Top Injury Risks in Pet Businesses

Running a pet business—whether it’s a grooming salon, boarding facility, daycare, mobile service, or training center—can be incredibly rewarding. However, it also comes with a variety of risks that can impact both your employees and your business operations. Understanding the top injury risks in pet businesses is essential for preventing accidents, ensuring safety, and protecting your business with proper insurance coverage.

1. Animal-Related Injuries

One of the most common risks in pet businesses comes from the animals themselves. Even well-behaved pets can act unpredictably, leading to injuries such as:

• Bites and scratches from nervous or frightened animals

• Kicks or sudden movements from larger pets

• Allergic reactions to fur, dander, or grooming products

These injuries can cause medical expenses, lost wages, and even legal liability if a client or employee is harmed.

2. Slips, Trips, and Falls

Pet businesses often deal with wet floors, spilled water, shampoos, and other grooming products, making slips and falls a significant risk. Common scenarios include:

• Groomers slipping in washing areas or grooming stations

• Boarding staff tripping over leashes, toys, or pet equipment

• Mobile grooming setups with wet or uneven surfaces

These accidents can lead to sprains, fractures, or more serious injuries, emphasizing the need for safety protocols and proper workers’ compensation coverage.

3. Lifting and Handling Injuries

Handling pets, especially large or heavy ones, can put strain on employees’ muscles and joints. Common lifting and handling injuries include:

• Back, shoulder, or neck strains from lifting pets into grooming tubs or cages

• Repetitive stress injuries from constant bending, lifting, or restraining animals

• Injuries when moving cages, kennels, or heavy grooming equipment

Proper training, ergonomic tools, and insurance for workplace injuries can help reduce these risks.

4. Equipment-Related Accidents

Grooming and pet care involve a variety of tools and equipment, which can pose hazards if not used correctly:

• Clippers, scissors, and shears causing cuts or lacerations

• Grooming dryers or blowers causing burns or electrical shocks

• Cleaning chemicals and disinfectants causing skin irritation or respiratory issues

Staff training, regular equipment maintenance, and liability coverage are crucial to prevent accidents and protect your business.

5. Exposure to Zoonotic Diseases

Employees in pet businesses may be exposed to diseases that can transfer from animals to humans, such as:

• Ringworm

• Salmonella

• Parasites like fleas or ticks

Proper hygiene protocols, vaccination requirements, and employee health coverage can help mitigate these risks.

6. Vehicle and Transportation Risks

For mobile pet services, transportation introduces additional hazards:

• Accidents while driving with pets or equipment

• Injuries while loading or unloading animals

• Equipment damage during transit

Commercial auto insurance and liability coverage are recommended for pet transport and mobile grooming services.

7. Volunteer and Intern Injuries

Many pet businesses rely on volunteers or interns, particularly in shelters and adoption centers. Injuries among unpaid staff can still result in liability issues and operational disruptions, making it important to extend coverage through your workers’ compensation and liability policies.

How to Mitigate Injury Risks

• Implement strict safety and hygiene protocols

• Provide staff training on handling animals and equipment

• Use proper lifting techniques and ergonomic tools

• Maintain equipment and clean workspaces regularly

• Ensure volunteers and interns are properly supervised and insured

• Invest in comprehensive pet business insurance, including:

  • General Liability Insurance for third-party claims

  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance for employee injuries

  • Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) for property and operational protection

Conclusion

Pet businesses face a range of injury risks, from animal-related accidents to slips, falls, equipment hazards, and transportation dangers. Understanding these risks is the first step in protecting your employees, clients, and business assets. By implementing safety protocols, providing staff training, and securing the right pet business insurance, you can minimize accidents and ensure your business operates smoothly and safely.