Groomers spend more time examining dogs' skin and coat than most pet owners ever do. Here's what to look for and how to communicate what you find.
You see dogs' skin every day. Owners see it rarely. That positioning puts groomers in a genuinely important role in the early identification of skin conditions — not as a veterinary diagnosis, but as an informed first observation that can prompt owners to seek appropriate care. Here are the most common conditions to know.
Hot spots are localized areas of inflamed, wet, painful skin caused by scratching, licking, or chewing. They appear suddenly — a dog that was fine on Monday may have a significant hot spot by Friday. They look like raw, wet, sometimes oozing areas, often with hair matted over them (which is why they're frequently discovered during grooming).
If you find a hot spot during a groom, clip the hair around the area and let the owner know. Do not apply any product to it without the owner's knowledge. Recommend they see a vet if it's significant — hot spots can become seriously infected if untreated.
Lumps and bumps under the coat are extremely common, especially in older dogs. Most are benign sebaceous cysts — blocked oil glands under the skin that feel like firm pea-sized bumps. Others are skin tags, lipomas (fatty tumors), or, less commonly, malignant growths.
Your job is to notice them and tell the owner, not to diagnose them. "I found a small lump near [location] that I wanted to make sure you knew about — definitely worth mentioning to your vet at the next visit" is the appropriate communication. Note it in your client records so you can track changes at future appointments.
Environmental and food allergies are epidemic in domestic dogs. Allergic skin disease typically presents as redness, itching, and recurrent infections in the paws, ears, belly, groin, and around the eyes. The skin in chronically affected areas often becomes hyperpigmented (dark), thickened, and has a distinctive yeasty smell.
Dogs with allergic skin disease need more frequent, gentle grooming to manage skin health. Their skin is more sensitive and more prone to irritation. Use gentle, hypoallergenic shampoos, avoid strong fragrances, and communicate what you're seeing to the owner if it seems to be worsening between appointments.
Despite the name, ringworm is a fungal infection, not a worm. It presents as circular areas of hair loss, often with a scaly or crusty border. It's contagious — to other dogs and to humans. If you suspect ringworm on a dog, complete the groom using gloves, isolate and disinfect everything that came into contact with the dog, and inform the owner immediately.
Ringworm is a zoonotic disease. Take it seriously as a personal health risk.
Two types are relevant for groomers: sarcoptic mange (scabies) and demodectic mange. Sarcoptic mange is highly contagious and caused by mites that burrow into the skin — it causes intense itching, hair loss, and crusty skin, often starting on the ears, elbows, and face. Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex mites that live normally in hair follicles and cause disease when a dog's immune system is compromised.
Sarcoptic mange is contagious to humans and other animals. If you suspect it, wear gloves, disinfect thoroughly, and tell the owner to see a vet immediately.
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