When it comes to finding the best dog grooming products for your pampered pooch, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. After all, dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so they'll all have different grooming needs depending on their breed, coat type and activity level. From dog shampoos and brushes to nail clippers and grooming scissors, all of these tools play a crucial role in keeping your dog clean and their appearance tidy.
Ensuring your dog is happy and healthy is the top priority for all paw-rents, and making sure your hound is regularly groomed will help them stay that way. Not only will routine grooms have them looking and smelling amazing, but they can also help them stay healthy. You can ensure their eyes and ears are looking how they should, rid their coat of any painful knots and keep their claws at a comfortable length with dog nail clippers, as well as identify any underlying issues, like skin conditions, that you may not have noticed otherwise.
Some pooches love a little pamper session, but for other canine companions, grooming may not be their favourite activity. After all, there's a lot going on. The sounds of fur clippers and scissors may freak them out, bath time and running water might fill them with dread, and the sight of a hairbrush could have them clearing off sharpish the minute it comes out of the drawer. That's why it's important to have the right dog grooming products on hand, as well as plenty of encouragement and rewards to make grooming a happy and calming experience for your hound.
Best dog grooming products at a glance:
• Best dog shampoo: Animology Fox Poo Dog Shampoo – View on Amazon UK
• Best dog towel: Henry Wag Microfibre Pet Towel – View on Amazon UK
• Best dog grooming scissor set: Dream Reach Professional Dog Grooming Scissors Kit – View on Amazon UK
You'll find some top tips for grooming your pooch, along with answers to other frequently asked questions to do with dog grooming, at the bottom of this article, but if you're not sure how to start with the products, we're here to help. We've searched the web to bring you all the best dog shampoos, brushes, towels, clippers and grooming scissors to introduce to your grooming routine that will have your four-legged friend looking their finest.
Best dog grooming products
Best dog shampoo
If you've got a dog that loves to get down and dirty, this Animology Fox Poo Dog Shampoo will be an absolute blessing. It will break down dirt and oil substances caused by rolling around in the mud and remove bad odours that your pooch may have picked up on their way to have them smelling squeaky clean in no time.
Customer review: "I love this stuff. I first bought it because I had a dog that rolled in the most heinous smelling things you can imagine (including a huge, rotting fish writhing with maggots! 🤮), and this shampoo has never let me down! My dogs always smell lovely after being washed with this so I use it even when they haven't found something gross to spread on themselves! Their coats are always soft and shiny after using it as well. Highly recommended for the worst jobs and normal use."
Pros
- Quick and easy to rinse
- Has plenty of rave reviews from owners of really messy pups
Cons
- We can't think of any!
Best dog towel
AmazonHighly absorbent, quick drying and machine washable, the Henry Wag Microfibre Pet Towel ticks all the right boxes to be our top pick for the best dog towel. It's designed to absorb more water and dries more quickly than regular towels as it is made with microfibre material to clean and dry your pooch's coat. It's available in small and large to fit a variety of dog breeds.
Customer review: "This is a fabulous towel. It absorbs water and wet mud extremely well. Will never be without one!"
Pros
- Super soft and absorbent
- Available in two sizes for all breeds
Cons
- Some reviewers expected it to be thicker
Best dog grooming scissor set
AmazonThis sleek little set has all the scissors you need to keep your dog's coat trim and tidy. The Dream Reach Professional 7.0 Inches Dog Grooming Scissors Kit includes four lightweight scissors of different kinds, such as a chunker shear, a thinning shear, a curved shear and a straight shear that can be used in both your left and right hand and in two different directions.
Customer review: "This set has upped my DIY grooming game. Ideal to use in addition to grooming clippers. Friends in the park thought it was a professional job!"
Pros
- Can be used with both right and left hands
- Good length
Cons
- Some reviewers felt they didn't stay sharp for very long
Best dog grooming clippers
AmazonIf your hound has got a bit more fluff to get rid of, this all-in-one Pet Union Professional Dog Grooming Kit comes with some cordless clippers and a handful of attachments to help you tackle it, as well as a comb, scissors, cleaning brush, nail file and nail clippers. Having everything available in one set means you'll have all the things you need to keep your pooch looking tidy.
Customer review: "Clipper works really well on my 6-month-old Tibetan Terrier. Amazing what else you get in the set. Very pleased."
Pros
- Great value
- Includes a variety of tools
Cons
- Reviewers thought it could have more size options for the clipper guards
Best dog nail clippers
AmazonWhether you're a beginner or an expert, the Thunderpaws Professional-Grade Dog Nail Clippers make clipping your dog's nails an easy experience for both you and your pooch. They're made with high-quality stainless steel to ensure a clean cut in one smooth action, and they also come with non-slip rubber handles designed for a comfortable grip.
Customer review: "Great dog nail clippers. Perfect for larger dogs such as my English bull terrier but also perfect for my frenchie. Very easy to use. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Safety stop guard
- Ergonomic handles
Cons
- Some reviewers felt you really had to put pressure on them to cut through thicker nails
Best dog grooming brush
AmazonFor those pooches with thick or particularly curly hair, we'd recommend the Mikki Dog Slicker Brush. It has been specially developed with Cockapoos, Labradoodles and other Poodle crossbreeds in mind, but works great on other breeds that need a thorough brushing, too. The air-cushioned pin pad offers a gentle groom, but the hard pins will reach down into the lower layers of their coat, where tangles begin with ease.
Our review: "Being a Cockapoo owner, I'm well aware of how easy it is for their coat and undercoat to get tangled so they definitely require regular brushing out so their coat can stay knot-free. This Mikki Dog Slicker Brush has made brushing Bella an easier experience for both of us. I found it best to work in small sections so that I could concentrate on those tougher knots without causing Bella distress. Not only does it work great for detangling my Cockapoo, but it's also worked well for de-shedding my Labrador Retriever cross, Barney. "
Pros
- Offers a tough but gentle groom
- Helps with detangling
Cons
- One customer reviewer says removing the hair from the brush once grooming is finished isn't easy
Best dog styling mist
Pets at Homewww.petsathome.com
To finish off your pooch's pamper session, you can spray them with a dog-friendly body mist to keep them smelling sweet. We love this Animology Star Pups Dog Body Mist as it has a light vanilla and Shea scent to make your pup smell great without being harsh to your hound's coat or skin. It also contains no alcohol, sulphates, parabens or silicones.
Customer review: "This makes my puppy smell gorgeous, she always gets comments that she smells great."
Pros
- Smells great
- Gentle formulation
Cons
- Some reviewers say the scent isn't long-lasting
FAQs
Why is grooming your dog important?
There's no doubt that grooming your dog has them looking good and smelling great, but did you know there are other benefits to regular grooming? GuideDogs.org says that it enhances the relationship between you and your dog while also keeping their coat healthy by ensuring it's mat-free and promotes new hair growth. It also allows you to check your dog for any abnormalities or skin problems that may otherwise be missed. Keeping on top of grooming will mean your dog is less likely to shed, so you won't have the problem of fluff covering your sofas and getting matted in your carpets.
How often should you groom your dog?
How often you should groom your dog will all depend on your breed and the type of coat they have. Some dogs may require daily brushing, whereas others may be fine with a weekly brush. When it comes to clipping, this can vary from every four to 12 weeks, depending on the needs of your pooch.
If you've got a long-haired breed like a Yorkshire Terrier or Newfoundland, they'll require regular brushing and clipping to make sure their coat remains tangle-free.
Equally, curly-haired dogs such as Poodles or any Poodle crossbreeds, like Cockapoos and Labradoodles, will need a good brush daily to ensure their top coat or undercoat doesn't get knotted or matted, as this can be quite painful for them. They'll also require consistent haircuts and clipping to keep on top of coat maintenance.
Dogs with low-maintenance coats, like Chihuahuas and French Bulldogs, won't require a grooming schedule that is quite as strict.
How to groom a dog:
You've got all the dog grooming products you'll need, but how do you go about actually grooming your pooch? Luckily, we've got a step-by-step guide and all the top tips you'll need with help from GuideDogs.org.
Bathing
Bathing your dog on a regular basis can cause their coat to dry out and remove natural oils from it. However, you'll still want to make sure they're smelling fresh and clean.
Make sure to test the temperature of the water beforehand to make sure it's not too hot but also not too cold before gently helping them get into the tub.
Use a specially formulated dog shampoo and work into a lather, and apply to their coat, avoiding their eyes and ears. Leave on for the specified length of time before thoroughly rinsing off. Once they're out of the tub, squeeze your dog's coat gently to eliminate excess water before drying them off with a doggy towel.
Pick your area
Choose somewhere in your home to be your dedicated grooming station. Ensure it's non-slip, dry and stable, as well as somewhere you can keep your dog calm, comfortable and secure.
Health checks
Before starting the grooming process, GuideDogs.org recommends doing some physical checks on your dog to help monitor their health. Check their eyes for any signs of abnormalities and wipe away any discharge with a damp piece of cotton wool, wiping from the corner of the eyes outwards.
Next, look in their ears for any signs of inflammation, irritation, discharge or other problems. This is a particularly important step for dogs with floppy ears and those who love swimming, as they can be more prone to ear infections and may need cleaning more regularly.
Lastly, you'll want to work your way around the rest of their body, including their paws, checking for changes such as new lumps and bumps, including ticks and fleas. You should include a teeth and mouth inspection in this to keep an eye on their dental health, too.
If you notice anything concerning, you should contact your vet for further advice.
Massage
Now, onto the actual grooming. You'll want to begin by giving your dog a mini massage, running your fingers through their fluff against the lay of their coat all over the body, avoiding the face and tail. This will help you to access their undercoat to loosen dead hair and dirt, stimulate hair follicles to promote the growth of a healthy coat, stimulate the skin, and keep muscles supple.
Brushing
First, use a bristle brush and brush against the lay of the coat, avoiding their face and tail, to get out some of the smaller tangles.
Next, comb with the lay of the coat to try and remove larger knots. Working in small sections at a time. Be careful not to apply too much pressure around your dog's more sensitive areas, such as their ears, abdomen and legs and take extra care when you're working on removing knots and tangles out of the coat of larger breeds.
Once you've got all the knots out, you'll want to gently wipe your dog over with a damp cloth as it will help to remove the final bits of loose hair and give their coat a lovely glossy shine.
Remember to give your dog plenty of verbal and physical praise throughout their groom. Nervous and anxious dogs may need a little extra encouragement, so you may want to be armed with a couple of treats to reward them during their time on the table. It's also important that you recognise your dog's signs of stress and unease, as these are your cues to stop or change up what you're doing in order to keep the groom a happy and calm experience for everyone involved.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.