Signs Your Dog or Cat Needs Grooming

Pets can't tell you when they're overdue for a groom, but their coat, skin and behaviour will. Catching these signs early keeps grooming quick and comfortable — and stops small issues becoming painful ones.

The signs to watch for

• Mats and tangles — you can feel knots behind the ears, under the legs or on the belly. Left alone, mats tighten against the skin and become painful.
• A smell that returns fast — a "doggy" odour soon after a bath usually means the coat and skin need a proper clean, or there's a skin issue brewing.
• Overgrown nails — clicking on the floor, or curling. Long nails change how a pet stands and walks and can be genuinely uncomfortable.
• A dull, greasy or flaky coat — a healthy coat is soft and shiny; a dull one signals it's time for a bath and brush-out.
• Constant scratching or licking — often dust, fleas or trapped loose hair irritating the skin.
• Hair covering the eyes or matted around the paws — common in long-coated breeds and worth a hygiene trim.
• Ear or eye gunk building up, especially in flat-faced breeds and long-eared dogs.

What to do about it

Most of these are easy to fix with a timely groom — and far kinder to your pet than waiting until mats or overgrown nails cause pain. If you're seeing two or three of these signs, it's time to book. Between sessions, regular brushing, a weekly ear check and keeping nails trimmed head off most problems before they start.

Not sure how urgent it is? Message us a photo of the coat and we'll tell you honestly. See packages and book on the Delhi pet grooming page.