Setting Up Your Salon: Things I Learned the Hard Way
🐾 My Journey Into Cat Grooming
I never set out to become a professional cat groomer—it started with a show-quality Persian and snowballed into a full-fledged grooming business with thousands of clients. Along the way, I made a lot of expensive mistakes. Now, after opening two successful feline-exclusive salons, I want to save you the time, money, and frustration I went through.
Here’s what I wish I had known when setting up my first cat grooming salon.
📏 How Much Space Do You Really Need?
One of the best parts of cat grooming? You don’t need a huge space.
- Bare minimum (1 groomer): 200 sq ft
- Better: 300 sq ft
- Ideal (2 groomers + cats/crates): 400–600 sq ft
Add more space if you're planning retail, waiting rooms, or boarding.
💡 Smart Layout = Safer, Faster Grooms
Design your space around efficiency:
-Keep the tub, table, and dryer in close range. Every second matters when grooming cats—cutting down steps = faster, safer grooms.
-Have tools ready one-handed. You often need one hand on the cat. Open containers for cotton balls, dispensers for liquids, towels in reach—it all adds up.
-Ensure you have the right electrical setup. High-velocity dryers and vacuums need at least a 20-amp circuit. Don’t blow fuses mid-groom.
🔌 Why You Need a Catty Shack Vac (CSV)
If you value your lungs, sanity, and time, invest in the Catty Shack Vac early. Before I had one, I dealt with:
- Hair in my eyes for days
- Messy cleanups
- Angry cats that hated long drying times
- Clients covered in hair
Don’t wait like I did. CSV = game changer.
🚪 Safety First: Prevent Escapes
Always have at least one door between your grooming area and the outside world. I learned this the hard way when a UPS driver left the door ajar and a client’s cat made a run for it. I caught the cat—but I never took that risk again.
🔧 Always Have a Backup Clipper
Your clipper is mission-critical. If it dies mid-groom and you don’t have a backup, you’re stuck. Rushing to buy an overpriced, underpowered clipper at a pet store while a matted cat is waiting = not ideal. Spend the $150 upfront. You won’t regret it.
🧰 What Equipment Do You Need First?
Get my full checklist of:
- Top tools every cat groomer needs
- What to buy now vs. later
- What not to waste your money on
📬 Get It Sent Straight to Your Inbox
I’ve bundled everything I’ve learned into one easy PDF, including my go-to tools, layout tips, and must-have equipment. Skip the trial-and-error phase—grab the free checklist and set yourself up for cat grooming success from day one. PLUS, get a deal on one of our most popular products!👇🏼
Happy cat grooming!
Danelle German
Founder, National Cat Groomers Institute