Pet Care Services

The 23,700 pet care services firms in the US provide pet boarding, grooming, sitting, and training, but exclude veterinary services. Firms may specialize in a particular area, such as pet waste removal or dog walking, or offer a range of services. The industry consists primarily of franchises and independent operators. Some large veterinary services chains and pet supply retailers also offer pet care services.

Competition From Alternative Providers

Pet care service providers face competition from a variety of sources, including veterinarians, pet supply retailers, and providers closer to home.

Pet Industry Projected To Grow

Improved economic conditions and the ongoing “humanization” of pets are expected to drive growth in the pet industry, which includes pet care services.

Sep 2, 2026 - Pet Owners Protect Pet Spending: Poll

• A new AICPA/Harris Poll survey points to resilient demand for US pet care services, with 69% of dog and cat owners saying they would cut spending on themselves before their pets and 62% maintaining a dedicated pet budget. The findings suggest grooming, boarding, pet sitting, and other recurring services may be relatively insulated from broader discretionary spending pressure. Pet owners also reported budgeting for recurring expenses such as grooming and planning for emergency boarding or temporary care, underscoring the importance of service providers in ongoing pet care. Overall, strong emotional attachment to pets and the tendency to treat pet care as a core household expense should help support industry demand even as consumers remain cautious about other spending.
• Consumer confidence softened in August, signaling continued pressure on discretionary US pet care services, although pet spending remains comparatively resilient. The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment fell 6.3% from July to 51.7, while Current Economic Conditions declined 5.3% to 51.9, suggesting households may scrutinize spending on grooming, boarding, daycare, and other optional services. The Expectations Index dropped 7.0% to 51.5, pointing to continued caution ahead. The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 89.4, while its Present Situation Index rose to 121.2 as labor-market assessments improved. Its Expectations Index fell sharply to 68.2, reflecting greater concern about future income and business conditions. Despite the weaker outlook, Conference Board data showed planned spending on pet care remained strong, supporting a relatively resilient industry outlook.
• US pet care services face a mixed outlook as dog ownership reached 71 million US households in 2025, up 4% year over year and representing 53% of households, while owners became more selective about how they spend on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association's 2026 Dog Report. Spending on boarding, salon grooming, and mobile grooming declined in 2025, and 51% of dog owners now groom at home; more travelers are also relying on family and friends instead of paid boarding. These shifts could pressure routine and discretionary service revenue. At the same time, owners continue prioritizing essential care, with veterinary services representing the largest share of dog-owner spending at 29%, ahead of food at 27%. The outlook favors providers that emphasize value, convenience, preventative wellness, and higher-need services that are harder to replace with DIY alternatives.
• Slowing industry growth and more selective consumer spending are creating a more value-conscious market for US pet care service providers as rising ownership costs reshape purchasing decisions, according to Morgan Stanley Research. Pet industry growth is expected to slow from nearly 20% in 2021 and an average 9% annually through 2025 to about 4% through 2030, although US spending could still reach $242 billion. Essential services remain resilient, with services accounting for more than 40% of pet industry spending in 2025 and veterinary care continuing to command the highest priority. However, affordability pressures—especially among younger pet owners—are reducing pet ownership intentions and encouraging more deliberate spending. Meanwhile, online pet purchases are expected to rise from 35% to 39% of spending over the next six months, creating opportunities for pet care businesses that pair in-person services with digital booking, subscriptions, loyalty programs, and other convenience-focused offerings.

Industry size & Structure

The average pet care services provider operates out of a single location, employs fewer than 8 workers, and generates $421,000 annually.

• The pet care services industry consists of 23,700 firms that employ 191,000 workers and generate $10 billion annually.
• The industry is highly fragmented; the top 50 companies account for less than 9% of industry revenue.
• Some large veterinary services chains and pet supply retailers offer pet care services.
• The industry consists primarily of franchises and independent operators.
• Camp Bow Wow (owned by Mars), Fetch! Pet Care, and All American Pet Resorts are large pet care services franchises. Large pet retailer PetSmart also offers pet grooming, training, day care, and boarding.