Pet Grooming: Dog and Cat Haircuts, Bathing and Coat Care

Regular grooming is not just about looks: matted fur pulls and irritates the skin, overgrown nails change the way a dog walks, and dirty ears can lead to infections. This guide explains what a pet groomer does, how often to go and how to choose the right place.

In short: A pet groomer bathes, brushes, clips, de-mats and trims nails. Dogs with continuously growing coats usually need a cut every 4–8 weeks; double-coated breeds should not be shaved down in summer. If sedation is needed, it should only be given by a vet after an examination.

What does a pet groomer do?

Services vary, but most groomers offer:

• Bathing and drying: a wash with a shampoo suited to the coat, then drying while brushing
• Brushing and de-shedding: removing the dead undercoat, especially in breeds that shed
• Clipping and styling: a clipper or scissor cut for the breed or the style you want
• De-matting: tight mats usually have to be clipped off
• Nail trimming
• Cleaning around the ears and between the paw pads, and trimming the fur under the paws

Treating skin, ear or eye problems is the vet's job, not the groomer's. A good groomer will tell you about any redness, wounds or bad smell they notice and send you to a vet.

How often should you go to a groomer?

Coat type is what matters:

• Continuously growing, curly or silky coats (Poodle, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu): usually a cut every 4–8 weeks
• Thick double coats (Golden Retriever, Husky, Pomeranian): de-shedding and a bath during shedding seasons, plus regular brushing at home
• Short coats: a bath and nail trim every few months is often enough

If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, it is time for a trim.

Should dogs be shaved in summer?

In double-coated breeds (Husky, Golden Retriever, Chow Chow) the coat insulates against heat and sun. Shaving down to the skin can increase the risk of sunburn, and the coat does not always grow back the same. In summer, regular brushing and de-shedding keep a dog cooler than shaving. Ask your groomer, and if needed your vet, which cut suits your dog.

Do cats go to the groomer?

Cats clean their own fur; most healthy short-haired cats never need a groomer. However:

• Long-haired cats (Persian, Maine Coon) mat easily and need regular care.
• Older or overweight cats may not be able to clean themselves properly.
• Cats cope with stress less well than dogs. Choose a calm place with experience of cats.

Very anxious animals may need sedation. Sedatives should only be given by a vet, after an examination. For difficult patients, a groomer attached to a vet clinic is the safest option.

How to choose a good pet groomer

• Hygiene: are tables, combs and clippers cleaned after every animal?
• Vaccination check: a place that asks for an up-to-date vaccination card protects the other animals too.
• Drying method: pets should never be left unattended in heated cage dryers; flat-faced breeds (Pug, French Bulldog, Persian cat) are very sensitive to heat.
• Experience: have they worked with your breed and your pet's temperament (nervous, elderly, aggressive)?
• Transparency: do they tell you the price, the time needed and any extras such as de-matting in advance?
• Link to a clinic: groomers inside or near a vet clinic can refer you quickly if they spot a problem.

Grooming tips for home

• Make brushing a habit. Brushing long coats several times a week prevents mats.
• Do not use human shampoo. Animal skin is different; choose products made for pets.
• Do not bathe too often. Bathing more than needed can dry out the skin.
• Take care with nails: cutting into the quick (the pink part visible in light-coloured nails) makes it bleed. If you are unsure, leave it to the groomer or the clinic.
• Check the ears. A bad smell, redness, dark discharge or frequent scratching needs a vet check.

When to see a vet

If you notice any of these while grooming, see a vet before the groomer:

• Red, crusty or greasy skin, or dandruff
• Patches of hair loss
• Fleas, ticks or lice
• A smell or discharge from the ears
• Swelling on a paw, or limping

What affects the price?

The price mostly depends on the animal's size, coat type and length, any matting, the cut you choose and extras such as nail trimming or ear cleaning. Ask what is included when you compare prices.