The Business
Pet grooming serves the 67% of US households that own pets. A full groom (bath, haircut, nails) runs $50-120 per dog. An experienced groomer handles 6-10 dogs per day. Mobile grooming vans eliminate the need for a storefront and charge $10-20 premium per dog. The business benefits from predictable repeat scheduling — most dogs need grooming every 4-8 weeks.
How to Start
Complete a grooming certification course (2-6 months, $2K-6K) or apprentice with an experienced groomer. Start mobile with a grooming van ($15K-30K used) or rent space in an existing pet store. Build a client base through Nextdoor, Yelp, and Google. Offer recurring scheduling discounts to lock in regular appointments.
Equipment Needed
- ▸Grooming table
- ▸Clippers and blades
- ▸Bathing station
- ▸Dryer
- ▸Grooming tools (scissors, brushes)
Licensing
Business license + grooming certification recommended
Monthly Search Volume
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“Pet grooming has captive recurring demand — dogs need grooming every 4-8 weeks, and pet owners are emotionally attached to their groomer. Churn is near zero once you're trusted with someone's dog. The mobile model adds premium pricing.”
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