How to Choose Dog and Cat Grooming Supplies: Brushes, Nail Tools and Shampoo

This guide is for dog and cat owners who want to handle the basics of grooming at home: brushing, managing shedding, trimming nails and giving a bath. It covers how to match a brush to your pet’s coat, how to pick between nail clippers and a grinder, what to look for on a shampoo label, and how dog and cat needs differ.

The short answer: Start with one everyday brush that suits your pet’s coat (a slicker brush works for many medium and long coats), and add an undercoat tool only if you have a heavy-shedding, double-coated dog. For nails, choose the tool your pet tolerates best and take off a little at a time. For baths, use a shampoo made for pets, check that the label covers your species and your pet’s age, and rinse thoroughly.

How we chose: picks are based on brand specs, the product listing and public reviews from named outlets linked on each product page. We have not tested these products ourselves.

How to choose grooming tools for your dog or cat

Start with your pet’s coat type

The right brush depends on the coat, not the size of the pet. The American Kennel Club recommends slicker brushes for medium, long, wire and curly coats, bristle brushes for short, silky coats, rubber brushes for short coats only, and undercoat rakes for double-coated breeds of any length, with the pin length matched to the coat (AKC). If you are not sure what coat your dog has, part the hair: a soft, dense layer close to the skin under longer outer hairs means a double coat.

For most homes, the practical order is: one everyday brush first, then a second tool only if the first one is not keeping up. A slicker brush handles light tangles and loose hair on a wide range of coats. A deshedding tool or undercoat rake is a specialist tool for dogs that drop large amounts of fluffy undercoat.

Brush vs. deshedding tool

A brush works on the surface and the outer coat. A deshedding tool has a fine metal edge that reaches through the topcoat to pull out loose undercoat before it falls on your floor. That makes deshedding tools very effective on the right dog, but easy to overuse on the wrong one. They are sized by dog weight and coat length, so check the brand’s size chart against your dog before buying. On thin or single coats, a deshedding edge can feel harsh, and a slicker or bristle brush is usually the better choice.

Technique matters as much as the tool

The AKC stresses a light touch with slicker brushes, since pressing hard can cause discomfort, and notes that on double-coated dogs you need to brush both the undercoat and the topcoat (AKC). Keep a slicker head flat against the coat rather than angled, work in short sessions, and stop if the skin looks red. Brushing on a dry coat is easier than on a wet one: Washington State University’s veterinary hospital points out that wet fur mats more than dry fur, so long-haired dogs should be combed out before a bath (WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital).

Cats: brushing and hairballs

Many cats groom themselves well, but brushing still helps, especially for long-haired breeds. The Cornell Feline Health Center suggests getting your cat used to daily brushing and combing to cut down on hairball trouble, and says cats that will not accept home grooming can have a haircut once or twice a year from a veterinarian or reputable groomer, which works especially well for long-haired breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons (Cornell Feline Health Center). For cats, a smaller brush head and very light pressure make sessions easier to accept. Keep early sessions to a minute or two and stop before your cat gets annoyed.

Nail care: clippers or a grinder

Both tools work. The AKC says some dogs tolerate grinders better while others prefer clippers, and that most dogs need a nail trim every three to four weeks, depending on activity and how fast the nails grow (AKC). The main thing to avoid is the quick, the pink part of the nail that holds blood vessels. A nick there is painful and bleeds. On dark nails the quick is hard to see, so the AKC suggests watching for a chalky white ring and taking off only small amounts at a time.

A grinder files the nail down gradually, which makes it easier to stop short of the quick and leaves a smooth edge. The trade-offs are noise and vibration, which some pets need time to accept, and the need to hold long paw hair back so it cannot wrap around the spinning head. Clippers are quiet and fast but take off a larger piece with each cut.

Cats are different. The ASPCA suggests trimming a cat’s claws about every 10 days to two weeks, using clippers made for pets rather than human nail clippers, keeping styptic powder on hand, and cutting about halfway between the end of the quick and the tip (ASPCA). It also recommends starting with just one or two claws per session and getting your cat used to having its paws handled first, which can take weeks.

Getting your pet used to grooming

Whatever the tool, go slowly. The AKC lays out a step-by-step approach for nail trims: let the dog sniff the tool, touch the paws with it, let the dog hear the sound, and only then trim tiny amounts, with praise and treats along the way (AKC). The same idea works for brushes and bath time. Short, calm sessions that end before your pet is stressed build more tolerance than one long session.

Shampoo: read the label first

Use a shampoo made for pets. The AKC explains that dog skin has a more neutral pH (about 6.2 to 7.4) than human skin (about 5.5 to 5.6), and that regular use of human shampoo can disrupt the skin’s protective layer and leave it dry and flaky (AKC). When you compare pet shampoos, check:

• Species: the label should say it is for your pet. Products labeled for dogs only should not be used on cats.
• Minimum age: many shampoos list a minimum age for puppies and kittens.
• Contact time: some formulas need to sit on the coat for a set time before rinsing.
• Flea treatment compatibility: if your pet uses a topical flea product, look for a statement about whether the shampoo will wash it off, and ask your vet about timing.
• Scent and free-from list: fragrance-free versions can be a better fit for sensitive noses.

Treat claims like “soothing” or “itch relief” as label claims, not a treatment. Ongoing itching, redness or hair loss can have a medical cause and is a reason to see your vet. Ask your vet before using a new care product if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

How often to bathe

Less often than many people think. WSU’s veterinary hospital says bathing a dog with a veterinary shampoo once a week is safe, but bathing too often can strip the coat’s protective oils, and the right schedule depends on breed, coat length, activity level and health (WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital). The AKC calls thorough rinsing the most important step of the bath (AKC). Most cats rarely need a full bath unless they get into something or cannot groom themselves.

Our picks

Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush

A good first brush for dogs and cats with long or short coats. Its fine wire bristles retract into the head at the press of a button, so the collected hair wipes off in one sweep. The head is about 5.8 x 3 inches, which can be large for faces and small cats, and it is not a substitute for an undercoat tool on heavy shedders.

FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool, Large Dog, Long Hair

Made for long-haired dogs over 50 pounds that shed a lot of undercoat. A stainless steel edge reaches through the topcoat to remove loose undercoat, and a button pushes the collected hair off the blade. The brand says it reduces loose hair from shedding by up to 90% with regular use. Use light strokes and choose a different size or coat version if your dog is smaller or short-haired.

Dremel PawControl 7760 Cordless Pet Nail Grinder Kit

For owners who want to file nails down gradually instead of clipping. It has four speeds from 8,000 to 25,000 RPM, a rechargeable built-in battery, and a nail guide plus 60-grit sanding discs and a sanding band. It is listed for dogs, cats and small animals. The guide does not show where the quick starts, so take off small amounts and check the nail after each pass.

earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Itch Relief Shampoo, 16 oz

A soap-free shampoo for dogs and cats over 6 weeks old. The label says its colloidal oatmeal and organic aloe vera help combat skin irritation and re-moisturize dry, sensitive skin, and the brand says it will not wash off topical flea applications. It needs to stay on for at least 90 seconds and can be diluted up to 10 parts water to 1 part shampoo. Ask your vet before using it if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

JW Pet GripSoft Double Row Undercoat Rake

For thick double-coated dogs such as Huskies and German Shepherds during heavy shedding. Two rows of round-tipped teeth lift dead undercoat while leaving the outer coat alone, and the teeth sit parallel to the skin so they do not scrape it. Use light strokes in the direction of hair growth, and leave tight mats near the skin to a groomer.

Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Dog Brush

A low-cost two-sided brush for everyday upkeep. One side has coated stainless steel pins with rounded tips to work out tangles, the other has nylon bristles to remove debris and spread natural oils. It comes in a small size for cats and small dogs and a large size for large dogs.

KONG Cat ZoomGroom Rubber Grooming Brush

For cats that dislike wire brushes. This small, soft rubber brush is made for cats of all coat types and pulls out loose hair, and KONG says regular grooming with it reduces hairballs. It works dry or as a scrubber at bath time. Stop if your cat starts chewing on it.

Safari Professional Dog Nail Trimmer, Standard (5 x 1.5 in)

A plain scissor-style clipper for owners who prefer quick, quiet cuts to a grinder. It has double stainless steel blades, a spring, a safety stop and a non-slip grip for either hand. The Standard size is 5 x 1.5 inches, with a Large version for big dogs. Take only the tip, and keep styptic powder nearby.

Burt’s Bees for Pets Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo with Shea Butter and Honey, 10 fl oz

A mild shampoo for the occasional cat bath. The label calls it hypoallergenic and made without fragrances, sulfates or colorants, with shea butter and honey, and it is a low-lather, easy-rinse formula suitable for kittens. Keep it out of your cat’s eyes and rinse well. Ask your vet before using it if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner, 8 oz

A routine ear cleanser labeled for dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. The brand says its neutral pH formula cleanses the ear canal, removes debris and excess wax and helps with odor. Do not use it if the eardrum may be ruptured, and see your vet first if ears are red, painful, smelly or have discharge. Ask your vet before using it if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Virbac C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for Dogs, Poultry Flavor

A starter tooth-brushing kit for dogs. It includes a fingerbrush, a dual-ended toothbrush and a 70 g tube of poultry-flavored enzymatic toothpaste that is made to be swallowed. Never use human toothpaste on pets, and see your vet if gums bleed or look red. Ask your vet before using it if your pet has a health condition, is pregnant or nursing, or takes medication.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying a deshedding tool for a dog with a thin or single coat, or pressing hard with one.
• Holding a slicker brush at an angle so the pins dig into the skin.
• Trying to trim every nail in one sitting with a nervous pet.
• Guessing where the quick is on dark nails instead of taking off tiny amounts.
• Using human shampoo as a regular dog shampoo, or a dog-only product on a cat.
• Bathing a long-haired dog before brushing out tangles, which makes mats tighter.
• Treating ongoing itching with shampoo alone instead of having your vet look at it.

FAQ

What kind of brush should I use on my dog?

Match it to the coat. The AKC suggests slicker brushes for medium, long, wire and curly coats, bristle or rubber brushes for short coats, and an undercoat rake for double-coated breeds.

Is a nail grinder better than clippers?

Neither is better for every pet. A grinder removes nail gradually and leaves a smooth edge, while clippers are quiet and fast. Use the one your pet tolerates best.

How often should I trim my dog’s or cat’s nails?

The AKC says most dogs need a trim every three to four weeks. The ASPCA suggests about every 10 days to two weeks for cats.

Can I use human shampoo on my dog?

Not as a habit. Human skin is more acidic than dog skin, and the AKC says regular use of human shampoo can leave a dog’s skin dry and flaky. A one-off emergency bath is unlikely to cause harm.

Do cats need to be brushed?

Brushing helps most cats and matters most for long-haired breeds. The Cornell Feline Health Center recommends getting cats used to daily brushing and combing to help with hairballs.

Can a deshedding tool hurt my dog?

It can irritate the skin if you press hard, use it too long in one spot, or use it on a thin coat. Use light strokes and skip cuts, hot spots or irritated skin.

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