How COVID Changed the Pet Industry Forever

It’s been over 5 years since COVID turned the pet industry upside down, and the changes that seemed temporary have become permanent. Contactless pickup, online booking, mobile grooming boom, pet ownership surge — none of this is going back to “normal.”

Let me walk you through what actually changed and what it means for your business in 2026.

The Pet Ownership Boom

During lockdowns, pet adoption exploded. Shelters emptied. Breeders had year-long waitlists. The numbers tell the story:

• US pet ownership jumped from 67% of households (2019) to an estimated 68% (2026)
• That’s roughly 4-5 million MORE pet-owning households
• Dog ownership specifically grew from 63 million to 69 million households
• “Pandemic puppies” are now 4-6 year old dogs that need regular grooming

What this means for groomers: The demand surge is REAL. If you feel busier than 2019, you’re not imagining it. There are literally millions more dogs needing grooming. This is a permanent expansion of the market.

The Technology Leap

COVID forced pet businesses to adopt technology faster than they ever would have voluntarily: We break this down further in Why Pet Businesses Fail (And How to Avoid It).

Online Booking Became Non-Negotiable

Pre-COVID, maybe 30% of groomers offered online booking. Now it’s over 50% and climbing. Clients who got used to booking everything online during lockdowns aren’t going back to phone calls.

Contactless Everything

• Curbside drop-off and pickup went from “weird” to “preferred”
• Card payments replaced cash as the primary method
• Text communication replaced phone calls for most client interactions
• Digital consent forms replaced paper

Software Adoption Accelerated

Grooming software adoption went from about 40% (2019) to over 60% (2026). Groomers who resisted technology were forced to adapt when they couldn’t do business face-to-face.

The Mobile Grooming Explosion

This is the biggest structural change. Mobile grooming went from a niche segment to one of the fastest-growing parts of the industry. If you’re exploring this area, our Pet Grooming Industry Statistics 2026 guide covers it in detail.

Why: Clients discovered during COVID that having the groomer come to them was amazing. No driving, no waiting, no kennel stress for the dog. Once they experienced it, many never went back to salons.

The numbers:

• Mobile grooming businesses grew an estimated 35-40% from 2020-2025
• Average mobile grooming prices are 25-40% higher than salon prices
• Wait times for mobile groomers are 2-4 weeks in many markets

If you’re considering mobile grooming: The market is strong and growing. The startup costs are higher (van buildout: $15,000-$50,000) but the revenue potential per dog is significantly higher, and operational costs (no rent) can be lower.

Pricing Reset

COVID created cover for the biggest industry-wide price increase in years. Supply costs went up, demand surged, and groomers finally raised prices to sustainable levels.

• Average grooming prices increased 20-30% from 2019 to 2025
• Clients accepted increases because every service got more expensive
• The “I charge $35 for a full groom” era is largely over in urban/suburban markets

If you haven’t raised prices since 2020: You’re now 20-30% below where you should be. The window for “catching up” is still open — clients are accustomed to regular price increases now.

What Didn’t Stick

• Full virtual consultations for grooming: Tried during lockdowns, abandoned because you can’t groom a dog over Zoom
• Extended appointment gaps: Early COVID protocols had 30-60 minute gaps between dogs. Most salons are back to 10-15 minute buffers
• Full PPE during grooming: Masks in the grooming area are now personal choice, not required in most areas
• Appointment-only nail trims: Many salons returned to accepting walk-ins for quick services

The Labor Shortage

COVID created a lasting labor shortage in grooming:

• Experienced groomers left the industry during lockdowns and didn’t return
• Training pipeline slowed (grooming schools closed or reduced capacity)
• Increased demand + decreased supply = groomer shortage

What this means:

• Experienced groomers can command higher wages/commissions
• Salon owners struggle to find and retain staff
• Solo groomers benefit from less competition and higher demand
• Investing in employee retention (better pay, better conditions, better tools) is critical

Five-Year Outlook: Where We’re Headed

Based on the trends that COVID accelerated:

1. Online booking will become universal — within 2-3 years, essentially every grooming business will offer online booking
2. Mobile grooming will continue growing — expect 15-20% annual growth in the segment
3. Technology adoption will increase — AI-powered scheduling, automated rebooking, and smart pricing are coming
4. Prices will continue rising — 3-5% annually as the industry adjusts to higher costs and strong demand
5. The groomer shortage will persist — creating opportunities for well-run businesses that invest in their teams

What You Should Do About It

If you’re an established groomer:

• Ensure you have online booking (if you still don’t, this is urgent)
• Raise your prices if you haven’t in the last 12 months
• Invest in software that automates scheduling and communication
• Consider adding mobile grooming as a service line

If you’re starting a grooming business:

• You’re entering a market with strong demand — that’s good
• Start with technology from day one (don’t adopt paper systems you’ll have to migrate from later)
• Consider mobile grooming — lower overhead, higher per-dog revenue
• Build your Google Business Profile immediately and start collecting reviews

If you’re a salon owner with employees:

• Pay your groomers well — the labor market favors them right now
• Invest in tools that make their job easier (good software, quality equipment)
• Create a work environment people don’t want to leave
• Train new groomers — the industry needs them and you’ll build loyalty

COVID was devastating in many ways, but it permanently expanded the pet services market and accelerated technology adoption. The groomers and businesses that adapted are thriving. Make sure you’re one of them.