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The Ultimate Guide To Dog Grooming Supplies

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Have you ever tried grooming your dog at home? If you have a large, long-haired dog then you know just how steep the price tag can get when you bring your dog in for regular grooming sessions. But, if you have a small dog that requires a monthly haircut, it can also really add up! If you’ve been considering giving at-home dog grooming a go at home, this is the post for you. We’re discussing all the gear you will need to get started and some of the dog grooming supplies you’ll want to have on hand to give your pet his next haircut!

Get Set Up With A Dog Grooming Table

Is a grooming table absolutely necessary to get your pet cleaned up and his fur cut at home? No….but….it does make things a whole lot easier, which is so helpful if you’re new to at-home grooming! They’re relatively inexpensive and such a great tool to have on hand when you go to groom your dog. Grooming tables are designed to help keep your pet from wiggling, squirming, and shimmying his way away from you during a fur cut. They have a small neck loop that you can use to hold your doggo in one area on the table and they can help make it so much quicker to get through a grooming session! Grooming tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes. When choosing one, make sure it’s large enough to fit your dog and that you are able to safely help your pet get on top of the table.

Prepare For Bath Time!

Before you trim, snip and buzz your dog’s fur, you’ll want to get him squeaky clean! When it comes to bath time with your dog, it helps to gather all the supplies you’ll need beforehand, so you’re not wrangling a sopping dog and trying to find everything you need at the same time. Choose a gentle shampoo made with natural ingredients, have something on hand you can use to scrub, make sure you have plenty of towels, and get to bathing! 

 

Make sure that you thoroughly rinse your dog and get all the suds out of his fur before you hop out of the tub. And, get your pet dry! While you can use a hairdryer on your dog, you can also just go outside. Let your pup walk around—preferably somewhere that’s NOT muddy—to air dry if he is not a big fan of the hairdryer. This is also a great way to help him let out his post-bah crazies, something a whole lot of dogs experience after they take a bath! 

Gear Up With Dog Grooming Supplies

Once your pet is fresh, clean, and dried off after his bath, you can get to grooming. There are a handful of items you’ll need for the job, so here’s a list of dog grooming supplies to help you get started:

A Dog Brush

You need to brush your pet’s fur before you try to trim anything! If you don’t have any tangles, snarls or matted fur will make it tough for you to get the razor to move through and will seriously slow you down. Plus, this helps your dog shed off excess fur. There are lots of different types of dog brushes to choose from and you should make your selection based on the texture of your dog’s fur. Some puppers require a wire-toothed brush that can smooth finer fur while others that have a courser coat might do better with a brush made from natural fibers. If you’re unsure about which brush is best for your dog, discuss it with your Vet! They are a wealth of knowledge and can help you with any pet-related questions. 

Heavy-Duty Clippers

Make sure you don’t try to use the average electric razor on your dog! People hair and our pet’s fur…? They are very different. What works for your head of hair will not be strong enough to handle grooming an entire dog, so it’s best to select a set of clippers that are designed specifically with pets in mind. There are plenty of dog-friendly options out there and you don’t need to break the bank to get a decent quality razor either! That said, you should expect to make a bit of an investment. Just know that you are saving costs in the long run by grooming at home instead of bringing in your pet every time he needs a touch-up. 

Nail Trimmers

This is probably the least favorite part of grooming for many pet parents and their dogs because so many pets absolutely hate to have their nails trimmed. To make things as quick and painless as possible for you both, it’s a good idea to pick up some high-quality nail trimmers that will get the job done fast. Some dog parents prefer to use a grinder, others your average dog nail clipper. Whichever model you choose, be sure to have it on hand for your at-home dog grooming session.

Ear Cleaner

Making sure your dog’s ears are clean is another part of the grooming process! Plus, your pet will probably prefer it if you make routine ear cleanings part of his grooming session instead of trying to clean those ears at another time. Choose a liquid ear cleaner with gentle, but effective ingredients you feel good about suing or your dog. And, keep in mind that powdered ear products can come in handy when grooming, in the event that moisture or water gets into your dog’s ears at bathtime. 

 

While this is not an exhaustive list of everything you could use when grooming your dog at home, it covers all the essentials! If you pick up everything here, you’ll have a much easier time when you try to trim your pet on your own. But remember, grooming is hard work and there is a reason it can be so expensive. It requires a ton of patience on your part—and your pet’s—and can take some practice. 

Prep Your Pet For A Dog Grooming Session

Before you get your pet on the grooming table and go to town with your clippers, there are some things you can do to help make the experience more enjoyable for you and your dog. First, and foremost, make sure Fido has gotten plenty of exercise! Dogs naturally need a ton of exercise, but it’s especially important to take your dog for a walk or hit the dog park before a grooming session. It will help keep your dog calm and relaxed while you are brushing, bathing, and clipping his fur. 

 

You can also try feeding your pet a calming supplement shortly before you get to grooming. Choose something with soothing ingredients like chamomile, Valerian Root, or hemp to help your pet keep his cool on the grooming table. 

Pet Honesty Products To Use For Dog Grooming

When you’re ready to give home dog grooming a try, consider Pet Honesty's Allergy Anti-Itch Shampoo at bath time! And if your dog is a bit wary of bathtime or doesn’t particularly love to get haircuts, feed him some Premium Hemp Calming Chews half an hour before grooming time. They are formulated to help your pet keep his calm thanks to ingredients like chamomile and hemp.

 

Sources:

https://www.thesprucepets.com/supplies-for-basic-dog-grooming-1118619

https://be.chewy.com/8-essential-dog-grooming-supplies-for-at-home-grooming/

https://www.rover.com/blog/professional-pet-grooming-supplies/

https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-dog-grooming-tools/

https://www.dogtipper.com/tip/2020/03/12-best-dog-grooming-tools.html