How to Buy a Dog Grooming Kit

Regular grooming not only keeps your dog looking lovely, it's also a great time to bond. A complete grooming kit will contain brushes, combs, clippers, and tools to help you care for your dog's nails, ears and teeth.

Things You'll Need

• Electric Dog Clippers
• Boxes For Dog Supplies
• Commercially Prepared Skunk Odor Removers
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Clipper Blades
• Dog Clipper Cooling Products
• Dog Combs
• Dog Conditioner
• Dog Ear Cleaners
• Dog Flea Combs
• Dog Grooming Sprays
• Dog Rakes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Slicker Brushes
• Dog Toothpastes
• Doggie Toothbrushes
• Nail Clippers For Dogs
• Cotton Swabs
• Styptic Pencils

Instructions

1. Consider why you will be grooming your dog. Will you be showing your dog or just caring for her as a pet? If you plan on showing your dog, you will need a wider variety of items in your grooming kit.

2. Discuss grooming with the breeder you purchase your dog from or with your veterinarian. Some breeds require special grooming.

3. Buy a grooming table only if you will be showing your dog.

4. Purchase a grooming comb with fine and coarse teeth. Buy special nail clippers for dogs. Consider an electric nail clipper, which is easier to use than a manual one. Get a clotting agent (or a styptic pencil) in case you clip the nail too close to the quick and it bleeds.

5. Keep in mind that you will need a toothbrush and dog toothpaste. A fingertip brush will give you more control. Never use human toothpaste on dogs.

6. Get a flea comb (to check for fleas) and a dog shampoo (unless your veterinarian does not recommend using shampoo).

7. Realize that you may need several types of brushes to care for your dog's coat. A slicker brush will remove dead fur and should be purchased for all breeds of dogs. You can also get this type of brush as a glove that you wear on your hand. A pin brush is good for longhaired dogs and a bristle brush works well on short coats. A rake helps brush undercoats. If your dog has a problem with matting, purchase a mat comb.

8. Buy a dog clipper and blades, along with clipper coolant to cool the blades, only if you will be cutting your dog's fur yourself. If you have no experience doing this, let a professional groomer do the job.

9. Remember to buy a liquid ear cleaner and cotton swabs to clean your dog's ears. Some breeds need this more than others.

10. Use a special dog-fur dryer if you will blowing your dog's fur dry. Regular hair dryers can burn a dog.

11. Purchase a large storage box with a handle for storing your grooming supplies.

Tips & Warnings

• Dogs should be groomed on a regular basis to keep them healthy and looking beautiful. See Related eHows for instructions.

• Consider adding a skunk odor remover in case your dog gets sprayed. (See "Get Skunk Smell Out of Pet Fur," under Related eHows.)

• Consider creating your own kit and giving it as a gift to someone who is getting a new puppy. Tie a few dog treats on the wrapping paper with ribbon.

• Never use scissors on your dog - there's a high risk of injury.