When should pets get haircuts? How often should they be bathed?
We checked in with our Director of Education, Emily Halaszynski, with our most pressing questions. And although we’re usually only sharing dog-focused tips, Emily has almost as many cats as she does dogs, so we included some info about them here too.
How can you tell if your pet’s skin and coat are healthy or if they need extra TLC?
Dogs and cats don’t all have the same kind of coat, and grooming decisions really need to match how that coat functions. Some have single coats that grow continuously or tangle easily, while others have double coats that naturally shed and help regulate temperature. Cats, in particular, tend to maintain their own coats and are rarely shaved unless a groomer or vet recommends it for a specific reason.
A healthy coat should feel comfortable for the pet. If you’re seeing tangles, mats, or areas where the coat is tightening against the skin, especially under the collar, behind the ears, or in the armpits, that’s a sign it needs more attention. You might also notice changes like odor, flaking, or sensitivity when touched.
Should pets get a summer cut? Are there certain breeds where this is most important?
Summer cuts depend heavily on coat type. As humans, we tend to think less hair means less heat, but for dogs, comfort in warmer weather depends on how their specific coat functions. Dogs with single coats can often benefit from a lighter trim to reduce bulk and make maintenance easier. But for double-coated dogs, shaving usually works against how their coat is designed.
A double coat has two layers: a dense undercoat that sheds seasonally, and a coarser outer coat that protects the skin. As the weather warms up, that undercoat naturally loosens and sheds to help the dog adjust, while the outer coat remains to provide protection and help manage heat. When you shave it, you interrupt that process instead of supporting it, which can make it harder for them to stay comfortable.
These dogs are typically better off with regular brushing to remove that loose undercoat and improve airflow, rather than removing the coat entirely by shaving.
Doodles are a great example of the importance of customizing hair care. “Doodle coat” isn’t one thing. Even within the same litter, coats can vary widely depending on the lottery of genetic expression. For example, when a double-coated breed like a Bernese Mountain Dog is combined with a single-coated breed like a poodle, their bernedoodle puppies can end up with a wide range of coat types, from silky poodle curls to downy double-fluff.
That variation changes how they should be groomed. Some need frequent trimming and brushing to prevent matting, while others’ coats shed more and behave closer to a double coat. It really comes down to what that individual dog’s coat is doing.
In general, if a coat grows continuously or mats easily, it’s more likely to benefit from regular trims. If it sheds in cycles and has a noticeable undercoat, it’s usually better managed with brushing rather than shaving.
If you’re not sure what kind of coat your dog has, it’s worth asking your groomer or vet. That one piece of information makes it much easier to choose the right approach, and it helps avoid well-intentioned grooming choices that can create bigger problems later.
How often should pets be bathed? Is it true that bathing too frequently can be harmful?
I think bathing is one of those areas where people can easily overdo it with good intentions. For a lot of healthy dogs, something like once every 4 to 8 weeks is plenty, unless they get particularly dirty.
The key is understanding how the skin works. It’s not just a surface you clean. It’s a protective barrier made up of skin cells, natural oils, and a living layer of microorganisms that help keep the skin stable and resilient. When you bathe too often, you strip away those oils. Over time, that can dry the skin out, make it more sensitive, and leave it more vulnerable to irritation or infection.
So yes, bathing too often can be harmful if it disrupts that natural balance. For most dogs, that means bathing strategically rather than routinely, and using gentle, pet-safe products when you do.
I see this clearly with my Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Ocean. Chessies were bred to retrieve waterfowl in cold, rough water, and their coat is specifically adapted for that job. It’s dense, with a wiry outer layer and a wooly undercoat, and it naturally produces more oil than many other breeds. That oil helps the coat repel water rather than absorb it, which is why they’re often described as almost waterproof. If I bathed him too frequently, I’d be stripping away that natural protection and working against what his coat is designed to do.
Emily’s dog, Ocean, showing the unique water-resistant coat typical of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Cats are usually low-maintenance because they groom themselves, but that can change over time. Older cats, overweight cats, or cats with mobility issues often can’t keep their coat as clean, especially along the back or around the rear.
If their mouth is sore from overdue dental care, it might hurt them more to lick themselves. If they have arthritis, they might be too stiff and achy to contort their bodies into all the flexible yoga positions young cats use to groom themselves. In those cases, cat-safe grooming wipes or “waterless” foaming cleansers can be a helpful way to keep them clean without the stress of a full bath.
What about nails, what’s the ideal length, and how often should they be trimmed?
If you can hear your dog’s nails clicking on hard floors, that’s usually a sign they’re getting too long. Ideally, the nails shouldn’t be constantly tapping the ground when your dog walks. The toes are the foundation of how a dog stands and moves, so when nail length starts to interfere with that, it can shift their entire posture and gait. Over time, that added strain affects the joints.
A lot of people view nail trims as an all-at-once chore, but it’s often easier to just do one or two nails at a time, more frequently. That tends to be less stressful for both the pet and the person doing it.
Cats are a little different. Since they retract their claws, nail length doesn’t affect how they walk in the same way. Trimming is still helpful to reduce scratching damage, but it’s less about movement and more about personal preference.
Should ear cleaning happen on a schedule or only as needed?
Most healthy ears are pretty self-maintaining. If you feel like you constantly need to clean them, that’s usually a sign something else is going on, whether it’s moisture, irritation, or an underlying issue that should be checked.
Overcleaning can actually create problems by adding moisture or disrupting the ear’s natural balance. So instead of sticking to a strict schedule, it’s better to pay attention to what’s normal for your pet. If you notice regular odor, buildup, redness, or sensitivity, that’s when it makes sense to check with your vet.
How often should we be brushing dogs’ and cats’ teeth? What are some signs you need to start, if you haven’t before?
There isn’t just one way to approach dental care, and a lot of it depends on what the pet is already eating and chewing. Brushing is one of the most direct ways to disrupt plaque buildup, but it’s not the only tool. Edible dental chews made for pets can help, like Bernie’s Charming Chompers. So can safe natural chews like certain tendons or things like rabbit ears, which mimic the kind of chewing behavior dogs and cats are built for.
If you have never brushed before, the first step isn’t the toothbrush, it’s comfort and observation. A lot of pets aren’t used to having their mouth handled, so you want to build that trust slowly and thoughtfully with positive reinforcement. If there’s already pain in the mouth, they’ll resist for a reason, and that’s where a vet check can be helpful before starting anything new.
Some signs you definitely shouldn’t ignore are worsening breath smell, visible buildup on the teeth, or changes in how they chew, like favoring one side or avoiding harder food.
Are there any Bernie’s Best supplements that help with a grooming routine?
There are a few ways supplements can support grooming, especially when they’re built into everyday habits. Our Charming Chompers are a dental chew, so they give dogs something to chew on daily, which helps break up plaque before it builds up. Because it’s something they enjoy, it tends to be one of the easier routines to stay consistent with.
There’s a reason omegas have become a household term associated with shiny coats. Unlike topical products that sit on the fur, omegas work from inside the body by supporting the skin itself. That’s why changes tend to show up gradually in the coat as it grows out over time. Our OMG! Omegas are designed to make it easier to include those nutrients as part of a daily routine.
And we can’t forget Perfect Poop. As we often say at Bernie’s Best, health starts in the gut, and that shows up in more places than people expect. When the digestive system is working well, it can influence things like skin condition, odor, and even breath. A lot of pet parents start using it for stool quality, but end up noticing that their dog’s coat looks better or their breath is fresher too.
For a special sneak peek behind the scenes, we’re also working on something new: a calming treat. Grooming can be stressful for some pets, so having a tasty, positive part of the routine that also supports a healthy stress response can make a big difference in how they experience it.
Anything else pet parents should know to get their pet’s hygiene routine on track?
Most grooming problems don’t happen all at once. They build up when things get pushed off for too long, then suddenly you’re dealing with mats, long nails, or a dog that’s uncomfortable and doesn’t want to be handled.
It works better to keep things small and regular. Brushing here and there during the week, checking paws and ears as you go, trimming a nail or two at a time instead of trying to do everything in one sitting. It keeps it from turning into a bigger job than it needs to be.
It also changes how your pet experiences it. When grooming only happens once it’s overdue, it’s usually uncomfortable, and they learn to resist it. When it’s part of a lowkey, normal routine, they tend to tolerate it much better.
And beyond hygiene, grooming is one of the easiest ways to notice when something’s off. You’re more likely to catch changes like new lumps or wounds earlier just because you’re already paying attention.
You can also learn lots more about grooming at our new learning hub for pet parents, Bernie’s University. There are dedicated pages about skin and coat health, plus grooming routines for specific coat types. Explore questions like how, when, and why dental chews really make a difference. You can even find more information about dogs who might require extra grooming consideration, like those with Color Dilution Alopecia or Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia.
Bernie’s University is an online resource for dog lovers to learn more about their best friends. We’re excited to add more topics and deeper discussions on all things dog-related as we grow.
About the Expert
Special thanks to Emily Halaszynski for sharing her expertise in this interview. Emily is the Director of Education at Bernie’s Best, where she leads Bernie’s University and helps turn complex health topics into practical guidance for pet parents. She earned her B.S. in Animal Sciences from Auburn University. At home, she’s outnumbered by a lively mix of dogs and cats who keep her well-practiced in everything she teaches.
