5 Tips To Help You Start a Cat Care Business Now

According to statistics, one out of three households in the United States is home to at least one cat. All those cats mean plenty of opportunities for cat enthusiasts to provide a variety of cat-related services to help pet owners and their furry companions stay healthy and happy.

Have you always wanted to start a cat care business but have no idea where to begin? These tips can get you on the right track to go from dreaming about it to actually doing it!

This guest post is brought to you by the talented Jessica Brody of Our Best Friends.

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Thinking of starting a cat care business? Here are 5 steps to consider before you begin! #business #petbusiness #smallbusiness Click To Tweet

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5 tips to consider before you start a cat care business

It may not be easy, but if it’s your dream, it’ll be worth the work. Here are 5 steps to consider when thinking about starting your cat care business.

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Step 1: Choose a niche

There are many different cat-related services you can provide. It is better to focus on one particular service at the start. You can always expand later on as you build enough capital to pay employees. 

You can choose a traditional cat-related business, such as pet sitting, grooming, or opening a retail store that sells cat-related products.

You could also begin a blog like Cat Care Solutions that helps cat parents live in harmony with their beloved felines. Alternatively, you can do something more unique, such as selling homemade healthy treats, making toys, designing cat furniture, or opening a cat café. 

If you choose to sell custom-made items, platforms like Shopify or Etsy can help you make that happen. One of the Shopify features is a blog so if you’d like to do both, that works perfectly. Or you can begin a WordPress blog and add a plug-in like WooCommerce for selling products.

Step 2. Allow Sufficient Time To Get Started

Starting a business involves many steps:

• Perform market research and tweak your idea as needed
• Name and register your business
• Write a business plan
• Decide what/if you will sell and where you will sell it
• Create a website
• Get funding

These are just a few of the steps you need to complete. Expect to spend between six months to one year from the date you settle on an idea to when you can expect to start receiving paying customers. 

Step 3: Create a Marketing Plan

Attracting customers is one of the most difficult challenges facing any new business owner. From the moment you start your business, start building your brand.

Consider low-cost options that have a wide reach, such as promoting your business on social media.

Make sure you have a professional website. If you are starting a business that relies on local customers, such as pet sitting, establish relationships with related businesses, such as pet supply stores, groomers, and veterinarians, where you may be able to post flyers or ask for referrals. 

Step 4: Make It Easy for Customers To Pay You

Once you start attracting customers, make sure they can easily pay you. Sending timely invoices and payment reminders is one of the best ways to ensure customers don’t forget to send their payments.

Your invoices should include clear payment terms and be sent to customers immediately. The more payment methods you can accept, the more likely you are to get paid on time.

Choosing the best invoice template means your invoices look professional and include all the necessary information. You can customize your pre-made invoice template with your logo, brand colors, name, and any other information you want to include. 

Step 5: Build Your Credibility

Most people don’t want to trust their beloved pet to just anyone. If you are performing a service where you will be responsible for the safety of anyone’s pets, such as grooming, boarding, or cat sitting, complete relevant education or certifications so you can boost your credibility with potential customers.

Make sure any products you sell are non-toxic and otherwise safe for cats. If you will have pets in your home, research any household products, plants, and other items you may need to remove for the safety of your client’s pets.

If you are a cat lover, starting a cat-related business can be rewarding. However, it takes work and careful planning to succeed. But you can do it!

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🐾 About Today’s Guest Author 🐾

Jessica Brody created Our Best Friends so others could find a place to share stories and photos of their beloved animal companions.

She has been sharing some great content with us here at Cat Care Solutions. If you haven’t already, take a look at her other work:

• 5 Point Checklist for New Pet Parents With Small Business Entrepreneurship Dreams
• Moving House With A Cat: 5 Important Safety Tips To Remember During A Move
• Match Made In Heaven? 5 Things Every New Pet Parent Should Expect

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Love & Healing Purrs,