The complete dog grooming guide for Mumbai pet parents

Mumbai's climate is one of the toughest in India for dog coats. High humidity for nearly 8 months of the year, extreme heat in May and June, and the salt air near the coast in Juhu and Versova create a combination that most grooming advice from North India or abroad simply doesn't account for.

We spoke to four verified groomers working in the western suburbs to put together a guide that actually applies here.

How often should you groom in Mumbai?

The honest answer: more often than you think, and breed-dependent.

• Short-coat breeds (Labrador, Beagle, Dalmatian): Bath every 4–6 weeks. Brush weekly to remove shed hair and reduce the coat trapping humidity.
• Double-coat breeds (German Shepherd, Husky, Golden Retriever): Monthly full grooming including blow-dry and deshedding. In monsoon, move to 3-week intervals — wet undercoat in Mumbai humidity is a hotbed for fungal infections.
• Long-coat breeds (Shih Tzu, Maltese, Lhasa Apso): Every 3–4 weeks. These breeds mop up every puddle and drain during monsoon. Daily brushing at home between sessions is essential.
• Wire or curly coats (Poodle, Cocker Spaniel): 4–5 weeks. Curly coats don't shed but tangle badly in humidity. Skipping sessions leads to matting that is painful to remove.

The monsoon problem: humidity and fungal infections

Between June and September, most grooming issues in Mumbai dogs stem from one thing: coats that stay damp too long. A dog that's walked in the rain and not properly dried becomes a walking environment for yeast and bacteria. Signs to watch for: constant scratching especially around the ears, a musty or sour smell from the coat, dark crusty discharge in the ear canal.

Groomers here strongly recommend:

• Using a proper pet blow-dryer (not a human hair dryer) after every bath — air-drying in Mumbai humidity doesn't actually dry the undercoat
• Checking ears weekly during monsoon and wiping with a vet-approved ear cleaner
• Keeping the hair between paw pads trimmed short — this area stays wet longest

What services actually matter vs. what's a nice-to-have

Non-negotiable for health:

• Nail trimming — overgrown nails affect posture and can curl into the paw pad
• Ear cleaning — especially for floppy-eared breeds in Mumbai humidity
• Anal gland expression — most owners don't realise this is needed until the dog starts scooting
• Tick check and removal — Mumbai dogs walk near gardens and are at real risk

Genuinely useful in Mumbai:

• Deshedding treatments for double-coat breeds (reduces coat weight and humidity trap)
• Paw balm treatment (salt and heat crack paw pads faster here than in most cities)
• Anti-fungal shampoos for dogs prone to skin issues

Optional but pleasant:

• Teeth brushing (useful but dogs need conditioning to tolerate it)
• Coat conditioner treatments
• Cologne or deodorant spray (fine, but address the cause of odour, not just the symptom)

Finding a good groomer: what to look for

Any groomer can bathe a dog. The difference is in how they handle a nervous dog and what they notice during the session. A good groomer will tell you after the session: "I found a small lump near the left shoulder" or "the ears had significant dark discharge — you should get that checked."

Questions to ask before booking:

• Do you send a report or photos after the session?
• How do you handle a dog that is scared or aggressive?
• Are cages used? (For how long? Some mobile groomers avoid cages entirely)
• What shampoo brands do you use? (Avoid any groomer who can't name their products)

Grooming at home between sessions

Five minutes of brushing three times a week prevents most matting and keeps shedding manageable. Use a slicker brush for most breeds, a rubber curry brush for short coats. Check paws after every walk during monsoon — between the toes specifically. Keep a small bottle of diluted povidone-iodine near the door for paw soaks when you suspect contact with dirty puddle water.

Want a grooming record alongside your dog's walk history? See how PupStep's care diary works.