Mobile pet groomer
Groom dogs and cats at owners' doors from a van or trailer fitted with a bath and table.
- C$15k-70k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A self-contained grooming van or trailer that travels to clients' homes for baths, haircuts, nail trims and ear cleaning, one pet at a time.
Your first three steps
- Take a grooming course or work as an assistant at a salon to build hands-on experience
- Price out a used van or trailer conversion and the water, power and heating setup it needs
- Choose a service area, set your prices against local groomers, and offer first visits to friends and neighbours for reviews
Who pays
Busy households, older owners, people with anxious or large dogs, and owners without easy access to a salon.
How it makes money
A set price per appointment based on breed, size and coat, with add-ons like de-shedding, teeth brushing or flea baths. Many clients rebook every 4 to 8 weeks.
Skills that help
- Safe, calm animal handling
- Clipping and coat knowledge
- Driving and route planning
- Friendly customer service
Watch out for
- Commercial general liability insurance and care, custody and control cover for animals, check with a broker
- Vehicle insurance and licensing for a business-use van, plus any municipal rules on parking and wastewater
- Winter: heating, frozen water lines and fewer bookings in bad weather
- Being bitten or scratched, and handling pets with health or behaviour problems
- Check whether your municipality or province has any business licence requirements
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: mobile pet groomer
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile pet grooming business in Canada?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $70,000, depending on the van or trailer, fit-out and equipment. Monthly revenue is estimated at about $3,000 to $10,000, depending on your area, pricing and how many pets you groom.
What insurance and licences should I check for a mobile groomer?
Check commercial general liability and care, custody and control cover for animals with a broker. Also check vehicle insurance and licensing for a business-use van, municipal rules on parking and wastewater, and any municipal or provincial business licence requirements.
What are the main challenges of mobile pet grooming in Canada?
Winter is a factor, so check heating, frozen water lines and fewer bookings in bad weather. You may also be bitten or scratched, and may handle pets with health or behaviour problems. Estimates suggest at least about 20 hours a week.
Other ways to run this business
Home grooming studio
Groom pets by appointment in a spare room, garage or basement set up as a small salon.
- C$2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Pet grooming salon
Rent a small shopfront and run a grooming salon with walk-in and booked appointments.
- C$20k-80k
- Full-time
- Own premises
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