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Good grooming will help your dog look and feel his best. Routine grooming sessions also allow you to examine your dog’s coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and nails for signs of problems. How often you need to groom your dog depends on his size, breed, and type of coat.
While good hygiene habits are essential for a healthy dog, unlike humans, most dogs do not require daily hygiene and grooming habits. What is required, and how often, depends on the breed. The Afghan Hound, Poodle, and Komondor — just to name a few — require regular grooming (but are certainly worth the effort), whereas breeds such as the Beagle, Weimaraner, and Boxer allow a bit more freedom in the grooming department. Hygiene such as teeth brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and brushing are most certainly an essential aspect of regular dog care, regardless of the breed.
Professional dog groomers, professional dog handlers, and some veterinary technicians are well trained in grooming, so you can be assured that your pup is in good hands. However, it’s certainly useful for owners to learn maintenance grooming to keep their dogs looking sharp in-between visits to the groomer.
One of the best sources of information for grooming can be your dog’s breeder. An AKC responsible breeder will often have a wealth of knowledge on all topics related to their breed, including grooming tips and equipment needed to do a good job.
Several brushing sessions a week will keep the average dog neat and clean; daily attention is even better. Brush all the way down to the skin, letting the massaging action stimulate blood circulation and loosen and remove flakes of dandruff.
The kind of equipment you need depends on your dog’s coat texture and length. Longhaired dogs need pin brushes, which have long, round-ended stainless-steel or chrome-plated pins. Short-, medium-, and some long-coated breeds need bristle brushes. There are also slicker brushes for removing mats and dead hair; rubber curry combs to polish smooth coats and remove dead hair; clippers, stripping knives, rakes, hairdryers, and other grooming tools.
When brushing, always check for burrs and other stubborn plant material; mats, which most frequently form behind the ears and under the legs; and any cuts or scrapes on the skin itself.
All dogs shed, though some definitely shed more than others. Regular brushing will help keep shedding under control.
Your dog should have regular, but not frequent, baths, depending on the breed and coat of your dog. Too-frequent washing removes natural oils and causes the coat to become dry and harsh.
When necessary, use a mild shampoo formulated for dogs. Stand the dog in a tub or basin, and put cotton balls in his ears and a couple of drops of mineral oil in his eyes. Wet the dog with warm water and apply shampoo from the neck back. After lathering and scrubbing, rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Rub vigorously with a towel (he’ll help you with vigorous shaking!), and then blow-dry if necessary. Comb or brush as required.
Nails must be kept short for the feet to remain healthy. Long nails interfere with the dog’s gait, making walking awkward or painful. They can also break easily. This usually happens at the base of the nail, where blood vessels and nerves are located, and precipitates a trip to the veterinarian. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they’re too long.
To trim your dog’s nails, use a specially designed clipper. Most have safety guards to prevent you from cutting the nails too short. You want to trim only the ends, before the “quick” which is a blood vessel inside the nail. (You can see where the quick ends on a white nail, but not on a dark nail.) Clip only the hook-like part of the nail that turns down.
Many dogs dislike having their nails trimmed. You can make it a painless procedure by getting your dog used to having his feet handled in puppyhood. Start trimming gently, a nail or two at a time, and your dog will learn that you’re not going to hurt him.
If you accidentally cut the quick, stop the bleeding with some styptic powder. If you find it impossible to clip your dog’s nails, take him to a veterinarian or groomer.
You should clean your dog’s ears once a month, more if he’s prone to ear problems. Clean the outer part of the ear only, using a damp cloth or a cotton swab soaked in mineral oil. Never force anything into the ear. Some dogs need the hair plucked just inside the ear to keep air circulating; ask your veterinarian if this is necessary for your dog.
Clean slight discharges with a moist cotton ball. Do not put anything irritating in your dog’s eyes.
Clean your dog’s teeth frequently with special toothbrushes and toothpaste designed for dogs. If your dog balks at having his teeth brushed, get him used to it by rubbing his teeth and gums with your finger. Then put a little of the toothpaste on your finger and let him sniff and lick it; do the same with the toothbrush. Make sure to provide chew toys that will help clean his teeth. As your dog gets older, he may have a buildup of tartar that requires special cleaning by a veterinarian.
Anal sacs are located on each side of your dog’s anus; they are glands that exude scent when your dog has a bowel movement. If you notice your dog scooting along on his rear or licking or scratching his anus, he may have impacted anal sacs. Ask your veterinarian how to treat an anal sac problem.
When you combine home grooming and hygiene with regular professional grooming visits, your dog’s coat, nails, teeth, ears, eyes, and paws will be clean, healthy, and odor free — making everyone in the household happy!
Combs and brushes for long-haired dogs
For dogs with curly hair that tangles easily, Morales recommends using a gentle pin brush while the dog is still wet. Adding conditioner, detangler, or waterless shampoo will help the brush slide through knots and prevent matting. Mitchner also suggests a pin brush, specifically a brush with rounded ends like this one that will avoid giving your dog brush burn or irritating the skin. “It is important to comb and brush a long-haired pet every other day, or a minimum of three times a week,” Mitchner says.
According to Mitchner, “A common misconception is that brushing a pet removes mats and tangles but in reality brushing only removes the tangles on the surface and matting can still be at the root.” Releash NYC head groomer Kriz Khoon-Aroon cites the Buttercomb as “the best comb out there for gliding smoothly through coats.” The Buttercomb features a flat spine and rounded core top which “allows it to glide through the coat flawlessly without pulling on the hair.” And while the price point is a little high, the handcrafted stainless steel pins ensure that this is a long-lasting tool that you (and your pet) will enjoy for years to come.
For short haired dogs Richardson and Mitchner recommend using the Furminator Deshedding tool to help remove the undercoat and additional shedding hair which gets worse during the change of seasons. The Furminator has a metal comb with teeth that are long enough to reach under your dog’s topcoat.
Mitchner and the groomers at the The Bark Shoppe recommend the ZoomGroom to remove shedding fur while bathing your pet. Khoon-Aroon adds that the brush also massages while you go, which makes for a calming, enjoyable experience for your dog.
Schwab loves the SleekEZ Deshedding Grooming Tool because it’s effective enough to be used on dogs, cats, horses, livestock, and even furniture. “That’s right, furniture. You can use this tool on upholstery and carpeting to remove excess fur from your home,” she says.
If washing, drying, and brushing doesn’t rid your pet’s coat of knots, or if the hair hanging in their face (and their food bowl) is out of control, you will need a pair of safety scissors. Everyone we spoke to warned of the dangers of wielding sharp instruments around unpredictable animals, and both Morales and Mitchner recommend using scissors with rounded tips to minimize those dangers. Richardson says she doesn’t recommend owners cut their dog’s hair at all. But if you are dealing with a shaggy Labradoodle who can’t see past its own bangs, Mitchner gave us a few tips for safely framing their face: “Comb bangs to the front, then sandwich the hair between your index and middle fingers at the half point of the bangs, creating a dividing line. Next cut only the bangs that stick out below your fingers.”
Most of the experts we spoke to were not in favor of pet owners using clippers on their dogs at home. However, if your pup’s fur is matted and causing them discomfort Morales says your only option might be to shave the dog and start fresh. His advice is to skip buying sharper, more advanced professional clippers and go for a kit like this one from Wahl, which includes a variety of guards and a DVD with styling tips. Morales says to avoid cutting or burning your dog’s skin you should always move in the direction of the hair growth and not against it (i.e., from neck to tail), always work with the plastic heal of the clippers flat against the dog’s body rather than angled or hovering along the edge of an ear, elbow, or tail, for example, and make sure to oil your blades often so they don’t overheat. You want to avoid touching your dog’s thin skin with the clipper’s moving blades. Morales also warns that dogs’ skin is more fragile and loose than human skin, making it much easier to get stuck in the clipper blades, cut, or punctured. So for at-home trimming he suggests avoiding areas where skin folds or flaps, like the armpits and underside of the hips. For dogs with a lot of loose skin, you’ll want to pull it tight in each area as you trim. “Your dog probably won’t look the same as when you take it to a professional groomer,” Morales says “but it’s better to leave it choppy than to have to rush to the vet to sew up a puncture wound.”
It is essential to “use a nail trimmer that has a safety guard” and “to feel confident when clipping your pet’s nails,” otherwise “your pet will sense that energy and will give you a hard time,” cautions Mitchner. Schwab recommends this nail trimmer from Safari that “allows you to cut the nail with just one clip, making the process quick and easy.” Plus, the non-slip grip and safety guard helps prevent painful accidents. This trimmer is best for medium to large dogs.
For owners who would rather not risk cutting their dog’s nails Mitchner recommends this Dremel nail-filing tool, which she says “is much easier and safer.” However not all dogs will tolerate an electric nail file. To get them used to the sound start with quick sessions accompanied by lots of praise and treats.
“Ideally brush your dog’s teeth daily or at least a few times a week,” suggests Dr. Rachel Barrack, a veterinarian and the founder of Animal Acupuncture. Since dogs do not spit, it is critical to use dog-safe toothpaste that they can swallow. This gel toothpaste has both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial ingredients to fight tartar and plaque buildup, whiten teeth, and freshen breath.
Barrack notes that “toothbrushes formulated for dogs are more angled than human brushes.” Schwab recommends the Virbac Pet Toothbrush because its size “allows you to get to those hard-to-reach places in the back of the mouth” and the “soft bristles” keep your pet comfortable throughout the process. This one is ideal for small breeds.
If your dog won’t let you use a full-size, handled toothbrush, Barrack says that “an angled finger brush makes for easy access.”
And if your dog is fussy and brushing isn’t an option at all, dental wipes are a good alternative. Barrack also adds that “a professional dental cleaning with your primary care veterinarian” is an essential part of maintaining your dog’s optimal oral hygiene.
Another alternative to brushing is this Fresh Breath Water Additive. Formulated with aloe and green tea, you can add it to your dog’s water bowl in the morning to eliminate harmful bacteria and bad breath.
What Equipment Does Grooming at Home Require?
Amy Perry, a self-employed personal trainer and content creator from Cardiff, Wales, told Newsweek that she had been grooming her Cockapoo named Teddy for almost two years, saving her roughly £35 ($43) a month.
“I started working in a dog grooming salon to eventually gain my grooming qualification,” she explained. “Unfortunately, I found out I am allergic to some breeds and started to come out in rashes everywhere so I had to leave.”
However, once she and her partner brought Teddy home, Perry started learning how to groom from YouTube and advice from other groomers. “It used to take me a whole day to fully groom him, now it only takes a few hours,” she shared.
According to Perry, the minimum tools needed for home grooming are brushes that suit your dogs coat, as well as other necessities such as shampoo, nail clippers, round-edged scissors and a dryer.
Molly Bissantz, professional dog groomer and owner of Grooming By Molly in Boise, Idaho, told Newsweek that getting your hands on an undercoat rake should be a priority for any dog owner. For those looking to trim their dogs hair, she recommended purchasing clippers no smaller than a number 5 (¼ inch) blade.
How to Cut a Dog’s Hair? BASIC GROOMING Tutorial
Any responsible pet owner would agree that taking care of your beloved pup is not exactly the cheapest of tasks.
Taking into consideration the costs of veterinary clinic visits, worming and flea treatments, as well as feeding and grooming, its only natural that dog owners may find it difficult to manage the expenses that go along with their companions.
But, unlike other necessary outgoings, grooming can be one of the easiest to cut from your monthly budget.
According to HomeGuide, the average cost of a full grooming service in the U.S. can amount up to $75 for large dogs and $40 for small dogs.
Although the American Kennel Club doesnt specify the required frequency of grooming given how it usually depends on a dogs size, breed and type of coat, some groomers recommend that pet owners bring their dog in for a professional grooming session once a month.
Based on the average grooming costs for a large dog, this could potentially amount to $900 per year.
Still, grooming shouldnt be avoided altogether. Not only does consistent grooming reduce the occurrence of matting and knots, it also ensures that the overall hygiene of your pup is well looked after.
A professional grooming session isnt all about giving your pup a stylish haircut. It also typically involves brushing, bathing, drying, as well as trimming nails, cleaning ears, and tidying up the dogs private parts too.
According to Chloe Smith, founder of Tuft, an app for booking and reviewing dog grooming appointments, the prices of grooming services have risen with inflation.
“The industry is a heavy consumer of electricity and water, the rising costs of both of these things will naturally increase the overall cost of the groom,” Smith told Newsweek. “Groomers also have to consider the equipment and products that are used in the salon—all of which will have been affected.”
If youre conscious about the costs associated with grooming services, you may want to consider doing it yourself from the comfort of your own home.
Newsweek spoke to professional grooming experts, as well as dog owners who regularly tend to their dogs, and is happy to pass on the advice and insight.