Professional grooming is great, but most of what keeps a dog’s coat and skin healthy between visits — or entirely instead of them — can be done at home with the right tools and a bit of routine.
How Often Should You Groom?
Brushing needs vary by coat type, but a general rule of thumb: short-coated dogs benefit from weekly brushing, while double-coated or long-haired breeds often need it 2–3 times a week, more during seasonal shedding.
Building a Home Grooming Routine
- Brush first, always. A detangling slicker brush removes loose fur and prevents mats before they form, especially around ears, legs, and the tail.
- Deshed during heavy shedding seasons. A deshedding tool built for double coats pulls out loose undercoat that regular brushing misses — a big difference for shedding-prone breeds.
- Trim carefully. A cordless clipper kit makes touch-ups between full grooms manageable, especially around paws and sanitary areas.
- Clean ears regularly. Built-up wax and moisture in the ears is a common source of infection — gentle ear wipes are an easy weekly habit.
Dealing With the Fur That Ends Up Everywhere Else
Grooming at home also means dealing with the aftermath. A pet hair remover roller works on furniture, car seats, and clothing, and is worth keeping within reach if you have a heavy shedder.
When to Leave It to a Professional
Some things are worth booking a groomer for: full haircuts on breeds with complex coat types, matting that’s gotten out of hand, or anything involving a nervous or difficult-to-handle dog. Home grooming is about maintenance between those visits, not replacing them entirely.
Want It All in One Kit?
If you’re starting from scratch, our Bundles & Kits collection includes complete grooming sets so you’re not piecing tools together one at a time.
Browse the full Dog Grooming and Hair Removal collections to build your own kit, or check the Dog Paw Care Guide for the paw-specific side of grooming.