Grooming is essential for the hygiene and overall health of companion animals. Neglecting regular grooming can lead to various health issues and discomfort for pets. This study focused on understanding the barriers and facilitators faced by pet owners, specifically analyzing the experiences of clients from a subsidized grooming service program in New York City.

Methodology

The study involved participants (N = 167) who utilized ASPCA’s subsidized grooming services. Surveys were conducted before and after grooming appointments to capture participants' demographics, grooming practices, confidence levels, barriers to grooming, and needs for supplies or support.

Key Findings

1. Participants Demographics:

   • The majority were women (67%) and identified as Black or African American (45%).
   • Most participants reported a household income of less than $25,000 (63%).
   • Most pets receiving services were dogs (90%), primarily within the age range of 6 months to 7 years.

2. View on Grooming:

   • A large majority of participants (89%) considered grooming important for pet health.
   • A significant portion (83%) had engaged in home grooming, including bathing, brushing, and nail trimming, although many felt least confident in nail trimming.

3. Barriers to Grooming:

   • An overwhelming 92% reported facing at least one barrier to grooming.
   • The most common barriers included financial concerns (56% stated they couldn’t afford grooming), fear of hurting their pets (45%), and lack of assistance or resources (over 30% reported needing behavioral support or someone to help).
   • Participants with household incomes under $25,000 were more likely to report financial barriers affecting grooming.

4. Supplies and Supports Needed:

   • A high percentage of respondents (91%) expressed a need for supplies or support to maintain grooming at home.
   • Brushes and combs were the most requested supplies (61%), followed by nail trimmers (54%) and scissors (38%).
   • Notably, behavioral support (28%) was also highlighted as essential by a significant number of participants.

5. Impact of Nail-Trimming Demonstration:

   • Out of the participants who received a nail-trimming demonstration, there was a statistically significant increase in confidence in trimming nails, with average confidence rising from three to five on a ten-point scale post-demonstration.

Further Thoughts

Based on the findings, we can summarize the following insights regarding consumer characteristics in the grooming service market:

1. Predominantly Female Consumer Base: It is evident that a significant portion of the grooming service clientele is female, making up approximately 67% of the participants.

2. Influencing Factors for Grooming Service Usage: The decision to utilize grooming services is influenced by factors such as transportation and income. Higher-income consumers are more likely to seek out grooming services.

3. Need for Supplies and Support: A notable 91% of the surveyed population expressed a need for supplies or support to maintain grooming at home.

From these points, we can derive several consumer characteristics:

1. Grooming Tools Suited for Female Consumers: Given the predominantly female clientele, grooming tools should be designed to appeal specifically to this demographic.

2. Higher Income Bracket for Grooming Service Users: Consumers who enjoy grooming services or have an awareness of grooming concepts tend to have relatively higher incomes. For this group, there may be a need to offer products that not only fulfill basic functional requirements but also have higher aesthetic appeal.

   3.Compact, Safe, and Easily Stored Supplies for Home Use: Supplies for       home grooming should be designed to be convenient, compact, safe, and easy to store, catering to the practical needs of consumers.

Ri-son offers aesthetically pleasing and stylish pet nail clippers that cater to the grooming consumer's desire for attractive tools. Unlike traditional clippers, ri-son nail clippers feature an integrated LED light, enhancing the safety of the nail trimming process for pets. Additionally, we provide a minimalist yet elegant steam comb designed to alleviate shedding issues, and it can be used in conjunction with essential oils for added benefits. For more grooming products and series, please visit our Ri-son's Grooming Tools.

Original Resources

• McDonald SE, Doherty C, Sweeney J, Kisiel L, Matijczak A, Niestat L, Gupta M. Barriers to and facilitators of pet grooming among clients served by a subsidized grooming service program. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:1021707. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1021707. [PMCID: PMC9596803] [PMID: 36311674]
• American Pet Products Association (APPA). 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey.
• Kessels RPC. Patients' memory for medical information. J R Soc Med. 2003; 96:219–222.
• Abood SK. Increasing adherence in practice: making your clients partners in care. Vet Clin Small Anim Pract. 2007; 37:151–164.