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Animals have sensitive skin, so sand, dirt, and other small particles that work their way through their fur can cause
irritation, hot spots and other infections which can lead to even more serious problems and vet bills. Animals have
fur and cannot access their skin easily to clean it themselves, so regular grooming by you is a must.
Grooming time also gives you an opportunity to check your pet over for any skin conditions or other problems, such as mites or fleas, that you need to be aware of. Animals need to be brushed or combed on a regular basis, depending on what type of coat they have. I had a Sable Collie who needed to be brushed daily, and now I have Elliott, a Heeler mutt, who only requires brushing every 3 days or so. Regular grooming will help keep your pet's hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading natural oils throughout their coat, preventing tangles and keeping her skin clean and irritant-free. The kind of brush you use depends on your dog, so it's best to check with a groomed or your local knowledgeable pet shop person to see what will work best. I actually used 2 different brushes on my Collie, depending on whether she was blowing her coat or not. 
The ASPCA recommends a bath for your dog every three months, which I think is way too long. I wash
Elliott, who has short hair, about once a month. If he starts getting that "dirty dog" smell or we've
been to the lake, I know it's time.
I've heard people say that certain dogs, like Labs, don't need to be washed because they go in the water a lot. This is not true. Lakes, rivers and ponds all have dirt and sand and the water is full of bacteria and other organisms, and all of these stay on your dog. It becomes pretty obvious that this is a fact when you can smell your wet, dirty dog all the way home in the car! Nail Care: Dogs need to have their nails trimmed about once a month. You can buy trimmers at pet shops and online, but with my dog, who HATES to have his paws touched, and the two times I tried to do it myself, it ended up in a wrestling match with both of us upset and frustrated. So, I've found a better way. I take him to my local groomer, who trims them for me for $5.00 while I wait. It takes him about 30 seconds and he does a great job. I always tip him extra and if you find someone like him where you live, I suggest you do the same. It's become my routine to bathe Elliott one day and then take him the next day to get his nails trimmed. My cat, Forrest, has a kitty condo with a scratching post, so I don't need to do anything to his nails. Short-haired cats are SO low maintenance! Tooth Care: 
Both dogs and cats need to have their teeth brushed, and I usually do this about once a week. Regular "human" toothpaste is not good for animals and can be dangerous if swallowed, so please be sure to use toothpaste designed for pets. There is good dog tooth brushing kit that you can buy online HERE and one designed for cats HERE. These are the kits that I use for my own animals and they both work really well. Washing Your Pet's Face: Some animals, like collies, persians and poodles, have naturally watery eyes and need to have their faces washed, especially the part under their eyes, to keep their fur in that area from becoming stained a light pink color. Just use a warm washcloth and wash their face as you would your own. It's very easy to do and my collie appreciated it a lot and didn't mind it in the least. Anal Glands: The Anal glands are two small glands located on either side of your dog's rectal opening. Each gland holds a small amount of a noxious smelling liquid brown substance. Dogs use this fluid to mark their territory. When these glands are not sufficiently expressed, bacteria is given the chance to build up, and this can lead to numerous problems. Your dog can develop an infection which, if left untreated, can progress into an abscess. When you see your dog scooting his butt on the floor, it's time - past time, actually - to get them manually emptied. If you are feeling brave, there are videos on YouTube that show you how to do this, or you can have your vet do it for you. Some groomers, but not all, will do this as well for a very nominal fee, so check around and find one who does. How to Groom Your Cat: As I mentioned above, my cat, Forrest, has short hair, so he is pretty low maintenance. I do comb him regularly though, and he loves it. I keep the comb by my chair and when he gets up from his nap and wants to see me, I get the comb, which is just a cheap plastic one with very fine teeth. He actually combs his own face, so all I have to do is hold the comb steady for him. I then comb his back and sides as well. For long-haired cats, daily grooming is a MUST to avoid tangles and matts, which, for cats, usually require shaving to remove. A comb works best in this situation as well. Be sure to comb cats gently, being careful not to pull their fur or skin. Because cats are very clean animals by nature, they will quickly learn to love the comb as long as you are gentle when using it and let them "self comb" themselves. The occasional bath should be given in order to prevent an over-abundance of oil in their coat. To read this article, click HERE.
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