Step one: dental care Research has found that cleaning your pets teeth can prevent tarter build up, disease and add up to four years to their life. And you don't have to spend as much time brushing their teeth as your own. Pet toothpaste is enzymatic, just spread a little on the teeth and rub. It will break down the tarter, dissolve it and help freshen breath. Brushing anywhere from three times a week to once a day will work wonders.

Step two: The ears. Clean the ears with a soft cloth and pet ear cleaner. It just takes a small amount of cleaner (follow instructions found on the bottle) in each ear, rub gently, let your pet shake out the excess and then gently clean out the residue. Clean ONLY what you can see. Do NOT dig in your pet's ears because it can cause damage. Here's a vet recommended homemade ear cleaner: mix (3) parts rubbing alcohol to (1) part white vingar. This will keep your pets ears clean, help prevent infection and ease any allergy symptoms.

Step three: clip nails Often considered the trickiest part of grooming. "You need to watch out for the quick," says Dr. Craig Prior. "Quicks are the blood vessels in the nail. Cut them too short and you will not only hurt the animal but cause a good bit of bleeding." The quick is easy to spot on animals with white nails. It's pink. But on dark nails it can be much tougher. Dr Prior says if nail clipping makes you nervous leave it to the pros.

Step four: the coat This includes brushing and bathing. First you want to brush your animal daily. This will help get out dirt, mats and distribute the oils. Bath your pup with a good pet shampoo, about once every two weeks depending on the breed. Human shampoos are NOT recommended because the PH can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Dr. Prior says the biggest grooming mistake pet owners make involves mats. He says, "NEVER use scissors when trying to get out a mat." They adhere to the skin and if you misjudge it, you will cut your animal. The pet zone vet recommends using clippers or taking your pet to the salon for a professional haircut.