Another thing about wolves: they don’t go to the vet. Survival of the fittest might be the natural way of things for your dog’s wild cousins, but it’s not part of the deal for pet owners. Since your dog can’t complain to you when she has a persistent itch here or a painful paw there, you might be missing the early signs of a condition that could turn serious over time. 

For example, your dog’s ears might look perfectly normal. They might even feel normal, if your dog enjoys a nice ear scratch every once in a while, and you might wipe them out when she’s been outside for a while. But the organisms that can cause your dog the most harm are good at staying out of the way. And over time, they can cause problems not just for a dog’s hearing but for its more essential functions, like its respiration.

The same is true of a dog’s coat, paws, nails, and teeth. Professional dog groomers know what to look for, where to look for it, and how to solve little problems before they become major ones.

If you’re not in the habit of taking your dog to a professional groomer, think of it as a big round of spring cleaning. Not something you’d do every weekend, but a way to re-set a healthy baseline and make each weekend’s work a little easier. Some of us enjoy brushing our dogs’ coats and teeth and trimming their nails. Some dogs get enough outdoor time that they naturally stay in pretty good trim. No matter how much attention your dog gets, from you and from nature, professional grooming can be an important part of the mix.