Opening a pet grooming salon might be one of the best business ideas you can have. This is a growing industry and the need for reliable grooming salons is on the rise. However, you can’t just rent the space, put a sign and expect customers. After you’ve completed training, all the paperwork and got the place, it’s time to equip it with the best possible supplies. Start with the essentials such as tables, dryers, cages and grooming products.
Pet Crates
If you want a well-organised salon and a safe space for every dog, then you should invest in durable and easy-to-clean pet cages. It should be a space where the dogs will feel safe, protected, relaxed and comfortable. The market is filled with hundreds of options because manufacturers understand the needs of groomers and pets.
The most important thing to consider is the size of the cages. Two crucial factors influence this aspect – the size of the salon and the size of the pets you work with. Make sure you leave as much room as you can fit the cages. They should be spacious on the inside without any obstacles in the way. Go as big as you can because animals come in all shapes and sizes, so you should be ready for anything.
The animals should be able to sit, stand, turn and lie down comfortably within. But crates and cages in different sizes. This way the smaller breeds won’t feel overwhelmed in large cages, and large breeds won’t have to be squeezed and uncomfortable in small cages. The material is another important consideration.
Most manufacturers use galvanised steel, which is a strong material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Metal is another popular option. They’re also known as wire cages. They have great visibility and ventilation which is perfect for enclosed spaces. Plus, they’re easy to clean and can handle a lot of bumps and scratches.
All of these cages are simple and easy to move. Most of them have a folding mechanism that makes them much smaller. They have a simple design and installing them should be a piece of cake. Having safety features is a must. The latch has to be secure so clever dogs don’t figure out how to get out.
To prevent the dogs from hurting themselves around the cage, choose cages with smooth corners and edges. There are cages with complex and sophisticated locks if you want a more secure area. Feel free to customise the cages. This is sometimes necessary to get the best setting for your working environment.
Grooming Table
The main working station in your salon is the grooming table. That’s why you should invest in the best one you can afford. Don’t compromise on its quality because it should be durable, adjustable and made of high-quality materials. Grooming tables come in three varieties. The first one is electric. It’s very sturdy, reliable and often has a removable top. This simple feature makes it easy to clean and maintain.
The height adjustability makes it very practical. You can lower it almost to the floor. This is perfect for smaller breeds and dogs with injuries and disabilities. It’s also practically silent, which makes it ideal for animals because they can react unpleasantly to some noises.
There’s also a hydraulic grooming table. It moves up and down due to a pump which controls its height. This is a comfortable table with around 90cm of movement and adjustability. Last but not least is the collapsible grooming table. This one is great for home visits. However, most of these tables can’t handle larger dog breeds. Just like with the pet cages, the size of the breed matters.
Dryer
Buying a dryer is a must because in no circumstances should you use a human dryer to deal with the pet’s fur. Pet dryers are specifically designed for animals and have different settings and drying options. If you want to be safe and efficient at this part of your job, get a strong device with different wind speeds.
Pet dryers use high-pressure air instead of hot air to get through the animal’s thick coats and do their job properly. Make sure the tool is as noiseless as possible so you don’t scare the animals on the table or the ones in the pet crates. This machine requires cleaning after the finish of every work day, so choose one that’s easy to clean.
Nail Clippers
Nail clippers are an important part of the grooming process. You’ll spend a lot of time holding them in your hand so they should have an ergonomic design. It should feel comfortable in your hand because cutting the animal’s nail requires precision and stability.
Get nail clippers in different sizes because the pets that come to you will be of many sizes. Don’t hesitate to invest in the best clippers you can find. They should stay sharp for a long time and cut the nails clean. If you’re not that experienced with cutting nails, get clippers with a safety guard.
Hair Clippers
Hair clippers come in two varieties, cordless and plug-in. You can decide to use one, but it’s never a bad idea to have both options on hand. This is just in case the cordless one runs out of battery or there’s no electricity for the plug-in model. If you’re dealing with thin, short coats, you should use electric motor clippers. Thicker furs need pivot motor clippers while long and curly fur call for rotary motor devices. And don’t forget to go for ergonomic clippers since you’ll be holding them for quite some time and they should be as comfortable as you can afford.
Brushes and Combs
No grooming process is completed without brushes and combs. They massage the dog’s skin to activate its natural oils and remove mats and knots from the fur, keeping it sleek and glossy. Several brushes can help you with this. The slicker brush is one of them; it has thin, tightly spaced wires and is flat. Medium to long coats benefit the most from it.
It’s a good idea to have rakes as well. They’re great for removing dead undercoats and tangles. Most have two rows of pins and deal easily with dogs with thick furs. If you’re dealing with short and smooth furs, go for a bristle brush. It will remove extra hair and exfoliate the skin. As a finishing touch, use a pin brush.
