60 Best Business Ideas For Veterinarians [2024]
Interested in starting a business as a veterinarian in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as a veterinarian could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for veterinarians?
We put together 20 of some of the best veterinarian business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other veterinarian businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a pet company ($344K/month)
Starting a pet company could be a natural and fulfilling extension of your career as a veterinarian. With your extensive knowledge and passion for animal care, you could offer a range of products and services, from high-quality pet food to specialized grooming services. This not only allows you to leverage your expertise to create a thriving side business but also helps in enhancing the quality of life for pets.
By setting up services at home or another convenient location, you could achieve the flexibility to balance your primary practice with your entrepreneurial endeavors. You'll not only supplement your income but also engage in a business that aligns perfectly with your love for animals, providing solutions that pet owners genuinely need and trust.
If you dream of making a living from your passion for animal welfare, a pet company could be the ideal venture to explore in 2024.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC is a successful pet sitting and dog walking business that brings in over half a million dollars in sales per year, boasts 3,500-4,000 social media followers, employs 42 individuals and has been voted in the top 3 pet sitting/dog walking companies in the RI/MA area for eight years in a row.
2. Start a healthy snack food business ($438K/month)
As a veterinarian, starting a healthy snack food business could beautifully complement your existing career. With the rising consumer interest in health-conscious eating, you could leverage your understanding of nutrition and wellness to develop unique, wholesome snacks that appeal to pet owners and health enthusiasts alike.
Given that the global healthy snacks market is projected to reach $152 billion by 2030, there is a vast opportunity to establish a profitable side business. By creating snacks that emphasize natural ingredients and align with the growing trend of valuing health over anything else, you could turn your passion for snacking into a lucrative entrepreneurial venture.
Not only could this business provide supplementary income, but it also allows you to extend your expertise in care and wellness beyond the veterinary clinic. Healthy snacks ranging from protein bars to gluten-free alternatives can cater to a broad audience, making it a viable and rewarding endeavor.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)
Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.
3. Start a natural beauty product business ($66.8K/month)
As a veterinarian, your expertise in animal care could seamlessly translate into the world of natural beauty products. Utilizing ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and cocoa butter, you could create natural skincare solutions that appeal to health-conscious consumers who trust your medical background. Your understanding of biological systems and the benefits of natural substances gives you a unique advantage in developing products that are both safe and effective.
The global natural skin care products market was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021, presenting a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded veterinarians. You could start small with a side business and gradually scale up, supplementing your income while leveraging your professional knowledge. By launching a natural beauty product line, you can capitalize on a growing market and provide high-quality, chemical-free alternatives to mainstream beauty products.
For inspiration and practical insights, consider reviewing case studies of others who have successfully ventured into this field. What’s holding you back? Dive into the possibilities and see how your veterinary expertise can open new entrepreneurial doors.
How much you can make: $300 — $658,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.
4. Start a specialty food business ($49.8K/month)
Starting a specialty food business could be a lucrative side venture for veterinarians in 2024. With your deep understanding of animal nutrition and health, you could create high-quality specialty foods for pets, incorporating premium and unique ingredients that offer additional health benefits. By leveraging your expertise, you could stand out in the growing specialty food ingredients market, which is expanding at an annual growth rate of 6.4%.
This business could allow you to explore your entrepreneurial interests while supplementing your income. Identify a niche market, such as hypoallergenic or organic pet treats, and work with reliable suppliers to source your ingredients globally. Incorporating your veterinary knowledge into your products can attract health-conscious pet owners and enhance the credibility of your brand.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $124,998/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
5. Start a skills training business ($89.4K/month)
As a veterinarian, starting a skills training business offers an excellent opportunity to supplement your income and share your expertise with a broader audience. You could provide online courses on essential topics such as pet care, animal handling, or advanced veterinary procedures. This endeavor doesn't require significant startup capital, yet it holds the potential for high returns and meaningful impact on both your career and the lives of others.
Moreover, the global skills training market is projected to reach $47.2 billion by 2027, highlighting the vast potential for growth in this sector. By training clients and building a robust portfolio, you could charge premium rates and move closer to achieving financial freedom while making a difference in the veterinary community. This side business aligns perfectly with your professional expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, positioning you for success amidst evolving market trends.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
A one-man business teaching people how to use Microsoft Excel effectively has gone from getting ~15k pageviews a month in 2014, to more than one million pageviews every month as of today, generating an average monthly revenue of ~$10,000, with the majority of the money coming from online course sales and a newsletter, which has 40k+ active subscribers.
6. Start a tutoring business ($110K/month)
Starting a tutoring business could be a lucrative side hustle for veterinarians, allowing you to share your specialized knowledge with students and aspiring veterinary professionals. By focusing on a niche such as animal anatomy, veterinary ethics, or clinical procedures, you could attract a dedicated client base.
Crafting a professional tutoring website and marketing your services online will help you reach a wider audience, making it easier to find and retain clients. Offering online tutoring provides the flexibility to manage this business part-time or even transition into a full-time venture, supplementing your income while enhancing the educational journey of others.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $830,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 15 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
A 22-year-old entrepreneur started an online SAT/ACT tutoring company from his bedroom which has seen a linear increase in student sign-ups each month, currently bringing in an average revenue of $15,000 a month and plans to triple in 2020.
7. Start a portfolio website business
Creating a portfolio website business could be a lucrative addition to your veterinary career by showcasing your expertise, services, and client testimonials in a professional and engaging manner. You could attract potential clients, build a robust online presence, and even offer specialized services like telemedicine consultations or pet health workshops, significantly supplementing your income.
Moreover, your portfolio website could serve as a platform for networking with other veterinary professionals, opening doors for collaborations and opportunities to expand your practice. This entrepreneurial endeavor not only enhances your credibility but also diversifies your revenue streams, providing financial stability and growth in your veterinary career.
How much you can make: $350/month
Fueler is an online portfolio platform for knowledge workers that has grown to 7000+ members worldwide, paid out over $12,000 to verified members, and gained most of its traffic through Twitter, offering a simple and easy-to-use platform to showcase proof of work, enabling skilled individuals to land better opportunities without credentials and certificates.
8. Start a startup consulting business ($140K/month)
Starting a startup consulting business could be an excellent way for a veterinarian to supplement your income or even pivot entirely into a new career. Leveraging your existing expertise, you could guide aspiring veterinary business owners on how to launch and manage successful practices. Additionally, you'll be able to offer invaluable insights into veterinary-specific challenges and best practices.
As a startup consultant, you'll help budding entrepreneurs develop strategic plans, understand market dynamics, and implement effective business models. This role not only nurtures the growth of your clients but also enhances your own business acumen. If you thrive on constant learning and have a passion for mentoring, a startup consulting business could be the perfect avenue for you to ignite entrepreneurial success in others.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $1,399,996/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
This case study follows the founder of SupportNinja, a company that specializes in providing back-office and customer support outsourcing for tech companies, which generates over $9M ARR, has over 100 clients, and has seen a growth rate of 3,684% in the past 3 years.
9. Start a recruiting business ($7.5K/month)
As a veterinarian, you could leverage your extensive industry knowledge and network to start a recruiting business specifically tailored to the veterinary sector. With businesses struggling to find quality candidates and candidates searching for the right opportunities, your insight could be invaluable in matching veterinary professionals with the right roles.
Given the industry's growing demand for skilled veterinarians, vet techs, and support staff, your recruiting business could solve a significant pain point by connecting talented individuals with clinics, hospitals, and other veterinary practices in need of qualified personnel. This venture could supplement your income or even become a full-time endeavor, offering flexibility and the potential for substantial financial rewards.
Starting a recruiting business is not as daunting as it sounds; with your background and connections, you could launch your staffing agency within weeks. This could lead to a fulfilling side business that complements your career as a veterinarian, providing a win-win situation for both job seekers and employers in the veterinary field.
How much you can make: $100 — $35,000/month
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Techintern.io connects startups and tech companies with the best software developer students at colleges across North America and has achieved #1 Product of the Day and #2 Product of the Week on Product Hunt, making $15,000 per month.
10. Start a hardee's restaurants franchise business
As a veterinarian, you could diversify your income by starting a Hardee’s restaurant franchise. Leveraging your people skills and customer service experience gained in veterinary practice, you could create a welcoming atmosphere at your Hardee’s location, ensuring delight for every patron.
Moreover, with an entrepreneurial mindset, you could manage the business effectively, maintaining the high standards of quality and consistency that Hardee’s is known for. This venture could provide a lucrative additional revenue stream, allowing you to balance your veterinary career with a profitable side business.
11. Start a newsletter ($266K/month)
Starting a newsletter could be a powerful way for you, as a veterinarian, to supplement your income and establish a side business. In the past five years, the number of people reading newsletters has surged by over 50%, providing a growing market for your expertise.
A well-crafted newsletter could allow you to market yourself as a trusted expert, educating pet owners on crucial topics such as pet health, nutrition, and behavior. This can not only build stronger connections with current clients but also attract new ones.
By providing valuable insights and information, your newsletter could inform and persuade your audience, helping you sell your services more effectively.
How much you can make: $100 — $4,100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $400 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Financial media company MarketBeat, founded by Matt Paulson, provides objective financial information and real-time market data to empower individual stock investors to make better trading decisions, generating approximately $8 million in revenue in 2019 and ending the year with over 1.3 million unique email subscribers due to a freemium model with 75% of revenue from advertising and 25% from subscriptions.
12. Start an online community ($17.7K/month)
Starting an online community can offer veterinarians a unique opportunity to supplement their income or even develop a thriving side business. By bringing together individuals and pet owners who share common values and interests in animal care, you could create a vibrant platform that serves as a resource hub and support network.
Within this community, you could sell specialized products, such as pet care items or educational materials, and promote affiliate links to generate additional revenue. In addition, running ads and offering premium memberships for exclusive content can further monetize your platform. Engaging with your audience through sponsored content could also provide significant income streams.
Ultimately, an online community allows you to leverage your expertise and network, fostering connections while generating income through multiple channels. This entrepreneurial venture not only supplements your current practice but also establishes you as a prominent figure in the veterinary field.
How much you can make: $100 — $162,620/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 4 hours/week
VC-turned-entrepreneur Phil Strazzulla, who previously built a successful b2b SaaS business, shares how he bootstrapped an online review site for HR software into a viable business with over $1k monthly revenues in just 3 months through organic search traffic growth and selling high intent leads.
13. Start a therapy business ($20K/month)
Starting a therapy business could be a compelling way for you as a veterinarian to supplement your income or pivot into a new career. Your existing expertise in animal behavior and welfare provides a strong foundation for developing specialized therapies, such as pet therapy or animal-assisted therapy, which are increasingly popular for managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges in humans.
By obtaining the appropriate certifications and licenses to practice, you would be well-prepared to offer a unique service that combines your veterinary knowledge with your therapeutic skills. This could open doors to new clientele and diversify your professional offerings, making you more adaptable and resilient in your career.
Moreover, the rewarding nature of helping both animals and humans could enhance your job satisfaction, making it a fulfilling entrepreneurial venture.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.
14. Start a content writing company ($33.4K/month)
Starting a content writing company could be a lucrative venture for veterinarians looking to supplement their income or transition into a new business. With your extensive knowledge of animal health and welfare, you could focus on creating specialized content for pet care websites, veterinary blogs, and educational resources for pet owners. Your expertise would allow you to produce high-quality, informative content that resonates with an audience seeking reliable information.
Moreover, content writing offers flexibility, enabling you to set your own schedule and take on a manageable workload that fits around your existing commitments. This can be particularly beneficial if you wish to maintain your veterinary practice while exploring entrepreneurial opportunities.
Given the high demand for valuable online content, starting a content writing company allows you to leverage your veterinary experience uniquely. By hiring a team of talented writers and using modern technology to streamline operations, you could transform your knowledge into a profitable business.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $550,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.
15. Start a linen supply service business
As a veterinarian, you could leverage your expertise and network in the animal care industry to start a successful linen supply service business. Many veterinary clinics, pet grooming salons, and animal hospitals require a steady supply of clean linens, such as towels, blankets, and surgical drapes. By offering specialized linen supply services tailored to these needs, you could fill a niche market that you already understand deeply.
Additionally, your veterinary background could provide credibility and trust with potential clients, ensuring them that you know the importance of hygiene and proper sterilization practices. This business could start as a side venture to supplement your income and potentially grow into a full-scale operation, allowing you to combine your passion for animal care with entrepreneurial aspirations.
16. Start an ecommerce brand ($84.6K/month)
As a veterinarian, you could leverage your expertise to create an ecommerce brand that caters to pet owners seeking high-quality pet products. This could range from selling specialized pet supplements, and premium pet food, to unique pet care products that aren't easily found in typical stores. Additionally, your professional credibility in the veterinary field could position your brand as a trusted source for pet health and wellness products.
Moreover, you could develop an educational ecommerce platform that offers veterinary-approved advice and products, such as first-aid kits for pets, grooming tools, or even custom-created health plans. This not only supplements your income but also builds a loyal customer base who value your professional insights. By capitalizing on your veterinary knowledge, you could create a niche ecommerce business that benefits both you and pet owners.
How much you can make: $450 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
This case study follows the story of a successful online business that has made 7.2 million dollars in sales since 2012, with profits of around 30-45%, and the founders share insights on lessons learned and tools used.
17. Start a financial service business ($372K/month)
As a veterinarian, you could leverage your detailed organizational skills and your familiarity with managing a business to start a financial service business. Your background in running a veterinary practice equips you with valuable experience in budgeting, payroll, and financial planning, which are crucial skills in this industry.
You could offer specialized financial consulting services to fellow veterinarians who might struggle with managing their clinic's finances. The credibility you bring from your own veterinary practice can make you a trusted advisor in the veterinary community, offering tailored advice on financial optimization specifically for veterinary clinics.
How much you can make: $11,500 — $2,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)
ConnectionPoint's founder and CEO, Daryl Hatton, shares his experience of launching an enterprise-class crowdfunding-as-a-service platform that has helped almost 200,000 projects in 40+ countries raise over $200 million, and offers valuable insights on taking a focused approach to growth and pivoting the business to solve customer problems.
18. Start a healthy-snack vending business
If you’re a veterinarian looking to supplement your income or explore new entrepreneurial avenues, starting a healthy-snack vending business might be an ideal option. As consumers become increasingly health-conscious, the demand for nutritious, convenient snack options is on the rise, offering a lucrative market opportunity.
You could place your vending machines in strategic locations like veterinary clinics, pet stores, or animal hospitals where both clients and staff would appreciate convenient access to healthier snack options. By offering a variety of plant-based snacks, yogurts, nuts, seed mixes, non-GMO multigrain chips, and healthy bars, you could cater to a growing trend and generate an additional revenue stream.
19. Start a classic car shows organization business
As a veterinarian, you could combine your passion for animals with an entrepreneurial venture by organizing classic car shows. Leveraging your organizational skills and attention to detail, you could create events that attract car enthusiasts while incorporating pet-friendly activities or promoting animal health services.
This side business could not only supplement your income but also provide a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse community, expanding your network beyond the veterinary field. Additionally, hosting classic car shows could pave the way for partnerships with local businesses, increasing your visibility both as a veterinarian and as an event organizer.
How much you can make: $419/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,111 (?)
Cars of Carlisle Network Podcast, founded by Darren Reighard, has grown into an increasingly successful entrepreneurial pursuit with over 130 episodes and is continuing to expand, with an annual revenue that is increasing, over 12k downloads from 45 countries, and a 18-month goal to expand sponsorship to become a full-time CEO managing the business with a 5 employee team.
20. Start a dairy queen franchise business
As a veterinarian, starting a Dairy Queen franchise could provide a lucrative side business opportunity, enabling you to diversify your income streams. The reliability and strong brand recognition of Dairy Queen offer a stable revenue source while requiring manageable oversight compared to a clinical practice. Additionally, the flexible hours of a franchise can complement your existing schedule, allowing you to balance both ventures effectively.
Moreover, owning a franchise could give you the chance to engage with your community in a new way, perhaps even hosting pet-friendly events to attract customers. This entrepreneurial pursuit not only broadens your professional horizons but also maximizes your financial potential.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
