Dog Walking Business vs Pet Grooming: How They Compare

A dog walking business may not be your best investment. Learn how it compares to pet grooming, so you can decide which is the best opportunity for you.

The Pet Care Industry: An Overview

There’s a good chance you or someone you know brought home a pet in the last few years as pandemic shutdowns and shifts in work-life balance meant Americans were spending more time at home in need of companionship. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 70% of us now have pets at home, with U.S. households reporting 54% choosing dogs as their furry friends. And pet ownership is represented in all generations, with 27% of Baby Boomers, 24% of Gen X, and 14% of Gen Z preferring life with a pet.

Pet owners make caring for their pets a priority, and they’re willing to spend money on their care and well-being. At 32% pet ownership, Millennials represent the largest segment of people with pets, and they also spend more on their pets than any prior generation. APPA reported in their National Pet Owners Survey that 41% of dog owners spring for premium dog food over the supermarket stuff. They’re also willing to spend on treats, vitamins, and toys because 68% of pet owners say their animals make them happier.

The pet industry is expanding to meet the growing demand from pet parents for high-quality retail and services options. In 2021, total U.S. pet expenditures was $123.6 billion, up from $90.5 billion in 2018. Numbers like these indicate that now might be a good time to get into the pet business. There are several categories in this market that you may consider including dog grooming, pet sitting, pet boarding, and dog walking.

If you’re thinking about buying a dog walking business but wonder how it compares to a pet grooming business, you’ll want to explore some of the factors that go into owning each type of establishment so you can make the best decision for your lifestyle and financial goals.

Dog Walking Business: What You Need to Know

If you seek to combine your love of dogs, being outdoors, and earning money, a dog walking business may sound like a dream come true. But there are things you should know about walking dogs for profit before you consider investing in a dog walking franchise or starting an independent venture.

A business walking dogs can be profitable but as with any business, your ability to generate revenue depends on your location, what the demand is, how many hours it takes to grow your business, and whether or not you have any business know-how. Key factors for profitability include your facility for creating repeat business and loyal customers, along with how many dogs you can walk in one day.

On the plus side, many pet owners are busy and lack sufficient time to walk their dogs. They need a service they can rely upon to take care of their pet’s walking needs. But on the minus side, there’s a lot of competition from other dog walkers. You’ll need to stand out by offering something special and investing in effective marketing. You also may have to hire employees to walk as many dogs as you need to make money. One person can only walk so many dogs! Revenues can also be unpredictable since walking schedules are affected by the weather and pet parents’ schedules.

And no matter how much you love dogs, some of them can be difficult, refusing to walk or being moody with other pooches. As your business grows, so do your responsibilities to bookkeeping, clients, and employees which can result in less time spent with dogs.

How Does a Dog Walking Business Compare to a Pet Grooming Business?

A pet grooming business is another area of the pet industry that’s in high demand and a no brainer opportunity for business-minded dog lovers to explore. According to IBISWorld, the U.S. market size of the pet grooming industry is $10.9 billion for 2022, growing 4.7% per year on average between 2017 and 2022, increasing faster than the overall economy.

Unlike a business focused on dog walking, dog grooming businesses can offer a variety of services, enabling greater potential for revenues. A dog groomer can appeal to a range of needs and price points by offering basic services such as baths, nail trims, and haircuts, as well as specialty services like fancier cuts or de-shedding treatments. Dog grooming establishments can also create more predictable revenue streams by offering subscriptions or memberships, generating repeat business and loyalty.

A grooming business has more conventional hours of operation than a dog walking franchise, and can operate as a home-based business, a mobile business, or from a shop. You can design a more predictable schedule that works for your lifestyle and hire employees. You could also consider buying a pet grooming franchise like the leading grooming franchise concept in North America, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming where the business model includes retail.

Why Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Makes Sense

Founded in 2007, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is currently in 18 states and is expanding across the U.S. A leader in the pet grooming industry* with more than 200 locations, we groom more than 1 million dogs a year. Our combination of grooming and retail makes Woof Gang a resilient business model with diversified sources of revenue. We offer our loyal customers only the best in high quality pet food, pet supplies, and professional pet grooming.

As we grow, we’re looking for franchisees with a passion for pets, working in a fast paced and dynamic environment. With an average investment cost of $218,000, you’ll join a high demand business segment at a more accessible price point than many pet services brands.

Request Franchise Information today to learn more about joining the Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming pack.