Regular Grooming and Your Pet’s Health

Grooming isn't only about looks. Brushing, bathing and nail care keep skin, coat and paws in good shape, and they give someone a regular chance to spot problems early.

What regular grooming does

Coat and skin

Brushing removes dead hair, dirt and loose skin flakes, and it spreads the coat's natural oils along the hair. A clean, brushed coat also makes it easier to see the skin underneath.

Shedding

Brushing can't stop shedding, but it takes loose hair out before it ends up on your floor. It helps most during the seasonal coat change.

Mats

Matted fur pulls on the skin, hides sores and can lead to skin infections. Frequent brushing prevents mats, especially in long-haired and curly-coated breeds. If a mat won't brush out, ask a groomer or vet to clip it. Cutting it with scissors close to the skin risks cutting the pet.

Nails

Overgrown nails can make walking painful and change how a dog stands and moves. They can also catch and tear. How often a trim is needed depends on the pet and the surfaces it walks on, so ask your groomer.

What grooming can help you spot

• Ears: redness, discharge or a bad smell can mean an infection. Healthy ears rarely need routine cleaning, and over-cleaning can irritate them, so ask your vet before you start.
• Parasites: fleas, ticks, lice and mites are easier to find when you're brushing and handling the coat.
• Skin: red, moist or sore patches (hot spots), flaky skin, itching or patchy hair loss.
• Lumps and bumps: a new lump is worth a vet check. Most lumps are harmless, but only a vet can tell.
• Grass seeds: in late spring and summer, seeds can lodge between the toes, in the ears or in the eyes. Sudden head shaking, paw licking, limping or a squinting eye all call for a vet visit, and a seed in the eye needs one quickly.

Grooming at MyPeterinarian

Regular grooming appointments mean the groomer gets to know your pet's coat and notices when something changes. If we see something that worries us, we'll tell you so you can have it checked at our veterinary service. You can also add a vet health check to a grooming booking.