Mobile pet grooming has become a SA mainstay — your dog is calmer at home, you skip the salon trip, and most groomers travel within their suburb cluster. For pet care more broadly, finding the right walker, sitter, or boarder is one of the higher-trust hires you make.
What pet care and grooming covers
- Mobile dog grooming — clip, bath, nails, ears, anal glands
- Cat grooming (specialist — most groomers don't do cats well)
- Dog walking — solo or pack walks
- Dog sitting / house sitting while you're away
- Boarding kennels and home boarding
- Day care
- Pet taxi (vet trips, daycare drop-offs)
What pet care costs in South Africa (2026)
Mobile dog groom R450-R900 small, R650-R1,400 medium, R900-R1,800 large depending on coat. Dog walking R80-R180 per 30-minute walk; pack walks cheaper per dog. Day care R150-R350 per day. Home boarding R250-R650 per night. Cat sitting visits R150-R250 per visit. Always confirm: insurance, what happens if your pet hurts another, and (for sitters) a key-and-alarm-code policy.
What to look for
- References from existing clients — at least one phone call.
- Pet-first-aid certification for boarders/sitters.
- Photos of facility for boarders.
- Specific-breed familiarity — poodles, doodles, double-coats need specialised grooming.
Handi-za pet pros list breed specialisms, insurance, and reviews from past clients. Find someone whose pace and style fits your dog.