Slicker brush
Fine bent-wire bristles. Removes loose undercoat + light tangles. Universal — every dog needs one. Use 2–3× per week. Don't press hard — "brush burn" is a real injury. Andis, Chris Christensen, ActiVet are professional-grade.
🚚 Free delivery on orders over $100
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Grooming And Care
✂️ Grooming + care
Dog grooming & care — keep skin, coat & nails right
Most skin issues vets see in Ireland aren't allergies — they're grooming neglect. Wet fur left to dry under a collar, mats trapping moisture against skin, overgrown nails twisting toes. A 10-minute weekly routine prevents 90% of it. Here's the kit and the method.
Photo: Hayffield L / Unsplash
What we'll be stocking
Grooming tools
Deshedding tool (Furminator)
For double-coated breeds (Lab, Husky, GSD, Collie). Removes loose undercoat that causes mats + the "Lab carpet" of hair on the floor. Once a week max during shedding seasons (spring + autumn). Over-use = damaged guard coat.
Pin brush + comb
For long single-coated breeds (Cocker, Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Yorkie). Pin brush surface, fine-tooth comb finishing. The comb finds mats the brush misses. Comb the legs + behind the ears weekly — top mat zones.
Shampoo + conditioner
Dog-only pH (6.5–7.5) — never human shampoo (too acidic). Hypoallergenic + oatmeal for sensitive skin. Only when actually dirty (1–2× a month max) — over-bathing strips the coat oils + dries skin out, especially in Irish damp.
Nail clippers + grinder
Guillotine clippers for small dogs, scissor-style for medium/large. Grinders (Dremel) safer for black nails + dogs that flinch. Cut/grind every 2–3 weeks — overgrown nails twist toes, damage joints, and click on the floor.
The 10-minute weekly routine
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Brush — 5 minutes, weekly minimum
Brush against the lay of the coat with a slicker, then comb through with a metal comb. Pay attention to armpits, behind ears, base of tail — mat hotspots. Catch mats while they're small; once felt-locked they have to be cut out.
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Eyes + ears check
Wipe tear-stained eye corners with a damp cotton pad. Look in the ear — should be pink, no smell, minimal wax. Brown gunk + smell + head-shaking = ear infection (€60 vet visit). Don't use cotton buds in the ear canal — pushes wax deeper.
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Teeth — 30 seconds outer surfaces
Soft brush + enzymatic dog paste (poultry/chicken flavour, NEVER human paste — fluoride/xylitol toxic). Outer surface of back teeth only — tongue cleans the inner. See our dental chews guide for VOHC products that actually work.
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Nails — every 2–3 weeks
You should NOT hear nails clicking on hard floor. Cut just past the curve in a bright light — the pink "quick" is visible in clear nails. For black nails, take 1 mm at a time. Have styptic powder on standby for inevitable nicks.
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Bath — only when needed
1–2 times a month max. Lukewarm water, dog shampoo only, lather body (NOT face — use a damp cloth on the face), rinse twice (residue causes itching), towel dry, then air-dry warm room — wet fur left under a collar = hot spot in 24h.
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Paw pad + foot fur trim
Trim long fur between pads with rounded scissors — long pad fur traps grit, mud and grass seeds. Check pads weekly for cracks (Irish winter), foreign objects (grass awns), tar/chewing-gum. Paw balm if pads feel rough or cracked.
📦 We're stocking up
Our grooming and care range goes live as we vet suppliers — we won't list anything we wouldn't use ourselves. In the meantime, our calculators, breed guides and AI vet tools below are free and don't need stock.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I bathe my dog?
Once every 4–6 weeks max for most dogs, only when actually dirty for short-coated breeds. Over-bathing strips coat oils, dries skin and causes the dog to smell worse (compensatory oil overproduction). Weekly brushing keeps a dog cleaner than monthly bathing.
Can I use baby shampoo on my dog?
In an emergency, yes — but the pH is wrong (baby shampoo ~5.5, dog skin ~6.5–7.5) so it disrupts the skin barrier. Repeated use leads to dryness + itching. Switch to dog-only shampoo as soon as you can. Never human dandruff/medicated shampoos — too harsh.
My dog hates nail clipping — alternatives?
A nail grinder (Dremel-style) is safer for black-nailed dogs and many dogs tolerate the buzz better than the snip. Build slowly: paste on the grinder one day, touch a single nail next day, do one full nail with high-value treats. Or pay a groomer €5–€10 a month — peace of mind worth the price.
How do I get rid of mats?
Small mats: detangler spray + slicker brush + metal comb, work from the tip inward. Medium mats: cut INTO the mat in slivers with rounded scissors, then brush out. Tight, skin-level mats: don't try yourself, you'll cut the dog. Groomer or vet — these often need full clipping under sedation.