Makeovers — Now For Your Pooches!!

“Every dog has his day,” is a popular saying, but a pooch in the hands of the likes of Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, or even our very own Katrina Kaif, is one lucky pup! Adorned in designer clothes and shoes, sprayed with expensive perfume, and with their hair trimmed and styled, these four-legged creatures are living a much-coveted dream -- a dream that their owners are willing to fulfill with pleasure!

But celebrities are not the only ones availing the services of a pet groomer. People from all walks of life now own exotic breeds and are just as enthusiastic about taking their pets through that heavenly experience.

Grooming is undoubtedly one of the oldest pet businesses around. While records of dog-grooming parlors date only to 19th century England, it's pretty apparent from paintings by the masters and others that dogs have been groomed for many centuries (the evidence can be found in 14th-century paintings that depict what might be assumed to be coiffed pets sitting at the feet of their masters and mistresses). But it wasn't until the publication of Ashmont's book, named ‘Kennel Secrets’ in 1893, where recommendations for washing and grooming were spelled out in detail.

Dog grooming is said to be very vital because the physical appearance of a dog influences the way it feels and the way we look at him as well. Remember, a clean dog is a happy and healthy dog. Grooming is a part of overall care and maintenance for your furry friend. While some people may keep up with trimming Fido’s fur at home, others might need to seek the help of a professional.

Pet Grooming — the Business

Taking pets out to a professional pet-grooming salon has been extremely popular in the US where you can find such parlors in almost all cities. The salons offer a wide range of services including shampooing, blow drying, hair cutting and styling, nail trimming, ear cleaning, massaging and perfuming with the average price ranging anywhere between $30 and $50. Depending on the breed size, the coat condition, the length and temperament of the pet, the bill can even inflate up to $150.

But in India “pet grooming is still a fairly new concept with only about four full-fledged pet grooming salons in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore that specialize primarily in dog grooming,” says Preeti Kumar, who, along with her husband Sanjiv run Scooby Scrub, a pet grooming salon in New Delhi. In the US, both dogs and cats get to pay regular visits to salons, while in India it is mostly restricted to dogs, as cats lose out because of various superstitions associated with them.

“In our parlor, 80% of the customers come to groom their dogs, although we do get customer’s bringing in cats, guinea pigs, hamsters and birds, every once in a while,” adds Preeti.

From bathing and clipping to tying bows and cleaning ears, the pet groomers do more than just change pets' appearance — they also make them feel better both physically and psychologically. The loving touch of a groomer can calm a skittish pet, reassure a frightened pet, and make a well-adjusted pet wriggle with pleasure. In addition, groomers are often the first to notice that a pet has a skin condition, ear mites, or other medical issues that should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian.

Opportunities beyond Pet Grooming

Apart from setting up pet grooming parlors, there are many offshoots in this segment that can be explored. Setting up pet grooming training schools is one such opportunity. Such a school could have the possibility of attracting not only potential professional pet groomers, but also other pet lovers and owners who want to know how they can keep their pets healthy and well groomed.

This surely can be an opportunity for those passionate about pets and animals. Caring for them can be a fun and rewarding career choice, with avenues of opportunities ranging from dog walker to groomer, and pet store owner to professional veterinarian.