Building Your Dog Grooming Kit: Spend VS. Save

As a certified dog groomer, you know how important it is to have a high-quality kit. This gives every dog the best possible groom, and leaves their fur looking beautiful. But building a professional dog grooming kit can be an investment – you don’t want to skimp on proper tools!

So where can you save a few pennies with your kit? Read on to find out which products are worth the investment, and which dog grooming tools can give your wallet a break!

Trimmers and Shears

Arguably the most important tools for a complete groom are your trimmers and shears! There are many different types, and each breed needs a specific size. But do you really need to shell out on top quality trimmers when you need so many types?

The answer is YES. This is one area of your kit that you should not put at risk of being low quality. Think of it this way: if a hairdresser used dull craft scissors on your hair, what would you think of her? Probably nothing spectacular!

Although it may be a big investment up front, you’ll be thanking yourself once you start to groom multiple pets each day! Having efficient trimmers will save you risk and time during every appointment. One way to cut down on initial costs is to start by grooming only certain types of dogs – this way you can start with a smaller selection of general trimmers and shears.

As you become more experienced and look to advance your grooming skills, you can invest in building your kit. A set of high-end trimmers or shears can retail around $400 – but don’t forget about your student discounts!

Grooming Tables

Your grooming tables should be made of high quality materials and come from a reputable brand. The absolute worst thing that could happen in a groom is your table collapsing and injuring either yourself or your furry friends!

Investing in a good grooming table is well worth the wait. You’ll only need one table to start with, since you can only groom one pup at a time. If you decide to open a salon later in your grooming career, you can add more tables as you gain business. A good grooming table will cost between $150-$300, with top quality brands going much higher.

Grooming Restraints

Here, you have more flexibility to save yourself some money. Restraints need to be strong, of course, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to find a reliable grooming restraint. Most grooming tables will already come with an arm that can be attached – we recommend looking for a table that includes the arm, since you’re likely to get a better deal!

Depending on the type of grooming restraint you need, the price range can fluctuate anywhere between $40-$200. You have the choice between restraints with rests, arms, extra support, and much more. As long as you find one that is comfortable for both you and your canine clients, you can pinch some pennies in this area.

Combs and Brushes

Yes, combs and brushes are the foundation of every pet groomer’s career – but that doesn’t mean you need to go broke to buy some! While you do want to be careful with the brand you choose, you don’t need to spend a fortune on your grooming brushes. You can, but you don’t need to!

Combs need to be durable, efficient, and gentle (although much of this is up to the groomer!). Your combs should not break easily or snag hair, just as you wouldn’t want a human comb to do. You’ll also want to be sure that your combs fit well in your hands and do not cause soreness as you groom.

Brushes are quite similar – the bristles shouldn’t snag fur or fall out while you groom. Just as well, finding an ergonomic brush can save you hand cramps throughout your career! If you’re planning on only grooming certain dogs, spending more on specific brushes can help you save money over time.

Building your professional pet grooming kit is a process – just like learning how to groom! Once you start to gain experience, you’ll know which products suit you best and which ones you need to invest in.

Check out what your free professional dog grooming kit looks like from QC Pet Studies!