Grooming supplies are an essential part of any dog owner’s toolkit, and they make all the difference in helping your pet look their best.
However, when so many options are available on the market—from brushes and combs to clippers and collars—it cannot be easy to choose which products will suit your needs best. In this article, we’ll lay out five common mistakes that people make when buying grooming supplies for dog and explain how you can avoid them.
Skip the “One Size Fits All” Approach
Don’t assume that the same size clippers will work on all dogs when shopping for dog grooming supplies.
Suppose your dog is a Chihuahua, and you want to use them with your Labrador Retriever. In that case, the clippers won’t be able to handle it.
While this might seem obvious, many people make this mistake when buying their first clippers or electric shavers.
It’s tempting to look at all the different types of online products and think, “well, maybe I can find something that will work!” But unless they’re specifically designed for small dogs or large ones—it’s unlikely anything will get results without some serious help from some additional tools.
Don’t Assume More Expensive Equipment Is Better
When shopping for dog grooming supplies, you’ll often find two products that look very similar: one costs $15, and the other costs $20. You might think spending an extra five dollars will get you a better product—but it may not! Some cheaper products can be as good as more expensive ones (or even better).
Price is not always a good indicator of quality. Sometimes, higher-priced items just have fancy packaging or marketing campaigns designed to make them look like they’re worth their price tag.
Be Picky About Scissors and Blades
Scissors and blades are an integral part of the grooming process. They’re used to trim hair, especially on short-haired dogs with thick coats. You’ll need sharp and comfortable scissors if you want to shape your dog’s fur. The right pair will last for years if well-made and properly cared for.
You can tell a good pair by looking at their construction: Are they made from stainless steel? Are their handles ergonomically designed? If a manufacturer advertises that the scissors are “heavy duty” or “industrial strength,” avoid them—these terms are often used incorrectly in the pet supply industry
If you use your dog’s clippers frequently (common for dogs with long and thick fur), buy extra blades so that you don’t have to wait for them once yours wears out. You’ll also want extras for cleaning between sessions. Some suggest soaking them in alcohol or hydrogen peroxide solutions after each use.
Take Care with Crates and Cages
Before you consider buying a cage or crate for your dog, be sure to ask yourself these questions:
- Is it big enough?
- Is it strong enough?
- Will it hold my dog safely and comfortably?
The answer to all three questions is yes. If you’re unsure how much space your dog needs, check out the Humane Society of America’s website. There you can find measurements for various breeds of dogs and learn about what constitutes an adequate size cage or crate for each animal.
Shop Carefully to Find the Right Clippers
It’s important to choose a brand that is known for its quality and reliability. Cheap clippers may not cut your dog’s hair well, or they could break easily. If you spend money on grooming tools, it’s worth investing in something with high-quality materials and workmanship.
While there are many brands of dog grooming supplies on the market, some are more reliable than others—and some are simply better than others (we’ll get into this later).
When shopping for clippers, look for the following qualities:
- Good weight
- Solid construction with little wiggle room (no cheap plastic parts)
- An adjustable blade size that can handle short coats as well as long ones (as needed)
Final Word
Dog grooming supplies can be confusing, but they don’t have to be. Finding the right tools for your dog is easier when you know what to look for.
