Grooming guides for people who'd rather do it at home
Which brush suits your dog's coat? How short can you cut a cat's claws? How do you get through bath day without a fight? We answer these one step at a time, in plain English.
Start with your pet
Each complete guide covers the whole routine: tools, brushing, bathing, nails, ears, teeth and how often to do each one.
The Complete Guide to At-Home Dog Grooming
Everything you need to groom your dog at home: tools, brushing, bathing, drying, nails, ears, teeth and a simple weekly routine.
Read the guide
The Complete Guide to At-Home Cat Grooming
A calm, cat-friendly approach to brushing, mats, nail trims, ears, eyes, teeth and the rare bath, with tips for nervous cats.
Read the guideGuides for one job at a time
Short, focused how-tos for when you just need to get the nails done tonight.
How to Trim Your Dog's Nails Safely
Find the quick, choose clippers or a grinder, and build a no-fuss nail routine your dog can actually tolerate.
How to Bathe a Cat (Without the Drama)
Most cats rarely need baths. When yours does, here is how to prepare, wash, rinse and dry with minimum stress.
Dog Brushing Guide by Coat Type
Smooth, double, curly, wire or silky: match the right brush and technique to your dog's coat.
The Deshedding Guide for Dogs and Cats
Cut down on fur tumbleweeds with the right tools, a seasonal plan and a few habits that make shedding season bearable.
How to Clean Your Pet's Ears
Healthy ears versus problem ears, how often to clean, and a gentle method that works for both dogs and cats.
Pet Dental Care at Home: Brushing Teeth Made Easy
A slow, treat-based plan to get your dog or cat comfortable with tooth brushing, plus what actually helps besides brushing.
Why groom at home at all?
Professional groomers are great, but most of what keeps a coat healthy happens in the weeks between appointments.
- You find problems early.
- Ten minutes with a comb each week is how most owners first notice a tick, a lump, a hot spot or a sore ear.
- Handling gets easier.
- Pets who are touched calmly and often are far less stressed at the vet and the salon.
- Less hair everywhere.
- Loose undercoat that ends up in a brush does not end up on the sofa.
- Fewer expensive fixes.
- Mats that are combed out at home do not need shaving off later.
How often should you do it?
A rough guide for healthy adult pets. Long or double coats need the higher end of each range, and older pets often need nails done more often.
| Task | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2 to 7 times a week | 1 to 7 times a week |
| Teeth | Daily if you can | Daily if you can |
| Nails | Every 2 to 4 weeks | Every 2 to 3 weeks |
| Ears | Check weekly | Check weekly |
| Bath | Every 4 to 8 weeks | Only when needed |
Buy the right tools once
A good comb, a slicker brush and proper nail clippers do most of the work. Our tool kit page lists what is worth buying and what you can skip.
See the tool kit