Whether you’re tired of sinking money into your dog’s groomer or you’re excited to test out your artistic skills with grooming your dog, building a DIY dog grooming table is an excellent option.
I’ll share four DIY grooming tables that range from easy to build to sturdy enough for your overweight Great Dane.
We also highly encourage you to check out this video since this was the easiest DIY grooming that we built and it comes with a video.
Other articles you would like: Best Dog Grooming Scissors and Best Dog Grooming Tub.
Easy DIY Dog Grooming Table
You don’t need elaborate grooming table plans or carpentry experience to make a DIY dog grooming table. Instead, with a few everyday materials and less than $100, you can be on your way to an easy-to-make foldable table.
To get started, purchase or gather the following materials from around your home:
- Foldable table or Wood square (we’ll talk more about sizing at the end of this article)
- PVC piping
- Coupling
- Eyelet
- Mounting bracket
- Piece of wood (2 x 4)
- Screws
- Clamps
- Rubber mat
Take the 2 x 4 piece of wood and cut it to the width of your table. Then, cut the PVC piping into two pieces, forming a 95-degree angle with a coupling. Drill an eyelet into the top part of your PVC grooming arm.
Then, use a mounting bracket to screw the PVC arm to your slab of wood. Your grooming arm is ready to go. So, take two clamps and secure the wooden base of the arm to the far edge of the table.
The last step is to lay a rubber mat on top of the table. That way, your dog won’t slide around when you’re grooming them. Then take two more clamps and clip the rubber mat to either side of the table to hold it in place.
The beautiful thing about this grooming table is that you can quickly disassemble the table from the arm so that you can go back to using your table for your everyday needs.
That said, this DIY grooming table isn’t an ideal option for large dogs. It’s relatively flimsy, so you can expect your large Fido to break away from it if they get moving around.
DIY Dog Grooming Table for Large Dogs
If you have a large breed, you’re no doubt wondering—how do I build a large dog grooming table?
We highly recommend that you check out this video:
It’s almost always better to build a grooming table for large dogs with wood since it’ll hold 100+ pounds. So, head to your favorite place to buy wood and stock up on the following:
- Table legs: One 4 x 4 x 8 pressure treated post
- Arms: One 2 x 4 x 8 pressure treated 2 x 4
- Top: Two 12-foot pressure treated deck boards
- Frame: Two 2 x 6 x 10 pressure treated 2 x 6
Cut the post into four parts with the back two legs shorter to accommodate wheels that you’ll be attaching to them (your grooming table will be heavy, so you’ll need them).
Then, cut the frame wood according to the table size of your preference. Since you have a large dog, 48 x 24 inches is likely best. Using screws and a screwdriver, screw the frame to the legs.
Next, cut the deck boards according to the size of the frame. Secure them with screws at an even spacing apart of your choice before using the 2 x 4 to cut the arm height according to your dog’s height.
From there, cut a 1 ¼-inch hole and place copper piping across the two arms on either side of the frame. That’s what you’ll use to attach your dog’s leash. Finally, screw on a wheel to either side of the back of the table legs, and call your pooch over to give them their first bath.
Check out for more: How to Trick Your Dog Into Drinking Water? and Lazy Eye in Dogs: What is it and How to Fix it?
Inexpensive DIY Small Dog Grooming Table
One of the best ways to make a cheap DIY dog grooming table is by using an old wooden table around your home. Don’t have one? No worries—head to a consignment shop or find a used table online.
The trick will be to ensure the table will comfortably fit your dog. You also want to check for splinters, cracks, and other weak spots. The last thing you want is your dog becoming afraid of grooming because of a table injury!
The only tools you need to make this table are a staple gun and the staples to fill it.
You’ll likely need to make a trip to the hardware store, though, for you’ll need 15 mm of the following:
- Copper wall plate elbow
- Copper pipe
- Compression elbow
- Saddle pipe clips
Furthermore, you’ll need four carpet tiles, self-tapping screws, some machine nuts and screws, and 18×69 of planed timber.
If you’re a savvy carpenter, you can likely picture how all these pieces will fit together. Use the wall plate elbow and attach it to the table runner with screws. Next, measure the copper pipe to your dog’s height for a DIY grooming table arm. Attach this arm to the compression elbow.
At the end of the pipe, add the saddle pipe clips for securing your dog to the table.
Then, flip the carpet tiles upside down so that the rubber faces up. Using your staple gun, secure the tiles to the surface of the table. And just like that, you have a small grooming table for your dog.
Feel free to check out this video:
DIY Metal Dog Grooming Table
If you have welding experience and the tools, you can build your own dog grooming table by using metal pipes as the table stands.
For starters, you’ll need to select two plastic containers that you’ll pile up, one on top of the other. Ideally, these containers will sit at a height that’s comfortable for you to groom your dog. They should also be wide and long enough to accommodate your dog’s size.
Then, using the plastic containers as a base, create the metal frame for your table with pipes. You’ll need to weld four square pipes for the legs and another set of four pipes that will sit on top of the legs in a rectangular frame.
With your frame complete, you now have the option to attach a plastic or wooden top to the metal. If you’re working with a small dog, plastic should be fine.
But if you have a larger dog—or simply like the aesthetics of metal and wood together—go all out and install a wooden top.
From here, you can weld a grooming arm and attach it to the table. Doing so is ideal for larger dogs, as it’ll hold up better if your pooch gets fussy when you groom them.
What Size Should a Grooming Table Be?
Now that you know how to make a DIY dog grooming table, it’s important to size your table accordingly. If you visit a professional groomer, their tables are likely 18 – 24 inches wide and 30 – 48 inches long.
You’re going to need those full 48 inches if you own a large breed like a Saint Bernard. But if you own a toy poodle, there’s no need to waste all that space in your home.
So, build your grooming table so that your dog can comfortably stand and sit on it without falling off.
Taking your dog’s weight into consideration is also crucial—a foldable plastic table will hold your chihuahua, but you’ll want a wooden or metal table for your golden retriever.
Are You Ready to Groom Your Pup?
Is there anything more satisfying than building a DIY dog grooming table and being your dog’s personal groomer?
We don’t think so, and we’re sure you’re going to love your new grooming table, regardless of the type of table you build.
Now all that’s left to do is purchase grooming supplies and give your pooch their first at-home grooming.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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