Clean Pets, Strong Profits: Making Dollars and Sense of Pet Wash Stations
By Meline Beach
According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2024), about 40 per cent of Canada’s 16.2 million households own a dog. That’s approximately six million households with dogs, large breeds making up the majority, followed by medium and small breeds. The rising rate of dog ownership presents a clear business opportunity for self-serve pet wash stations.
Across Canada and the United States, these stations are emerging as profitable, low-maintenance amenities that attract customers and deliver strong returns. According to Furever Clean, based in Canada, and iClean International, based in the Netherlands, this growth reflects rising demand among pet owners for convenience, speed, and cost-effectiveness.
“The self-service pet wash market mirrors what we saw decades ago when people stopped washing their cars by hand,” says Sander Hofmans, president and CEO of iClean International. “Convenience, speed, and affordability are driving the change.”
Furever Clean is seeing strong adoption in British Columbia, with growing interest from Eastern Canada to the Yukon, while iClean’s fastest-growing market is the United States. “Demand there has been increasing by more than 25 per cent per year, driven by rising pet ownership, urban living, and the growing trend of pet amenities in residential and retail environments,” says Hofmans. Some of his most successful installations include pet stores, carwash locations, veterinary clinics, gas stations and travel stops, dog grooming businesses, garden centres, multi-family communities, and laundromats.
According to Evelyn Furtherford, director of Furever Clean, the target market is straightforward: Anyone with a dog. “Even pets that are professionally groomed still need regular washes in between visits. Washing a dog at home can be messy, time-consuming, and hard on your back, not to mention the scratches left on your tub and floors. A self-serve pet wash offers an easy, affordable, and convenient alternative.”
Hofmans agrees, “For most pet owners, the biggest appeal is simple, no wet hair, muddy pawprints, or water all over the bathroom. All the mess stays at the dog wash, not in your home.”
Popular Models
Furever Clean’s standard K9000 model remains its top seller nationwide. “It’s available in both cashless and multi-payment versions, accommodating cards, tokens, and mobile payments,” says Rutherford, who highlights its simplicity and small footprint, requiring roughly 50 square feet, a hot and cold-water supply (or optional onboard water heater), and a standard floor drain. “We focus on high-quality construction and intuitive controls rather than unnecessary electronics like screens or voice systems.” Each K9000 features a three-part filtration system to prevent drain blockages, non-slip flooring, a commercial-grade spray gun and accessories, and clear operating instructions, all backed by a two-year warranty.
iClean’s recently introduced CyberWash model has been well received and is now the company’s top seller. “Its distinctive angular style and advanced technology were inspired by Tesla’s Cybertruck,” says Hofmans. Installation requirements are minimal, using a freshwater line, drain connection, and a 110V electrical outlet. “We updated our dog wash units with touchscreens and TVs installed on the back wall of the washtub.”
Both brands emphasize how simple the setup can be. A local plumber can typically install a dog wash unit in about 1.5 hours, and daily upkeep is limited to rinsing and wiping down the tub.
Misconceptions and Missed Opportunities
Hofmans says operators unfamiliar with the concept of dog wash stations sometimes assume they’re difficult to install, operate, or deliver a slow return on investment. “In reality, the opposite is true. All iClean dog wash units are plug-and-play units, no assembly required.” He adds that maintenance is minimal and that the average return on investment is typically 1.5 years.
Rutherford notes that visibility is often an overlooked success factor. “We see too many pet wash stations tucked behind carwash bays, where only existing car wash customers notice them.” She adds, “That’s a missed opportunity. The pet wash should attract new customers, not rely solely on existing ones.”
Visibility, placement, and promotion are key. The most successful installations feature bright signage, clear pricing, and prominent placement near high-traffic areas. Social media marketing, such as photos and videos of happy customers washing their dogs, can help drive awareness.
Retailer Support and Enhanced Profit Potential
Both manufacturers provide strong post-installation support, including detailed manuals covering operations, cleaning, and troubleshooting, along with marketing kits featuring signage, flyers, and digital assets.
Furever Clean offers training materials, marketing guides, and onboarding assistance. “We offer one to two hours of one-on-one training by phone to ensure operators fully understand how to use, configure, and maintain their K9000,” says Rutherford. “Ongoing support is always available for troubleshooting, marketing advice, and parts replacement.”
iClean provides lifetime technical support and ready-to-use promotional templates. “We offer real-time video support during installation with our service manager, who can guide your technician step-by-step from our factory,” says Hofmans, who also highlights the importance of cross-selling and loyalty programs. “Bundle dog washes with carwashes, snacks, or fuel rewards. It turns a single service into a recurring habit.”
Self-serve dog wash stations typically cost only a fraction of a grooming appointment while still offering a professional-grade wash. They typically have high profit margins, run independently, and require little staff oversight beyond basic cleaning and maintenance. Dog wash stations are especially popular among pet owners who live in apartment buildings, are active outdoors, and have multiple pets.
“It’s a steady, self-generating revenue stream,” says Rutherford. “Beyond direct income, it also drives new and repeat traffic to the host business, increasing overall revenue potential.”
iClean reports an average return on investment of 12 to 18 months, with operating costs of less than a dollar per wash against a retail price of $10 to $20. “It’s one of the most profitable and low-effort revenue streams a business can add,” says Hofmans. “And, because our machines are built for long-term durability, with units still running flawlessly more than 15 years after installation, they continue generating income for a decade or more with minimal additional investment.”
As the self-serve market continues to grow, many businesses with pet wash stations are offering additional features for increased profit potential. This includes self-serve pet laundry units, occasional grooming add-ons, like nail trimming services, and pet vending machines.
Items suitable for pet vending machines could include dog treats and pet care solutions, such as leave-in conditioner, deodorizing spray and pet wipes.
Sunbee Environmental Solutions is a Canadian natural pet care company offering veterinarian-approved, 100 per cent natural products made in Canada. “Our line includes natural pet shampoo, leave-in conditioner, deodorizing spray, a Health Canada–registered pet disinfectant spray, and a full range of pet wipes,” says Founder Christine Teschl. “Our wipes are toxin-free, biodegradable, and crafted with gentle, natural ingredients to keep ears, teeth, and paws clean – safe for pets, people, and the planet.”
In terms of future profit potential, Furtherford notes that “many sites are also integrating K9000 self-serve bike washes alongside pet wash stations to appeal to a broader customer base and maximize their space.”
With strong consumer demand, minimal operating costs, and proven profitability, adding a pet wash may be one of the smartest investments, as a strategic add-on feature, retailers can make in 2025.
Top 5 Ways to Succeed with a Dog Wash Station
Make it Visible
Install your dog wash unit where customers can see it. Leverage on-site signage, street signage, and social media to attract attention.
Keep It Clean
Regular cleaning, non-slip flooring, and reliable filtration will protect your investment and maintain customer trust.
Enhance Customer Experience
Provide clear instructions, accessible tools, and helpful amenities, like towels and dog treats. A smooth, user-friendly experience encourages repeat visits.
Promote Year-Round Use
Dog washing isn’t seasonal. Promote it year-round, especially during muddy spring and snowy winter months.
Build Loyalty
Offer bundle deals or monthly loyalty programs to attract dog owners as repeat customers
Meline Beach is a Toronto-based communications practitioner and frequent contributor to Convenience and Carwash Canada. In addition to freelance writing, Meline provides communications and public relations support to businesses across Canada. She can be reached at www.mlbcomms.ca.
