If you’ve ever seen your dog roll around in the dirt outside, gnaw at a matted section of fur on his back or lick himself intently, you might feel the need to groom him immediately afterward to keep his coat sleek and shiny. Unfortunately, dogs are one of the more adventurous pets, and therefore get themselves into dirtier situations than many other animals. It would be impractical to take your dog to the groomer every time he rolled in the dirt. You would be at the groomer five times a day. It’s also important that you help your dog stay groomed and clean on a regular basis, because they lack the innate grooming skills that other animals have. So what is the happy medium? How do you know how often your dog needs to be groomed? A lot of it depends on your family members’ preferences and your dog’s preferences.

Households with one or more people who are more sensitive to animal fur and dander will need to keep their dog well-groomed to avoid excessive allergens in the home. You can help by brushing your dog’s coat at least twice a week to reduce shedding around the house. If you have the time, brushing once a day is ideal. Bathing once a week is another must for households with pet allergies. If taking your dog to the groomer once a week isn’t financially realistic for your family, you can always take him to the groomer every other week or once a month, and then bathe your pup at home for the weeks in between. It is important that your dog sees a groomer often, however, because many pet owners lack the knowledge and skill to be able to thoroughly clean their dog. When you take your dog to the groomer, they will be able to remove that stubborn matting, groom your dog’s facial hair and check for any signs of ticks, fleas and other parasites. These are all things that the average pet owner will often neglect, and so unless you are willing to take the time to thoroughly clean your pup each week, it’s a good idea to keep a regular appointment with your groomer.

How often you make your appointment should also depend on the breed of your dog. Talk to your veterinarian to figure out the bathing needs of your dog’s breed. Some breeds have much oilier skin, just like humans. If a dog’s skin tends to get very oily, they are more likely to collect dirt in their fur faster. Too much oil on your dog’s skin can also lead to skin infections, and so it is important to talk to your groomer to decide on a grooming schedule to keep your dog healthy and happy.

Why else should you keep a regular appointment with the groomer? There are several other services that a groomer will provide that are usually out of a pet owner’s comfort zone. Nail clipping, whisker grooming, oral care and ear care are just a few of the things that your dog will need on a regular basis, and many pet owner find these tasks difficult to achieve on their own.

For the most part, if you are keeping up a consistent grooming regimen at home, your dog should get a visit from us at Doggie Styles once a month to ensure the healthiest and happiest pup. Talk to your veterinarian to be sure that this schedule fits well with your dog’s needs, and if you are ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss your options.