What Happens If You DON'T Groom Your Dog: An Interview with Quinci Cole | Pupford

Have you ever wondered what happens if you DON'T groom your dog? We interviewed Quinci Cole (13+ years of dog grooming experience) to help us all better understand what can happen if you neglect your dog's grooming!

And be aware, some of the potential negative side effects can be very harmful to your dog.

Of course, that isn't to say you need your dog groomed every week, but consistency is key.

CONNECT WITH QUINCI COLE

Quinci Cole has been grooming dogs since 2007 and has won Groomer of the Year twice in her home state of Utah.

She is also a board member of the Utah Professional Pet Groomers Association which strives to raise the grooming standards in Utah (and other partnering states).

Connect with Quinci on Instagram here.

Connect with Quinci on Facebook here.

Check out the video about dog brush types that Quinci made for our YouTube channel here.

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RECAP - WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T GROOM YOUR DOG

Simply put, grooming your dog must be part of your routine with your pup.

Of course, every dog is different so be sure to work with a reputable groomer in your area to help you set a specific schedule for your dog's needs.

Related Reading: Dog Health Tips

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GROOM YOUR DOG?

There isn't one simple answer here. So much of it will depend on your dog's breed and in turn, their coat type.

My Labrador Retrievers don't need to get their hair cut, but they can benefit from a "blowout" every few months! And of course, that doesn't include trimming your dog's nails, brushing their teeth, etc. which also happen during grooming appointments.

Again, consult your groomer, but most dogs that require grooming will need an appointment about every 6-8 weeks.

Related Reading: How to Keep a House Clean with Dogs, Including Floors

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T GROOM YOUR DOG?

Put simply, bad things!

One of the most common consequences of not grooming your dog is that their coat can become matted.

A matted coat basically means that there are knots in your dog's hair.

Doesn't sound too bad... right?

NOPE.

Matting can cause serious challenges for your dog including reduced circulation on their skin, hot spots, bacteria, infections, scabs/cuts, and more.

On top of that, if you don't take care of a matted coat your dog can experience pain on their skin, and their skin and even become raw and inflamed.

Additionally, if you don't groom your dog and their coat becomes matted, often the only solution is to shave your dog.

Not fun!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG'S COAT FROM MATTING

Basically, there are two major ways to keep your dog's coat from matting.

#1- Brush their coat regularly (at least 4-5 times per week).

#2- Get your dog groomed regularly (typically about every 6-8 weeks).

Another important thing to note is that whenever you bathe your dog you should dry them thoroughly with a towel or blow dryer.

Do NOT let your dog air dry after a bath.

Related Reading: How to Clean a Puppy Without Bathing

HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG LOOKING FRESH BETWEEN GROOMING APPOINTMENTS

One of Quinci's main pieces of advice for keeping your dog fresh between grooming appointments is to brush them!!

Brushing should never be neglected.

No matter your dog's breed, you should brush them at least every other day.

Curious about the best brushes? Check out this video from Quinci!

WRAP UP

The bottom line, don't neglect your dog's grooming.

Be sure to keep up on their cuts, brushing, nail trims, and even brushing their teeth.

Have more questions about grooming? Ask them in the comments below!

PS- Don't forget to check out the full At Home Grooming Course taught by Quinci!