Pet Grooming Guides
Keep your cat or dog looking and feeling their best — grooming routines for every coat type.
Why grooming matters
Regular grooming is about far more than appearance. It keeps your pet's skin healthy, prevents painful matting, allows you to spot lumps, parasites and injuries early, and strengthens the bond between you and your animal. For double-coated breeds in Australia's warm climate, consistent grooming is also essential for temperature regulation.
Grooming frequency by coat type
| Coat type | Brushing frequency | Bath frequency | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short / smooth | Once a week | Every 4–6 weeks | Beagle, Labrador, Burmese cat |
| Medium / double coat | 2–3 times a week | Every 4 weeks | Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Maine Coon |
| Long / silky | Daily | Every 2–3 weeks | Afghan Hound, Persian cat, Yorkshire Terrier |
| Curly / wool | Every 2–3 days | Every 3–4 weeks | Poodle, Labradoodle, Bichon Frise |
| Wire / rough | Twice a week | Every 6 weeks | West Highland Terrier, Airedale, Jack Russell |
Brushing techniques
Always brush in the direction of hair growth using a tool appropriate for your pet's coat. A slicker brush works well for most dogs; a wide-tooth comb is ideal for cats and long-haired breeds. Work section by section, gently teasing out tangles before they become mats. Never yank — use a detangling spray and work from the ends toward the roots.
For double-coated breeds, use an undercoat rake during shedding season to remove loose fur before it causes matting. This is especially important in spring and autumn.
Bathing your pet
Use a shampoo formulated specifically for pets — human shampoos disrupt the pH balance of animal skin. Wet your pet thoroughly with warm (not hot) water, apply shampoo from neck to tail, lather gently, and rinse completely. Residual shampoo is a common cause of skin irritation. Dry with a towel and, if your dog tolerates it, a low-heat blow dryer.
Cats generally groom themselves and rarely need baths unless they get into something sticky or toxic, or have a skin condition requiring medicated shampoo.
Nail trimming
Overgrown nails can cause joint problems, posture issues and painful ingrown nails. Trim every 3–4 weeks using sharp pet nail clippers. Avoid the quick — the pink blood vessel visible in light-coloured nails. If you can hear your dog's nails clicking on hard floors, it's time for a trim. If you're unsure, ask your vet or groomer to demonstrate the first time.
Ears, eyes and teeth
Check ears weekly for redness, odour or excessive wax — signs of infection. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner and cotton wool. Wipe eye discharge with a damp cloth. For dental care, which is as important as coat care, see our Healthcare & Wellbeing guide.
Want a low-maintenance coat?
Use our breed selector to find cats and dogs that are naturally easy to groom — perfect if you have a busy lifestyle.
Try the breed selector →Explore pet insurance while you plan everyday care
Australian pet ownership usually blends predictable costs (food, grooming, preventatives) with low-probability, high-impact vet events. Researching Pet Insurance Australia, premium benchmarks and choosing pet insurance alongside care topics helps you avoid buying a policy that looks cheap until you read the sub-limits.
If you are comparing breeds, use dog breeds and cat breeds with compare breeds, then loop back to breed insurance notes when a shortlist has health risk implications for premiums or exclusions.
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Budget-first buyers should still map trade-offs in accident vs comprehensive and cheapest pet insurance before accepting a stripped policy shape. Best pet insurance Australia explains how to build a shortlist without chasing a single marketing “winner.”
Finally, connect wellbeing content to insurance literacy: healthcare & wellbeing, desexing and diet & exercise all influence what insurers may treat as preventable or elective.
Zookie content is general information only and not financial product advice. Always read the PDS before buying cover.