The holiday season is one of thebusiest and most profitable times of the year for any pet-care business. Many pet parents may be traveling or prepping their homes for the holidays and need a safe place for their pets to stay. Because today's pet lovers view their companions as family, they're willing to spend more to pamper their furry friends, stock up on seasonal pet supplies, celebrate fun pet holidays, and create lasting memories with festive experiences.
Since this time of year sparks so much excitement, it’s the perfect moment to refine your holiday marketing strategy, enhance your visibility, and attract customers who are looking for joyful, meaningful ways to treat their pets.
Whether you operate a grooming salon, dog boarding facility, doggy daycare, cattery, mobile grooming operation, or pet sitting service, well-planned seasonal promotions can help your brand shine. Below, you'll find a dozen creative holiday marketing ideas to help your pet business boost revenue, deepen customer loyalty, and deliver unforgettable holiday cheer to pets and their people.
1. Weekly Holiday Raffle for Grooming Clients
One engaging way to continuously build excitement during the holiday season is to run a weekly raffle for grooming clients. Each time a pet comes in for grooming, the owner automatically earns one entry. Drawing winners weekly creates anticipation and encourages repeat bookings, especially as Christmas approaches.
Prize ideas that delight pet parents:
- Free add-on services (teeth brushing, nail dremmeling)
- Holiday bandanas, bows, or pet accessories
- Gift cards or gift certificates to your business
- A “Pampered Pet” gift basket filled with pet food, treats, and pet toys
- A free upgrade to a premium pet service package
Raffles are incredibly effective for pet-care businesses because many pet parents already book grooming before the holidays. Adding a chance to win something special enhances the experience and helps entice customers to book early and often.
You can promote your raffle through your social media channels, automated emails, and even short educational posts sharing pet care tips for winter grooming, coat maintenance, or dry-skin prevention.
2. Offer Holiday-Themed Add-Ons That Spark Joy
Seasonal grooming upgrades are an easy upsell and help fill your calendar. Consider offering:
- Gingerbread, sugar cookie, or peppermint-scented shampoos
- Holiday bows, bandanas, or themed costumes
- Festive pet photos as an add-on
- Sparkly, seasonal-safe pet colognes
- Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve, or winter-themed nail colors
Bundle these into a "Holiday Glam Package" and watch your bookings rise. Many pet parents are eager to show off their pets online during this time, especially across social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Adding small touches like holiday bandanas or photo-ready accessories encourages more shares, more engagement, and more visibility for your brand.
3. Launch a '12 Days of Deals” Promotion
A "12 Days of Deals" campaign gives your business multiple touchpoints to stay top of mind throughout December. It also keeps your existing customers engaged and encourages new clients to try out your services.
Examples of daily or weekly deals:
- Day 1: 10% off retail or selected pet products
- Day 2: Free nail trim with any bath
- Day 3: Double loyalty points
- Day 4: Free pet photo with grooming
- Day 5: Referral bonuses
- Day 6: Discounted holiday-themed grooming add-ons
- Day 7: Free gift certificates with qualifying bookings
- Day 8: Discounts on pet supplies like shampoo or coat sprays
- Day 9: Deals on boarding stays
- Day 10: Discounts for senior pets
- Day 11: Retail specials on holiday pet toys
- Day 12: Mystery discount envelopes for January
Promote each deal across email, SMS, and your chosen social media channels. Include a mix of fun messaging, valuable discounts, and reminders about proper pet safety and pet health during winter.
4. Host Festive Photo Sessions With a Pet Photographer
Professional holiday pet photo sessions have become wildly popular. Many pet parents book them annually to create cards, keepsakes, or social media posts featuring their pets dressed in adorable holiday outfits.
Consider partnering with a local pet photographer to offer:
- Mini sessions with holiday backdrops
- A Santa Paws meet-and-greet
- Digital galleries and printed photo packages
- Group shots with families and their dogs (or cats!)
- Special sessions themed around National Pet Day, National Dog Day, or other pet holidays
These events generate buzz and act as natural marketing for your business. When happy clients share their photos online, you get free exposure.
You can also sell holiday gift baskets or pet accessories at the photoshoot event, cross-promote with pet supply stores, or raise money for local animal shelters and pet charities.
5. Sell Holiday Gift Cards and Gift Certificates
Gift cards are one of the most effective holiday promotions for pet businesses. They make great stocking stuffers and offer a simple way for family members and friends to treat a beloved pet.
Market your gift cards as:
- “Give the Gift of a Fresh Groom”
- “A Perfect Present for Pet Lovers”
- “For the Pet Lover Who Has Everything”
Offering a bonus such as “Buy $100, get $15 free” can dramatically increase sales. Promote your gift cards next to holiday add-ons, grooming upgrades, or as part of your holiday gift guide featuring your most popular pet products.
6. Create Holiday Care Packages and Bundles
Holiday bundles make gift-giving easy and boost retail profits. You can personalize packages based on pet size, breed, skin sensitivity, or seasonal needs.
Ideas include:
- Christmas-themed treat bundles
- Winter coat-care kits
- New Year's Eve calming pet-care bundles
- Hanukkah treat and toy boxes
- Pet holiday survival kits (shampoo, brushes, dental chews, toys, etc.)
This is also a wonderful way to sell pet products and cross-promote retail brands. In fact. there's almost an even split between pet parents who shop for retail products online and in person, so consider this while marketing your items. Curate collections of popular pet supplies, pet food, and accessories to give clients a convenient one-stop shopping experience.
7. Spread Cheer With Community Involvement
Holiday compassion goes a long way in the pet-care industry. Showing your support for the community strengthens your brand and builds trust.
Consider:
- Hosting a pet food or pet supplies drive
- Partnering with local shelters, animal shelters, or local animal shelters for adoption events
- Donating a portion of December profits to pet charities
- Hosting pet events during Animals Week or other seasonal celebrations
- Sponsoring a holiday festival at a local pet store
These initiatives position your business as caring, engaged, and deeply dedicated to local pets and the people who love them.
8. Add Festive Touches to Your Booking Experience
You can easily update your digital presence to reflect your holiday marketing strategy. Small touches go a long way in creating a cohesive holiday experience.
Enhance your booking flow by adding:
- Holiday-themed banners to your website
- Seasonal announcements sent as SMS or email communications
- Festive photos in your online gallery and in pet updates
- Reminders for pet safety and winter pet care in your email newsletters
- Messaging and imagery that highlights your seasonal promotions across all channels
This helps improve communication and enhance customer satisfaction, especially when many pet parents are rushing to book last-minute services.
9. Encourage Social Sharing Across Social Media Channels
The holiday season is the perfect time to boost your online presence. Encourage clients to share photos of their freshly groomed pets using hashtags such as:
- #HolidayGlowUp
- #FestiveFurryFriend
- #ChristmasCutBy[YourBusiness]
This user-generated content can significantly expand your reach. You can also collaborate with pet influencers to maximize visibility. Offer them a free grooming session in exchange for a holiday-themed post or video. The right influencer can help you attract customers from new markets and introduce your brand to pet lovers far beyond your local community.
Posting your own holiday content is also helpful. Try sharing:
- Grooming transformations
- Photos of your cozy pet boarding setup
- Tips on winter coat care
- Seasonal pet-care tips
- Countdown posts for your holiday deals
- Behind-the-scenes prep for festive events
10. Don’t Forget Last-Minute Bookers
Every year, many pet parents forget to schedule grooming or boarding appointments before family gatherings, travel, or the Christmas countdown. Make sure your business stays visible to these last-minute planners.
Use timely reminders across:
- SMS
- Social media
- Your website
- In-store signage
Promote:
- Last-minute openings
- Your waitlist
- Extended holiday hours
- Gift card or gift certificate reminders
- Quick grooming upgrades
By supporting late bookers with kindness and clarity, you assist overwhelmed pet parents while boosting revenue and filling empty slots.
11. Partner With Other Local Businesses
Collaborations can create powerful cross-promotions. Work with:
- Groomers + photographers
- Daycares + pet supply stores
- Boarding facilities + local shelters
- Trainers + boutique pet store locations
- Groomers + veterinary offices
You can even host a "Holiday Pet Market" featuring small businesses that sell pet products, artwork, accessories, treats, and more. Or consider a pet costume contest to further strengthen your network and provide incredible value to your community.
12. Collaborate With Dog Trainers for Holiday Workshops
If you don't offer training services at your pet business, another powerful way to expand your seasonal offerings is by partnering with local dog trainers to host special holiday-themed training events. Many pet parents struggle with unique seasonal challenges — guests visiting the home, holiday decorations, travel plans, loud noises, or disrupted routines — and expert guidance from dog trainers can make a huge difference.
Consider offering:
- Holiday Manners Classes (how to keep dogs calm around guests, food, and gift opening)
- Leash-Walking Workshops for busy holiday outings
- Puppy Socialization Parties featuring festive backdrops or mini pet photo sessions
- Travel-Prep Training Clinics for families taking winter road trips
- New Year’s Resolution Training Packages (great for January retention!)
Promoting workshops with dog trainers not only brings in new clients but also gives your community valuable educational opportunities during a time when pet care challenges naturally increase. Plus, co-hosting events expands your reach, since trainers will promote the workshops across their own social media channels, websites, and client lists. It’s a win-win partnership that adds tremendous value to your holiday marketing strategy.
Retain and Attract Customers with Holiday Promotions they Won't Forget
The holidays offer endless opportunities for creative, heartfelt marketing that resonates with pet parents and enhances your brand identity. By embracing thoughtful promotions, showcasing adorable festive pet photos, supporting your community, and optimizing your digital presence, your pet business can delight customers, improve loyalty, and generate meaningful revenue throughout the season.
The key is to stay consistent, add value at every step, and spread as much holiday cheer as possible, from your online communications to your in-person customer experiences. When you create memorable moments for pets and their people, you strengthen relationships that last long past New Year’s Eve.
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