How Often Should You Bathe, Brush, and Groom Your Dog or Cat?

Grooming is one of the most overlooked parts of pet care — until something goes wrong. Matted coats, overgrown nails, ear infections, and dental disease are all largely preventable with a regular grooming routine. The challenge is knowing what "regular" actually means.

Bathing Your Dog

How often: Every 4–6 weeks for most dogs. Dogs with skin conditions may need more or less frequent bathing — ask your vet.

• Over-bathing strips natural oils from the coat, leading to dry, itchy skin
• Under-bathing leads to odour, skin build-up, and coat problems
• Active dogs who swim or roll in mud may need spot-cleaning between full baths

What to use: Always use dog-specific shampoo. Human shampoo — including baby shampoo — has the wrong pH for dog skin and can cause irritation with regular use.

Tips:

• Brush thoroughly before bathing to remove loose fur and tangles (wet tangles become tighter and harder to remove)
• Use lukewarm water, not hot
• Rinse thoroughly — residue causes itching
• Dry completely, especially in skin folds and ears

Bathing Your Cat

Most healthy cats do not need bathing — they are self-grooming animals. Exceptions:

• Hairless breeds (like Sphynx) need weekly wiping to remove oil build-up
• Cats who have gotten into something sticky or toxic
• Cats with mobility issues who cannot groom themselves
• Some older or overweight cats who struggle to reach all areas

When you do bathe a cat, use a cat-specific shampoo and keep the experience as calm and brief as possible.

Brushing by Coat Type

Short-coated dogs (Beagles, Boxers, Dachshunds)

• Weekly brush with a rubber grooming mitt or soft bristle brush
• Removes loose fur and stimulates skin

Medium-coated dogs (Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Spaniels)

• 2–3 times per week
• Use a slicker brush and comb; check behind ears and under legs for tangles

Long-coated dogs (Shih Tzu, Maltese, Afghan Hound)

• Daily brushing to prevent mats
• Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks

Double-coated breeds (Huskies, German Shepherds, Corgis)

• 2–3 times per week, daily during shedding season
• Undercoat rake during heavy shed periods

Short-haired cats

• Weekly brush is sufficient

Long-haired cats (Maine Coon, Persian, Ragdoll)

• Daily brushing to prevent mats and reduce hairballs

Nail Trimming

Dogs: Every 3–4 weeks for most. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long. Overgrown nails affect posture and can curl into the paw pad.

Cats: Every 2–3 weeks for indoor cats. Outdoor cats wear nails down naturally but still benefit from occasional checks.

If you are nervous about clipping nails, ask your vet or groomer to show you the technique once. The learning curve is short.

Teeth Cleaning

Dental disease affects the majority of pets over three years old and is directly linked to heart and kidney disease. Daily brushing is ideal; 3–4 times per week makes a real difference.

• Use pet-specific toothpaste (human toothpaste is toxic to pets — never use it)
• Start slowly, building up to brushing over several sessions
• Dental chews and water additives help but do not replace brushing

Ear Checks

Check weekly. Healthy ears are pale pink, odour-free, and not inflamed. Warning signs:

• Dark discharge
• Bad smell
• Head shaking or scratching at ears
• Redness or swelling

Clean only if visibly dirty, using a vet-recommended ear cleaner. Never insert anything into the ear canal.

When to Go to a Groomer

If your dog has a coat that needs clipping, a professional groom every 6–8 weeks is standard. Signs you might need professional help:

• Mats that cannot be combed out
• A dog who reacts badly to home grooming
• Nail trimming you are not confident doing

A groomer is not a luxury — for many breeds, it is basic maintenance.