The condition of your dog’s skin and coat is a good indicator of their health. Health and nutrition influence the luster and texture of your pet’s coat from the inside, while regular grooming and skin care help keep your dog’s coat clean and free of tangles on the outside.
What types of haircoats do dogs have?
Selective breeding has led to dogs with various coat characteristics and grooming needs. Some breeds have hair that grows continuously and does not shed (e.g., Yorkshire terriers, Lhasa Apsos, shih tzus). These breeds require regular bathing and haircuts.
Other breeds have long, thick haircoats with an outer coat of guard hairs and a fine undercoat of soft hairs that provides additional insulation (e.g., Siberian huskies, Alaskan malamutes, German shepherds, and many retrievers). These breeds often undergo two heavy seasonal shedding cycles per year (late spring and late fall), during which much of the undercoat falls out in clumps. Many short-haired breeds lack a distinctive undercoat, and these breeds often shed hair at low levels all year round.
How often should I groom my dog?
All dogs benefit from regular brushing to remove loose hairs and dead skin cells; keep the coat free of dirt, debris, and external parasites; and distribute natural skin oils along the hair shafts. Dogs with long, silky, or curly coats require daily brushing to keep their hair from becoming tangled or matted, especially around the ears, in the armpits, and along the back of their legs. Dogs with short haircoats may require less frequent brushing.
Daily brushing will reduce the amount of hair a dog swallows when self-grooming and will also dramatically reduce the amount of loose hair and dog dander floating around the home. For some people with mild dog allergies, daily brushing may reduce the number of airborne allergens enough for them to share their home with a dog.
You should inspect your dog’s coat every day to ensure there are no tangles or clumps under the armpits, in the groin, or behind the ears. After a romp through the grass or in the woods, it is a good idea to look for burrs or twigs that might have become trapped in the coat and could potentially cause irritation. If you regularly check your dog’s coat and skin, you will also have a better chance of detecting any unusual lumps or bumps, parasites such as fleas and ticks, or areas of sensitivity on your dog’s body.
What type of brush or comb should I use?
Different styles of brushes work better on certain types of hair coats:
- Slicker brushes work well for dogs with curly, non-shedding coats, like poodles.
- Combs or stiff bristle brushes are suitable for dogs with medium-length hair that sheds, such as retrievers.
- Flexible grooming gloves or brushes with short bristles are ideal for smooth-coated dogs such as pointers or boxers.
- Long-toothed combs, especially those with rows of offset tines, are good for dogs with long hair, such as collies. These combs also help remove tangled clumps or clumps of loose undercoat hair when your dog is undergoing a seasonal shedding.
Whatever brush you choose, it is important to be gentle when using it and to avoid excessive pulling on tangles. Your veterinary healthcare team, breeder, or groomer can give you specific recommendations for grooming tools that will work well for your dog.
How should I remove tangles, mats or burrs?
If a tangle is small or relatively minor, or if your dog has just picked up a burr or twig, you may be able to remove it by brushing or combing it out gently. If the tangle is extensive or there is a large clump of burrs or grass awns forming a mat, you may have to cut out the clump of hair. In this case, you must be extremely careful to avoid accidentally cutting your dog’s skin. Only use clippers to remove mats — never scissors.
When tangles are severe or extensive, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional care from a dog groomer or your veterinarian. If a mat has caused any skin irritation, take your dog to your veterinarian so the appropriate treatment can be prescribed. If you plan on bathing your dog, brush burrs and tangles from the coat before bathing, as tangles can become impossible to remove after a bath.
How often should I bathe my dog?
Most dogs require bathing on an occasional basis, usually when their coat becomes dirty or when they develop a “doggy odor.” Non-shedding breeds with no health issues typically need to be bathed about every six to eight weeks. Dogs with a heavy undercoat will benefit from bathing in the spring or fall, when they undergo their seasonal shedding.
How often your dog needs to be bathed will vary with age, lifestyle, haircoat type, and underlying health status. Young puppies just being house-trained will soil themselves, and should be bathed immediately. Dogs that enjoy running through puddles or jumping into water may need to be bathed after a muddy walk. Dogs that enjoy rubbing their heads in decomposing debris, rolling in objectionable objects, or having encounters with skunks may need a bath to be allowed back into the house.
If your dog has allergies or other skin conditions, your veterinarian may prescribe frequent bathing as part of the treatment regime. If you find that your dog requires frequent bathing, discuss it with your veterinarian. They may recommend using a dry shampoo or a medicated shampoo and conditioning rinse to prevent skin problems associated with the repeated baths.
Can I use baby shampoo?
No, dogs should only be bathed with shampoo formulated for use on dogs — their skin has a different thickness and pH (acidity) than human skin. Human shampoo, including baby shampoo, is far too harsh for their skin. A hypoallergenic shampoo without any added perfumes is the best choice for routine bathing. Ask your veterinarian which shampoo is best for your dog.
How should I bathe my dog?
You should typically bathe your dog in warm water, partly for the dog’s comfort and partly because shampoos clean more effectively in warm water. Depending on your dog’s size, it may be convenient to bathe them in the laundry tub, bathtub, or even a walk-in shower stall.
Washing dogs under the garden hose, using cold water, is not recommended and is often why dogs dislike being bathed. However, cool water may be soothing for inflamed skin.
After applying the shampoo, work it through the entire coat to remove all dirt and debris. Some owners of dogs with particularly thick coats find it best to dilute the shampoo in some water, so it is easier to apply and rinse out.
For routine bathing, you can rinse the shampoo out immediately, but if you are using a medicated shampoo, it must sit on the coat for 5–10 minutes before being rinsed out. Be sure to read the instructions on your shampoo label or follow your veterinarian’s directions if you use a medicated shampoo. Once the shampoo has done its job, it must be thoroughly rinsed out. For best results, apply a conditioning product after shampooing to restore any lost moisture to the skin and minimize dandruff after the bath.
Should my long-haired dog be shaved in the summer?
Some dogs with long hair may be more comfortable if their coat is cut short for the summer. If you cut your dog’s hair, it is important to leave at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of haircoat to avoid sunburn or sun damage to the skin. Talk to your groomer or veterinarian to determine what is best for your dog’s haircoat and comfort.
Some dogs do not tolerate regular brushing and grooming, in which case, shaving the coat down periodically may be needed, and is typically done with sedation at your veterinarian. Be aware that a rare complication called post-clipping alopecia may occur, especially in plush-coated breeds like huskies and pomeranians. This condition results in delayed hair regrowth for up to two years.
When should I talk to my vet?
Your dog’s general coat appearance may be the first indicator of health problems. A healthy animal does not shed excessively and has a shiny coat, free from dandruff or greasiness. Before reaching for the bottle of shampoo, think about whether that lackluster coat could be telling you something else. For example, a dull, dry haircoat can be associated with difficulty digesting nutrients. Arthritic pain can affect the haircoat in many ways, including:
- Thinning hair and/or callus formation on pressure points like the elbows, the hocks, or even the sides of the legs and body (whatever area the dog leans on most often)
- Discolored fur over or near joints, because dogs may over-groom these areas if they are painful, causing saliva staining
- Abnormal coat patterns — laying flat in some areas, lifting up in others
If you have any concerns, contact your veterinarian for a consultation.
