Opening a grooming salon? The essential tool kit checklist
A dog grooming starter kit for a salon covers six groups of tools: brushes and combs, cutting tools, bath and drying equipment, nail and hygiene supplies, a table with restraint, and specialty tools for faces and paws. Start with the hand tools you use on every dog, then add specialty tools once your client mix shows you what you need.
What a dog grooming starter kit for a salon includes
Demand gives you room to start. The American Pet Products Association reports that U.S. pet industry spending reached $158 billion in 2025, up 3.7%, and that 53% of U.S. households own a dog. The risk in a new salon is not demand. It is buying tools twice because the first set did not fit the work.
Use this table as a map, then work through each group.
| Group | What goes in it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Brushes and combs | Slickers, combs in three sizes, pin brush, vent brush | Day one |
| Cutting tools | Clippers, blades in several lengths, shears | Day one |
| Bath and drying | Bathing station, shampoo and conditioner, towels, dryer, bath brush | Day one |
| Nails and hygiene | Nail clippers or grinder, styptic powder, ear cleaner, disinfectant | Day one |
| Table and restraint | Adjustable table, grooming arm and loop | Day one |
| Specialty tools | Deshedder, rake, muzzle comb, balm applicator | First months |
Day-one checklist
Everything in this section should be in the salon before your first client walks in.
Brushes and combs
These are the tools you touch on every dog, every day, so this is where quality shows first.
| Tool | Job | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Large-head slicker, long pins | Opens long and dense coats, reaches the undercoat | One |
| Medium slicker | Shaping and smaller dogs | One |
| Comb, 5", 7" and 9.5" | Checks the coat down to the skin | One of each |
| Pin brush | Smooths the outer coat | One |
| Vent brush | Moves air through the coat while drying | One |
Slickers. Start with two sizes: a large head with long pins for dense and long coats, and a medium head for shaping. The Easy Glide Slicker has a flat head that keeps pressure even across the pass. The Super Grip Slicker has 22 mm pins, a curved head and a non-slip ash wood handle. The Antibacterial Slicker is built for repeated use and cleaning cycles.
Combs. Three sizes cover most dogs: 5 inches for detail work, 7 inches for control and versatility, and 9.5 inches for coverage on larger areas. The 7" Fine/Coarse Comb has 28 mm teeth and both fine and coarse spacing, so one tool checks thick areas and finer feathering.
Pin brushes. The Heat Guard Pin Brush has a flat head for even brushing pressure and 25 mm stainless steel pins. Keep a Sensitive Skin Pin Brush for reactive dogs, puppies and seniors: it uses 25 mm high-density plywood pins.
Vent brush. The vented head of the Heat Guard Vent Brush lets air move through the coat instead of stopping against the brush, which supports a faster drying workflow.
Cutting tools
You need clippers, blades in several lengths and shears. Minelli PETS does not make these, so choose them by the clip styles you will offer and the breeds you expect. Plan for more than one blade in the lengths you use most, so a dull blade never stops your day.
Bath and drying
You need a bathing station, shampoo and conditioner, towels and a dryer. For the hand tool, the Sure Grip Bath Brush is watertight, its handle locks between your index and middle finger for grip with wet hands, and its bristles lift the undercoat for a thorough wash.
Nails and hygiene
You need nail clippers or a grinder, styptic powder, ear cleaner and a disinfectant for tools and surfaces. Choose the nail tool you can control best, since you will use it on every appointment.
Table and restraint
An adjustable-height table and a grooming arm with a loop keep the dog stable and your posture safe. This is the most visible purchase in the room, so buy it for the longest day, not the shortest.
What to add in the first months
Specialty tools each solve one problem. After a month of real clients you will know which ones you need.
- Deshedder. The Steady Pull Deshedder has a single function: lifting loose undercoat with a stable, controlled pull. Hold it like the oar of a rowing boat, with the rounded end of the handle in your palm, and pull with the lay of the coat.
- Rake. The Mist Ready Rake has two rows of alternating-height pins that reach several coat depths in one pass, plus a removable spray reservoir in the handle.
- Muzzle comb. The Muzzle Comb has a curved head and a 10° angled pin row for close work around the muzzle and nose.
- Balm applicator. The Precision Balm Applicator has an adjustable sponge blender, removable and washable, for balm on noses and paws.
How to build the kit without overbuying
- List the coats you expect. Write down the breeds and coat types you will see in your first month. That list decides your slicker pin length and comb sizes.
- Test before you stock. Try the candidates on your own hands and your own coats before you buy multiples. The Complete Slicker Trio exists for this: an Antibacterial, a Super Grip and an Easy Glide Slicker, all large-head and long-pin.
- Buy for the longest day. A tool that feels fine at 9 a.m. can strain your wrist by the sixth groom.
- Add one tool at a time. Duplicates and specialty tools come after you see which sizes you reach for most.
Tool hygiene and ergonomics
Water that gets inside a brush is a hygiene problem and shortens its life. We tested it: we placed dry indicator paper inside two slickers, sealed them, and submerged both for 60 seconds. The Minelli PETS slicker stayed sealed, with the pad dry and the paper untouched. The generic slicker took on water, with the pad saturated and the paper soaked.
Ergonomics matter for the same reason: a salon day is repetitive work. Minelli PETS tools are designed to be lightweight and balanced for a secure grip, which helps reduce wrist strain and improve control during long sessions.
Kits or single tools?
Minelli PETS sells kits in three tiers: Discovery, Explorer and Master. The Master Kit - Antibacterial Care has 10 tools: four antibacterial slickers (large short, long and long and dense, plus a medium short), a pin brush, a Sensitive Skin Pin Brush, a vent brush and three combs (5", 7" and 9.5"). If you would rather decide with the tool in your hand, start with the Complete Slicker Trio and build from there.
Frequently asked questions
What should a dog grooming starter kit include?
A salon starter kit should include brushes and combs, clippers and blades, shears, bath and drying equipment, nail and hygiene supplies, and a table with restraint. For hand tools, start with large and medium slickers, combs in three sizes, a pin brush and a vent brush.
What do I need to open a dog grooming salon?
Beyond tools, you need a space with a bathing station, a table and a drying setup, plus the business basics your state and city require. This checklist covers the tools. Start with the hand tools you use on every dog, then add specialty tools as your client mix grows.
How many brushes and combs does a new groomer need?
Plan for two slickers (large and medium), combs in three sizes, one pin brush and one vent brush. Add duplicates only after you know which sizes you reach for most. Test slickers on your own hands and coats before you buy more than one.
What is the difference between a home grooming kit and a professional kit?
A home kit covers occasional upkeep on one or two dogs. A salon kit has to handle many coats a day, so it needs larger-head slickers, several comb sizes and tools built for repeated cleaning and long sessions.
What is the most important tool for a new groomer?
The slicker brush, because it is the first tool on most coats. Test a few before you commit. The right one feels balanced in your hand after hours of use, not just in the first five minutes.
Conclusion
Start with the tools you use on every dog, test before you stock, and add specialty tools as your client mix shows what you need.
Start today with professional tools that stand the test of time: find them in the full Minelli PETS collection.
