More Than a Brush: Why Grooming Is Essential for Every Dog; Short, Long, or Hairless

Grooming is far more than keeping your dog looking good. Regular grooming is basic health care that prevents pain, infections, and mobility issues while giving you a weekly chance to inspect your dog for problems before they become serious. Whether your dog has a long coat, a buzz cut, or

nearly no hair at all, a consistent grooming routine keeps them comfortable, healthy, and happier.

Why grooming matters for health and comfort 

Grooming reduces skin infections, prevents painful matting, lowers parasite burden, and helps avoid painful overgrown nails. It also supports dental health, reduces ear infections, and keeps eyes and paws healthy. Beyond physical benefits, grooming sessions are opportunities to bond, build trust, and teach your dog to accept handling so veterinary care and emergencies are less stressful.

Checklist: Basic grooming supplies every home should have

• Slicker brush, bristle brush, or rubber curry brush (choose by coat type)

• Metal comb for detangling and checking undercoat

• Grooming scissors and thinning shears (blunt-tipped) for trims and sanitary cuts

• Nail clippers and/or a rotary nail grinder and styptic powder for emergencies

• Dog-safe shampoo and conditioner suited to your dog’s skin type

• Ear-cleaning solution and cotton balls or gauze

• Dog toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste made for dogs

• Towels and a non-slip mat for bathing

• Flea and tick prevention recommended by your vet

• Soft muzzle or treats for positive reinforcement during grooming if needed

Tip: Use the Every Wag app to set recurring grooming reminders for baths, nail trims, ear checks, and teeth brushing. The app’s charts let you track behavior, record any skin or ear issues, and store photos to share with your vet or groomer.

Coat care: short, long, double coats, and hairless breeds 

Short-haired dogs need regular brushing to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. Long-haired breeds require daily or every-other-day brushing to prevent mats that tug on skin and cause sores. Double-coated breeds shed seasonally and benefit from de-shedding tools used appropriately to avoid damaging insulating undercoats. Hairless breeds still need skin care to protect from sunburn, dryness, and acne-like lesions. In all cases, check the skin for redness, lumps, parasites, or unusual scaling.

Bathing do’s and don’ts 

Bathe your dog only as needed for their coat and skin type. Overbathing strips natural oils and can worsen dry skin. Use a dog-formulated shampoo and lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly to avoid residue that can irritate skin. Towel dry and, if tolerated, finish with a low-heat blow dryer on calm settings to avoid chills for short-coated or hairless dogs. For heavy-coated breeds, professional grooming baths and blowouts are sometimes necessary to fully dry the undercoat and prevent mildew or matting.

Ear care and why it matters 

Ears trap moisture and debris, creating a breeding ground for infections. Clean ears only when they look dirty or per your vet’s advice. Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner on a cotton ball and wipe the visible ear canal gently. Avoid inserting anything deep into the ear. Frequent head shaking, scratching, redness, strong odor, or discharge are signs to stop cleaning and call your veterinarian.

Step-by-step ear cleaning

• Present the ear cleaner and treat so your dog learns the routine is positive.

• Gently fold the ear flap up and apply cleaner to the outer ear.

• Massage the base of the ear for 10 to 20 seconds so the cleaner reaches debris.

• Allow your dog to shake, then wipe away loosened debris from the entrance of the canal with a cotton ball.

• Reward and praise. Keep sessions short and calm.

Nail trims and paw care 

Overgrown nails cause altered gait, joint stress, and painful nail breaks. Trim nails every 2 to 8 weeks depending on growth and activity. Use clippers or a grinder in short increments and reward your dog each time. For dogs with dark nails, trim very small amounts and watch for the quick, a blood vessel inside the nail. If you hit the quick, apply styptic powder and stay calm. Also check paw pads for cracks, foreign bodies, and trapped debris. Keep fur between pads trimmed in cold or icy conditions.

Teeth brushing and oral hygiene 

Dental disease is extremely common and affects overall health. Brush your dog’s teeth daily or several times a week with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste. Start slowly, let your dog taste the toothpaste, and use short sessions combined with praise and treats. Dental chews, water additives, and regular veterinary dental checks support oral health but do not replace home brushing.

How to teach your dog to accept grooming 

Start grooming habits as early as possible or build them back slowly with new adult dogs. Use small steps and positive reinforcement: offer treats, allow sniffing of tools, pair touches with rewards, and keep sessions under five minutes at first. Gradually increase duration and complexity. Regular short, happy experiences are more effective than occasional long sessions.

Sample desensitization sequence for nail trims

• Show the clippers, reward.

• Touch paws gently, reward.

• Touch clippers to nails, reward.

• Make “clip” motions without cutting, reward.

• Trim one small edge, reward heavily. Repeat and gradually increase until a full trim is routine.

What’s normal and what’s not normal to find during grooming 

It is normal to see seasonal shedding, a few harmless lumps like fatty lipomas in older dogs, and a mild amount of ear wax in healthy ears. 

Red flags include persistent or foul-smelling ear discharge, inflamed or bleeding gums, loose or missing teeth, non-healing skin sores, severe matting pulling at the skin, persistent scratching, swollen lymph nodes, or sudden changes in coat quality. If you find anything concerning, photograph it and consult your veterinarian promptly.

When to use a professional groomer or veterinarian 

Professional groomers are ideal for breed-specific haircuts, heavy de-shedding, sanitary trims, and situations where dogs resist home grooming. See a veterinarian for signs of infection, chronic ear problems, painful nails, lumps that grow quickly, or if your dog’s behavior suggests grooming is painful. For anxious or aggressive dogs a behavior-savvy groomer or a vet behaviorist can recommend sedation or a stepwise behavior plan for safely getting essential care done.

Safety tips and common mistakes to avoid 

Do not use human shampoos or toothpaste on dogs. Avoid sticking cotton swabs into ear canals. Don’t cut nails too short without proper training. Do not attempt major dematting with scissors if the mat is tight to the skin; a groomer will often need to clip it safely. Keep grooming sessions calm, go slowly, and stop before your dog becomes overwhelmed.

Frequency guide by grooming task (general starting points)

• Brushing: short coats weekly, long coats daily, double coats several times weekly during shedding season

• Bathing: every 4–12 weeks depending on skin and activity; more often for messy conditions or skin issues per vet guidance

• Nail trims: every 2–8 weeks based on growth and activity

• Ear check/clean: weekly visual checks, clean as needed if dirty or per vet recommendations

• Teeth brushing: daily to several times weekly

• Sanitary trim: as needed for hygiene, often every 4–8 weeks for long-haired dogs

Tip: Use the app to build a personalized grooming schedule based on your dog’s breed, activity level, and coat type. Set reminders, track completed grooming tasks, store photos of concerning spots to monitor over time, and use the AI product advisor to find brushes, shampoos, or dental tools that match your dog’s needs.

Final encouragement 

Grooming is routine care and an excellent way to strengthen your bond while protecting your dog’s health. Small, consistent steps and a calm, positive approach make grooming manageable for most dogs. If you ever feel unsure, a professional groomer or your veterinarian can guide you and help set up a safe plan tailored for your dog.