5 Essential Dog Grooming Tools You Need at Home

Caring for dogs is one of the most fulfilling tasks anyone can undertake. As you nurture your puppy and watch him grow into a healthy and happy dog, you also get to enjoy the unconditional love he gives in return for all the care you offered him.

Aside from ensuring that your pet has enough food (thanks to reliable pet food delivery services) and engages in regular physical and mental stimulation, you also need to keep him well-groomed. While there are plenty of pet grooming service providers out there who can do it for you, nothing beats knowing how to do it yourself.

Besides serving as an excellent bonding time with your furry baby, a hands-on grooming session also allows you to stay updated on his overall physical condition (i.e., the shine and “feel” of his fur can mean a lot of things, health-wise).

Of course, the quality of time spent grooming your canine pal depends on how prepared you are in performing the task. To help you get started on the preparations, here are five essential tools you’ll need to groom your dog at home successfully:

1.Dog Brushes

Regular fur brushing is crucial in maintaining not just your dog’s coat but also his overall health. As such, it is only natural for pet parents like you to have at least one good coat brush in your pet grooming arsenal.

High-quality brushes can last for years, as long as you don’t let them become chew toys for your canine pal. Brushes with smoothly finished teeth are also quite gentle on your dog’s skin.

Of course, buying just any expensive dog brush won’t cut it – it must be appropriate for your dog’s breed. Remember that choosing the wrong brush can cause an array of skin issues like brush burn, irritation, or even an infection.

That said, you must also take note of the type of coat your dog has. There are various brushes designed precisely to remove fur from different levels of the coat.

Here are some examples of grooming brushes that are tailored for specific types of fur:

Pin Brush

A pin brush is an all-around brush that helps deal with minor tangles and mats among medium- to long-haired dogs. It is fitted with plastic or rubber tips and is quite gentle on curly and thick coats. It is also considered generally safe to use on most dog breeds.

There are several variants to choose from, depending on the smoothness and length of the dog’s fur. Those with longer and softer bristles are perfect for long and silky fur, while shorter and tougher ones are great for short-haired canines.

Slicker Brush

Made up of fine and wiry bristles, the slicker brush helps get rid of tangles and mats on medium to long-haired dogs. It is also great for getting loose hair from the undercoat and is fitted with protective tips to prevent dog skin irritation.

Rubber Brush

Rubber brushes remove loose hair from the outermost layer of the coat. These are also used to massage a dog’s skin, which makes them an excellent alternative for fussy canines.

One unique characteristic of rubber brushes is that they are tailored to fit human hands. In fact, some variations of this tool are designed to fit like a glove – literally.

Combs

Combs are useful in ensuring long-haired dogs have smooth and silky fur. However, the trick is to use the slicker brush first before combing over the coat.

When choosing a comb for your pet, you have to determine the type of fur he has and what you intend to achieve. For example, detangling requires combs with widely spaced teeth. This is also useful for breeds with curly or wavy fur.

2. Dog Shampoo

Another essential task in dog grooming is bathing.

After running around the park and rolling over who-knows-what, your canine friend is bound to get filthy. When this happens, it’s time to bathe him.

Be sure to use shampoos that are specifically made for pets as they are made to remove dirt without harming or irritating your pet’s skin. Go with the mildest shampoo available, unless otherwise recommended by your vet.

To distribute the shampoo evenly, dilute it in a cup or bowl with warm water. Then, dip a kitchen sponge in the mix and use it to wash your pet. A cellulose sponge lets you clean your pet’s face, paws, and private areas while distributing the shampoo evenly for a more thorough clean.

After that, rinse the sponge and attach it to the shampoo bottle using a rubber band to separate it from the one used on the dishes. You can’t have those two mixed up.

3. Drying Tools

After a bath, you can use microfibre towels and mitts to dry your dog. But instead of rubbing, pat and squeeze his fur to prevent tangles from forming.

You’ll also need a high-quality dog dryer to hasten the drying process, especially if you have double-coated breeds like Pomeranians, Shetland sheepdogs, and Shepherds. Besides drying the coat, this tool can also help blow away any dead undercoat while achieving the maximum fluffiness of your adorable furry pal.

4. Nail Clipper

Clipping dogs’ nails can present a significant challenge to pet owners as some dogs are quite adamant about not having their nails clipped. However, any dog can be trained to tolerate monthly nail clipping, with the help of persuasive tactics (i.e., treats).

Cutting your dog’s nails once a month is ideal because doing it too often can cause the quick – which contains blood vessels and nerves – to recede into the nail. Nicking the quick can be quite painful for your dog, so you must be careful.

For a faster and more precise cut, choose nail clippers equipped with stainless steel blades.

5. Toothbrush and Toothpaste

Most pup parents know the struggle of getting “kissed” by their pet only to realise how stinky it leaves them. For this reason (and for your pet’s dental health, of course), you should also include toothbrush and toothpaste in your pet grooming arsenal.

Dogs need regular tooth brushing to keep dental issues like halitosis, tooth decay, and doggy breath at bay. And like bathing, this requires the use of dog-specific products.

Most vets recommend daily brushing, but if this isn’t practical for you, you can at least perform the once-a-month minimum brushing.

A Right Tool for Every Job

Ensuring your dog’s happiness and health starts with simple grooming tasks like coat brushing, bathing, nail clipping, and brushing the teeth. There’s a grooming tool for every job, so be sure to use the right one to ensure both your own convenience and your pet’s safety.

AUTHOR BIO

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.