Pet lovers can turn their passion into a helpful business. How? Through pet grooming, of course! If furry friends like cats and dogs are your thing, then this is the ideal profitable business (or side hustle) that feels more like play than work.
Some interesting facts about the pet industry in South Africa:
- The South African pet industry was estimated to be worth R 7,1 billion in 2023.
- Approximately 53% of pet owners have multiple pets in the country.
- Medium to large breeds (over 23 kilograms) are the most common in South Africa.
- 55% of citizens don’t yet own a dog.
- From 2019 – 2022, spending on cats and dogs increased by 23%.
- 81% of pet owners have dogs, whereas only 27% have cats.
So how can you start benefiting from these statistics? Let’s take a closer look at how to start a pet grooming business.
Pros and Cons of a Pet Grooming Businesses
There are a few ways to approach your business. You can open a grooming business in an area that has many pets, but little competition, or you can go mobile.
Once your business is established, you can even team up with other businesses in the pet care industry such as pet shops, veterinarians or dog parks.
It’s important to note that buying an existing pet grooming business is also an option if you don’t want to start from scratch.
Many groomers try to differentiate themselves by offering specialised services or add-ons such as accessories for dogs (think hats, bows, hair ties or doggy scarfs). You can also sell of the special shampoos or accessories to your clients if they don’t bring in the fluffy companions for regular grooming.
However, like any other business, start-up costs are vital to launching your business and you need to be mindful of what these expenses will be.
Furthermore, you will also need to be mindful of your clients: Not all dogs are equally friendly. If you are afraid of them, this will not be the job for you.
Start-up Costs and Requirements
The requirements to start a pet grooming business are simple. You only need to comply with the standard licenses to open a business such as your business license and tax compliance certificate. Ensure that your business is zoned correctly, and if you start your operation from home, be mindful of whether you need permission from your ward councillor to open the business in a residential area.
When it comes to animal care, you need to comply with the South African Veterinary Strategy and the Animal Health Act. and so no specific dog grooming license exists.
You will need the following equipment for your grooming business:
- Shampoos for different hair types/skin conditions
- Conditioner for different hair types/skin conditions
- Hair clippers
- Blades
- Scissors
- Nail clippers
- Dryers
- Grooming tables
- Ramp (for small dogs to get onto the table)
- Grooming leads, leashes and muzzles
- Apron
- Washer/bathtub
- Various sprays such as fleas, flies, mouth spray or detangling spray
- Brushes, rakes and combs
- Toothpaste and doggy toothbrushes
- Spray bottle
Don’t forget other equipment such as your point of sales system, shelves or furniture that you may need to run your business. Rent, utilities and other expenses such as WiFi, salaries and insurance should also be taken into account. If you run a mobile service, you need to consider fuel costs as well as the monthly instalments for your vehicle and its insurance.
You also need to factor in business registration fees, the cost of your website domain, marketing costs and any administrative costs associated with setting up your enterprise.
Grooming Menu and Pricing
As a groomer, you will need a well-thought-through price list that takes into consideration the costs for your products and services (shampoo, conditioner etc used, as well as labour, water and electricity).
The prices for different styles and different sizes of dogs will differ. You can also list separate services such as nail cutting, teeth cleaning, or ear cleaning. Whether you offer blow drying as a combined or separate item should be indicated on the list.
For dog breeds such as huskies that have thick undercoats that need to be brushed before washing, your service might be more labour-intensive than a short-hair breed of the same size.
Remember to also consider if you will also groom cats, or if you will only focus on dogs.
Now that you have a clear direction on where to start, you are ready to start your pet grooming business. So grab your scissors and get ready to sheer your way to success!
