

Reflect on what makes your pet grooming business unique. Perhaps you are renowned for your expert handling of sensitive pets, or maybe you offer a mobile grooming service that provides convenience to your customers.

Identify market gaps through customer feedback and observing industry trends. For example, the increasing demand for luxury pet services could be an opportunity if it’s underrepresented by your competitors.

Consider your location: A pet grooming service in a busy urban area might emphasize efficient, same-day services, while one in a more suburban setting could focus on providing a more personalized, boutique experience.

How To Summarize It All In Your Business Plan?

Competitors’ strategies and market positioning can be superposed with your own pet grooming business’s value proposition by laying out on a page (or a presentation slide) the main differentiating factors. These factors will show investors and banks:

• How each competitor is positioned in the market
• How your pet grooming business compares vs. competitors (what’s your value proposition )

In a competitive analysis, various parameters are used to compare and contrast your pet grooming business with its competitors. The parameters listed below are examples of what you might include in your analysis. 

They are not exhaustive but serve as a guide to help you understand key aspects to consider. Each parameter provides insights into different facets of the competitive landscape, helping to paint a comprehensive picture of where your pet grooming business stands.

The success of a pet grooming service can heavily depend on its location, which influences the convenience for clients, type of clientele, and operational logistics. For example, a pet grooming business in a busy urban area may attract busy professionals looking for quick service, whereas a location in a more residential area could appeal to pet owners looking for a more detailed and leisurely service experience.

Services Offered

The range of services you offer can significantly differentiate your business. For instance, offering unique services such as pet aromatherapy or eco-friendly grooming products can set you apart from traditional grooming services. This parameter also helps in tapping into niche markets that competitors might not be addressing.

Target Market

Understanding who your competitors target and aligning it with your own target market is crucial. Whether your services cater to luxury pet owners or aim for more budget-conscious clientele can dictate your marketing and operational strategies.

Special Services

Highlighting special services like mobile grooming, after-hours emergency grooming, or specialized care for older pets can significantly enhance your competitive edge. These services cater to specific needs that may not be widely available in the market.

Number of Groomers

The number of skilled groomers you employ can influence your service capacity and the personalized attention each pet receives, which can be a major selling point for clients who seek the best care for their pets.

Business Hours

Extended or more flexible business hours, including weekends or evenings, can make your services more accessible compared to competitors, appealing to a broader range of customers who may have different work schedules.

Whether or not your business is part of a franchise can affect brand recognition and customer trust. Franchises may benefit from national marketing and a recognized standard of service, whereas independent businesses can emphasize personalized care and local community involvement.

Google Reviews

Online reviews and ratings are a powerful indicator of customer satisfaction and can significantly influence new clients. A strong online rating and positive reviews can be a testament to the quality and reliability of your services.

Other Comparison Factors

Additional factors to consider in your competitive analysis might include:

• Marketing Strategies : Understanding the effectiveness of competitors’ marketing efforts can provide insights into successful channels and promotional tactics you could adopt.
• Customer Service: The level of customer service offered, such as responsiveness, friendliness, and professional handling of pets, can highlight areas for differentiation.
• Brand Presence: The strength of competitors’ online and offline presence, including social media activity and community engagement, can offer lessons on building a strong brand identity.
• Product Innovation: Keeping abreast of any innovative service offerings by competitors can inspire your own service enhancements and ensure you stay ahead in the market.
• Supplier Relationships: Insights into competitors’ supplier relationships might reveal advantages in cost efficiency, product quality, or ethical sourcing, which could influence your business practices.

Privacy Overview

ZOOM & GROOM

Mobile Pet Groomer

[email protected]

(570) 351-4102

My name is Annie the owner of Zoom & Groom. I'm a certified Pet Groomer and certified vet assistant offering my skills and services at affordable prices. My goal is to have a stress free area where the animals feel safe and enjoy a spa day!

The Zoom and Groom van is a self contained unit that provides a full service that you would receive at a grooming salon, with the convenience of being at your location. All grooming is done right in that van. The van contains a tub,table and dryers. Cats and Dogs of any size are welcome. Our services offer grooming, bathing, nail clipping, de-shedding, and more, a total spa treatment for your pet.

AREAS OF SERVICE

Some services Zoom & Groom offers:

- Bath - Trims - Nail Trimming - Ear Cleaning - Teeth brushed - Dematting - Brush - Flea Baths - Anal gland expelled

Dog Grooming

Prices vary by breed please contact us for more information!

Cat Grooming

Prices vary with cat please contact us for more information!

PLEASE CONTACT US TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Petco Dog Grooming Moscow

Dog Bath & Groom Pricing*

Up to 10 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

starts at $22

starts at $38

Example breeds: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Dachshund

*Pricing is based on local market pricing, size and hair length of dog and service selected. True price can only be quoted after completing the online booking process.

11 - 25 lbs.

starts at $26

starts at $42

Example breeds: Shih Tzu, Maltese, Pomeranian

26 - 50 lbs.

starts at $30

starts at $47

Example breeds: Australian Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Beagle

51 - 80 lbs.

starts at $34

starts at $57

Example breeds: Labrador Retriever, Goldendoodle, German Shepherd

starts at $39

starts at $66

Example breeds: Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dog, Great Dane

*Pricing is based on local market pricing, size and hair length of dog, and service selected. True price can only be quoted after completing the online booking process.

**Materials fee will be added to the cost of all grooming services. The materials fee helps to cover costs of supplies and materials. It is not a service fee or gratuity.

Moscow Dog Groomers

The Moscow, ID Dog Grooming Experience Bring your furry pal in to be groomed by certified dog groomers who love what they do. Whether they're visiting us for a personalized service or consultation, you'll see each groomer's passion in action. We offer a full range of services that cover bathing, grooming, and special upgrades to pamper your pet. Walk-in services are also available for dog nail trimming, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and more.

You can learn more about the different services and prices available or if you're ready, book your dog's appointment online.

Please note: grooming hours may vary from store hours.

Pricing for Grooming Packages

Dog Bath starting at $24

Includes a bath with natural shampoo, blow-dry, 15 minute brush-out, ear cleaning, nail trim, gland expression, and a scented spritz.

Dog Bath and Haircut starting at $41

Includes bath features, PLUS a customized cut & style for breed-specific standardsPrices for full-service baths and grooms are based on your dog's weight and breed or fur/hair length. A free grooming consultation is always provided before your appointment begins.

Walk In Dog Services

• Mini Make-Rover Package—$22 ($40 value) includes nail trim and buffing, ear cleaning, paw balm and scented spritz
• Mini Make-Rover Plus Package—$25 ($50 value) includes nail trim and buffing, ear cleaning, paw balm and scented spritz, plus teeth-brushing or breath refresh

A La Carte Dog Grooming Services

• $20 Nail trimming and buffing
• $12 Nail trim
• $15 Face, feet and fanny trim
• $12 Teeth-brushing
• $12 Ear cleaning
• $12 Breath refresh

Cat Grooming

Petco has groomers who specialize in grooming cats at select locations. Not every location offers cat grooming. Please call your salon for more information about scheduling and pricing. Or to book an appointment for your cat call (208) 997-5057 for more information.

Health Benefits of Professional Grooming

Your dog or cat's certified groomer is another resource that keeps them healthy. Groomers begin every service by checking them from nose to tail with the 7-point pet care check. This helps spot warning signs of any potential health concerns. In some cases, groomers have aided in the early detection of cancer by noticing both gradual and rapid changes in a pet's health. While grooming can never replace routine check-ins with a veterinarian, it can still be life-saving , making groomers an important part of your pet's routine. Here are some other health benefits of professional pet grooming:

• Veterinarian-approved safety standards
• 7-Point Care Check to spot physical and behavioral changes
• Discovery of early warning signs of illnesses
• Detection of parasites
• Dietary recommendations

All Services

FAQs About Moscow Petco Grooming

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and safety in the industry, as developed under the supervision of our Director of Veterinary Medicine, with counsel from several independent experts in animal care, behavior and ethics.

A few ways we ensure your pet's safety in the grooming salon is by:

• Completing a comprehensive 7-Point Pet Care Check for every pet upon check-in to ensure nothing looks or feels abnormal
• Dog-to-dog contact is prevented while pets are in the salon
• Salons are cleaned & disinfected throughout their entire visit
• Using ramps or steps for senior dogs to get into the tubs or bathe really large dogs on the floor
• Providing industry-standard comfortable and safe kennels
• Utilizing the Groomer's Helper tool, designed to help safely maintain control of your pet's body and head while on the grooming table

Typically, a grooming session ranges from 2-4 hours. The duration of a grooming session varies based on your pet's size and the chosen service. At check-in or when calling, your groomer can give you an estimated finish time.

For smaller services like nail trims that don't require a full grooming session, they usually take about 5 minutes. While appointments might not be essential given salon availability, we suggest contacting your nearby salon to ensure availability.

If you prefer dedicated attention from a specific stylist with minimal kennel and waiting time, consider requesting the VIP Treatment upon arrival. This option is particularly beneficial for dogs prone to anxiety and brachycephalic breeds, including French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers.

Petco at Moscow provides a full range of grooming services including baths, haircuts, nail trims, ear cleaning, teeth brushing.

Yes, appointments can be booked online through the Petco website or Petco App! You can also call the store at (208) 997-5057 to make an appointment.

Grooming hours may vary, so it's recommended to check directly with the Moscow location by phone or online for current hours of operation.

• 8:00am - 6:00pm
• 9:00am - 6:00pm

Petco specializes in grooming dogs and cats. However, not all locations provide cat grooming services. Contact the store directly to discuss your specific pet's needs. (208) 997-5057

To ensure the well-being of our guests and grooming team, we ask for up-to-date vaccination records based on your pet's age. Here's what's needed:

• Under 16 weeks: Minimum of 2 rounds of puppy starter vaccines covering distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus.
• 16 weeks and above: Rabies vaccine.
• Under 16 weeks: Vaccinations for parvovirus, herpesvirus type-1, and calicivirus.

Kindly ensure there's a gap of at least 24 hours between the vaccine's administration and the grooming session. If you're uncertain, reach out to your local Petco salon to verify the required vaccinations before your pet's appointment.

Vaccination records out-of-date? Check out Petco Veterinary Services for a nearby Petco walk-in vaccination center.

After an appointment is booked, a questionnaire will be sent inquiring of any special needs or specific sensitivities. Petco groomers are trained to handle various pet needs, and they will work with you to ensure a positive experience for your pet.

Costs vary depending on the type, size, and breed of the pet, as well as the specific services required. Contact the Moscow store at (208) 997-5057 or visit the Petco website for detailed pricing information.

We ask 48 hours. It's best to contact the (Geo Location) Petco directly for information about cancellation or rescheduling. Please contact (208) 997-5057

The cost for dog grooming varies by dog depending on their size, coat type and services included. Contact your neighborhood Petco prior to your appointment for an estimated price. A consultation in-person or on the phone is included at the beginning of an appointment to discuss the details of the grooming services to be completed and cost.

A dog grooming appointment varies by dog size and the services requested. An estimated completion time is provided at the beginning of the appointment. Many of our a la carte services take 5 minutes depending on stylist availability. For a quicker grooming time, you may request the Express service for an additional $12.

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Petco Full-Service Dog Grooming in Moscow, ID Reviews

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