By Dr Duncan Houston
A brush that suddenly catches, a cat who flinches when you touch their back, or a nail curling towards the paw can turn an ordinary grooming session into a health check. The most useful result of grooming is a comfortable animal with healthy skin.
Dogs and cats need different routines. Knowing when to continue gently, book a groomer, or call your vet helps prevent a small problem becoming a painful one.
Quick Answer
Check your dog or cat's coat regularly, brush according to their coat and comfort, and assess nails, ears and the face during calm handling. Bathe dogs when needed; most healthy adult cats rarely need baths. Stop if you find painful mats, inflamed skin, a sore ear or an injured nail, and ask your vet which care is appropriate before continuing.
1. Brush for the coat your dog or cat actually has
Look through the coat each day, especially behind the ears, under the legs and where a collar or harness sits. Long, silky or curly coats often need daily brushing, while short coats may need less. Increase attention when loose hair begins collecting or tangles appear, rather than relying on a fixed weekly timetable.
Use gentle strokes and a suitable brush or comb, stopping where the skin pulls or your pet reacts. Ask your groomer or veterinary nurse to demonstrate how to reach through a dense coat without scraping the skin. A smooth surface can conceal tangles underneath. These principles are explained in VCA's guidance on dog coat care and cat coat care.
What should you do about matted fur?
A mat is a tightly tangled clump of hair. If a small tangle will not separate easily without pulling, leave it alone and arrange professional help. Never slide scissors under a mat: skin can be caught inside it. Extensive matting or irritated skin needs veterinary assessment; some animals need sedation for safe removal. Have mats assessed before bathing, because wetting can make them harder to remove.
2. Bathe when needed and protect the skin
For dogs, the right interval depends on dirt, coat type, lifestyle and skin health. There is no single bathing schedule that suits every dog. A vet may prescribe frequent baths for a skin condition, so follow that individual plan rather than automatically reducing washing.
Most healthy adult cats keep themselves clean. A cat who repeatedly becomes greasy or soiled needs the reason investigated, especially if this is new.
- Use lukewarm water and secure, non-slip footing.
- Use a shampoo labelled for the correct species and age, following its instructions. Do not substitute human shampoo or assume a dog formula suits cats.
- Keep water and lather away from eyes and ear openings, then rinse thoroughly.
- Towel dry gently and keep your pet comfortable while they dry. Avoid hot drying equipment.
If professional drying is needed, ask how your pet will be supervised and protected from heat. The RSPCA's advice on choosing a groomer highlights drying-equipment hazards and the importance of meeting each animal's handling needs.
3. Check nails and paws before choosing what to trim
Dogs: look at nail length while your dog stands naturally. Nails pressing against the floor, repeated snagging or clicking are reasons to check whether trimming is due. Include the dewclaws higher on the inside of the leg, which do not wear down through walking. Activity and nail growth determine the interval.
Have someone show you where the quick, the blood vessel and nerve supply, lies. With dark nails it may be hidden, so do not guess how far back to cut. If you have been shown a safe technique and your dog remains relaxed, remove only small amounts from the tip. VCA's dog nail-trimming guidance explains why small cuts and dewclaw checks matter.
Cats: gently extend one claw by pressing the toe pad, then inspect it. Trim only the sharp tip if needed, well clear of the pink quick. One or two claws may be enough for a session. Provide suitable scratching surfaces, but still inspect the claws. The ASPCA's cat grooming advice describes gradual claw handling and rewarding cooperation.
A split, loose or embedded nail is a veterinary problem. Do not pull it off or try to cut a claw out of the paw pad.
4. Inspect ears before deciding whether to clean them
Healthy ears should be comfortable and free of a strong smell or unusual discharge. Most cats do not need routine ear cleaning, and some dogs do not either. A dog with recurring ear trouble may need a specific maintenance plan.
Redness, pain, head shaking, smell or discharge calls for veterinary advice before cleaning. An ear examination can establish whether infection or another problem is present and whether a cleaner is suitable.
When your vet has recommended cleaning, ask for a demonstration and follow the agreed frequency. Use the recommended solution and gently wipe visible material with gauze or a cotton pad. Do not insert cotton buds or instruments into the canal, and do not use alcohol, peroxide or leftover ear medication. Stop if cleaning hurts. See VCA's species-specific instructions for dogs' ears and cats' ears.
5. Include teeth and the face without treating disease at home
Introduce toothbrushing gradually in both dogs and cats, aiming for daily care with a soft brush and toothpaste formulated for that species. Human toothpaste is unsuitable for swallowing. VCA provides practical introductions to brushing dogs' teeth and cats' teeth.
Bad breath with red gums, drooling or difficulty eating needs a dental examination. Do not scrub a painful mouth or scrape tartar off at home.
For light crust on the fur beside an otherwise comfortable eye, gently wipe away from the eye with a clean damp pad, using a fresh pad for each side. Avoid touching the eyeball. Leave trimming near eyes to a trained professional. Persistent discharge needs a vet check; squinting, an eye held shut or new cloudiness needs urgent advice. The ASPCA describes these warning signs for dogs and cats.
Is this routine grooming or a health problem?
| What you notice | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Loose fur or a minor tangle; comfortable skin and relaxed handling | Routine coat maintenance is usually appropriate | Continue gently and stop if the coat pulls |
| Tight mats that will not loosen comfortably, with no obvious soreness | Further brushing can hurt or damage skin | Arrange professional assessment promptly, before bathing |
| Raw, moist or smelly skin; painful mats; a broken or embedded nail | There may be injury or infection requiring treatment | Stop grooming and contact your vet the same day |
| A painful eye, significant bleeding or marked distress | Delay can worsen an injury | Call a veterinary clinic immediately for urgent care |
What else can cause grooming problems?
Itch and hair loss are not automatically signs that your pet needs more washing. Fleas, allergies, skin infection and irritation from grooming can look similar. A red, wet sore in a dog may be a hot spot that enlarges as licking continues; the ASPCA's skin-care guidance recommends assessing the cause as well as the sore.
In cats, excessive licking can reflect itch or pain. Stress is another possibility, but medical causes need consideration first, as explained by Cornell's guidance on cats that lick too much.
A cat who stops grooming, develops new mats or resents being touched may be struggling with mobility or another illness. Cornell's advice on older cats stresses that changes should not simply be attributed to age. Your vet may assess movement, mouth comfort, skin and general health before recommending extra grooming.
When is a grooming injury an emergency?
Seek emergency veterinary care for heavy or uncontrolled bleeding, breathing difficulty, collapse or an obvious eye injury. Stop the procedure and contact the clinic while arranging transport. If a skin or nail wound is bleeding and handling is safe, hold clean gauze or a clean cloth firmly against it; never press on an injured eye.
For a small nail-tip bleed, end the trim and apply gentle pressure. Call your vet if it continues after a few minutes, restarts repeatedly or the nail is torn. These precautions draw on veterinary guidance for bleeding in dogs and emergencies in cats.
What should you do at your next grooming session?
- Check first. Look for tangles, sore areas, unusual smells and changes in movement before wetting the coat or picking up clippers.
- Choose one manageable task. A few calm brush strokes or one claw can be a useful session. Reward cooperation and allow breaks.
- Stop at discomfort. Pulling away, freezing, growling or struggling means the approach needs to change. Sudden intolerance deserves a health check.
- Record anything new. Note where it is, when you first saw it, and whether licking, appetite or activity has changed. Share this with your vet and tell the groomer about existing conditions.
Five common grooming mistakes
- Brushing harder when a tangle will not move.
- Using scissors to remove mats or trim close to the eyes.
- Cleaning a painful ear repeatedly without an examination.
- Cutting nails to a target length without locating the quick.
- Holding a frightened animal down to finish everything at once.
Build a routine your pet can tolerate
Introduce puppies and kittens to brief, rewarded handling, including the sight and sound of grooming equipment. Older animals may need a supported position and shorter sessions. Choose a groomer experienced with your species, coat and pet's comfort needs.
Keep parasite prevention and veterinary checks up to date. Comfortable movement, appropriate exercise, play, predictable routines and gradual introductions to new experiences support day-to-day wellbeing. Cats also need places to retreat and suitable scratching surfaces. These measures complement grooming and help you notice when familiar behaviour changes.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I brush my dog or cat?
Check the coat daily. Long or easily tangled coats commonly need daily brushing; shorter coats may need less. Ask for help choosing a routine if tangles keep forming despite regular care.
Should I bathe my cat regularly?
Most healthy adult cats rarely need bathing. New soiling, greasiness or reduced self-grooming warrants a conversation with your vet rather than simply starting frequent baths.
Can a groomer remove all matted fur?
A groomer can assess suitable cases, but painful mats, irritated skin or an animal who cannot tolerate handling need veterinary input. Safe removal may require a clinic visit and sedation.
What if my pet hates nail trims?
Stop before the situation becomes a struggle. Practise comfortable paw handling in small steps and ask your veterinary team for help. Pain or intense fear may need a tailored plan before trimming resumes.
Make comfort the measure of a good groom
A manageable routine keeps everyday care easier and gives you opportunities to spot change. Continue gently when your pet is comfortable, arrange help for difficult grooming, and let your vet assess pain, inflammation or injury before you carry on.
For more practical pet-care information to support conversations with your veterinary team, visit ASK A VET™. New pain or injury should be assessed by your vet promptly.
The ASK A VET™ Tracker logs live location and activity trends, so a change in routine never goes unnoticed.
Every ASK A VET article is written and reviewed by qualified veterinarians.
