Summary
What is DIY pet grooming exactly?
DIY pet grooming is the process of caring for your pet’s coat, skin, nails, and teeth. It is much more than making your pet look good. It’s about pet well-being–the way they look and feel. With matted, dirty fur, pets do not look or feel good. It is important to groom your pet to keep them healthy and comfortable. Grooming reduces shedding and mats, and can make your pet look, feel, and smell their best.
Why is pet grooming important?
There are many benefits to pet grooming, including:
- Improved health and hygiene: Grooming can help to remove dirt, debris, and parasites from your pet’s coat and skin. This can help to prevent skin infections, allergies, and other health problems.
- Reduced shedding and mats: Regular brushing can help to remove loose hair and prevent mats from forming. Mats can be painful for your pet and can also make it difficult for you to brush their coat.
- Improved appearance and smell: Grooming can help to make your pet’s coat look and smell its best. This can boost your pet’s confidence and make them more enjoyable to be around.
- Stronger bond between pet and owner: Grooming can be a bonding experience for you and your pet. It is a time to show your pet love and attention, and it can also help to build trust between the two of you.
How often should you groom your pet?
The frequency of grooming depends on your pet’s breed, coat type, and lifestyle. Long-haired pets will need to be groomed more often than short-haired pets, and active pets will need to be groomed more often than sedentary pets.
In general, it is a good idea to brush your pet’s coat about once a week, especially in summer when their coat may be shedding most. You should also bathe your dog every 3 months, which is the recommendation of ASPCA. Also, you should inspect & trim their nails and brush their teeth regularly.
Pet grooming prices
According to HomeGuide average dog grooming prices per visit range between $40 and $80 depending on breed/size and services performed at full-service professional groomers. Self-service grooming salons charge between $12-$23, which usually includes assistance from onsite staff in using equipment and tools. Mobile pet groomers typically charge between $50 and $110. Accordingly, it makes sense to evaluate whether pet grooming can be done at home.
Should you groom your pet at home?
Dog grooming or cat grooming can be an enjoyable, rewarding experience for both pets and parents when done right. Parents gain an experience of helping pets maintain peak health and well-being at a huge savings compared to regular trips to a groomer. Pets get an immediate sense of well-being and comfort with a refreshed coat and skin, without making a trip to a groomer. With less pet fur and dander in your home after grooming, everyone benefits. And you can do-it-yourself at home. However, some key points should be considered as discussed below.
Space and equipment – SAFETY FIRST – Especially if you have a large dog, you will need adequate space and equipment to perform grooming tasks safely and effectively. You must be able to hold your pet securely during the grooming process, which may require special equipment.
Likely the most difficult and potentially frustrating aspect of pet grooming is being able to hold your pet securely while grooming. While you may not need a grooming table, they work well in providing adequate table space and the ability to hold pets in a desired position for grooming tasks. You should be able to hold your pet in a way that is most suitable for their shape, size, and the tasks you are performing. An excellent video posted by Go Groomer, a certified pet groomer, covers the nuances of holding a dog correctly in grooming.
Once past the most challenging aspect of holding your pet securely, grooming tasks can be mastered. An inexpensive grooming table is illustrated below under Pet grooming supplies and equipment.
Steps in the grooming process
1. Brush your dog
- Start by brushing your dog’s coat (with a brush most suited to their coat) to remove tangles, mats, and loose hair.
- Brushing removes dead hair and dander and helps distribute natural oils to keep the skin and coat healthy.
2. Bathing:
- Use lukewarm water and wet your dog thoroughly.
- Apply dog shampoo and lather it well, but avoid getting it in the eyes, ears, and nose.
- Rinse your dog thoroughly to remove all the soap, as residue can irritate their skin.
- Towel-dry your dog first, then use a blow dryer on a low heat setting.
- Make sure your dog is comfortable with the noise and sensation of the dryer.
3. Nail Trimming:
- Trim your dog’s nails carefully, avoiding the quick (the pink part with blood vessels).
- A step-by-step video illustrates the process.
- If you’re unsure, ask a vet for guidance.

4. Teeth Cleaning:
- Use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your dog’s teeth.
- Brush gently and make it a positive experience with treats and praise.
5. Hair Trimming & Final Brushing
- Trim excess hair from around the eyes, ears, paws, and sanitary areas if necessary.
- Use clippers or scissors designed for dog grooming.
- Give your dog a final brush to remove any loose hair and ensure a smooth, shiny coat. .
6. Positive Reinforcement – Throughout the grooming process, reward your dog with treats and praise to keep the experience positive and stress-free.
Additional tips in successful dog grooming
- Start Early: Get your dog used to grooming from a young age, so they’re comfortable with the process.
- Be Patient: Take your time, and don’t rush. Dogs can sense your anxiety, so stay calm and gentle.
- Use the Right Tools: Invest in good-quality grooming tools suitable for your dog’s coat type.
- Regular Grooming: Establish a regular grooming schedule based on your dog’s breed and coat length.
- Check for Injuries or Skin Issues: While grooming, inspect your dog’s skin for any abnormalities or signs of discomfort.
- Stay Safe: Be cautious when using scissors, clippers, or other sharp tools to avoid accidental injuries to your pet.
- Utilize the grooming process to examine your pet thoroughly for potential health issues.
- Consult a Professional: If you’re not confident about grooming or your dog has special needs, consult a professional groomer or a veterinarian.
Cat grooming for shedding
For cats, the focus is shedding. Cats almost continuously attempt to clean their coats by licking, which inevitably leads to fur balls and vomiting. Cat licking is also bad for some humans. When cats lick their coat, they spread dander into the air, which is actually a protein in pieces of dried skin, which is the actual cause of human allergies to cats.
Brushing or combing cats greatly reduces cat dander, while making cats more comfortable in their coats. Going one step further, a pet vacuum removes dead cat hair and dander before it has a chance to spread throughout your home. Regular vacuuming also eliminates cat vomiting, along with the time and expense of clean-up. A compact pet shedding vacuum will be illustrated below under supplies and equipment.
While the same key points with dog grooming are applicable to cat grooming, nail trimming difers slightly from dogs. An excellent video posted by a veterinarian covers the process well.
Pet grooming supplies and equipment
With significant savings compared to professional pet grooming, an investment in pet grooming supplies and equipment should be recovered quickly. Some essential pet grooming supplies and equipment are listed below.
- A pet grooming table with a non-slip surface
- Method of holding your pet securely while grooming
- Grooming kit including trimmer, brushes, and combs
- Pet vacuum
- Pet shampoo and conditioner
- Nail clippers
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Consumables to clean ears and paws
Chewy sells an inexpensive foldable/retractable grooming table (pictured below).

Yaheetech Stainless Steel Pet Grooming Table
▪ Table-top measures 45 x 24″
▪ Stainless steel frame, non-scuff wood-base surface
▪ Adjustable support arms
▪Steel-mesh storage below
Currently discounted 17% at $95.99 with FREE SHIPPING.

Neakasa Pet Grooming Trimmers and Vacuums
Watch the Neakasa S1 Pro in action in this excellent YouTube review with cutting and vacuuming

The best vacuum for pet hair, Neakasa complete grooming kits include FREE SHIPPING and a 30-day money back guarantee. Special deal – Use code NEAOFF10 for a 10% discount on your purchase as a new customer.

More sources for pet grooming supplies and equipment -Two sources for professional pet grooming supplies and equipment are noted below.
- Cherrybrook – Has been a premier supplier of grooming equipment and supplies for over 50 years. They began selling grooming supplies at dog shows and later branched out into a supplying equipment, like their own grooming tables and tubs manufactured in their U.S. facility. Here is a link to Cherrybrook
- Pet Pro Supply – Sells commercial-grade equipment and supplies like bathing systems and tubs, commercial-grade grooming tables, and everything else needed for professional grooming. Here is a link to Pet Pro Supply
Pet grooming training
If you decide to make a commitment to grooming, some training could provide an edge in getting professional results. There is a wealth of training available loaded with professional cat and dog grooming tips. For example, Holly and Hugo offers an online course titled “Ultimate Guide to Dog Grooming” at $24.95. An excellent book titled “A Teacher’s Guide to Low-Stress Grooming: How to Make Grooming a Positive Experience” is supplied by Dogwise Publications at $36.87. Dogwise offers a total of 22 books on every facet of pet grooming.
When to take your pet to a professional groomer
There are some pets that may never adapt to being groomed in your home, or, your space and equipment may prove to be insufficient to get the job done. If your pet fights the grooming process, and there is some potential that injury could occur to your pet or yourself, please make an appointment with a professional groomer or a veterinarian.
If you are not comfortable grooming your pet at home, or if your pet has a special grooming need, you may want to take them to a professional groomer.
Final thoughts
Pet grooming is an important part of bonding with your pet and it can be done at home. By grooming regularly, you can help your pet stay healthy, comfortable, and at their best. If you decide to groom at home and master the process, it can be done efficiently in in relatively little time, saving travel time and expense of hiring to a groomer.
However, if you are still not comfortable grooming your pet at home, you can utilize a professional groomer and experience good results. As always, follow best practices in what process you adopt and, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian.
Note: The above post contains affiliate links that may enable the operators of this site to receive commissions for qualified purchases by visitors–at no cost to visitors.