Professional Pet Grooming Tools

Whether you're looking for a professional groomer for your pet or you're just getting started in the business, it's important to know the basic tools most professionals use. Professional dog grooming tools range in style and price based on the tool, but some are less expensive than others.

  1. Clippers

    • Like the electric trimmer a beautician uses on your hair, electric clippers are a staple of any grooming professional's tool kit. Clippers range in size and sturdiness, from simple pet trimmers to full shavers. Electric clippers often come with a variety of blades and clipper attachments in different depths and sizes, or blades and attachments may be purchased separately, in most cases. A professional-grade set of electric clippers can set you back as much as $125 or more.

    Brushes and Combs

    • Brushes and combs are the backbone of a groomer's profession. They come in a variety of styles, from slicker brushes to steel combs to deshedding tools, but each brush has a purpose. Some pet breeds require a steel comb to untangle long, fine hairs, while other animals simply need a good rubdown with a bristled brush or slicker brush. Animal, breed and hair type all factor into the type and size of brush used on each animal.

    Scissors and Shears

    • Groomers use scissors and shears to evenly trim or thin an animal's hair, depending on the length or thickness. Both tools are used when grooming animals, such as cocker spaniels, who are prone to longer, thicker coats.

    Bathing Supplies

    • A variety of pet shampoos from flea and tick to simple hair care products are often kept on hand by professional groomers. Shampoos are available in a number of different scents. However, like hair salons, a groomer may find they prefer one product over another and only carry that product line. Other bathing supplies, like towels, wash cloths and sponges, may also be used.

    Nail Care

    • To create a completely groomed look, a pet must have its nails taken care of, too. Nail trimmers and files come in a range of sizes, from small to large, depending on the dog to be groomed.

    Ear Care

    • Keeping your pet's ears clean is part of a professional groomer;s job, and groomers use specially designed tools, such as pet ear hair pullers, to keep the area in tip-top shape. Other ear care items most groomers keep on hand include common household products, such as cotton swabs, moist wipes or cotton balls.

    Dental Care

    • Proper dental care is important to your pet's overall health. When your pet visits the groomer, it may get a full dental cleaning with a pet-sized toothbrush. Specialty pet toothpastes and floss may even be used, if your pet will tolerate it. Tooth scalers, in a number of different styles, such as angled or straight, are also used to scrape plaque and other debris from the teeth.