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Step 1
Shop online at sites like PetcareRX to read about products and research customer reviews (see Resources below).
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Step 2
Choose a shampoo that moisturizes and cleans. Determine if your pet needs any special supplies. Some pets with dry skin or other skin allergies benefit from a shampoo with hydrocortisone. Most pet shampoos claim to eliminate fleas and ticks. These may help, but it is important to invest in a good flea and tick prevention treatment as well.
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Step 3
Buy a brush appropriate for your pet's coat. A slicker brush made of fine wire bristles works well for pets with dense undercoats. Wire-pin brushes are effective on woolly coats, while bristle brushes are good for short hair as well as daily use on all coats.
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Step 4
Invest in a good comb (in addition to a brush) to smooth your pet's coat and remove dead hair. Fine-toothed combs are great on silky hair, while wide-toothed combs work well on heavy coats. Rubber combs are good for use on short-coated breeds.
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Step 5
Choose a set of shears with sharp edges, a good balance and comfortable finger rests. Available types include curved, straight, thinning and blunt tipped.
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Step 6
Buy nail clippers with a guard feature to prevent trimming too close to the skin. Clippers for dogs come in a variety of sizes. Small dog clippers or human nail clippers can be used for cats. Purchase blood coagulants to stop any bleeding that may occur. This can happen if you cut too close to the skin or cut excessively in one area.
