Your pet needs a little grooming love. Without regular grooming, your pet’s fur could become matted, nails untamed, and shedding/dander seem like it’s snowing around your home. Matting alone is a condition in which your pet’s fur becomes knotted and tangled. While your pet may seem furry to the unaided eye, this matted thick mess is creating a stranglehold over your pet’s skin. It can cause infections, skin irritations, create a haven for parasites, mask health issues, cut off skin circulation and in some severe cases, cause hematomas. Needless to say, matting is very uncomfortable for your pet. But this is something that can be kept in check with regular grooming.

But how often should you get your pet groomed? Well, the general agreement among professional groomers is six weeks. Not long enough to let things grow out of control and short enough to keep your pet happy.

This is but a guideline, not truth set in stone. The truth is, different breeds of pets will have different grooming needs. And, in some cases, pet owner’s have their own different preferences for their pets such as their hair length and style.

Consider breeds. You may have a German Shepherd whose hair grows close and short. Or you may have a breed like a Labradoodle with hair that can grow long. Or perhaps a breed with a double coat, such as a Collie. These breeds have different characteristics that dictate the frequency of grooming visits. For example, a breed with a double coat will require more grooming visits in order to cull fur matting.

Besides the breed type being a factor, there are other factors too. For example, should you smell strange odors coming from your pet, experience difficulty in brushing, hear its nails clicking against the floor, and shedding way above normal, it may be time for a grooming visit.

By paying attentions to these signs, you will keep your pet happy and comfortable. Ignoring on the other hand, and your pet will be unhappy. One day, you might find that your pet took the car keys and left you for good, leaving behind a note about their unhappiness. Example, leaving nails growing too long will curl into your pet’s feet and pads, causing much discomfort.

Know your breed. Know your dog. This will help you find the sweet spot on how often you should groom your pet. A good groomer will help you plan grooming visits based on a number of factors. A healthy pet is a happy pet. Find a grooming balance, and your pet will never take your keys to head down the highway in search of a way out ♥