Why are pet grooming and boarding prices rising with inflation?
Pet grooming & boarding: +3.6% in the 12 months to September 2026 (U.S. Consumer Price Index), versus +3.7% for prices overall. 1-month −1.2%, 3-month −1.7%, 5-year +31.6%.
Inflation check: Rising with inflation. +3.6% in a year, versus +3.7% for prices overall.
The short answer
- Pet grooming and boarding prices are 31.6 percent higher over five years following a 21.9 percent surge between December 2023 and June 2026, driven by higher wages for animal-care labor, increased commercial facility rents, and strong consumer adoption of premium care packages. [1] [2] [3]
- Over the 12 months to September 2026, price growth eased to 3.6 percent—falling slightly behind overall inflation of 3.7 percent—as inflation-weary consumers extended the intervals between professional visits and handled more grooming at home. [4] [5]
What's driving the price
Macro factors: supply, weather, disease, energy
- Service Labor Shortages and Wage Increases (Dec 2023 to Jun 2026): Pet grooming and boarding operations require labor-intensive, hands-on care, forcing facilities to increase baseline pay and offer incentives to retain groomers and kennel attendants amid broader service-sector staffing shortages. [pushed prices up] [2] [6]
- Commercial Rent and Facility Overhead Costs (Dec 2023 to Sep 2026): Brick-and-mortar pet boarding facilities and salons absorbed substantial increases in commercial lease rates in urban and suburban centers, alongside high energy costs needed to maintain continuous climate control and sanitation. [pushed prices up] [2]
Retail, brand and seasonal factors
- Pet Humanization and Premium Service Add-Ons (Dec 2023 to Jun 2026): With the American Pet Products Association reporting that 97 percent of owners view pets as family members, facilities successfully raised prices by packaging basic boarding into premium stays featuring private suites, webcam access, and spa grooming. [pushed prices up] [3] [7]
- Workplace Mandates and Travel Resurgence (Dec 2023 to Dec 2025): Return-to-office mandates forced commuters to rely on weekday dog daycare facilities, while a strong rebound in business and personal travel filled overnight boarding capacity. [pushed prices up] [6] [7]
- Consumer Budget Resistance and Shift to At-Home Grooming (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026): The American Pet Products Association noted in its 2026 reporting that household budget pressures led pet owners to pull back on discretionary expenditures, stretch out salon appointments, and substitute professional grooming with DIY home care. [pushed prices down] [4] [5]
Supply chain right now
- Direct Labor and Groomer Payroll (critical): Payroll for skilled groomers and kennel attendants forms the single largest cost burden for operators and faces persistent wage competition. [2]
- Facility Real Estate and Utilities (moderate): Commercial lease expenses and utility bills for continuous ventilation, temperature control, and laundry maintain steady cost pressure. [2]
- Kennel Management and Booking Software (stable): Operational platforms, scheduling software, and administrative systems provide predictable overhead via fixed monthly or annual subscription models. [8]
Researched 2026-10-18 with Google Search. Every point links to its sources; unsourced claims were removed.
Pet grooming & boarding prices, last 12 months
| Month | Change from a year earlier |
|---|---|
| September 2026 | +3.6% |
| August 2026 | +4.6% |
| July 2026 | +5.1% |
| June 2026 | +6.3% |
| May 2026 | +7.0% |
| April 2026 | +6.6% |
| March 2026 | +7.8% |
| February 2026 | +7.3% |
| January 2026 | +5.7% |
| December 2025 | +5.0% |
| November 2025 | +4.2% |
| September 2025 | +5.1% |
| August 2025 | +5.8% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), series CUUR0000SS62053.
Sources
- Pet Grooming & Boarding in the US Industry Analysis, 2026 (ibisworld.com)
- fortunebusinessinsights.com (fortunebusinessinsights.com)
- Pet Boarding Market Report, Industry and Market Size & Revenue, Share, Forecast 2024–2030 (strategicmarketresearch.com)
- How Inflation is Impacting U.S. Pet Owners | TotalVet (total.vet)
- America’s Dog Owners Are Becoming Smarter Spenders: New APPA Report Reveals How 71 Million Households Are Prioritizing Their Pets in a Tight Economy (americanpetproducts.org)
- Struggling with Staffing? | Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine (petboardinganddaycare.com)
- Pet Boarding Services Market Size, Share, Trends & Research Report, 2031 (mordorintelligence.com)
- Guide to Price Increases for Pet Care Businesses | Kennel Connection (kennelconnection.com)