Start a pet grooming salon

Rent a small shopfront and run a grooming salon with walk-in and booked appointments.

A groomer washing and drying a fluffy dog in a professional grooming salon.
Startup costC$20k to C$80k
Monthly revenueC$5k to C$20k
Time needed30+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • C$20k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A grooming salon in a rented unit with several tubs, tables and dryers, run by you alone at first, with the option to add groomers or a receptionist later.

Your first three steps

  1. Research locations near housing, vets and pet shops, and compare rents and local competition
  2. Get quotes for equipment, plumbing and fit-out, and ask a landlord about permitted use and drainage
  3. Register your business and get insurance in place, then build a booking system and a simple website
Who pays

Local dog and cat owners looking for regular grooming close to home, including repeat clients on a set schedule.

How it makes money

Price per appointment by size and coat, plus add-ons and retail items like shampoo or treats. More tables and staff mean more appointments per day.

Skills that help
  • Professional grooming skills
  • Managing bookings and staff
  • Customer service
  • Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
  • Commercial lease terms and fit-out costs, get advice before signing
  • Commercial general liability and care, custody and control insurance
  • Check municipal zoning, business licence and any animal-related bylaws
  • WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire staff, rules vary by province
  • Fixed costs like rent are due even in quiet winter months

Deep research report · Canada

Everything you need to start: pet grooming salon

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
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a pet grooming salon in Canada?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the size of the unit, fit-out and equipment such as tubs, tables and dryers. Commercial lease terms and fit-out costs are worth checking carefully, with advice, before you sign.

How much revenue can a pet grooming salon make?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on how many appointments you book, your pricing and whether you add groomers. Fixed costs like rent are due even in quiet winter months, so plan for that.

What licences and insurance should I check for a grooming salon?

Check your municipal zoning, business licence and any animal-related bylaws. Also look into commercial general liability and care, custody and control insurance, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire staff, as rules vary by province.

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Photo: alektas on Pixabay

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