As a pet groomer, you know how the busy season can wear you down: physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s easy to say, “I’ll take more breaks” or “I’ll drink more water,” but turning those good intentions into sustainable habits is another story.
That’s why we’ve rounded up real-world self-care ideas that fit seamlessly into your schedule. These tips are grouped into Before Work, During Work, After Work, and At Home, so you can protect your energy, reduce fatigue and potential burnout, and stay passionate about what you do.
Before Work: Set the Tone for the Day
Prep Your Body Like You Prep Your Tools
Your hands, feet, and back are your most important tools, so treat them with the same care as your clippers. For example:
- Do light stretches before your first appointment to activate important muscles.
- Alternate between two pairs of shoes throughout the day to relieve pressure on your feet.
- Warm up your grip using hand-strengthening tools or resistance bands.
Bonus Tip:
Check out Groom Curriculum’s Ergonomic Tips for Groomers for more ways to reduce physical strain and prevent injuries.
Hydrate and Fuel Up Early
Start the day already ahead on hydration and nutrition:
- Drink a full glass of water before your first client.
- Keep a refillable bottle nearby with fruit-infused water or electrolytes.
- Eat a balanced breakfast with protein and complex carbs to sustain your energy.
Bonus Tip:
Research from the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences shows that hydration and nutrition can significantly improve focus and reduce fatigue in physically demanding jobs.
During Work: Protect Your Energy and Focus
Take Micro-Recovery Moments
Don’t wait until the end of the day to rest. Build in quick reset rituals between clients or tasks:
- Do a 60-second shoulder release with resistance bands.
- Use a calming essential oil roller.
- Try a “one-song break” to move, stretch, or step outside for three minutes.
Bonus Tip:
Learn how micro-breaks improve body mechanics in the article “Ergonomics: What Does It Really Mean for Groomers?” from Groomer to Groomer magazine.
Hydration Cues That Stick
Turn hydration into a sustainable habit, not an afterthought:
- Take a sip every time you sanitize tools or finish a grooming session.
- Use a bottle that has built-in cues to remind you when you’re falling behind on your hydration goals.
- Make it enjoyable with flavor packets or chilled water infusions.
Bonus Tip:
Have a favorite water bottle or one on your wish list that brings you joy? Buy it! This can help motivate you to drink more water throughout the day.
Create a Calm Corner in the Salon
Even small environmental tweaks can help you recharge mid-day:
- Add a small plant, soft lighting, or a framed photo of your favorite pet.
- Use a smart speaker to play ambient or nature sounds between clients.
- Keep a stress ball or grounding object nearby.
Bonus Tip:
Explore Groomer Nation’s ergonomic setup guide for creative ways to design a workspace that supports both physical and emotional wellness.
Stay Grounded Emotionally
Busy days can be emotionally draining. Try quick techniques that help you reset:
- One-line journaling: Write one sentence about something positive before closing.
- Thought parking: Keep a notepad for stressful thoughts so they don’t follow you home.
- Pep-talk playlist: Curate songs or affirmations that remind you why you love grooming.
Bonus Tip:
The International Center for Self-Care Research found that brief moments of self-care throughout the day can lower fatigue and boost focus in high-demand professions.
After Work: Decompress and Reconnect
Sensory Decompression
After hours of dryers, barking, and movement, your senses need rest:
- Spend five minutes in quiet or darkness before heading home.
- Use noise-canceling headphones and a calming playlist.
- Diffuse grounding scents like cedar, bergamot, or peppermint to help your nervous system settle (or whatever scent brings you a sense of peace).
Recovery Rituals for Hands and Feet
Your hands and feet work as hard as you do, so treat them kindly! Try:
- Using Epsom salt soaks and hydrating hand masks weekly.
- Simple stretches for wrists, forearms, and lower back (experts recommend stretching before and after a workout, so treat this the same way).
- Alternate warm and cool water to reduce inflammation.
Bonus Tip:
Learn about common grooming-related health risks (and how to prevent them) in “The Occupational Health Hazards of Being a Dog Groomer.”
Create an End-of-Day Deactivation Routine
Help your brain clock out as much as your body does:
- Create a “shutdown playlist” to transition from work to home.
- Take two minutes to breathe deeply before leaving the salon.
- Use a visual cue, like switching off lights intentionally, to mark the day’s end.
At Home: Refill Your Tank
Body Maintenance Means Career Longevity
Think of self-care as regular maintenance, just like sharpening your blades:
- Schedule monthly “tune-ups” (massage, chiropractor, or yoga).
- Prioritize rest days and ergonomic gear investments.
- Remember: downtime prevents burnout better than powering through.
Bonus Tip:
Download the Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance Standards of Care for guidance on maintaining safe, healthy grooming environments.
Lean Into Community Support
Grooming can be isolating work, so connecting with peers helps combat stress and sustain motivation. Try these group activities that can help with your own self-care:
- Start a “Groomers’ Gratitude Chain” with peers to share weekly wins.
- Host a “Silent Coffee Hour” before opening — quiet connection can be powerful.
- Trade services with other professionals (like massage therapists or nutritionists).
Bonus Tip:
According to GroomLink’s Self-Care Guide for Groomers community connection is one of the strongest buffers against burnout in pet-care professions.
Final Thoughts
We hope these ideas help you not just survive, but thrive during the busy grooming season. Remember, self-care is professional care: it sustains your passion and keeps you doing what you love for years to come.
And when your workload grows, let DaySmart Pet be your behind-the-scenes partner. With built-in scheduling, client communication, and business management tools, you can focus on more on your craft and less on the chaos.
FAQs
Daily stretching protects your joints and muscles from repetitive stress. Try these simple movements:
- Shoulder rolls and neck tilts to release upper-body tension.
- Wrist circles and finger extensions to prevent carpal tunnel strain.
Seated forward bends or gentle twists to keep your lower back mobile.
For more guidance, check out the ergonomics recommendations from Groom Curriculum and Groomer Nation.
Since grooming is an active profession, aim for half your body weight in ounces of water daily — and more if your workspace is warm or humid. Setting hydration “triggers,” like drinking a few sips after each grooming session, makes it easy to stay consistent.
The Oregon Healthy Workforce Center notes that regular hydration helps improve concentration, endurance, and recovery for workers in physical roles.
Longevity in grooming comes down to consistent self-maintenance:
- Invest in ergonomic tools, adjustable tables, and supportive shoes.
- Prioritize monthly “body tune-ups,” such as massages or yoga classes.
- Follow industry safety guidelines like the PPGSA Standards of Care
When you care for your body like your tools, you extend not only your career, but your enjoyment of it.
Sources
- Ergonomics in Pet Grooming — Groom Curriculum
- Occupational Hazards of Being a Groomer — qcpetstudies.com
- Ergonomic Tools for Grooming / Pet Care — The Pet Health Advisor
- General Self-Care / Self-Maintenance Skills — groomlink.com
- Industry Standards for Grooming Safety and Sanitation — Pet Advocacy Network
The Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance (PPGSA) document Standards of Care, Safety & Sanitation.
- Ergonomics: What Does it Really Mean for Groomers? Groomer to Groomer (May 2025) Groomer to Groomer
- Self-care research: Where are we now? Where are we going? – ScienceDirect
- International Center for Self-Care Research (via ScienceDirect)
- Oregon Healthy Workforce Center/Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences — OHSU (Research & resources on worker health)
- 11 Essential Ergonomic Tips for Professional Dog Groomers – Groomer Nation (Australia)
- Personal Care and Service Occupations – bls.gov
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Outlook)