Shampoos, brushes, de-shedding tools and nail clippers sold in the UK, with prices at two retailers, what the makers actually claim, and bathing, brushing and nail advice from UK charities.
250 ml at zooplus, £1.68 per 100 ml. Bugalugs also sells 500 ml at Pets at Home for £9.55.
Small size; large £10. Safety guard to help prevent over-cutting.
Large, short hair. Not for non-shedding breeds such as Poodles.
A basic home grooming kit costs about £20: a dog shampoo from £4.19 for 250 ml, a slicker brush at £8 and nail clippers from £8, at zooplus and Pets at Home on 21 October 2026. A FURminator de-shedding tool adds £24.69 for a large short-haired dog.
How we picked these 6: widely sold UK shampoos, brushes and nail clippers with a current product page at zooplus UK or Pets at Home, checked for price and for what the maker or retailer claims. We looked for a second retailer price for each and show it where we found one. Products we could not price on a UK retailer's own page today are under “Others we looked at”.
Showing 2 of 2.
| Best for | Price per 100 ml | Second retailer | What the maker or retailer says | Ad | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animology Puppy Love ShampooPuppy shampoo | A low-cost puppy shampoo | £1.68 (zooplus); £2.34 (Pets at Home) | Pets at Home £5.85 for 250 ml | Puppy shampoo; the retailer says avoid contact with eyes | £4.19 for 250 mlchecked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| Bugalugs Baby Fresh ShampooEveryday shampoo | A low-cost everyday shampoo, also sold in a 500 ml bottle | £1.68 (zooplus); £1.91 (Pets at Home, 500 ml) | Pets at Home £9.55 for 500 ml | Sold in 250 ml (zooplus) and 500 ml (Pets at Home) bottles | £4.19 for 250 mlchecked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
Prices from the zooplus UK and Pets at Home product pages, checked on 21 October 2026. Price per 100 ml is the pack price ÷ ml × 100.
Showing 4 of 4.
| Best for | What the maker or retailer says | Second retailer | Ad | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FURminator deShedding Tool, short hair, largeFor large short-haired dogs, 23–41 kg | Shedding double coats | Removes loose undercoat; FURminator says not for non-shedding breeds such as Poodles and Bichons | Pets at Home £28 (small dogs' size) | £24.69checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| Pets at Home Short Pin Firm Slicker BrushSlicker brush | Brushing out mats between grooms | For fine, wire and long coats; angled pins to remove mats | Not found | £8.00checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| Pets at Home Claw Clippers for DogsSmall £8; large £10 | The lowest-priced nail clippers here | Stainless steel blades with a safety guard to help prevent over-cutting | Not found | £8.00–£10.00 (small or large)checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| FURminator Nail ClippersOne size | An adjustable guide to set the cutting depth | Adjustable nail guide; stainless steel edge; for dogs and cats of all sizes | Not found | £11.00checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
Prices from the zooplus UK and Pets at Home product pages, checked on 21 October 2026.
What we did
What we did not do
Sources checked
Prices and terms change. Confirm on the retailer's page before you buy.
Puppy shampoo
Why it made the list
A low-cost puppy shampoo
Everyday shampoo
Why it made the list
A low-cost everyday shampoo, also sold in a 500 ml bottle
For large short-haired dogs, 23–41 kg
Why it made the list
Shedding double coats
Slicker brush
Why it made the list
Brushing out mats between grooms
Small £8; large £10
Why it made the list
The lowest-priced nail clippers here
One size
Why it made the list
An adjustable guide to set the cutting depth
We found no published survey of the shampoos UK groomers use, so we do not name one. The useful rule comes from the PDSA: use a dog-specific shampoo, because human shampoos can irritate a dog's skin, and do not bathe too often, because shampoo strips the coat's natural oils. A muddy dog can simply be rinsed in warm water. The two shampoos here both cost £1.68 per 100 ml at zooplus on 21 October 2026; Pets at Home charged more for the same bottles. If your dog has itchy or sore skin, ask your vet before trying a new shampoo: some medicated shampoos are prescription-only. A professional groom costs more than any kit here; our dog grooming cost guide lists UK salon prices by size and breed.
How often a dog needs brushing depends on its coat. The PDSA's guidance:
| Coat | Brushing | Trimming |
|---|---|---|
| Long-haired (e.g. Bearded Collie, Lhasa Apso) | Daily | Trimming or undercoat stripping about 4–6 times a year |
| Medium-haired (e.g. German Shepherd, Spitz breeds) | A few times a week | Trimming or stripping a couple of times a year |
| Short-haired (e.g. Labrador, Staffie) | Once a week | No regular haircuts; some need undercoat stripping |
| Poodle crosses | A few times a week | Regular clipping |
A slicker brush suits most long and wiry coats. A de-shedding tool is for double coats only: FURminator says its deShedding tool should not be used on non-shedding breeds, and lists curly and silky coats such as Poodles and Bichons. Our breed guides give coat care for the Cocker Spaniel, Cavapoo and Bichon Frise.
There is no published survey of the clippers UK groomers use either. Dogs Trust says there are many types, that some clippers have a safety guard limiting how much nail is cut, and that grinders file the nail down but can take longer and be louder. The PDSA says always use dog nail clippers, never scissors or human nail clippers, which can crush the claw and make it split. Both clippers here have a guard: the Pets at Home pair a fixed safety guard, the FURminator an adjustable guide. Check nails every couple of weeks (Dogs Trust), and if a nail bleeds, dip it in cornflour or hold cotton wool on it (PDSA). If you are unsure, ask your vet nurse or groomer to show you.
For bedding that is easy to keep clean, see our washable dog beds comparison; for walking kit, our dog harness comparison. New to dogs? The first-time dog owner guide lists what to buy first.
We found no published survey of the shampoos UK groomers use, so we will not name one. What the charities agree on is the type: the PDSA says use a dog-specific shampoo, because human shampoos can irritate a dog's skin, and not to bathe too often, because shampoo strips the coat's natural oils. Ask your groomer what they use for your dog's coat.
Again, no survey exists. Dogs Trust says there are many types, that some clippers have a safety guard limiting how much nail is cut, and that grinders file the nail down but can take longer and be louder. The PDSA says always use dog nail clippers, never scissors or human clippers, which can crush and split the nail.
Not often. The PDSA says dogs don't usually need bathing too often because shampoo can strip the coat's natural oils, and that a muddy dog can simply be rinsed in warm water.
Dogs Trust suggests checking every couple of weeks. Signs include the tip tapering to a thin point that starts to curve, or nails snagging on rugs and bedding. If the nails stay off the ground when your dog stands, they probably don't need clipping, and hearing them on the floor does not necessarily mean they are too long.
Stay calm. The PDSA suggests dipping the nail in cornflour or holding cotton wool on it until it stops bleeding; Dogs Trust suggests keeping a styptic pencil or powder at home. If a nail bleeds heavily, contact your vet.
Some medicated shampoos are prescription-only veterinary medicines. If your dog has a skin problem, ask your vet, who will prescribe one if it is needed.
Tell us and we will check it. Corrections are dated on the page and listed in our corrections log.