Updated: Feb 2
Keeping your dog in great shape is about more than daily walks and a good game of fetch.
A solid home grooming routine, backed by genuinely good products, plays a huge role in their comfort, health and overall happiness.
Even if your dog visits a professional groomer, those regular at home touch ups really do make all the difference.
Grooming is also one of the nicest ways to spend focused time together. It is a calm, hands on moment that helps build trust, while giving you the chance to spot any sneaky skin issues or coat changes early on.
We have rounded up our favourite grooming products on the UK market for 2026. Each one has earned its place by making grooming easier, more effective and far more enjoyable for both you and your dog. The result is a healthier coat, a happier dog, and a home routine you can actually look forward to. 🐾
⏰ UPDATED : JANUARY 2026 - After a full test and review we've added the OneIsAll Grooming Vacuum and WildWash's Magic Paw Balm to our round-up. |
You can use the links below to skip to the relevant section - or read on for every last detail to help you find the perfect dog grooming routine for you and your dog.
IN THIS ARTICLE
1. Best Dog Grooming Range - Douxo Spa
The dog grooming aisle can be overwhelming with countless products to choose from. You might not have come across Douxo yet, but believe me, they’re definitely worth discovering.
Wondering what makes Douxo different? They collaborate with veterinary dermatology specialists to develop their range and have earned vet approvals from around the world.
Their mission is to craft ultra-safe, natural, and gentle products that keep your dog’s skin healthy and their coat shiny.
From shampoos and conditioners to mousses, sprays, wipes, and ear cleaners—they offer a full lineup. And the best bit, all the Douxo Spa collection features their signature coco-vanilla scent, which is is absolutely divine. It's warm and bright and reminded us of essential oils as opposed to something more artificial. Your dog will smell utterly delicious!
Reasons to Buy
+ Created with veterinary specialists
+ Collection of products
+ Great for smelly dogs
+ Long lasting scent
+ No nasties
Reasons to Avoid
- Need to avoid eyes
Buying Options
If your dog moults so much that you end up brushing them in the garden, then take a look at the OneIsAll grooming vacuum.
The idea is simple but clever. You groom your dog as normal, but the vacuum captures the loose hair as you brush. For a double coated Labrador like our tester Otis, this sounded almost too good to be true.
It comes with a range of attachment,s including a grooming brush, deshedding brush, crevice tool and a cleaning brush. Setup is straightforward, simply attach the tool you want, choose your suction level, and you are ready to go.
In testing we were impressed. The suction is strong (there are 3 levels), and both the grooming and deshedding brushes worked brilliantly on Otis’s thick coat.
In fact, we almost filled the 1.5 litre tank during our first grooming session alone
It is also much quieter than we expected, certainly far less noisy than a hair dryer and the hose measures a whopping 158 cm, which gave us plenty of freedom to move around Otis without feeling restricted.
Overall, we were genuinely surprised by how well the OneIsAll Pet Grooming Vacuum handled Otis’s moulting. It turned what is usually a messy, outdoor job into a much cleaner and easier indoor task. If you live with a heavy shedder, this is a product we would happily recommend.
Reasons to Buy
+ Superior suction
+ Several attachments
+ Quiet with 3 suction settings
+ Long hose
Reasons to Avoid
- If your dog doesn't moult
Buying Options
We rate Groom Professional Baby Fresh a great all-round dog shampoo with a totally gorgeous baby powder scent lasting several days.
Here at Smart Bark, we've tested lots of shampoos over the years and would recommend Groom Professional Baby Fresh shampoo as a great all-round option for most dogs.
This particular shampoo is ideal if your dog loves to roll around in the mud or splash in stinky puddles.
A firm favourite with dog groomers, it lathers easily and deep cleans leaving a lovely scent which isn't over-powering.
Made in the UK, it's formulated with aloe vera for it's moisturising benefits so it is gentle enough for you to use once a week to cater for seriously muddy dog walks.
The truth is that this is a great all-round shampoo if your dog doesn't have any specific needs.
Available in three different sizes so you can try it out without investing too much with the 250ml bottle or save money by bulk buying a 4 litre bottle. It's worth noting that there is a range of conditioners too.
Reasons to Buy
+ Amazing smell
+ Easy to lather
+ Range of sizes
+ Great value
Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn't cater for skin issues
- Creates lots of foam
Buying Options
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If you have an anxious dog then lick mats designed specifically to keep your dog calm during bathing are a great idea. We test and review some of the best lick mat options available |
Bringing home a puppy?
Protect their delicate skin with a shampoo specially formulated for them. Puppy skin is far more sensitive than an adult dog's, requiring a gentle touch.
If you haven't come across WildWash there are certainly worth a look. A B-Corp Certified company, which in simple terms means that WildWash is trying to do good, not just make money.
WildWash's puppy shampoo, with its soothing aloe vera and calming evening primrose, is a fantastic choice.
These natural, powerful ingredients are kind to their skin and rinse quickly, making bath time a breeze.
Just remember to dilute the shampoo and let it sit for five minutes to maximize the benefits of those essential oils!
Reasons to Buy
+ Formulated for puppies
+ Mild for sensitive skins
+ Pump action bottle
Reasons to Avoid
- Pricier than some
Buying Options
You might also like..... our in-depth review of the best shampoo for your breed and fur type
Another option for drying your dog quickly and easily is the dog drying towel from Dot Dot Pet.
For me (and for most people I suspect), the key to a great dog towel is one that dries your dog quickly, is easy to clean afterwards and doesn't ever smell of wet dog.
So it's worth buying a towel designed specifically to take the hassle out of drying your dog.
Dot Dot Pet are an innovative, award winning new company offering a capsule range of pet care products.
Everything from the bamboo towels to the shampoos and eco towels (single use and biodegradable) are not only well designed, but they look nice around your home too.
They are also great for your carbon pawprint as their whole product range is responsibly sourced and sustainably made.
So why do we love their dog towels so much ?
Headline features include drying hand pockets and a hood, which helps you dry your dog without getting wet yourself. This was a game-changer for us ! We loved the pockets, they made drying quick and easy.
DotDotPet's towels are soft and absorbent which you'd expect but they're also light enough to throw in a dog walking bag for a quick dry after a sudden downpour or dip in the river !
Made from sustainable materials (45% bamboo, 35% polyester & 20% cotton), the towels are available in two sizes, so you have a choice depending on the size of your dog -
🐾 Small 50 x 50 cm (pink & purple)
🐾 Large 75 x 75 cm (orange & purple)
So that's all the boxes ticked and at a great price too.
Reasons to Buy
+ Cleverly designed towel
+ Quick drying
+ Easy to wash
Reasons to Avoid
- May not be large enough for extra large breeds
Buying Options
You may be interested ..... Dot Dot Pet also offer an amazing range of shampoos
If you're in a rush and are looking for a quick freshen up, then grooming wipes are a great idea. Really popular, there are lots of different brands of dog grooming wipes on the market.
Earth Rated is a Canadian company founded back in 2009, initially making dog poo bags. Since then. they've extended their range of products to include poo bag dispensers, plant-based dog grooming wipes and innovative dog toys.
Their dog grooming wipes are great value and come in packs of 100. We tested the unscented (fragrance-free) wipes but they also offer a lavender scented version.
For me (and for most people, I suspect), the key to disposable wipes of any kind is how easy the pack is to reseal and keep the contents moist and fresh. The Earth Rated pack is designed with a hard plastic opening, and in testing we found the packaging easily dispenses the wipes one at a time and clicks shut keeping them fresh.
Each wipe measures 21cm x 19cm, which is large enough to clean off mud without getting it all over your hands but small enough to work into ridges and wrinkles on ears and between paws.
They feel premium, thick and durable with a textured finish and in testing they didn't tear so you can use them confidently around the butt area.
An all round excellent choice for most dog lovers searching for a good value, high quality dog wipe.
Reasons to Buy
+ Great value
+ Easily resealable packaging
+ Scented and unscented option
Reasons to Avoid
- Won't deal with fox poo
Buying Options
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We handpick a selection of the most popular and innovative dog wipes on the UK market for a side-by-side test and comparison - Best Dog Wipes : Paws and Perfection |
When bath time is over, dog drying coats are ideal for avoiding that wet dog rubbing on carpets and furniture.
We would definitely recommend a dog drying coat to wrap up your now clean but still very wet dog.
These gorgeous dog drying coats from Cornish company Toby & Alexander are made using premium microfibre and are great value.
We love that the robe ties on your dogs back not underneath their belly. Whilst they don't have hoods like some of their rivals, this is reflected in the price, making them an excellent value alternative to some of the more pricier options on the market.
The Toby and Alexander dog robe is meant to be slightly oversized and snuggly and designed to hang over your dog's hind quarters.
Available in a range of 8 sizes (sizing guide available online) and 5 gorgeous colours so you can find a coat to suit your perfect pooch.
Reasons to Buy
+ Great value bathrobe
+ Choice of sizes available
+ Choice of colours
Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn't have a hood
Buying Options
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WildWash, which we featured earlier, makes a beautifully scented Magic Paw Balm that really comes into its own in extreme weather. It absorbs quickly and uses a thoughtful blend of oils to help rebuild and protect your dog’s delicate skin barrier.
As you can see from out photo, the balm is suitable for frequent use, it's thick and waxy but sinks in fast, making it easy to apply as part of a daily routine.
The formula includes Sweet Almond Oil, naturally rich in Vitamin E, which provides deep yet fast absorbing moisture for dry or cracked pads. Frankincense acts as a gentle skin tonic, while Kanuka, traditionally used by the Maori people of New Zealand, supports overall skin health.
We especially liked that the scent is very subtle, which means your dog is far less likely to try and lick it straight off after application. Some balms we have tested smell lovely to us, but are simply too strongly scented for your dog.
But it's completely lick safe, so there’s no need to worry if your dog gives their paws an exploratory taste.
Like all WildWash products, Magic Paw Balm is cruelty free and proudly carries the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny logo alongside Ethical Certification.
Reasons to Buy
+ Great for dry paws
+ Can be used on noses and dry skin
+ Safe for puppies
Reasons to Avoid
- Pricier than some
Buying Options
Most dogs will never need to have a nail trim because they lead an active lifestyle and their nails wear down naturally, however some dogs will need help to keep their nails to a healthy length and shape.
If you choose to trim your dog's nails at home a good set of nail clippers is a must.
These plier style nail clippers from Or. offer several clever features to help you make a safe and quick job of nail trimming.
They have curved blade edges which are ultra sharp stainless steel.
They include a safety stop, which ensures that you don't clip past the curve of the nail as you risk hitting the quick (the pink area of the nail that contains the blood vessels). A clip this low is painful and will bleed.
The handles are comfortable and non-slip and lastly, there is a lock so you can safely store the clippers in a locked position.
Pet Teezer is designed to detangle your dog’s coat quickly and more importantly gently, without any tugging or pulling which is ideal for puppies not accustomed to being brushed.
The Tangle Teezer for humans was such a big success when it was launched back in 2007, dog owners were begging the company to create the perfect tangle teezer for their precious pooches.
They listened. Three years of research to create the Pet Teezer, a grooming brush created specifically for dogs and puppies.
It can be used to groom wet or dry fur and is recommended by Battersea Cats & Dogs Home.
This brush may not be able to deal with the biggest matts and knotted fur (like the Pecute option featured next), but it's an ideal starting point for getting your puppy acclimatised to the brushing process. Available in two sizes.
Reasons to Buy
+ Soft & gentle
+ Suitable for puppies
Reasons to Avoid
- Won't deal with heavy matting
Buying Options
Even the best-kept dogs will benefit from a good grooming routine at home not least to prevent mats and other skin irritations that can cause ongoing problems.
Our choice of the some of the best grooming products on the UK market will ensure that your dog's coat and skin are kept in tip top condition.
Happy Grooming from the Smart Bark Team
Claire is the founder of Smart Bark and a lifelong dog lover.
With a 10 year background in retail buying for one of the UK’s major retailers, she brings a keen eye for quality and value to every dog product review.
Claire personally tests every item featured on Smart Bark with her own family dog and her team of dog testers—so you get honest, expert advice (not recycled marketing blurb) from someone who truly understands what works in real life (and what doesn’t).
No gimmicks. Just trusted recommendations backed by experience.
