The Furr-One-One: Your Guide to Coat Care
By: Matt Encinosa, DVM
Maintaining a healthy coat and skin barrier in dogs and cats can be harder than it seems. Many pets require more extensive care including grooming, brushing and frequent bathing. It is up to us as pet owners to pay close attention to their skin and hair and note any changes that may warrant medical attention.
Dogs and cats with short hair and normal skin rarely need to be bathed or groomed, but can be done when they are dirty or every 6 to 8 weeks as needed. Pets with longer coats (especially those prone to matting) should be groomed, bathed, and brushed on a more frequent schedule. Discuss with your veterinarian or groomer on their recommendations for your specific pet because every dog and cat can be different. Daily to every other day brushings can help prevent matting and can be beneficial to reduce shedding. If your pet has any small mats that you are unable to brush out, you may be able to simply cut them out. If they are close to the skin, we always advise that you seek professional help.
There are many different pet shampoos on the market. For everyday use, we recommend staying away from the more abrasive shampoos, such as flea and tick shampoos, and those not marketed for animal use, like baby shampoo or head and shoulders, as these can dry out your pet's skin and contribute to preexisting skin disease if present. Longer haired pets may benefit from the regular use of conditioner as well to prevent tangles and matting. For pets with allergies and skin issues, bathing can be therapeutic and prescription shampoos may be helpful in reducing symptoms. Ask your veterinarian if they think your pet may benefit from a prescription shampoo.