Pet Supplies

Female rats have strong instincts and know how to take care of themselves when they are pregnant, if they are given the necessary supplies to do so. They need extra food and nesting material and they require more privacy than usual.

Instructions

1 Provide the pregnant rat with her own cage, if at all possible. During early pregnancy, this may not be that important, but closer to her due date she may become irritable with other rats. Male rats have been known to harm or kill newborns, so it is extra important to separate the female from the male. Rats are pregnant for only 21 days, so don't delay!
2 Provide the mother-to-be with extra nesting material, such as paper towels, unscented toilet paper or soft fabric. She will know how to make a nest for her babies; she just needs the supplies to do so. Make sure she has some kind of house (a small cardboard box will do nicely) so that she feels like she has some privacy.
3 Provide the pregnant rat with extra food. Give her an unlimited supply of high-quality rat chow. Look for food that specifically mentions rats on the label and has 10 to 20 percent protein.
4 Give your pregnant rat snacks with extra protein, such as bits of tuna fish, chicken, cooked egg, cheese, peanuts, almonds or other nuts.
5 Make sure the water bottle is always full! This is very important. Your pregnant rat should never be without water.
6 Change the cage, as needed, until the babies are born. After the babies are born, do not disturb the nest unless it's really a mess. Once the babies start crawling about, you can resume your regular routine of changing the bedding.

The aims and objectives of pet shops are as varied as the people who own and run them. One pet store owner may be motivated by a lifelong love of animals. Another may be in business purely for a consistent income. Some pet shop owners enjoy conveying information about pets to the public, while others prefer building a community based on the care and companionship of everything from bunnies to boa constrictors.

Profit

The primary objective of any business is to make a profit, and pet shops are no exception. These stores sell pets --- dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, birds --- along with an array of pet supplies. Food, cages, toys, even sweaters and boots fill the shelves at most pet shops. To make sure their sales revenue is larger than their costs, pet shop owners figure out the average cost per item and how much their rent, utilities, insurance and other business costs are, then price their goods and services to exceed their investments.

Education

Some pet stores offer educational materials, workshops and demonstrations to educate pet owners on topics of interest. Subjects include dog training methods, aquarium maintenance, bird breeding and rabbit grooming techniques. Pet stores sometimes team up with local animal welfare societies to provide information about spaying and neutering pets, as well as the pros and cons of pet adoption. Educating pet owners helps pet shops achieve their profit objective by increasing potential sales to new and existing pet owners.

Pet Care

Pet shops often provide services such as grooming, obedience training and pet sitting. Shot and spay clinics are often part of a pet shop's services, offering affordable vaccinations and veterinary care. Pet store chains such as Petco sometimes provide mobile grooming services and online first aid for pets. Some pet shops have do-it-yourself dog bathing facilities, complete with shampoo, brushes, towels and drying stands. Providing pet care services not only brings in revenue but also presents the pet shop as a team of caring professionals.

Community Events

Some pet shops hold community meet-ups, such as a dachshund lovers' group, to create close ties with pet owners and encourage pet owners to congregate. Shops may also hold costume parties or contests and offer pet photography services. In Birmingham, Alabama, the Pet Shop "Plus" pet store holds a "Picture With Santa Paws" day just before Christmas, and an "AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day" in August. Holding special events or creating pet lover communities introduces the pet shop to potential customers.

Operating a business is an exciting venture. And it's important for new business owners to do what they can to construct their business plan with the planet in mind. This is especially important for those working in industries that release chemicals into your city sewer such as pet grooming. Keep the following things in mind when opening your "green" pet grooming business.

Instructions

1 Write a dog grooming business plan and come up with all the information necessary for getting start up money and the licenses you need. Contact your county or city business office to pay the licensing fees and learn of any other permits you may need.
2 Find a store front where you will open your dog grooming business. Look specifically for any shopping strips or other buildings in your city that are LEED-certified or "green" in other ways such as solar panels or skylights or that are set up for recycling service.
3 Set up a rainwater collection system so you can use the rain water in the washing portion of your business. Consult your local water authority office for help in knowing what equipment you'll need to accomplish this.
4 Purchase wind or other energy credits to offset your usage and implement ways to save water such as a tankless water heater, time limits on baths and water saving tubs. You can also check the water temperature to make sure the temperature is set no higher than 120 degrees. Not only will this save you water; it will also prevent scalding the pets you groom.
5 Order supplies from a green dog grooming supply company. Biogroom is one such company that specializes in environmentally-friendly and pet-safe grooming shampoos, conditioners, finishers and other products. They offer dog, cat and ferret products.
6 Get the word out about your grand opening by sending flyers to local veterinarian offices, city parks where people walk their dogs and to dog training facilities. Make sure to mention that you are a green dog grooming business and if you are the only one in town, you'll especially want to point this out.
7 Continue to market your green dog grooming business by offering to speak at local civic group meetings. Organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club and Jaycees and Junior League are always looking for speakers for their weekly meetings and promoting a business that is as warm-and-cuddly as pet grooming while also being kind to the environment will make you a popular potential speaker.

Introduction

A pet store owner's duties may vary depending on the type of pet store she owns. A pet store may or may not sell live animals, it may sell items for only one type of animal, or it may sell only fish. It also depends on whether the pet store is independently owned or whether it is a franchise, "big box" pet store.

Independently Owned

The independent pet store owner has various duties, from working behind the counter to customer service to ordering supplies and tasks such as accounting. Part of the independent pet store owner's duties includes inventory. If the store is adequately staffed, the pet store owner may just come in to check inventory, order supplies as needed, check the live animals to be sure the employees are feeding and exercising them and doing various employee reviews. She will also do her daily office work and run sales reports, do any accounting that must be done and make bank deposits.
If she carries live animals, she may have to make calls to breeders to see if there are more puppies or kittens she can buy for resale. She must be sure her supply line of breeders are ethical breeders who treat their animals with love and care, make sure the puppies have their puppy shots and are otherwise healthy. When she does get animals in, she must also make appointments to have the animals vetted to be sure the animal is truly healthy to be sold.
The pet store owner must also tend to duties such as bill paying, making sure the proper insurances are kept up to date and are in force, and must renew licenses as needed per county and state regulations.
An independent pet store owner must also deal with any lawsuits that may be filed against the store for various reasons such as slip and falls, defective products that may cause harm to animals or people, or an animal that dies soon after a customer bought it. Certain things should be spoken of prior to heading to the court system, but there are always going to be people who run to the court system first.

Franchise Pet Store Owner

The franchise pet store owner has all of the same duties as an independent store owner. She must also report to the franchise company. She must send in weekly (or monthly, depending on the franchise) sales reports. The sales reports show what percentage will be owed to the franchise company. The franchise company may also have rules and regulations that the store (including the owner and employees) must abide by. The owner makes sure that all franchise rules and regulations are followed.

Conclusion

While being a pet store owner can be a great position for some people and they get the benefits of being around many animals--particularly if her store allows shoppers to bring their pets--it's a lot of hard work, especially if the store sells live pets. This article has only touched on pet stores that carry dogs, but many pet stores carry cats, fish and birds. While the responsibilities are the same, each type of animal needs its specialized care. For example, fish tanks need to be cleaned; birds must have interaction. If there is not enough staff to do this throughout the day, the responsibility will fall on the pet store owner.

Buying a new pet on the Internet is never a good idea. In addition to unscrupulous dealers and puppy mills/brokers selling their "stock" to unsuspecting buyers--online scammers use elaborate websites and fabricated stories to bilk substantial amounts of money out of people for pets that don't even exist. And the pets that do exist, very often have serious health problems. Here are ways to keep from getting duped by online pet sellers.

Instructions

1 If buying a dog from a breeder, always visit in person to see how the animals are living and to ensure that it's not a puppy mill or irresponsible "backyard breeder." Puppy mills are inhumane factory-style operations that churn out puppies to be sold for a quick profit to pet stores and over the Internet. Puppy mill puppies are often sickly and may have a host of inherited health disorders due to their mothers spending their entire lives in cages being bred over and over. When dogs are constantly pregnant they can't pass on the proper nutrients to the next litter. Buying dogs from pet stores or over the Internet only serves to keep cruel puppy mills and other irresponsible breeders in business.
2 Don't buy pets from a distant buyer, seller or adopter. Often times, buyers aren't aware that their puppies were born overseas in a puppy mill, then sold to a U.S. broker. Tens of thousands of dogs are shipped into the United States from puppy mills in countries such as Russia and China.
3 Check references, which can include veterinarians and others who've purchased pets from this breeder. And make sure you deal directly with a breeder, not a broker.
4 Don't deal with anyone who promises a free puppy for just the cost of shipping. Scammers in these types of transactions often ask you to send more money because the nonexistent dog is "stuck at the airport" for various reasons such as customs complications or problems with the crate.
5 Don't fall for claims that the seller represents an animal shelter or is a "good Samaritan" offering the pets for "adoption." Reputable shelters do not place animals by sending out mass emails and then shipping them to people.
6 Never purchase a puppy with the promise of getting the AKC (American Kennel Club) papers from the seller at a later time. It takes 6 to 8 weeks for puppies to be ready for a new home, which is ample time for the breeder to receive the papers. It takes a couple of weeks through the mail and only a week if registration is done online. The AKC cannot help you get papers after the sale. In other words, if the seller tells you the dog is "register-able"-run the other way.

Hermit crabs are small crustaceans that live inside of shells and are most commonly found on beaches and in tide pools. Because of their small size and ease of care, hermit crabs are sometimes kept as household pets. Supplies for hermit crabs are available at aquarium and fish supply stores. As with all pets, one of the most important aspects to keeping a hermit crab healthy is to clean its cage and supplies properly.

Instructions

1 Place the crab in a shoebox or other small, lidded container prior to cleaning.
2 Remove the crab's water dish, toys and rocks from the cage. Place all items into the sink. Turn on the water faucet and clean each item by scrubbing the surface thoroughly with a scrubber sponge and hot water.
3 Remove all cleaned items from the sink and dry each one thoroughly with a clean, dry towel.
4 Fill the dish with 2 cups of water. Add a dechlorinating solution to the water as directed by the instructions on the packaging.
5 Use a small scoop to scoop up the sand or gravel in the bottom of the habitat, and pour it into a large-mesh strainer held over a bucket. Shake the strainer slightly to sift the material through it. Move the strainer away from the bucket and turn it upside down to discard the debris.
6 Continue sifting until all of the sand or gravel has been cleaned. Then pour the cleaned material back into the bottom of the crab habitat and spread it in a smooth, even layer.
7 Place the crab supplies back into the cage, and fill the water bowl with the dechlorinated water.
8 Return the crab to its home.

Animal lovers often see their pets as small, furry family members, which is why they're willing to spend over $35 billion dollars on pet products every year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. Whether you love animals or simply want to take advantage of a practical business idea, a pet store can be a cost-effective business.

Legal Fees

Of all business structures, a sole proprietorship is the easiest to establish since it doesn't involve an incorporation process. Yet you'll probably want to give your business a name other than your own, which means you will need to file a DBA ("doing business as"), also known as an assumed name or trade name, with the county clerk. A DBA allows you to present your business as "Sonny's Pet Store," for example, rather than by your real name. The cost to file a DBA ranges from $10 to $100. The county, city or state in which you live may also require you to obtain a business license, sales tax license or both, so contact the sales tax department to find out.

Store

The cost of a brick-and-mortar store location will vary greatly depending on various factors, such as where it is and how big it is. For example, a small store in an upscale neighborhood can cost you thousands more per year than a larger one in a less-popular area. A home-based pet store is cost-effective since you already own the space, but because some local governments forbid home-based businesses, you may have to forgo this idea. You can sell your goods online through stores such as eBay and Amazon for fees as low as 25 cents per item or through your own website for as little as $3.50 a month. A website is a wise idea in any case because it gives you access to customers outside your local area.

Supplies

Wholesalers sell goods to pet stores at a discount, without sales tax and, if needed, in bulk quantities. They often require some proof that the buyer actually owns a business, which means that you may have to obtain a resale license from the state tax department or an employer identification number from the Internal Revenue Service. The cost of your supplies will depend on what you buy, how much you buy and where you buy them. You need a commercial feed license to sell your own pet food, which may cost as little as $50. Contact the secretary of state to find out who administers the license in your state.

Advertising

No business can survive if no one knows about it, and since not everyone who knows about your pet store will become a customer, you need to advertise constantly. Pet-related blogs, forums and social networking groups cost nothing and are especially beneficial if your business is Internet-based. You can also save money by printing your own ads from your home computer and posting them in places your customers are likely to go, such as vet offices, humane societies and pet hotels. Because the least expensive way to drive business is to keep the customers you already have, use a free business card template to help customers remember your pet store location and pass it on to others.

People are always willing to treat their pets, as evidenced by the fact that Americans spend $36 billion a year on their animals, according to "Entrepreneur" magazine. While this is an impressive figure, it helps put things in perspective to realize that a pet store can cost well over $100,000 to start while the average pet store owner makes barely $17,000 a year after taxes as of 2011, according to the Simply Hired job board. Assess the costs to determine whether you can afford to start your own pet store.

Business Structure

Though leashes, toys and food bowls may seem like fairly benign items, you should protect yourself against any potential liability should anyone's pet get hurt using your products. For this reason, you should avoid structuring your business as a sole proprietorship or a partnership. These are the easiest and least expensive businesses to start, requiring little more than a $10 to $100 assumed name form to be able to do business with a name other than the owners'. Yet they don't protect you from personal liability because they aren't legally separate entities from their owners. A limited liability company costs between $50 and $800 to start and gives you personal liability protection. You can form a corporation for $100 to $200 and also receive this protection, but be prepared to keep more intensive records of your business activities. Talk with a business lawyer or accountant to determine which of these structures makes the most sense for you. File your assumed name form with the county clerk and your articles of incorporation or organization with the secretary of state.

Licenses

Since a pet store usually sells pet food, bath and health products, you likely need a special license from the agency in your state that handles animal safety. Aside from this, you may need a license just to operate a business in your area, though not every jurisdiction requires this; contact the city hall, county clerk and secretary of state to be sure. In states that charge sales taxes, you need a sales license, and you need a resale license to buy pet products wholesale. Some states charge for these licenses, while others don't.

Location

The ideal location for your pet store depends on what type of customer you want to attract. If you sell custom dog leashes encrusted with real diamonds, for example, it makes sense to choose a location near a dog park in an affluent neighborhood. If you sell organic, locally-produced dog food, putting your store in a neighborhood where there are also health food stores may be a wise choice. The location you choose affects how much you pay. But expect to pay several hundred dollars a month at minimum. Working from home significantly lowers these costs, and marketing and selling online will give you a wider reach than even a brick-and-mortar store might have. Set aside a room in your home specifically for your pet store business and an accountant can help you deduct rent for the business area on your taxes.

Products and Services

The types of products you sell also affect your startup and operating costs. Pet items that are easier to find and cheaper to produce cost less for you to stock, just as specially-made or designer items typically cost more. You might decrease these costs by making your own products, though the initial costs for equipment may be higher than if you bought from a manufacturer or wholesaler. For your initial inventory, you can expect to pay between $15,000 and $30,000, "Entrepreneur" reports.

In order to keep your home clean when you own pet cats, you need to disinfect litter boxes, pet beds and other surfaces in your home. Unfortunately, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, contact with some disinfectant chemicals can poison cats. To avoid the toxic effects many cleaners have on cats, use natural, green cleaners to keep your cats safe.

Hydrogen Peroxide

A safer alternative to chlorine bleach, you can use hydrogen peroxide safely around cats to disinfect hard surfaces and fabrics. Use simple 3 percent hydrogen peroxide from your drugstore as a straight cleaner for kitchen surfaces, on laundry stains or in your dishwasher to remove odors. Scrub litter boxes clean and germ-free with hydrogen peroxide or combat urine, feces or vomit stains with it. Mix it with an equal part water to spray around your home and kill mold or mildew or with baking soda to form a scrubbing paste. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial, antiviral and disinfectant properties to make it an effective cleaner. It breaks down into water and oxygen and does not require rinsing as it leaves no residue on fabrics or other surfaces. You can also use it to clean and medicate any wounds on your cat.

Vinegar

Both white and apple cider vinegar contain 5 percent acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties that kill many germs, bacteria and mold. Like hydrogen peroxide, you can use vinegar straight to clean surfaces and fabrics. Wipe down litter boxes, sinks, bathrooms and even cat food dishes safely with vinegar. Dilute it with an equal part water to make an all-purpose cleaner to use anywhere in your home around cats and add 1/2 to 1 cup vinegar to laundry to remove odors and stains from pet bedding. Vinegar neutralizes cat urine and you can use it to clean soiled carpeting or furniture. Vinegar also helps kill any fleas in or on your cat. Mix it with an equal part castile soap and water to make a natural, cat-safe flea shampoo.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract has antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties that kill a variety of germs. It leaves no toxic residue and some hospitals disinfect with it. Clean bathrooms, kitchens, litter boxes, cat bedding and floors in your home safely around your cats. Dilute 10 to 20 drops of the extract in 1 gallon of water to make an all-purpose cleaner that you can wipe surfaces with or use in a carpet cleaner to remove cat accident stains. Rinse fruits and vegetables with a solution of grapefruit seed extract to remove pesticides and microbes and preserve meats with it. Due to its nontoxic nature, you can even use a drop or two in your cat's water during emergencies to decontaminate it.

Considerations

When considering what disinfectant cleaners to use around your cats, keep in mind that many antibacterial cleaners can harm your cat if accidentally ingested while grooming. Cats have trouble detoxifying certain chemicals since their liver enzymes are not as efficient those in other animals, according to CatHealth. Some of these chemicals include: phenols, pine oils, petroleum distillates, alcohol and chlorine. Many disinfectant cleaners like chlorine bleach and Lysol contain these chemicals and you should not use them around cats. Instead, opt for safer, natural options that leave behind no chemical residue or fumes.

Fish are beautiful animals that make great pets. They're affordable, easy to care for, relaxing and can even help improve the look of your home or office. People will always want pet fish, which is why starting a fish store could be a great business endeavor. Although starting a business is a challenge, especially in a rough economy, there are steps which can be taken to help ensure that your store is a great success.

Instructions

1 Assess the potential. Before opening a fish store, you need to decide whether or not it will be profitable for you. Check out some other local fish stores and see what kind of business they do. Keep in mind that they will be your competition.
2 Write a business plan. It is important to know exactly what you're going to do and how you're going to do it. Your business plan should include the following things:
- Your ultimate plan and vision for your company.
- How you are going to fund your start-up.
- What you are going to sell and where you're going to get it.
- Who you are going to hire.
- What you are going to pay your employees
- What are going to be your monthly costs (rent, electricity, employee compensation, etc)
Be as detailed as possible. Planning ahead is very important and can keep your business from failing.
3 Gather needed permits and licenses. You will need a pet store license along with a non-game license to sell pet fish. You will also need a business license. Other permits and licenses may be required, depending on the state in which you live and on what kind of establishment you have for your business.
4 Apply for a loan. Unless you have a lot of money sitting around, you are going to need to apply for a business loan. This can be done at various institutions, including most banks. They will want to see a copy of your business plan.
5 Choose a location. Look around town for buildings that are for lease and find a nice location for your store. Find something that fits into your budget and has ample space for all of the fish you want to carry.
6 Hire employees. You will likely need help running your fish store. The number of employees you should hire depends on the size of your store and how much business you can generate. Start with as few as possible and hire more as your business expands.
7 Find a fish vendor. Unless you intend to breed fish on your own, you will need a way to purchase fish to sell in your store. Call local fish wholesalers and see who is willing to supply you with what you need at a price you can afford. Fish Mart is one of the largest domestic and import distributors in the USA.
8 Gather all needed supplies. You will need aquariums, fish food, nets, air pumps, lights, heaters, filters, buckets, rocks, small decorations, medications, and gravel. Buy enough of these items for your display tanks along with extras to sell to customers.
9 Advertise. Once all is said and done, you need to find a way to get people into your store. Start out with word-of-mouth advertising by telling everyone you know. Then put out a newspaper ad. If your business increases, or you have extra money, invest in a TV commercial.

From muddy paws to drool, vomit or worse, pets can be messy and sometimes even destructive. This can be a real problem when that pet is in a car. A car's upholstery can be gouged, stained or destroyed by even the best behaved pet. Pet seat covers can offer your pet a comfortable ride, while protecting your car's interior. Many types of seat covers, including hammock slings, bench and bucket seat covers and cargo area liners are available online and at your favorite pet supply store.

Rear Seat Hammock Sling Covers

Hammock sling-style seat covers, made from many types of heavy-duty washable fabrics, offer simple, effective protection for the entire bench-style back seat of most vehicles. Unfold the hammock sling and attach to front and back headrests. The hammock sling cradles your dog, causing him to lie down and discouraging him from roaming around the car.

Bench and Bucket Seat Covers

Bench and bucket seat pet covers, made of a variety of washable fabrics, protect a car's upholstery from pet hair, incontinence and dog claw damage. Some styles have slots for seat belt use to accommodate pet safety car harnesses. Most designs are universal with adjustable straps, while some are made to fit specific car models.

Cargo Area Liners

Cargo area liners for sport utility vehicles, station wagons, vans or any vehicle with a back cargo area, offer your dog padded comfort and your car pet damage protection. Made of tough scratch- and stain-resistant fabrics, most liners are universal, with collapsible sides that fold in or out to adjust to the size of the cargo area you need covered.

Depending on what type of pet business you want to opena pet store, grooming shop, day care center or online supply storegrants are available for small business start-ups. While the competition is challenging, with a strong proposal and a significant reason, you may find grants for your project from a bank, agency or government program.

Maddies Fund

Maddies Fund is a family-owned pet rescue foundation established to fund the creation of a no-kill nation. Since its inception in 1999, Maddie's Fund has awarded animal welfare organizations and universities grants of $71.6 million to save dogs and cats. Animal group coalitions anywhere in the world and in any U.S. state with a human population of 100,000 or more, are eligible for these generous grants. Grant applicants include animal control agencies, traditional shelters and adoption guarantee organizations. To apply for Maddies Fund Starter Grant, first apply for the Community Shelter Data Grant. After receiving the Community Shelter grant, applicants can apply for the Business Plan for Saving Lives Grant. Coalitions may apply for a starter grant for developing a one-year business plan that will increase adoptions and reduce shelter deaths in their community and that will likely achieve successful adoptions for healthy shelter dogs and cats within five years. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 per organization.
Maddies Fund
2223 Santa Clara Ave. Suite B
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 337-8989
maddiesfund.org

Top Dawg Pet Supply

Top Dawg Pet Supply company offers start-ups online business websites. Starting an online pet business allows you to make money online in the pet supply industry 24 hours a day. Top Dawg Pet Supply sets up your small pet business with over 15,000 pet supplies to offer to customers. Once you start advertising your website (by email, direct sales or through an agency) you can generate traffic to your site and make sales. Top Dawg charges a small setup fee for the website and monthly operation fee.
Top Dawg Pet Supply
1776 N. Pine Island Rd. Suite 118
Plantation, FL 33322
(866) 906-1111
topdawgpetsupply.com

Pet Finder

Part of the Adopt-a-Rescue-Pet program, Pet Finder offers grants of up to $20,000 to animal rescue groups. Enter your group into Pet Finders partner nonprofit organization, The Animal Rescue Site. When you enter your groups information, you are eligible to be voted toward the $20,000 grant money. You can use this grant money toward a pet business if it helps save the lives of community pets in bad shape. Pet Finder awards a total of $100,000 in grant money to animal welfare organizations.
The Animal Rescue Site
One Union Square
600 University St. Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98101
theanimalrescuesite.com

In recent years, animal rights activists have made many attempts to amend current tax law so that pets are considered dependents, and thus equivalent to children. Currently, in the eyes of the law, pets are property and not people. That being said, the only way to file pets and their expenses on a tax return is to legitimately establish the pet as a business asset. A business asset is a piece of property held by a business entity for the purpose of making money.

Instructions

1 Brainstorm a business in which the particular pets are a necessary expense. For example, business entities such as zoos, circuses, professional breeders, and professional animal showers are able to write off any and all costs for their animals as a business expense.
2 Legally create the desired business within the state of residence. The four traditional ways to file a business are corporation, partnership, limited liability partnership, and limited liability company.
3 Begin running the pet-related business and carefully log all expenses. Valid expenses may include food, grooming supplies, vet visits, and any other expenses that directly relate to that particular pet.
4 Pay anticipated taxes quarterly for that business, keeping careful calculations of actual profits. Profits are the overall amount earned minus all business-related expenses.
5 File the pet as a business asset on the final tax reporting documents.

Groomers interested in opening their own dog grooming business will need some basic supplies to get started. Duties of a dog groomer include bathing, fur cutting, nail trimming, fur brushing, tooth and gum care and drying. A dog groomer will need a variety of tools to groom a range of dog sizes and fur and body types. Using proper supplies in a dog grooming business could mean keeping or losing a client.

Dog Nail Clippers

Groomers typically need at least two pairs of dog nail clippers for their grooming business. Small dogs need a regular pair of nail clippers and larger dogs will need a more durable, bigger pair. Both clippers should come with a cover to prevent accidental cuts. Nail clippers for large dogs will specifically state "large" on the package or product description. Others will work well with smaller dogs. Nail clippers come in guillotine style and those with a scissors-like overlap. Nail clipper style generally is a matter of preference, but groomers should purchase clippers that come with a cover and that won't rust easily.

Dog Grooming Shears

Dog grooming shears are necessary for cutting a dog's fur, either for cutting off mats from a dog's tangled fur or for beatifying a dog's coat. Many dog owners prefer that their dog's fur stay trimmed to avoid matting and excessive shedding. Some will want a complete grooming before a dog show. You will need a large variety of dog shears: straight, curved, blending, convex, stiletto and thinning.

Dog Brushes and Combs

Using the proper dog comb or brush is important to the dog's comfort and health. Since different breeds of dogs have different coats you will need a variety of dog grooming brushes and combs. You will need wire and nylon combs. Dogs with thin fur typically need a very soft brush, and dogs with thicker fur need a sturdier brush.

Dog Grooming Table

A dog grooming table will allow you to groom while standing rather than kneeling on the floor. This can help a great deal and can show the dog that he needs to stay in one spot (on the table) until you are done. You can get a folding table, which is good for a mobile grooming business. You can also choose from a hydraulic table or an electric table. Electric tables raise electronically to the height you require. Hydraulic tables use a hydraulic foot pump. It all depends on what you can afford.

Dog Bath

Dogs need baths to get rid of any dirt and debris, and a grooming business should have adequate equipment to bathe customers' dogs. Since groomers typically bathe all kinds of dogs on a regular basis, they can't just bathe dogs in a regular sink or tub (due to excessive fur that can clog drains), so a successful groomer should have a dog bathtub, one that can hold dogs up to 300 pounds. A rectangular-shaped tub works well, although any shape dog tub will do, and hose attachments are important for rinsing the dogs. Another helpful tub feature is a ramp for larger dogs to climb up into the tub.

Dog Shampoo & Conditioner

The shampoo you use on dogs during their baths can help prevent infections, infestations and even help reduce shedding. Dog shampoo can also help keep a dog's fur healthy. Dog conditioners help prevent matting, moisturize the fur and keep it looking shiny. Have some different types of shampoo and conditioners on hand such as flea bath shampoos, de-shedding shampoos, whitening dog shampoos and silky show pet shampoos.

Dog Fur Dryer

After you have given your customer a bath he will need to be dried. There are a variety of dog grooming dryers from which to choose. One type is a standing dryer that stands on its own so you have both hands free for brushing while drying. If you are opening a mobile dog grooming business you will need a portable dryer.

Dog Ear and Eye Care

Dogs' ears need to be cleaned when you are grooming them. Groomers should have an ear cleaning kit specifically made for dogs to clean the ears, remove any excess fur and keep the ears dry.
Protective eye drops are available to keep shampoo or other products from irritating the dog's eyes.

Dog Dental Kits

Dogs need their teeth brushed too. Dog toothbrushes are available that have three sides. When you brush the dog's teeth (with dog toothpaste on the brush) it will clean all sides of the teeth for you. There are also dog dental kits, which will be good for one-time use. Groomers can use the toothbrush and paste once and throw it out.