Ed. Note: The following content was provided by Cinema Veterinary Centre, who is a client of KHTS AM-1220.

Knowing when, and how, to groom your dog or cat can be tricky, so Santa Clarita veterinarian Dr. Jaimie Ronchetto is offering some useful tips and information to help your pet benefit from the right routine for them. 

When deciding how often to groom your dog, things to consider include his breed and whether he spends most of his time indoors or outdoors, according to Ronchetto.

Jaimie Ronchetto, DVM

Certain breeds, like the English bulldog, have a unique type of skin that produces higher amounts of oil, making them inclined to skin infections and other issues. Dogs like these can benefit from more frequent baths using a medicated shampoo designed to alleviate skin problems.

However, smaller dogs with fluffier, lighter hair typically need to be groomed less frequently and can actually suffer damage to their skin and uncomfortable dryness if bathed too often.

“If they’re outside, obviously they’re going to get dirty faster so you’re going to want to groom them more often,” Ronchetto said. “(But) it does really depend on the breed of the dog.”

Ronchetto recommends hypoallergenic oatmeal shampoo for most dogs to prevent potential skin sensitivity during or after grooming, and in some cases, even Dawn dish soap.

Related: Stop Destructive Clawing Behaviors In Cats

“I usually steer owners towards a hypoallergenic oatmeal-based shampoo– you can’t really go wrong (with that),” she said. “And surprisingly for any dog that might get really greasy or if they’re having an allergic reaction to something that they came in contact with, Dawn dishwashing detergent works really well.”

When it comes to grooming your cat, brushing is usually all the help your kitty needs.

“(Cats) are very meticulous groomers, so they typically do a good job of keeping themselves clean,” Ronchetto said. “However, you still want to brush them on a regular basis. That’s going to help a lot with the dander and the hair that comes off of them.”

In addition to helping reduce shedding and dander, regular brushing also helps better distribute oils over their bodies, preventing dry, flaky areas and dandruff.

Some cats with longer hair may need a little more help managing their coat, and can benefit from periodic grooming by a professional.

“Certain cats, like my own Persian, do actually need to be groomed on a somewhat regular basis because he just has so much hair he can’t manage it himself, and he’ll still get matted even though he’s trying to groom himself,” Ronchetto said. “He actually gets a ‘lion cut,’ so shaved, to help him be more comfortable. It’s more manageable for everybody.”

Older or overweight cats may also need a little extra help in preventing matting and dandruff because they physically can’t reach certain areas of their body, like what Ronchetto called “the back triangle area” near their hind quarters.

Before grooming or bathing your cat, consider her overall temperament and how well you think she’ll do under the stress of it, and seek help from a professional mobile pet groomer who specializes in cat grooming.

Cinema Veterinary Centre

23460 Cinema Drive

Valencia, CA 91355

661-253-9300