How to Groom Your Dog or Cat at Home

Regular grooming helps you build and maintain a relationship with your pet. It also reduces dander, which causes allergies, and gives you a chance to spot any medical issues, like a rash, soreness, or parasites.

Some pets take to brushing, bathing, or nail clipping right away, but others can be, er, ruff work. Take things slowly, and work up to each grooming action. If your pet has never had their nails trimmed, spend a few minutes each day rubbing their paws and touching the closed nail clippers against their feet until they’re comfortable with the motion. Then, trim just one or two nails at a time, and continue the process over the next few days. The experts I spoke with said you should give your pet treats, during training and grooming.

“It’s important to keep any grooming sessions short; don’t wait until your pet is upset to stop,” said Askeland, a certified professional dog trainer. “Help your pet associate these things with attention, treats, and praise.”

Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush (about $13 at the time of publication)
Poodle Pet Detangling Pet Comb (about $9 at the time of publication)
Oster ShedMonster De-Shedding Tool (about $13 at the time of publication)
FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Cats (about $35 at the time of publication)
Chris Christiansen Oval Brush (about $35 at the time of publication)
HandsOn All-In-One Pet Bathing & Grooming Gloves (about $25 at the time of publication)
Delomo Pet Hair Remover Glove (about $8 at the time of publication)

Brushing out your pet’s fur detangles it, removes some dirt, and spreads natural oils throughout their coat. This is also a good time to check for signs of any discomfort, strange lumps or abrasions, and fleas or ticks. Pets with smooth, short coats, like boxers, can be brushed weekly, while those with longer coats that easily become matted, like bichons frises and ragdolls, need brushing multiple times per week. Never cut out a mat, because it’s easy for an inexperienced pet owner to injure their pet. Instead, hold the fur below the mat, separate it into smaller sections, and brush it out as you normally would. Don’t forget to gently brush your pet’s face and tail, too.

A rubber curry brush or a pair of grooming gloves makes removing dead skin cells easier on pets who have smooth, short coats. A slicker brush, like this one from Hertzko, works well for splitting matted fur. A wide-toothed metal comb will demat dogs and cats with thick coats, like Australian shepherds and poodles. For long-haired cats, I personally love a good rake-style dematting comb, like this Oster option, which always removes my cat Tanzie’s mats. A versatile brush, like the Chris Christiansen Oval Brush, is another good option for longer fur, and it may be a little less aggressive than a comb. The experts I spoke with also said a deshedding tool by FURminator works wonders for long-haired and double-coated breeds, like Maine coons, Pomeranians, and Siberian huskies, who blow their coats when the seasons change. “Using this twice a week for 30 minutes a day will get that undercoat out,” Mitchner said.

They say to never cut your own bangs, but exceptions can be made for pets. Although we don’t recommend giving your pet a full haircut at home, the experts said it’s generally fine to trim the hair covering your dog’s eyes. Just brush the hair upward, place it in between your fingers, and slide that hand toward the halfway mark. Then use the other hand to cut above your fingers.

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Natural Pet Shampoo (for cats and dogs, about $9 at the time of publication)
Johnson's Head-To-Toe Wash & Shampoo (about $6 at the time of publication)
Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo for Cats (about $10 at the time of publication)

Unless your dog jumps in a mud puddle (video), they’ll need to be bathed only about every eight to 12 weeks. Cats are able to clean themselves, notes the ASPCA, and they just need a bath if they’re especially dirty or smelly. (If you value your life, make sure you trim your cat’s nails before giving them a bath.) “Overbathing a pet can actually dry out and damage their skin,” said Hill, who has nearly 15 years of grooming experience.

Before sudsing up your pet, place a cotton ball in each ear to keep them dry so they don’t develop an ear infection, and consider putting a non-slip mat (like the Gorilla Grip Bath and Shower Mat) in the tub, to keep your pet from sliding about. Fill the bathtub with about 3 inches of lukewarm water, use a spray hose or water pitcher to wet their fur, and never get their ears, eyes, or nose wet. For cats and small dogs, The Bark Shoppe’s Mitchner recommends bathing them in a clean kitchen sink because it gives pets less room to squirm about. She likes using Johnson’s line of tearless baby shampoo. Hill favors any oatmeal-infused, pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner designed for pets. Make sure you thoroughly rinse off your pet, because the residue can irritate their skin. And if you own a hairless breed, like a Chinese crested or Xoloitzcuintli, now’s a good time to apply a moisturizing lotion or sunscreen, which your vet can recommend.

Hair dryers

Shelandy Pet Grooming Dryer (about $80 at the time of publication)
Rusk W8less (about $90 at the time of publication)
Infiniti Pro by Conair 1875-Watt Salon Performance AC Motor Styling Tool (about $25 at the time of publication)

It’s tempting to let your pet run free after they’ve spent a few minutes whining to get out of the bathroom, but you’ll regret giving in when your throw pillows are soaked and your home smells like a wet dog. Keep a bath towel nearby so you can dry off your pet before they make a break for the door. (Any old towel will do.)

The groomers I spoke with said blow-drying your pet is just as important as towel-drying them. “If dogs are wet it can lead to yeast infections,” Mitchner said. After drying your pet off with a towel, turn the hair dryer on its lowest setting to see how well your pet tolerates it, and increase the setting from there. Make sure you blow-dry the entire body by using back-and-forth motions so you don’t burn the skin. And brush their fur from root to tip as you dry.

We’ve used standard hair dryers for this task, and they work, but we’ve found the job to be easier with a dedicated pet hair dryer, like a Shelandy Pet Grooming Dryer. Like a canister vacuum, this dryer places the bulky motor on the floor, leaving you with a flexible, lightweight handheld nozzle to gently work over your pet’s wet fur. When using a handheld hair dryer, in contrast, it’s more difficult to move your pet into a good position without dropping the dryer itself. The Shelandy dryer can blow heated or fan-driven air, and it’s durable enough to last years, but it’s noisier on startup than you or your pet might expect.

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs & Cats (about $13 at the time of publication)
VetWELL EarWELL Otic Cleansing Solution for Dogs and Cats (about $13 at the time of publication)

Ears that are dirty, look sore, or smell bad could be a sign of infection or parasites, and they require a visit to your veterinarian. To clean healthy ears, take a cotton ball or gauze pad and dampen it with your preferred ear cleaner. (I use Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs & Cats with my own pets, and it has never irritated their ears.) Gently fold back your pet’s ears and wipe out debris or earwax that’s easily visible. Never insert anything into their ear canal, since that can cause an ear infection or rupture the eardrum.

Arm & Hammer Fresh Breath Dental Kit for Dogs (about $7 at the time of publication)
Sentry Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats (about $12 at the time of publication)
Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothbrush (about $4 at the time of publication)

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the most effective way to keep their mouth healthy between dental cleanings. You’ll need a toothbrush or silicone finger toothbrush designed for cats and dogs. Both the Arm & Hammer Fresh Breath Dental Kit for Dogs and the Sentry Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats include a toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, and a tube of pet-safe toothpaste. Alternatively, these work well for most pets, too: pet-friendly toothpaste paired with an ADA-compliant soft-bristled pediatric toothbrush for cats and small dogs, or a soft-bristled flat-head adult toothbrush for large dogs. “These toothbrushes tend to be made a lot better than pet ones because they’re not as coarse and are more comfortable,” said Dr. Django Martel of the Animal Medical Center in New York City.

Millers Forge Nail Clipper (about $10 at the time of publication)
Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder (about $6 at the time of publication)
Dremel 7760-PGK 4V Pet Grooming Cordless Kit (about $60 at the time of publication)

If your pet’s nails go clickety-clack on the hardwood floor as they walk, or easily snag on carpet or bedding, it’s time for a nail trim. The frequency of nail trimmings will depend on your pet’s environment and activity level. A dog who spends most of their time indoors in the suburbs may benefit from weekly nail trims, while a dog who takes frequent walks in a big city may need only monthly nail care (walking on pavement naturally wears down their nails). Cat claws may not need to be trimmed as frequently as dog nails, but you should check them at least every other week to make sure they’re not growing too long.

We like the Millers Forge line of dog nail clippers because they’re sharp, affordable, and sold in multiple sizes (and some staffers use the Millers Forge cat nail clippers). But if you’re inexperienced with cutting your dog’s nails, our experts recommend a pet-friendly nail grinder, like the Dremel 7760-PGK 4V Pet Grooming Cordless Kit, which is safer to use. Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder is a lifesaver for nail-quick cuts because it swiftly stops the bleeding and contains benzocaine to ease a pet’s pain.

If your pet needs an incentive, you don’t have to risk your safety by slathering your head in peanut butter to trim their nails. I give my dog a small amount of peanut butter after I trim each of her toenails. Sutton doesn’t love having her nails trimmed, but she tolerates it (and doesn’t squirm!) when she knows peanut butter is involved. You can learn how to properly trim your pet’s nails by viewing this instructional video from PetMD.

It’s easy to nick your pet during this part of the grooming process, so don’t feel embarrassed if you want to call your vet.