If you love pets and promoting their welfare is part of your personal advocacy, building on this passion may be a great first step for the kind of business you get into. As a commercial enterprise, a pet-related business can be lucrative. Pet parents love to spoil their furry companions, whom they treat as a member of their family. As such, they invest in many products and services that promote the health, comfort, and well-being of their dog or cat.
Apart from the usual pet supply store for selling food and accessories like a canvas pet carrying tote bag, there are a number of other businesses that allow you to participate in this industry. Here are some pet business ideas that animal lovers should consider getting into.
Grooming Services
Cuddling with a furry best friend becomes less pleasurable when they are dirty and stinky. Apart from making pets unsightly, poor hygiene can take a toll on the pet’s health as well. Regular baths keep their fur and skin free from dirt, fleas and other things that can cause irritation. But giving large breeds a bath can be challenging for dog owners, especially if they don’t have the right equipment for it.
A pet grooming services business offers bathing, hair brushing and trimming and nail clipping. In this way, pet owners can keep their pets clean and well-groomed, which promotes good health.
Dog Walking Services
There are many reasons pet owners aren’t always able to take their dogs for walks. Travel, health concerns or even personal emergencies can keep owners from giving their dogs the exercise they need. However, owners understand walks offer physical and mental benefits to their pooches so engaging the services of a dog walker allows them to ensure that their dog’s needs are met.
Depending on how experienced they are and the local laws in the area, dog walkers can walk several dogs from different owners at the same time. This allows them to maximize each outing and gives dogs the opportunity to socialize with other dogs.
Pet Sitting Services
Pet parents sometimes require the services of a pet sitter. They may need to travel or be away from home and can't bring their pets. Hiring a pet sitter to care for their pets gives them peace of mind. While pet hotels and other boarding options are available, pet sitting allows the animals to remain in the comfort of their home, which can help ease their agitation of being away from their owners.
The pet sitter visits their home during the set schedule to feed and attend to the needs of their pets. Dog walking and cleaning cat litter boxes are often included in these services. Some owners may also ask for photos or videos of their pets during the visit if they miss them or want to see if they look well.
Pet Photography
If you’re creative and have a talent for photography, this pet business is perfect for you. Pet photography is a valuable service for pet owners who want to have professional-looking photos of their pets. Although most smartphones have cameras, it can be difficult to take quality photos without the right equipment. Additionally, it can be a challenge to manage the camera and a pet at the same time.
Pet photography services can be done at a studio or at a location where the owner and their pet can interact naturally. Some pet owners may also want to dress up their pets according to a certain theme and use the resulting photos as part of their holiday greeting cards. Some pet photographers also offer printing services that place the pet’s images on functional items like shirts, mugs, or calendars. This is a good way to offer added value to customers, and it also increases the business’s profit potential.
Gourmet Pet Food
While pet owners routinely stock up and give treats to their beloved furry companions, some days require an extra special touch. For birthdays, holidays and other anniversaries, they want to give their pets more than a few pre-packaged morsels. Gourmet pet food can offer fresh, high-quality meals that are especially cooked for a canine or feline diet. They may look like a fancy dinner fit for human consumption, but because they are prepared for pets, these are made according to their dietary requirements.
Some gourmet pet food businesses focus on creating pet-friendly birthday cakes and desserts. This is a great alternative that allows pet owners to celebrate special occasions with their pets without compromising their health.
There are many ways for animal lovers to turn their passion for pets into a profitable business. Paying attention to what pet owners need and want can give a lot of insight and help them refine their business offerings to adequately meet those demands.
For more information and insight on pets and how your brand can interact with the pet community check out the PrideBites blog regularly!