Dog Grooming Equipment List: Everything You Need to Start a Grooming Business

Most new groomers know how to use their tools. The harder part is knowing which tools to buy first, which ones can wait, and which cheap shortcuts will cost you more later. Walk into any grooming supply site and you will find thousands of products. You only need a fraction of them to open your doors.

This dog grooming equipment list breaks your setup into categories, gives realistic price ranges, and points out where it makes sense to spend and where it is fine to save. If you are still working out your overall budget, pair this with our breakdown of how much it costs to start a dog grooming business.

The Big Equipment

These are the purchases that shape your workflow every single day. Buy them carefully, because you will live with them for years.

Grooming Table

Your table affects your back more than any other piece of equipment. Tables come in three main types:

• Fixed height tables ($100 to $300) are fine for home groomers working mostly with small dogs.

• Hydraulic tables ($400 to $900) adjust with a foot pump and handle medium and large dogs well.

• Electric lift tables ($700 to $2,000) raise and lower at the push of a button, which matters when you are lifting a 90 pound doodle eight times a day.

Whatever you choose, get a non slip surface and a sturdy grooming arm with a loop. If you groom large breeds, an electric or hydraulic table is worth the money. Groomers who skimp here often pay for it later with back and shoulder injuries.

Bathing Tub

A proper tub with a sprayer and good drainage saves time and your plumbing. Expect $500 to $3,000 depending on material, size, and whether it has a walk in ramp or stairs. Stainless steel lasts longest. Add a hair trap for the drain, since dog hair will clog standard pipes fast.

Dryers

You will almost certainly need two kinds:

• A high velocity dryer ($150 to $700) blasts water out of the coat and does most of the drying work.

• A stand dryer ($300 to $900) lets you brush and fluff dry at the same time for a straighter, finished coat.

Cage dryers exist, but many groomers avoid heated cage drying because of the overheating risk. If you use one, never leave a dog unattended and choose a model with no heat or timed low heat settings.

Cutting and Finishing Tools

Clippers and Blades

Budget for at least two professional clippers ($150 to $350 each) so a dead motor never cancels your day. A cordless clipper is handy for faces and feet. Start with a core blade set that covers the most common lengths, plus a set of snap on comb attachments. Individual blades usually run $30 to $60.

Add blade coolant, clipper oil, and a blade sharpening service to your recurring costs. Dull blades pull hair and slow you down.

Shears

A starter kit should include straight shears, curved shears, thinning shears, and chunkers. You can find decent starter sets for $100 to $300, while high end individual shears can cost several hundred dollars each. Buy mid range first, learn what you like, and upgrade the pair you reach for most.

Brushes, Combs, and Dematting Tools

• Slicker brushes in two sizes

• A greyhound style metal comb

• An undercoat rake and a deshedding tool

• A mat splitter or dematting comb

• A pin brush for long coats

This whole group usually costs $75 to $200. These are inexpensive tools, but they are the ones you use most, so replace them when the pins bend.

Nail and Ear Care

Nail clippers, a nail grinder, styptic powder, ear cleaner, and cotton pads. Plan on $50 to $150.

Bath and Coat Products

Buy shampoos and conditioners in concentrate, since diluting them yourself dramatically lowers your cost per bath. A basic starting lineup includes:

• An everyday shampoo

• A whitening or brightening shampoo

• A hypoallergenic or oatmeal shampoo for sensitive skin

• A deshedding shampoo and conditioner

• A detangling spray and a finishing spray

Skin focused and therapeutic services are in demand right now, so it is worth learning which products you can offer as paid add ons. A starting product inventory typically runs $200 to $500.

Safety Equipment

This is the category new groomers forget, and it is the one that protects you, the dogs, and your insurance policy.

• Grooming loops and a table harness to keep dogs secure

• Muzzles in several sizes, including a soft muzzle and a basket muzzle

• A cone or e collar for dogs that snap during face work

• A pet first aid kit and a human first aid kit

• A fire extinguisher, especially around dryers

• Ear protection for yourself, since high velocity dryers are loud

• A thermometer for your drying area

Budget $100 to $250, and do not skip it. For dogs with a bite history, you will also want a written behavior policy. Our guide to grooming aggressive dogs covers how to set one up.

Cleaning and Sanitation

Between every dog, your table, tub, and tools need to be cleaned. Stock a kennel grade disinfectant, a blade wash, an ultraviolet or barbicide style tool sanitizer, a shop vacuum, a hair blower or broom, and plenty of towels. Many groomers keep 50 or more towels in rotation, plus a dedicated washer and dryer if the budget allows. Plan for $150 to $600 here, not counting laundry machines.

Business Tools

Great equipment will not help if your schedule is chaos. Before your first paying client, set up:

• Booking and scheduling software so clients can book online and receive automatic reminders

• A card reader for fast, contactless payments

• Client intake and release forms covering vaccinations, health issues, and matting

• Before and after photo storage tied to each pet's profile

• Liability insurance, including animal bailee coverage

This is where a platform like Furbello earns its place in your kit. It keeps pet profiles, vaccination records, grooming notes, and behavior flags in one spot, so you are not relying on memory when Bella's owner rebooks six weeks from now.

Extra Equipment for Mobile Groomers

If you are grooming from a van or trailer, you will also need a water system with a fresh water tank and a recovery tank, a water heater, a generator or battery power setup, climate control, and secured storage for everything above. Our guide on how to start a mobile dog grooming business walks through the vehicle side in detail.

Where to Save and Where to Spend

Spend on: your table, your primary clippers, your high velocity dryer, and safety equipment. These affect your body, your speed, and the dogs' wellbeing every day.

Save on: decorative extras, bows and bandanas in bulk, specialty shears you have not learned to use yet, and fancy cabinetry. Buying lightly used tables and tubs from retiring groomers is also a smart move, as long as you inspect the hydraulics and plumbing first.

Sample Starter Budget

These numbers vary with brands and region, so treat them as planning ranges rather than quotes.

Get Set Up Before You Open

The right equipment makes every groom faster and safer, but your business also needs a system behind it. Once your station is ready, set your rates using our dog grooming pricing guide, then get your booking, reminders, and client records running. You can try Furbello free for 14 days and have your schedule ready before the first dog hits the table.

FAQ

What equipment do I need to start a dog grooming business?
At minimum, you need a grooming table, a bathing tub, a high velocity dryer, professional clippers and blades, shears, brushes and combs, nail tools, shampoos, safety gear, cleaning supplies, and a way to book and track appointments.

How much does dog grooming equipment cost?
A basic home setup can start around $2,000 to $4,000. A full salon station often runs $4,500 to $10,000 or more, depending on the table, tub, and dryers you choose.

Can I start grooming with used equipment?
Yes. Used tables, tubs, and dryers can save thousands. Inspect hydraulic pumps, motors, and plumbing carefully, and buy clippers and blades new when you can.

What is the most important piece of grooming equipment?
Most experienced groomers point to the grooming table and the high velocity dryer, since they affect your comfort and your speed on every single dog.