How often should my pet be groomed?

I get asked this question a lot! I wish there was one quick answer that would work for everyone, but there is not.  It all depends on your specific pet and how much time you want to spend brushing and combing in between grooming appointments.  I am always happy to answer this question when I am asked.  It is as important to me, as it is to you, to make sure you and your pet gets the best care.  The simple answer is, for the majority of pets a grooming appointment every 6-8 weeks would be appropriate.  However, there are some exceptions to that.  Let me see if I can break it down for you a little.

Short Haired Dogs

Short, straight haired dogs can get away with coming in a little less often, as their hair doesn't tangle and matt up.  They can usually go anywhere from 8-16 weeks, as long as they stay out of the mud and you don't mind them shedding.

Long Haired Dogs

Long, straight haired dogs should be coming in every 8-10 weeks.  Since they have straight hair, they don't tangle as easily.  But if you wait too long, you may be surprised to find there is matting close to the surface which will most likely have to be clipped out. 

Curly Haired Dogs

Curly haired dogs must be groomed every 4-6 weeks.  A lot of people are drawn to the curly pups because they come with a promise of little to no shedding.  This is a deceiving  promise because, the fact is every dog sheds.  The reason curly dogs don't appear to shed is because the curls catch and hold the hair, while straight hairs fall out to the floor.  This is why it is so extremely important to have a regular grooming schedule to make sure that hair is brushed out and removed before it causes matting.  

I absolutely hate when I have to tell a client that their pet is matted and all their beautiful curls must be clipped off.  Part of being a good groomer is being able to educate and explain to the client why this happened and more importantly how to avoid it happening in the future.  I will always take the time to go over which tools work best, demonstrate how to brush and comb properly, and set up an specific grooming schedule geared towards your pet.  

Cats

For our feline friends, they tend to do most of the grooming work themselves. There are some who can't self-groom due to age or weight and need the help of a professional grooming.  

For short haired cats, matting is not usually an issue. Shedding can become overwhelming for some pet parents. A nice bath and Furminator treatment can do wonders to cut down on shedding. Cats can benefit from this every 4-6 months. 

Long haired cats usually require some combing to help them keep up on their long coat. I usually see long haired cats every 3 months or so to keep them matt free and maintained. Again, if you are unable to brush at home in between groomings a little more often is safer to prevent severe matting. 

At-Home Care

Another huge factor in how long you can go between grooming appointments is how much work you put in at home in between appointments.   You would never leave your hair salon and not brush your hair again until your next appointment, but most people don't think twice about that when it comes to their pets.  I never fault anyone for not having being able to brush their dog every day, or even every week.  But, you need to be honest with yourself, and honest with your groomer.  Life is crazy busy and hectic for most of us.  I'm sure brushing your pet is at the very bottom of your to-do list and that is OK!  It just means you have to get to the groomer sooner rather than later.

The tools you use at home make a big difference as well.  I am always happy to show you exactly which brushes and combs I use on your pet.  Most people use a slicker or pin brush at home.  This is a great tool for getting rid of undercoat and small tangles, but it does not do the job alone.  A comb is a necessity and something most people don't think about using.  The slicker/pin brush is going to fluff up the top layer of hair, especially on curly pets.  This gives the illusion that the hair is all brushed out and free of knots and tangles.  Unfortunately, without using a comb to double check after brushing, you may not see that close to the skin there are some small knots hiding beneath that fluffy top. The longer those knots stay in, the bigger they become and before you know it, you've got a matted pet.  

Scheduling

It is also very helpful to schedule your appointments in advance.  If you set up your next appointment while you are checking out, we are able to make sure you are back in a timely manner.  Especially as we near the holidays, groomers schedules are going to fill up fast!  If you wait until you notice your pet is really due to make an appointment you may find the groomer is booked, sometimes a week or two in advance.  And that time you have to wait may make the difference between being able to brush the pet out or having to dematt and clip the hair down short.  And, if you're anything like me, time flies by without realizing how many weeks it's been.  I know I had a huge list of things to do this summer and it seems like I blinked and here we are heading into fall.   

Dogs that go swimming, frequent the dog parks or go to doggy daycare are also in need of grooming more often because they get wet in dirty water and wrestle around with their friends.

There is also an option to come back to the groomer in between the need for a hair cut.  I have some clients that come as often as every other week, just for a bath and brush out.  For people who are unable to brush and comb at home for whatever reason, this is a great choice to ensure the pets hair can stay clean and tangle free.   

For specific questions regarding your pet, please feel free to call, email, or set up an appointment with me anytime.

article written by:
Jessica Karlos, Professional Groomer
Companion Animal Hospitals Vernon Hills and Mount Prospect