How to start a dog grooming business in the UK

Grooming is one of the most rewarding ways to work with dogs — and one of the more achievable pet businesses to start on your own. This guide covers the practical steps to go from "thinking about it" to fully booked, in the UK, in 2026.

1. Get trained (and insured to train)

There's no single legally required qualification to groom dogs in the UK, but training matters — for the dogs' welfare, your confidence and your reputation. Many groomers work towards a recognised qualification such as a City & Guilds Level 2 or 3, or train through an established academy. Hands-on experience with a range of breeds and coats is just as valuable as the certificate.

2. Sort your insurance

Before you groom a single dog for money, get proper insurance. At a minimum you'll want public liability and care, custody and control cover (which protects you if a dog in your care is injured). If you employ anyone, you'll need employers' liability too. It's not expensive, and no responsible client will mind you having it.

3. Check licensing for your setup

Licensing depends on how and where you work. Home boarding and day care have their own rules under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations, and some councils have specific requirements for grooming premises. Always check with your local council before you set up — requirements vary by area, so don't rely on what a groomer two counties over tells you.

4. Decide where you'll work

Your options usually come down to:

• Home salon — low overheads, but check planning, insurance and council rules.
• Mobile van — convenient for clients, higher upfront cost, great for rural areas.
• High-street salon — the most visible, but the highest fixed costs.

Many groomers start from home or a van and grow from there.

5. Buy the essential kit

You don't need everything on day one, but you will need the basics: a sturdy grooming table, a good pair of clippers with a range of blades, quality scissors (straight, curved and thinning), a high-velocity dryer, a bath, brushes and combs for different coats, nail clippers, and plenty of towels. Buy the best you can afford for the tools you use all day — your wrists will thank you.

6. Set your prices

Price from the start as a real business, not a hobby. Factor in your time, products, insurance and overheads — then check your numbers with our price calculator and earnings calculator. Undercharging is the most common early mistake, and it's hard to undo.

7. Get your paperwork ready

A few simple forms make you look professional and protect you: a client and pet consent form, a new client intake form, and a clear cancellation policy. You can download all three free from our templates page.

8. Find your first clients

Word of mouth is everything in grooming. To get started:

• Tell friends, family and local dog walkers — offer a friendly launch price.
• Set up a simple Google Business Profile so you show up in local searches.
• Post before-and-after photos on local Facebook groups (with the owner's permission).
• Make it easy to book — a client who has to wait days for a reply often books elsewhere.

9. Look organised from day one

Nothing loses a new client faster than a missed message or a double-booked slot. From your very first dog, keep your diary, client records and reminders in one place. Furbase is built for exactly this — online booking requests, a branded client portal, and automatic email and SMS reminders that cut no-shows. Start free for 14 days and look established from your first appointment.