Top Mistakes Pet Businesses Make With Facebook Ads (And How to Fix Them)

If you're running a pet grooming business, veterinary clinic, or pet product company, Facebook and Instagram ads can be a game-changer for reaching local pet parents. But many businesses waste money on ads that don’t convert.

Here are the top mistakes pet brands make with Facebook ads—and how to fix them for better results.

🐶 1. Targeting Too Broad or Too Narrow

The Mistake:

Many pet businesses either target everyone in a 50-mile radius or get too specific (e.g., dog owners aged 34 with one kid who likes peanut butter).

The Fix:

Start with a local radius (5–15 miles depending on your service area), then layer in basic interests like “dog lover” or “pet grooming.” Use Custom Audiences from your email list or website traffic for even better targeting. Then create a Lookalike Audience from those who already engage with your brand.

📸 2. Using Boring or Generic Images

The Mistake:

Stock photos of pets are cute—but they don’t stop the scroll.

The Fix:

Use real photos from your business: happy pets after grooming, pets with your staff, or customer-submitted images. Videos (even short Reels or Stories) typically perform better than static images. Capture the emotion of a happy pet parent or excited pup.

✍️ 3. Forgetting a Clear Call to Action (CTA)

The Mistake:

Ads that say “Visit us!” or “Check out our page” without a next step often leave people confused.

The Fix:

Be clear and actionable:

👉 “Book your pet’s first groom and get 10% off!”

👉 “Click to claim your free pet wellness exam!”

👉 “Shop our eco-friendly toys – tap to order now!”

Use buttons like Book Now, Shop Now, or Send Message depending on your ad goal.

📊 4. Not Using Facebook’s Ad Manager

The Mistake:

Boosting posts might seem easy, but it’s limited in targeting, tracking, and performance optimization.

The Fix:

Always use Facebook Ads Manager. It gives you access to audience insights, ad testing, retargeting, and conversion tracking—essential for serious results.

🧪 5. Running One Ad and Hoping for the Best

The Mistake:

You post one ad and expect magic to happen. It flops. You give up.

The Fix:

Test multiple versions of the same ad:

• Try two images

• Vary the headlines

• Adjust your offer

Run small-budget A/B tests to see what resonates, then scale the best performer.

✅ Ready to Improve Your Pet Business Ads?

Don’t let your ad dollars go to waste. At Dolomites Consulting Group, we specialize in helping pet businesses run high-performing, lead-generating campaigns. Want help setting up your next campaign or auditing your current one?

📩 Schedule a Free Strategy Session

Or explore our Marketing Services for Pet Brands