Nowadays everyone’s looking for ways to save a little money. Grooming your pet at home is a great way to do just that. A professional grooming session can cost you upwards of $50 or $60, as well as the gas and time for regular visits. With a little practice and know-how, you could be making your pay check last a little longer, while establishing a strong bond with your pet.

It’s important to groom properly, so you might want to check out a grooming class or websites like CAWS.com or WebVet.com for helpful tips. Because grooming can be tricky if you’re just starting out, plenty of pet suppliers offer great at-home grooming products to make the experience as easy as possible for both you and your pet.

Any groomer or vet will tell you that ear care is an important part of grooming. Ear infections are not only painful, but can lead to permanent hearing loss. Vet’s Best Ear Wash is an easy-to-use, at-home product to ensure your pet’s ears are not only clean, but also free of any odor.

Also, try to give your pet a bath at least once a month. It’s a good idea to prepare to wash your dog ahead of time. Read the label on shampoo before you purchase it to make sure that it’s for the correct species and age of your pet. Different pets require different features. For example, Vet’s Best makes an anti-oxidant shampoo for senior pets and a variety of natural shampoos for pets that may be allergic to chemicals or preservatives in the traditional variety.

When it comes to trimming your pet’s nails, use a clipper specifically for the kind of animal you have. Dogs’ nails should be trimmed on a regular basis. A helpful tip for shorter, healthier nails is to regularly walk your dog often on cement. The key when trimming nails is to only use sharp clippers.

In addition to picking up the right grooming products for your pet, a little patience and TLC will make grooming quite an enjoyable event for you and your loyal companion.