From French bulldogs to golden retrievers, Americans love dogs. As of 2025, 68 million US households have at least one dog, making dogs the most popular pet in the country. The pet care business is booming too: It was valued at more than $190 billion in 2024, and is expected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2025 to 2033.

A dog grooming business provides professional services to keep dogs looking their best, from baths and haircuts to ear and teeth cleaning. Pet owners want the best for their four-legged friends, which is why pet grooming services are in such high demand in the US.

If you’ve considered turning your passion for canines into a career, now might be the time. Dive into what it takes to start your own dog grooming business—from why it’s a smart move to how to get it off the ground. Here’s everything you need to know to plan and launch a dog grooming business and start earning money as a professional groomer.

Why start a dog grooming business?

If you have a way with dogs and an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a dog grooming business may be a path you want to follow. Spending the day with adorable furballs isn’t the only perk: The barrier to entry is low, you don’t need to be an accreditation to be a pet groomer, and the business model is fairly flexible. You can rent a business space, go mobile with a grooming van, or even run the business from your home. Grooming can also be solo or team work. Depending on the size of your operation and how many clients you have, you might operate independently or hire a team and manage them remotely.

How to start a dog grooming business 

1. Research your market
2. Choose a business model and location
3. Establish and name your business
4. Pick your services
5. Plan your finances
6. Draft your business plan
7. Obtain insurance, licenses, and permits
8. Set up your space
9. Purchase grooming supplies and tools
10. Build a website
11. Launch your marketing strategy

Launching a business requires vision, drive, and a plan. This guide to starting a dog grooming business can help you get going:

1. Research your market

Market research means gathering data on consumers and businesses to better position your company in the market. It’s a key step in business planning, helping new business owners assess demand, identify opportunities in their target market, and understand what motivates potential customers.

To get a comprehensive picture of the industry, you can interview prospective customers directly, study industry reports to understand demand and revenue projections, and systematically consider what other businesses are doing. The latter is known as competitive analysis, a specific type of market research that focuses on your competitors’ marketing strategies, business models, and performance. You can use this information to structure your business, set prices, position your company, and create your service model later on.

2. Choose a business model and location

Decide how you want to run your business and scout appropriate business locations. Consider the following options for your grooming space:

• Acquiring an entire dog grooming salon. If you dream of running your own grooming salon, you can purchase or lease a space and choose how to run it: hire employees, rent out spaces to independent dog groomers, or operate solo.

• Running a mobile dog grooming business. Mobile dog groomers bring their grooming services directly to clients, usually at their homes. A mobile business requires a specially equipped van, so you’ll need to budget for this upfront purchase, plus gas and vehicle maintenance.

• Renting space in a dog grooming salon. If you want to keep things simple, you can rent space from a salon owner and operate as an independent dog groomer.

Use your market research to choose your business model. If there’s growing demand for mobile dog grooming in your area but only one mobile grooming business, you might go mobile to fill the market gap. If your target audiences have a lot of disposable income but your local dog grooming businesses are low-cost dives, you might build a boutique business with luxury amenities and skilled dog groomers.

Once you’ve decided what kind of location you need, scout available commercial spaces. Note cost, accessibility, condition, and location, and be open to adjusting your business model based on what you learn. If you can’t afford your dream space on your own, you might decide to go mobile, rent space at an upscale dog grooming business, or purchase your dog grooming salon but lease space to other dog groomers. 

3. Establish and name your business

Choose a business name and structure, and register your business with applicable state, local, and federal agencies. A memorable business name is simple, catchy, and descriptive. You can browse business name examples for inspiration or use Shopify’s AI-powered name generation tool to help you brainstorm.

Your business structure determines what you can and can’t do with your business, how you’ll pay taxes, and who is liable in a suit against your business. Here are three common business entity types for dog grooming businesses:

• Sole proprietorship. The business owner and business are the same legal entity. You file taxes using your Social Security number and take payments under your own name.

• Limited liability company (LLC). An LLC separates your personal and business assets. It can have multiple owners and elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship or a corporation.

• Corporation. Individual legal entities that frequently have multiple owners; allow you to raise money by selling shares of your business, but setup and compliance can be costly and require significant legal paperwork. If you’re considering forming a corporation, contact a business attorney for advice on structures and help with the registration process.

Dog grooming is inherently risky. Your business model involves frequent interaction with customers on your premises, and dogs can be unpredictable. For this reason, many dog grooming business owners choose a structure that protects their personal assets in the event of a lawsuit. LLCs are popular because they offer corporate-style liability protections without the costly setup and complicated compliance requirements. 

4. Pick your services

Prepare your service menu, considering your specific interests and talents, market demand, and any unmet market needs. Here’s a list of grooming services to consider:

• Self-wash reservations

• Full-body shampoo

• Deep conditioning

• Haircut

• Brush out

• Blow-dry and styling

• Nail grinding

• Ear and tooth cleaning

• Gland expression

• Massage

• De-shedding

• De-skunking

• Flea and tick repellent application

• Creative coloring or stamping

• Creative cuts

• Creative braiding or jewels

• Nail polish

Most dog grooming businesses offer service packages. A basic wash package might include shampoo, conditioner, blow dry, and styling, while a spa day package might add ear and tooth cleaning, nail grinding, gland expression, and a 15-minute massage. Many businesses include thoughtful extras, like a bow or bandana, a pet-safe cologne application, or a biscuit for the road.

You might also offer creative grooming services, such as coloring, unique cuts, stamping, braiding, hair jewels, and nail polish. Many pet industry sources indicate that creative grooming services are becoming more popular. These offerings can differentiate your business, raise brand awareness, and boost profits by encouraging more frequent, expensive visits. Think Ziggy Stardust–inspired komondors or poodles disguised as pandas or camels.

Creative grooming services can be controversial. Some customers may worry about product safety or be put off by dramatic styling. If you go this route, use marketing and informational materials to educate and reassure clients about the safety and effects of your techniques. 

5. Plan your finances

Estimate business costs, price your services, and set budgets based on what you learn. Here’s how to do it:

Estimate startup costs

Calculate one-time costs associated with starting a dog grooming business. Common startup costs include business license and registration fees, website design, commercial lease or down payment, salon setup, grooming equipment, and any upfront brand and marketing investments.

Calculate operational costs

Estimate recurring expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, product refills, software licenses, insurance premiums, and business license renewal fees. If you’ve taken a loan to cover startup costs, either from a bank or from yourself, add the monthly payment to your list of costs. For annual costs, divide by 12 to get a monthly average. 

Set revenue targets

Calculate how much you need to earn each month to cover all your costs and meet your business goals.

Set prices

Divide your monthly revenue target by the number of appointments you expect to book each month—this calculation tells you what you need to charge per appointment on average. Then, estimate monthly booking volumes for each of your services and set prices that help you hit that average and meet your revenue goals.

Choose a pricing strategy

Use market research to see how your prices compare to other local dog grooming businesses, and use your findings to choose a pricing strategy. If your costs are low, you might adopt a budget pricing strategy, and if they’re high, you can use a premium pricing strategy to target discerning pet owners with the promise of high-quality services. Be open to adjusting your strategy as you grow.

6. Draft your business plan

A business plan is a formal document that outlines a business’s goals and details its plans to achieve them. Here’s an overview of common sections and what to include in each:

• Executive summary. Summarize your business plan.

• Business overview. Explain what your business offers and what differentiates it from the competition.

• Organization structure. Include details about your business and management structures, including entity type and roles and responsibilities.

• Products and services. Specify what services you offer, and whether you’ll sell products, such as your own line of dog shampoo or accessories.

• Market analysis. Include your market research findings and insights.

• Logistics and operations plan. Explain how your business will manage day-to-day operations, including key staffing positions and an organizational structure. 

• Marketing plan. Outline your marketing strategy, including key details like messaging, tactics, channels, and timelines.

• Financial projections. Include your estimated expenses, revenues, and profits, and outline any funding needs.

A business plan can validate your business’s profit potential and help you secure funding from investors or banks. It can also serve as a blueprint for making decisions going forward. Understanding your industry and the value you bring within it can guide you as you continue to learn how to differentiate yourself, fine-tune messaging, or consider expansion.

Shopify’s free business plan template can help you structure your plan and streamline the writing process.

7. Obtain insurance, licenses, and permits

Most jurisdictions don’t require industry-specific licensure for dog grooming businesses, but check with your state and local governments to be sure. New York City, for example, requires pet grooming businesses to acquire small animal grooming establishment permits.

Many state and local governments will require you to obtain business licenses to operate legally. Review government resources to determine your requirements. You’ll also be subject to local zoning regulations and may need to obtain local permits for business activities like renovating your salon or installing outdoor signage.

Although coverage isn’t legally mandated for dog grooming businesses, having business insurance is a standard industry best practice. Start with general liability insurance, which covers third-party injury, property damage, reputational damage, and advertising injury. You may also consider other types of business insurance, like professional liability insurance and commercial property insurance.

8. Set up your space

Once you sign your lease or purchase agreement, it’s time to set up shop. The ideal setup includes a well-lit, easily sanitized grooming area, a comfortable waiting room for humans, and a secure and calming kennel space for dogs awaiting pickup.

Design your back-of-house for maximum functionality, providing plenty of grooming tables and wash tubs and easy access to electricity and plumbing. You can also style customer-facing areas to reinforce your brand. For example, a business called FancyPants that specializes in breed specific haircuts for poodles, papillons, and yorkies might model its waiting area on a classic English tea room with antique fixtures and tea service, while a creative coloring groomer may create a zany, colorful space inspired by pop art.

9. Purchase grooming supplies and tools

Buy dog grooming tools and supplies, choosing a retailer that offers wholesale prices to pet grooming businesses. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Grooming stations. Grooming tables, bathing tubs, hoses and shower attachments, and canine dryers.

• Hair care tools. Clippers, trimmers, basic and specialty brushes, combs, and scissors.

• Products. Basic and specialty shampoos and conditioners, flea and tick repellent, and ear and eye care products.

• Creative grooming products. Pet-safe hair dye, jewels, beads, stamps, or stencils.

• Nail care needs. Nail clippers and nail grinders.

• Personal protective equipment. Aprons, gowns, face masks, and gloves.

• Canine safety. Treats, leashes, collars, and kennels.

• Cleaning supplies. Pet-safe disinfectants and a commercial washer and dryer.

• Customer experience add-ons. Bows, bandanas, pet cologne, and treat bags.

• Point-of-sale (POS) system. POS terminal, display, and software, or an all-in-one POS system.

10. Build a website

A website is both a branding and a practical tool: It helps customers find your business, learn about your services, and book appointments. An ecommerce site builder like Shopify can simplify this process. You can use your website to share your services and prices, integrate booking apps to allow for easy appointment scheduling, collect payments, and sell pet products or branded merchandise.

For many of your customers, your website is their first impression of your business. Make sure it reflects your brand identity and values, spells out your unique selling proposition, and gives visitors an insight into who you are and why you started your business. 

11. Launch your marketing plan

Market your new dog grooming business and open your doors. Here are a few best practices:

Start a referral program

Reward customers for referring new clients to your business with discounts or credits, and send thank you cards to your most active brand ambassadors.

Showcase your work

Post pictures of your canine clients on social media platforms like Instagram. Social posts can encourage proud pet parents to promote your content, and establishing a digital portfolio can increase client confidence in your business.

Focus on customer experience

Most professional groomers are animal lovers, but focus on your human clients, too. Simple booking and payment processes can boost customer satisfaction, and proactive client communication can calm nervous pet parents.