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Our recommendations for towels in this guide have been discontinued. We’ll add our new picks when we find other cheap towels we love—in the meantime, just about any towel will work for drying your dog, so feel free to use what you have on hand.

Pets need our help to make them look and smell their best, but most pet owners trapped in quarantine aren’t experienced groomers. Regardless, if you’re physically able and you have the means, proper pet care shouldn’t fall to the wayside just because you’re stuck at home. From bath time to brushing to nail trims, there are still plenty of ways you can keep your pet’s appearances up.

To help you build the perfect at-home grooming kit for your cat or dog, I spoke with Erin Askeland, a Denver-based pet professional at dog-care service center Camp Bow Wow; groomer Alyssa Hill of Best Friends Animal Society; pet stylist Kesha Horton of Keesh-Hound Groom Room in Westchester, Illinois; and Melissa Mitchner, founder and CEO of The Bark Shoppe in New York City.

There are a couple of grooming projects that are best left to the professionals, though: You won’t find any tips here on how to give your pooch a teddy-bear trim or the right way to express your pet’s anal glands. “You can significantly injure your pet if you do any of those things improperly,” Hill said. An inexperienced pet owner could give their pet a patchy haircut (which is an expensive future fix) or, worse, nick their pet’s skin. And you could rupture one of your pet’s anal glands, a traumatic experience for both you and your pet (luckily many vets are still open, and they are able to express an anal gland if it needs tending to).

Regular grooming helps you build and maintain the relationship with your pet. It also reduces dander, which causes allergies, and gives you a chance to spot any medical issues, like a rash, soreness, or parasites. Plus, learning the basics means you’ll never have to worry about how you’ll clean your pets after they break into your jam supply, or how you’ll keep them looking fresh in the middle of, say, a pandemic.

Some pets take to brushing, bathing, or nail clipping right away, but others can be, er, ruff work. Take things slowly, and work up to each grooming action. If your pet has never had their nails trimmed, spend a few minutes each day rubbing their paws and touching the closed nail clippers against their feet until they’re comfortable with the motion. Then, trim just one or two nails at a time, and continue the process over the next few days. The experts I spoke with said you should give your pet pea-sized pieces of high-value food, like string cheese or a freeze-dried treat, during both training and grooming time.

“It’s important to keep any grooming sessions short; don’t wait until your pet is upset to stop,” said Askeland, a certified professional dog trainer. “Help your pet associate these things with attention, treats, and praise.”

Finally, if you’ve never groomed your pet before, consider asking your groomer if they have an hourly rate for a video consultation. You can also support your groomer’s business by purchasing gift certificates and store merchandise, or writing online reviews.

Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush (about $16 at the time of publication) Poodle Pet Detangling Pet Comb (about $16 at the time of publication) Oster ShedMonster De-Shedding Tool (about $14 at the time of publication) FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Cats (about $32 at the time of publication)

Brushing out your pet’s fur detangles it, removes some dirt, and spreads natural oils throughout their coat. This is also a good time to check for signs of any discomfort, strange lumps or abrasions, and fleas or ticks. Pets with smooth, short coats, like boxers, can be brushed weekly, while those with longer coats that are easily matted, like bichons frises and ragdolls, need brushing multiple times per week. Never cut out a mat, because it’s easy for an inexperienced pet owner to injure their pet. Instead, hold the fur below the mat, separate it into smaller sections, and brush it out as you normally would. Don’t forget to gently brush your pet’s face and tail, too.

A rubber curry brush makes removing dead skin cells easier on pets who have smooth, short coats. A slicker brush, like this one from Hertzko, works well for splitting matted fur. A wide-toothed metal comb will demat dogs and cats with thick coats, like Australian shepherds and poodles. I personally love a good rake-style dematting comb for long-haired cats, like this Oster option, which always removes my cat Tanzie’s mats. The experts I spoke with also said a deshedding tool by FURminator works wonders for long-haired and double-coated breeds, like Maine coons, Pomeranians, and Siberian huskies, who blow their coats when the seasons change. “Using this twice a week for 30 minutes a day will get that undercoat out,” Mitchner said.

They say to never cut your own bangs, but exceptions can be made for pets. Although we don’t recommend giving your pet a full haircut at home, the experts said it’s generally fine to trim the hair covering your dog’s eyes. Just brush the hair upward, place it in between your fingers, and slide that hand toward the halfway mark. Then use the other hand to cut above your fingers.

Earthbath Oatmeal & Aloe Natural Pet Shampoo (for cats and dogs, about $9 at the time of publication) Nature's Miracle Supreme Odor Control Natural Puppy Shampoo + Conditioner (about $7 at the time of publication) Johnson's Head-To-Toe Wash & Shampoo (about $6 at the time of publication) Burt’s Bees Waterless Shampoo for Cats (about $6 at the time of publication)

Unless your dog jumps in a mud puddle (video), they’ll need to be bathed only about every eight to 12 weeks. Cats are able to clean themselves, notes the ASPCA, and just need a bath if they’re especially dirty or smelly. (If you value your life, make sure you trim your cat’s nails before giving them a bath.) “Overbathing a pet can actually dry out and damage their skin,” said Hill, who has 13 years of grooming experience.

Before sudsing up your pet, place a cotton ball in each ear to keep them dry so they don’t develop an ear infection, and consider putting a non-slip mat (like the Gorilla Grip Bath and Shower Mat) in the tub, to keep your pet from sliding about. Fill the bathtub with about 3 inches of lukewarm water, use a spray hose or water pitcher to wet their fur, and never get their ears, eyes, or nose wet. For cats and small dogs, Mitchner of The Bark Shoppe recommends bathing them in a clean kitchen sink because it gives pets less room to squirm about. She likes using Johnson’s line of tearless baby shampoo. Hill favors any oatmeal-infused, pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner designed for pets. Make sure you thoroughly rinse off your pet, because the residue can irritate their skin. And if you own a hairless breed, like a Chinese crested or Xoloitzcuintli, now’s a good time to apply a moisturizing lotion or sunscreen, which your vet can recommend.

Target Fieldcrest Reserve Bath Towel (about $15 at the time of publication) Bed Bath & Beyond Dri-Soft Plus Bath Towel (about $7 at the time of publication)

Rusk W8less (about $80 at the time of publication) Rusk CTC Lite (about $95 at the time of publication) Infiniti Pro by Conair 1875-Watt Salon Performance AC Motor Styling Tool (about $25 at the time of publication)

It’s tempting to let your pet run free after they’ve spent a few minutes whining to get out of the bathroom, but you’ll regret giving in when your throw pillows are soaked and your home smells like a wet dog. Keep a bath towel nearby so you can dry off your pet before they make a break for the door. Wirecutter likes the Bed Bath & Beyond Dri-Soft Plus Bath Towel because it’s cheap and holds up to wear.

The groomers I spoke with said blow-drying your pet is just as important as towel-drying them. “If dogs are wet it can lead to yeast infections,” Mitchner said. After drying your pet off with a towel, turn the hair dryer on its lowest setting to see how well your pet tolerates it, and increase the setting from there. Make sure you blow-dry the entire body by using back-and-forth motions so you don’t burn the skin. And brush their fur from root to tip as you dry.

Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs & Cats (about $10 at the time of publication) VetWELL EarWELL Otic Cleansing Solution for Dogs and Cats (about $13 at the time of publication)

Ears that are dirty, look sore, or smell bad could be a sign of infection or parasites, and require a visit to your veterinarian. The vet will prescribe a treatment plan and demonstrate how to clean your pet’s ears (video). To clean healthy ears, take a cotton ball or gauze pad and dampen it with your preferred ear cleaner. (I use Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleaner for Dogs & Cats with my own pets, and it never irritates their ears.) Gently fold back your pet’s ears and wipe out debris or earwax that’s easily visible. Never insert anything into their ear canal, because that can cause an ear infection or rupture the eardrum.

Arm & Hammer Fresh Breath Dental Kit for Dogs (about $7 at the time of publication) Sentry Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats (about $6 at the time of publication) Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothbrush (about $4 at the time of publication)

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the most effective way to keep their mouth healthy between dental cleanings. You’ll need a toothbrush or silicone finger toothbrush designed for cats and dogs. For less than $10 each, both the Arm & Hammer Fresh Breath Dental Kit for Dogs and the Sentry Petrodex Dental Kit for Cats include a toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, and a tube of pet-safe toothpaste. Alternatively, these work well for most pets, too: pet-friendly toothpaste paired with an ADA-compliant soft-bristled pediatric toothbrush for cats and small dogs, or a soft-bristled flat-head adult toothbrush for large dogs. “These toothbrushes tend to be made a lot better than pet ones because they’re not as coarse and are more comfortable,” said Dr. Django Martel of the Animal Medical Center in New York City. (This video by the American Veterinary Medical Association walks you through the tooth-brushing process.)

FURminator Nail Clippers For Dogs and Cats (about $7 at the time of publication) Millers Forge Nail Clipper (about $10 at the time of publication) Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder (about $5 at the time of publication) Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Tool (about $30 at the time of publication)

If your pet’s nails go clickety-clack on the hardwood floor as they walk, or easily snag on carpet or bedding, it’s time for a nail trim. The frequency of nail trimmings will depend on your pet’s environment and activity level. A dog who spends most of their time indoors in the suburbs may benefit from weekly nail trims, while a dog who takes frequent walks in a big city may need only monthly nail care (walking on pavement naturally wears down their nails). And most cat owners can get away with not cutting their cat’s nails if their cat regularly uses a cat scratcher. If a cat doesn’t perform their own upkeep, every-other-week trims will do.

We like the Millers Forge line of dog nail clippers because they’re sharp, affordable, and sold in multiple sizes (and some staffers use the Millers Forge cat nail clippers). But if you’re inexperienced with cutting your dog’s nails, our experts recommend a pet-friendly nail grinder, like the Dremel 7300-PT 4.8V Pet Nail Grooming Tool, which is safer to use. Miracle Care Kwik Stop Styptic Powder is a lifesaver for nail-quick cuts because it swiftly stops the bleeding and contains benzocaine to ease a pet’s pain.

If your pet needs an incentive, you don’t have to risk your safety by slathering your head in peanut butter to trim their nails. I fill an Evriholder mini salad-dressing container with creamy peanut butter and dispense a small amount after I trim each of my dog’s toenails. Sutton doesn’t love having her nails trimmed, but she tolerates it (and doesn’t squirm!) when she knows peanut butter is involved. You can learn how to properly trim your pet’s nails by viewing this instructional video from PetMD and this Washington State University photo gallery.

It’s easy to harm your pet during this part of the grooming process, so don’t feel embarrassed if you want to call your vet. Their clinics are considered essential businesses and should accept your non-emergent appointment because they know that overgrown nails can make walking difficult, or curl around and get embedded in a pet’s paw pads.

Erin Askeland, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, Camp Bow Wow, email interview, April 16, 2020

Best Friends Animal Society, Pet Grooming Tips

Alyssa Hill, lifesaving and care specialist, Best Friends Animal Society, email interview, April 15, 2020

Kesha Horton, pet stylist, Keesh-Hound Groom Room, email interview, April 15, 2020

Melissa Mitchner, founder and CEO, The Bark Shoppe, phone interview, April 20, 2020

Kaitlyn Wells is a senior staff writer who advocates for greater work flexibility by showing you how to work smarter remotely without losing yourself. Previously, she covered pets and style for Wirecutter. She's never met a pet she didn’t like, although she can’t say the same thing about productivity apps. Her first picture book, A Family Looks Like Love, follows a pup who learns that love, rather than how you look, is what makes a family.

by Kaitlyn Wells and Mark Smirniotis

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