Most small animals do a pretty good job of grooming themselves, but they all can benefit from regular brushing. (Angora rabbits, however, require special attention and need to be clipped at least once a year—preferably during the warm season.)

For most small animals, a soft bristle brush is sufficient for occasional grooming.

Some animals, such as ferrets and rabbits, benefit from having their nails trimmed occasionally. If left untrimmed, nails can grow to be quite sharp and can damage furniture or even harm you or others. A guillotine-stile nail trimmer works best for this purpose, rather than a nail trimmer designed for humans.

Your local pet store will carry many types of grooming items. Be sure to ask your veterinarian or pet store salesperson as to which type of brush and nail trimmer works best for your pet.