Pet Care Trends Dog Groomers Should Know About in 2025
Wow, 2024 is almost over. Perfect time to plan ahead and implement current trends in your salon.
The world of pet grooming is constantly evolving, and keeping up with new trends is vital for professionals looking to stay ahead. These trends, which range from sustainable practices to innovative grooming techniques, have the potential to enhance the grooming experience for dogs and their owners alike. In this article, we explore the top 10 pet care trends shaping the industry in 2024, their countries of origin, and how they can benefit professional dog groomers across Europe.
1. Sustainable Grooming Products
Sustainability has been a growing concern across industries, and pet grooming is no exception. Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark are leading the charge with eco-friendly grooming products that are biodegradable, cruelty-free, and made from natural ingredients.
By adopting sustainable products, groomers can appeal to environmentally conscious clients, build a reputation for ethical practices, and potentially reduce costs associated with disposable products. Offering eco-friendly options can also set salons apart in a competitive market. More in our previous blog post about organic dog grooming revolution.
2. Tailored Grooming Plans for Specific Breeds
Breed-specific grooming has gained traction, particularly in Germany. A number of professional groomers spread awareness and offer adequate care for different coat types and skin needs. Groomers are focusing on providing breed-specific services (with specific pricing) that cater to the unique characteristics of specific breeds, such as double-coated or hypoallergenic dogs.
Offering breed-specific grooming plans not only enhances the quality of the service but also strengthens client trust. As groomers, you can upsell specialised treatments, retain loyal customers, and demonstrate your expertise to attract new clients.
3. Emphasis on Canine Wellness
Wellness services for dogs, including massage therapy, aromatherapy, and stress-reduction techniques, have gained popularity in premium segment across Europe. Grooming salons are incorporating wellness-oriented add-ons to their services, offering a holistic experience for dogs.
By offering wellness services, groomers can increase revenue streams and provide a calming, positive environment for pets. This is particularly appealing to owners of anxious dogs or older pets with mobility issues.
A very good example is The Dogs and The Horses. The wellness center is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of dogs, horses, and their human companions. Their comprehensive services include professional coat consultations, kinesiological assessments, micronutrient analyses, and therapies utilising magnet field mats, color light treatments, and sound bowls. By balancing the physical, mental, and emotional energies of animals, they activate self-healing processes and improve overall health.
4. Mobile Grooming Services
Mobile grooming is transforming how services are delivered, with the Netherlands seeing a rise in fully equipped vans offering doorstep grooming. These mobile salons provide convenience for clients who may struggle to travel, have busy schedules and older pet owners.
Mobile grooming can reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical salon and open new opportunities to serve clients in remote areas or and events. Clever groomers can charge premium prices for the convenience factor. Check out Gaby's flotte Hundescheere :)
5. AI-Powered Scheduling and Management Tools
In France, technology is revolutionising how grooming salons operate. AI-powered tools are being used to streamline appointment scheduling, client communication, and inventory management.
AI tools can save time, minimise booking errors, and enhance customer satisfaction by offering personalised appointment reminders. Groomers can focus more on the actual grooming process and less on administrative tasks.
6. Focus on Skin and Coat Health
In recent decades, dogs are living longer than ever before, thanks to advances in veterinary care, better nutrition, and the devoted attention of their owners. However, with these extended lifespans come new challenges. Many modern dogs lead more sedentary lifestyles, spending significant time indoors, which can lead to a host of health issues, including those affecting their skin.
Skin problems such as dryness, alopecia (hair loss), and even skin cancer are becoming increasingly common in dogs. Indoor heating, air conditioning, and lack of regular outdoor activity can dry out their skin, leading to itchiness and discomfort. Alopecia can result from hormonal imbalances, stress, or improper grooming practices. Prolonged sun exposure without protection increases the risk of skin cancer, particularly for breeds with lighter or thinner coats.
This shift underscores the importance of proactive skin care and grooming practices tailored to meet the needs of aging, less active dogs. Groomers play a crucial role in detecting early signs of skin issues, providing preventive care, and educating pet owners on maintaining their dogs’ skin health. Proper grooming, hydration, sun protection, and high-quality skin-care products are essential for keeping these cherished companions comfortable and healthy throughout their extended lives.
By addressing skin and coat health, groomers can offer value-added services, such as consultations and treatments, to build trust with clients. Healthy skin and coats also translate into happier pets and satisfied customers.
7. Pet-Friendly Interior Design in Grooming Salons
In Austria, grooming salons are investing in pet-friendly interiors, using calming colors, comfortable grooming stations, and soothing sounds to create a stress-free environment for dogs. The wonderful grooming team at Wunderschnitt in Vienna has done a fantastic job designing their salon.
A well-designed salon can improve the grooming experience for dogs, reduce anxiety, and encourage repeat visits. Pet owners as most other people are influenced by adequate design and more likely to recommend salons that prioritise pet’s comfort.
8. Social Media Tutorials for At-Home Maintenance
Many groomers create social media tutorials to educate pet owners on at-home coat maintenance between grooming sessions. These videos often include tips on brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.
Kyle Hinshaw has amassed a huge following on TikTok, where he is sharing tips on getting timid dogs (and other pets) to relax at bath time..
By providing educational content, groomers can establish themselves as authorities in their field, attract new clients, and foster stronger relationships with existing customers. Tutorials also serve as a marketing tool to showcase expertise.
9. Specialised Grooming for Senior Dogs
Most countries face an uphill battle with the demographics as citizens are ageing. Same trend affects increasingly dogs as well who nowadays live longer. In Italy, there’s a growing trend toward services tailored for senior dogs, focusing on gentle handling and treatments for arthritis or sensitive skin. Groomers are also using tools designed for older dogs’ comfort.
Copenhagen based Pels & Poter offers various types of grooming, all slow, gentle, and stress-free with personalized attention, ensuring a positive experience for every dog, including seniors.
Offering senior dog care can attract a niche market of pet owners seeking groomers who understand older pets' unique needs. This can lead to higher client retention and referrals.
Conclusion
The trends of 2024 offer immense opportunities for dog groomers to refine their services, enhance client satisfaction, and grow their businesses. By staying informed and integrating these trends, groomers can meet the evolving needs of pets and their owners. Whether it’s adopting sustainable grooming products, offering breed-specific services, or exploring AI-powered tools, these innovations promise to make grooming more efficient, profitable, and enjoyable.
Stay ahead by embracing these trends and providing the best possible care for your furry clients. If you’re looking for top-quality grooming products to support these efforts, explore our range of professional-grade solutions designed to meet the highest standards.
One more thing
We want to express our deepest gratitude to all the incredible dog groomers out there. Your hard work, dedication, and passion play a vital role in ensuring the well-being of pets across Europe. Groomers are much more than just stylists for our furry companions—you are caretakers, comforters, and champions for animal health and happiness.
We admire your commitment to providing professional, compassionate care, often going above and beyond to ensure that every dog leaves your salon feeling and looking their best. Whether it's soothing an anxious pet, managing a challenging coat, or educating owners on maintaining their dog’s health at home, your efforts make a lasting impact on the lives of animals and their families.
Your trust and support mean the world to us. It inspires us to continuously innovate and provide grooming products that meet the high standards you set. Together, we share the mission of improving the lives of pets and ensuring they receive the love, care, and attention they deserve.
Thank you for being a vital part of the pet care community and for trusting us to be part of your journey. We look forward to continuing to support you with products, knowledge, and resources that empower you to do what you do best. Here’s to many more years of partnership and shared success!