Pet Grooming A Serious Business In The UK

According to the UK research firm Future Market Insights (FMI), the UK pet grooming sector surpassed a valuation of $524.4 million in 2022, registering a CAGR growth of 5.7% between the 2022-2023 forecast period.  

Sales in the sector are expected to surpass $913.8 million mark toward the end of 2023.  

Why the UK pet industry is a multi-billion pound one 

The pet industry in the UK comprises multi-billion pound businesses as pet owners are willing to spend large sums of money on pampering and grooming their beloved pets, including professional dog walking and doggy day care, particularly when it comes to different breeds of dogs.  

Pets today, not just in the average UK home but also in most parts of the world including the US, are considered as ‘one with the family’ – the range of luxury grooming products and services as well as stationary and mobile dog grooming salons available for pets today is a stark reflection of this. 

People are just happy to spend money to ensure the health and wellbeing of their pets, with many folks entering their beloved dogs into beauty contests and such. You’d be amazed to see the sheer number of people who enrol their beloved pets into doggy day care centres, for instance.  

Furthermore, the ‘humanisation’ of pets, and owners wishing to pamper them and treat them to all kinds of luxuries, has further increased the demand for quality pet grooming.  

In mid-2010, one well-known business which happens to be the national pet shop chain, reported that pet grooming led to a major boost in their yearly sales, leading them to launch multiple rooms in their stores dedicated to pet grooming.  

The UK pet grooming market is also expected to benefit from the growing number of mobile pet grooming salons which are spurring up all across the nation. These mobile pet grooming businesses offer premium services, all in the name of pet pampering and grooming, including the use of organic products only. It’s no wonder that pet owners are willing to shell out hundreds to even thousands of pounds to ensure that their pets get the best care – with great results to boast about later, apparently!  

It appears that mobile pet grooming salons are an ideal solution for pet owners who have very busy or unpredictable schedules – especially when they don’t have the time to take their pet for some much needed dog walking – as these salons specialise in providing the best care and grooming for not only a wide range of dog breeds but also other animals.  

Whether it’s a mobile pet grooming, ‘dog care’ business, dog day care centre or stationary dog care salon, such services have proven to be very beneficial for both pets and their owners, as they are quick and convenient, offering people a “get served as you come” service, where they don’t end up spending time in long queues.  

Key players in the UK’s pet grooming market are now focusing on expanding their presence and boosting sales by providing pet care using natural and organic grooming products only, thus, promoting brand loyalty and helping to meet a variety of pet care and grooming needs.  

As mentioned earlier, the growing trend of pet humanisation in the UK, including professional dog walking, and an increased adoption of organic pet care & grooming products means the demand for pet grooming services will continue to rise with time.  

Organic pet grooming product consumption among millennials in particular is high, and with the increasing availability of e-commerce platforms and businesses offering such products, we see a continually rising trend. From shampoos and conditioners to specialised products to prevent skin infections and keep pets’ fur coat healthy, grooming services focused toward shear & trimming as well as shampoo & conditioner treatments are growing more popular each day.  

The state of the pet grooming market in the UK today 

FMI reports that the pet grooming market in the UK has evolved and grown dramatically in the past few years. With rising pet humanisation and adoption rates, demand in the UK for pet grooming services will continue to surge in the coming years.  

Having a pet is considered to be a very therapeutic experience, according to many psychologists and healthcare professionals. Pets can alleviate loneliness and feelings of isolation, where we witnessed an uptrend especially during and after the lockdown, as the adoption of pets can often be a life-saving experience, improving people’s sense of wellbeing.  

Plus, given the rising cases of animal cruelty in the UK and the growing adoption of both cats and dogs among Gen-Z’ers and millennials, the demand for pet grooming services and products is expected to steadily grow in the years and decades to come.  

In 2020, at least 57,000 cases of animal cruelty were reported across the UK, according to the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). In 2022, the animal welfare charity investigated and closed 63,563 cases of animal cruelty.  

It’s not surprising to know then that multiple animal shelters and the government are doing what they can to increase adoption of dogs and cats in particular. With the work-from-home trend still gaining steam, people are now taking more interest in providing a home to animals, where they feel loved and cared for, dog grooming in Winchester, for instance – and keep them company while they meet deadlines and work demands.  

Closing thoughts 

Based on all of the above factors, the demand for quality pet grooming services in the UK as well as dog grooming in Winchester is expected to rise at a steady rate in the next decade.  

Just to conclude, the following factors are driving and will continue to drive the demand for pet grooming products and services in the UK: 

Preference for quality dog grooming products  

Health concerns tend to have a significant impact on pet owners, and hence, they are always looking for quality-focused, natural, and organic grooming products for their pets.  

Pet humanisation trends to increase demand for pet grooming services and products 

Pet owners embrace their beloved pets as a member of the family, which means they provide their pets with more personalised care. Pet owners also love the experience of grooming their pets as it gives them a chance to truly bond with them and have more influence over them.  

Dealing with animal cruelty  

Due to the increasing reports and cases of animal cruelty, people are now more openly adopting cats and dogs, giving them highly personalised care and providing for them as if they were one with the family.  

The average pet owner has become very serious about their responsibility toward their pet. Most are willing to go to any lengths to provide the best care for their cat or dog, including investing in high-quality pet care and grooming services as well as organic products.  

Resultantly, pet owners in the UK today are willing to spend openly as they will not hesitate to improve their pets’ sense of wellbeing in any way they can.  

For high-quality dog grooming in Winchester, Happy Hounds is your one-stop destination, providing everything from doggy day care and dog walking to taking care of their nutrition and papering the daylights out of them with tailored dog grooming! Find out more: 01962 859457