Comprehensive Guide on Dog Grooming + Essential Grooming Supplies

Being a dog owner comes with the responsibility of keeping their over-all health in top shape. This includes providing a regular grooming routine that takes care of their skin, coat, eyes, ears, nails and paws. It can be overwhelming managing them all, especially if you're a new a dog-parent. That's why we came up with this comprehensive guide on things related to dog grooming. What are the essential tools you need to use for dog grooming? How often should you do these steps? What are the signs of good and bad health for each part of the routine? Read them all below.

Content:

Brushing
Bathing
Shedding
Skin Care
Dental Care
Eye Care
Ear Care
Nail and Paw Care

Brushing

It's important to start the grooming process with brushing your dog's coat and fur. Brushing has several benefits including 1) helping remove tangles before wetting their fur (which then makes it harder to manage and harder to remove matted fur), 2) protecting skin by brushing dry fur because brushing wet hair can cause some pain and skin damage, and 3) effectively reducing loose dirt, dead hair, and other small debris that allow the shampoo and conditioner to reach the skin.

Withe every rule though, there are exceptions and this case that would be if your dog has severe matting. These tight, unworkable mats can require a professional use a clipper or shave them out before starting any brushing and/or bathing.

TIP: Brush in the direction of the fur growth. This helps avoid irritating their skin. While brushing with your dominant hand, hold the base of the hair near the skin with the other hand to keep the skin taut and prevent painful tugging. And be careful not to give brush burn by using short, quick strokes as you constantly move the brush across your pet, instead of brushing on the same spot repeatedly.

So how often should you do it? If your dog has a short and smooth coat, brush once a week; for short and wiry fur or double coats, brush 2 to 3 times a week; for curly and wavy coats, brush 3 to 4 times a week; and for long-haired or heavy undercoat breeds, its ideal to brush them daily.

Read more about dog brushing in Part 1 of 2 of our At Home Dog Grooming Series: Tips for Brushing Your Dog.

Top recommendations for the best dog brushes:

1. Dematting Rake & Comb

   Cut through tough tangles and mats with ease using the Jeffers Dog Grooming Dematting Rakes & Combs. Each grooming tool is equipped with serrated edge blades for efficient detangling and mat removal.

2. Face and Finishing Brush

   The perfect grooming essential for horses, dogs, and cats. With a compact 3" diameter and soft, flexible rubber teeth, this gentle groomer is ideal for cleaning and massaging sensitive areas like the face and ears.

3. Dual Level Pin Universal Slicker Pet Grooming Brush

   Designed for everyday cat and dog grooming and finishing work. Featuring both long and short pins, this slicker brush works efficiently to remove mats, loose hair, and dead coat while helping maintain a clean, well-groomed appearance. Effective for routine grooming on a variety of coat types.

4. Flat Back Pet Grooming Combs

   Jeffers Steel Grooming Combs are high-quality, chrome-plated steel combs designed with fine and coarse teeth to help with efficient grooming. Perfect for various coat types, these durable combs offer a smooth grooming experience.

5. Magic Spring Undercoat Rake

   Designed with floating spring-controlled teeth, this innovative grooming tool retracts and rotates, yielding to your pet's body contour for optimum control. The result is an even, all-over application that effectively removes loose fur and undercoat without discomfort. Great for both dogs and cats.

Bathing

After brushing, you now move to give your dog a bath. The frequency of how much you need to do it in a month depends on your dog's coat type, breed and lifestyle.

For short coated breeds like beagles and boxers, you can bathe them every 2 to 3 months while breed with medium to long coats like golden retrievers and collies can be bathed every 4 to 6 weeks. Active dogs who often play in the mud or grass, or do outdoor activities may need a bath every 1 to 2 weeks, while indoor couch potatoes can go as long as 2-3 months for full baths.

For more details, read Part 2 of our dog grooming series: Tips for Bathing Your Dog.

1. Pick a location where your dog can be bathed - a sink, tub, patio, outdoor kiddie pool, wherever it may be, and make sure they are generally bathed in that same space. Gather supplies you need there including brushes, dog shampoos and conditioners, bath mitts, towels, sprayers and of course, treats!
2. Now that you have the tools you need to bath, brush your dog from head to tail.
3. Prepare lukewarm water and use a spray hose, pitcher, pail or cup to help wet your pet. Be careful not to pour water directly on their ears, eyes, or nose. Try soothing their nerves by talking to them gently and encouraging them with pets, praise, and treats from time to time. Whenever you see your dog struggle or resist, wait for them to calm down before continuing. 
4.  Lather and gently massage in the dog shampoo from your dog's head to their tail - and don't forget the paws. Ensure product doesn't get into their eyes, ears, or face. Rinse and repeat as necessary. It may take 2 or more washes depending how dirty your dog is.
5. Apply conditioner if needed. Check the label if the conditioner needs to be rinsed or if they are leave ons.
6. Dry them thoroughly with a towel and use a dryer if necessary. Check between their paws, chest area and behind their ears since those can take a longer time to dry than other areas. Do NOT use hot air blow dryers. Make sure its on low heat or at a level they can tolerate.
7. Now that your dog is dry and bathed, the best part is here - a reward treat!

Our top recommendations for the best dog shampoos:

1. Medicated 2% Chlorhexidine Shampoo for Dogs

   This is a veterinary-strength antiseptic cleansing shampoo designed to help support healthy skin and coat in dogs, cats, and horses. Formulated with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, this medicated shampoo helps cleanse the skin while effectively removing dirt, debris, and odor-causing buildup. Features a gentle yet powerful formula.

2. Australian Eucalyptus All-Natural Dog Shampoo

   Formulated with a natural blend of eucalyptus and citronella oils to help repel fleas, ticks, flies & mosquitos without the use of toxic pesticides. This gentle, soap-free formula cleanses and conditions the coat while leaving behind a refreshing eucalyptus & citrus scent. Designed for professional use.

3. Hypoallergenic Moisturizing Pet Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

   Ultra-gentle, fragrance-free formula specially designed for pets with sensitive skin. This moisturizing, crystal-clear shampoo cleans the coat without stripping natural oils, leaving your pet’s fur soft, clean, and manageable. Safe for a variety of animals, it's an ideal choice for multi-pet households and pets with allergies or delicate skin.

4. Moisturizing Pet Shampoo

   Gentle, conditioning pet shampoo formulated to help restore moisture and leave a healthy luster on the coat. This detergent-free, soap-free, and pH-balanced formula uses a coconut shampoo base with added vitamins A, D, and E to cleanse without stripping natural oils, making it suitable for routine bathing and providing the ultimate conditioning for a shiny, healthy coat.

5. Natural Flea & Tick Pennyroyal Dog Shampoo

   Jeffers Pennyroyal All-Natural Dog Shampoo is a gentle, all-natural formula designed to cleanse your dog's coat while helping to repel pests like fleas, ticks, flies, and mosquitoes. Infused with a refreshing mint fragrance, this shampoo leaves coats clean, fluffy, and manageable.

6. Sensitive Skin Pet Shampoo (Unscented, Dye-Free & Detergent-Free)

   Gentle, dye-free, fragrance-free formula specially developed for pets with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Free from soaps, detergents, dyes, and fragrances, this soothing shampoo leaves the coat soft, clean, and manageable without causing irritation. It’s safe to use as often as needed and will not strip the coat or dry out the skin.

7. Vanilla Walnut Exfoliating Conditioning Shampoo for Dogs & Cats

   This exfoliating and moisturizing shampoo is perfect for all breeds and coat textures, delivering deep hydration and skin-soothing benefits in every wash. Enriched with vanilla bean extract to help desensitize allergy-prone pets, and packed with vitamins A, D, and E, this nourishing blend supports skin health while leaving your pet’s coat soft, shiny, and manageable.

8. White Coat Whitening Pet Shampoo for Dogs & Cats

   Specially designed for white and light-coated pets, enhancing their natural brightness without the use of bleaching agents. Its gentle, soap-free formula cleans effectively while maintaining coat health. Safe for use on multi-colored coats without causing discoloration. Berry scented for a fresh, pleasant fragrance.

9. Nature's Best Cedar All-Natural Flea Bite Relief Shampoo

   Highly effective formula designed to help relieve flea bite dermatitis and naturally deodorize your pet’s coat. This detergent and soap-free shampoo is safe for regular use on both dogs and cats. Infused with a soothing blend of Red Cedarwood Oil, Pennyroyal, Eucalyptus, Aloe, and Vitamin E. It’s safe to use with spot-on flea and tick treatments.

10. Tearless All-Purpose All-Natural Coconut Pet Shampoo

    Premium, all-natural, tearless formula designed to gently cleanse while nourishing your pet's coat. Infused with coconut oil, wheat germ oil, aloe, and vitamin E, this shampoo leaves the coat shiny, soft, and manageable. Its non-irritating, pH-balanced formula ensures it won’t strip the coat of its natural oils.

Shedding

Shedding for dogs is a natural process where they get rid of old or damaged hair and helps them regulate their body temperature. Although it can feel frustrating to some owners, there are ways and dog de-shedding tools that can help you manage it better.

It's also important to understand your dog's shedding pattern based on their breed. Some of the breeds with heavy shedding include Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Belgian Malinois, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Elkhounds, Pomeranians, Samoyeds, and Siberian Huskies, among others. They shed all-year round, however there are two specific seasons with "massive coat blows" which is during spring (around March) and fall (around October).

Single coat dogs, on the other hand. tend to shed less than double-coated ones, but shed a consistent amount throughout the year.

TIP: Use a bristle brush or rubber mitts for short-haired breeds, a slicker brush for medium to long haired breeds, and an undercoat rake for double coats. When you're giving your dogs a bath, you can give them deshedding shampoos and conditioners to loosen any dead fur. And lastly, you can use a high-velocity force dryer after a bath to blow out remaining dead undercoat.

Skin Care

Ideally, a dog's skin is smooth and clear, with a normal pigment of pink or black, depending on the breed. Their skin should feel smooth and flexible when touched, without it feeling greasy, overly dry, or thickened. The fur has a natural shine and feels silky, rather than coarse or dull. Lastly, there should be no yeast-y odor coming from their skin or coat. 

Some signs that a dog may have skin problems include excessive scratching or rubbing, constant licking and chewing, redness, inflammation, flaking or dandruff, dull or greasy coat, unusual odor (can come from their skin or ears), and small bumps or scabs. Keep an eye for these signs for early treatment.

TIP: A consistent routine of grooming, proper nutrition, and year-round parasite control is essential to maintain the skin health of your dog. Groom your dog often based on your dog's breed, coat, and lifestyle. After you give your dog a bath, ensure they are completely dried off because trapped moisture can cause bacterial or fungal growth. Wash their bed every one to two weeks and clean their bowls daily to lower allergen levels.

And speaking of bowls, paying attention to their nutrition also matters. Add omega-3s to reduce inflammation and provide coat benefits, which you can consult with your vet, provided with a balanced diet.

For itchy skin solutions, take a look at offers from our online store including dog shampoos for itchy skin, wound and itchy skin sprays, and supplements.

Dental Care

Why is dog dental health important? Dental health in dogs should be regularly monitored and maintained because it prevents gum disease, tooth loss, and severe infections that can spread to major organs. Plaque builds up on their teeth and hardens into tartar which can lead to red, swollen gums and painful gum disease.

Bacteria from such infected gums can enter their bloodstream. This bacteria then travels to the heart, kidneys, and liver, which can cause serious organ damage.

To determine if a dog's teeth is healthy, they should:

• Look white or light in color without thick buildup
  
• Have gums that appear solid pink and wrap firmly around each tooth
• Have a normal, mild scent to their breath, instead of a strong or foul odor
• Be able to eat hard food easily and can chew on both sides of the mouth

On the other hand, dog owners should be aware of the following signs to see if their dog may be having dental problems:

• Bad breath
• Tartar buildup which can manifest as yellow, brown or gray crust coating the teeth, especially near the gum line
• Red or bleeding gums. Gums that look swollen, puffy, or bleed easily when touched
• Having trouble eating. It can be observed as chewing only on one side of the mouth, drops food most of the time, or refusal to eat hard meals
• Behavioral changes including excessive drooling (if its normal for its breed), bad temper or pawing at its face

If you observe some or all of these signs on your dog, contact your veterinarian.

Find supplies that can improve your dog's dental health at Jeffers.

TIP: Brush your dog's teeth daily with pet-safe toothpaste and a pet-safe soft toothbrush. If not daily, at least 2-3 times a week. Do the routine slowly at first, letting your dog get used to the sensation of brushing. Begin by gently massaging their gums with your finger, then slowly introduce the toothbrush. Focus on the outer surfaces of the back teeth where plaque builds up most. 

Eye Care

Regularly check the condition of your dog's eyes to identify irritation before it ever gets severe. 

Early signs of potential eye problems in dogs include unequal pupil size, visible third eyelid, tear-stained fur, cloudiness or change in eye color, tearing, red or white eyelid linings, discharge around the eye, swelling, squinting or winking, and light sensitivity. 

Ideal conditions of their eye health should be moist in appearance - it shouldn't look dry, sunken or overly watery, the tissue surrounding the colored part of the eye is white (not pink, red or yellow), there should be no discharge like crust, mucus, or excessive tearing on the corners of the eye, and both pupils are the same size.

You can do some "reaction tests" at home to see if your dog is having early sight problems. Gently move your hand toward your dog's eye from the side - a healthy dog will blink or pull away. You can also shine a small flashlight briefly into the eye. The pupil should shrink quickly. Lastly, observe how your  dog walks around new or rearranged furniture to see if they bump into things unusually.

TIP: Use eye products specifically designed for dogs and use a soft washcloth or a cotton ball dampened with warm water to gently remove light debris from the corners of their eyes.

Find eye care solutions for your dogs online at Jeffers.

Ear Care

Your dog's ear health is essential to be part of your grooming routine because of the way their ears are shaped. They have unique L-shaped ear canals that can easily trap moisture, wax, and debris, which can lead to painful infections. To help combat this, regularly inspecting, cleaning and maintaining that cleanliness in their ears is very important.

Good condition for a dog's ear includes the skin inside their ear flap being a healthy, light pink; no heavy build-up of dark wax, dirt or chunky debris; the smell should be neutral - not having foul or yeast-y odors; and no swelling is present.

In contrast, if you see any of these symptoms, you can apply dog ear care solutions or contact your veterinarian:

• Redness, swelling, or heat in or around the ear flap
• Dark brown, yellow, or bloody discharge in the ear
• Excessive scratching, pawing, or rubbing their ear against the floor
• Whining or pulling away when you touch their head or ears
• Head shaking or head tilts
• Hair loss around the ear
• Unusual eye movements
• Walking in circles
• Hearing loss

TIP: Check for weekly signs of wax buildup, dirt, irritation or infection. Avoid inserting anything into their ear canal. Use a vet-recommended ear solution to clean their ears, doing so only when needed which is typically once a month.

Nail and Paw Care

Caring for your dog's nails are important because it prevents painful overgrowth (which is when nails get too long that they curl and grow directly into the paw pad); reduces the risk of injury, and it helps manage the "quick" - this quick is a blood vessel inside their nail that can grow too long as the nail grows which can make future trims difficult and may cause some pain and bleeding.

Nail care for dogs involves desensitizing your dog to paw handling, trimming or grinding the nails carefully, and rewarding calm behavior. Most dogs need to have their nails trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks, depending on their activity level, size, and lifestyle.

Paw care is just as important because their paws are what provides extra cushioning that help protect bones and joints from shock, protects the deep tissue within the paw, helps make walking on rough ground manageable, and provides insulation against extreme weather. 

This part of the grooming routine involves the regular inspection, cleaning, fur maintenance, and moisturizing the paws. For dry or cracked pads, moisturize them one to two times a day, and around 2 to 3 times a week for routine maintenance, especially during extreme weathers like hot summers or freezing winters.

Find all the essential supplies you need for nail grooming and paw care online at Jeffers such as nail clippers, styptic powder, paw protector liquid, blood clotting suspensions, paw balms and creams, nail grinders, and more!

TIP: Regular walks on hard surfaces can help file nails naturally if your dog is reluctant with clippers or files. After every walk, check their paws for any cuts, thorns, glass, pebbles, or harmful grass seeds that could be trapped between toes. During winter, pay extra attention to your dog's paws against ice and salt. Use moisturizing dog products like paw balms to protect their paws.

References: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-grooming-tips; https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/dog-shedding-how-help-manage-hair; https://bovh.com/pet-grooming-in-elk-river-mn/how-to-groom-a-dog-a-comprehensive-guide-to-pet-grooming/