Groomer tasks

Anal glands, ear hair, whiskers, and paw pads: what groomers do and why

Groomers do a few jobs that owners often ask about. Here is what each one is for, and what vets say about it.

Short answer: Most dogs empty their anal glands on their own, so many never need a groomer to do it. Vet sources say not to pull hair from a healthy ear canal as a habit. Leave the whiskers alone. Trimming the hair between the paw pads and around the rear is normal, and it keeps feet and bottoms clean.

Anal glands.

These are two small pockets on each side of the anus. They hold a smelly, oily fluid. Most dogs empty them on their own when they poop. Many dogs never need them squeezed by hand, but some need it on a schedule. Doing it again and again may weaken the muscles that empty them. Vets, vet techs, and some groomers can do it. Ask your vet if your dog needs it at all. If your dog needs it over and over, ask the vet why.

Signs of a gland problem.

Watch for a fishy smell, lots of licking, or scooting. A gland that stays full can get blocked or infected. A red, hot, painful lump by the anus is a job for your vet, not a groomer.

Ear hair.

Some groomers pull hair from inside the ear, most often on poodles and doodles. The Merck Veterinary Manual calls this debated. It says not to do it as a habit when the ear is healthy, since it can make the ear sore. The AKC’s groomer school rules also say to avoid it. Some vets say curly-coated dogs may do better with less hair in the ear, so ask your vet. Another choice is to clip the hair on the ear flap and around the opening. If the ear looks red or smells, see the vet first.

Whiskers.

Vet pages at PetMD and VCA say not to trim a dog’s whiskers. Whiskers help a dog sense what is near its face, and dogs without them seem less sure in dim light. A whisker cut by accident doesn’t hurt, and it grows back. Pulling one out does hurt. Ask your groomer to leave the whiskers alone.

Hair between the paw pads.

Hair between the toes can mat. In snow, ice balls form in it. The AKC says to trim it even with the pads or a little shorter. The skin there is thin, so many owners leave this part to a groomer.

Sanitary trim.

This is a short trim around the rear and belly. It keeps your dog clean. On long-haired dogs, poop can dry onto the fur and even block the anus. Mats near the rear can trap poop too. Don’t cut mats there with scissors at home, since a dog can move and the skin cuts easily. Ask a groomer for a sanitary trim.

What a groomer leaves to the vet.

A groomer can point out a lump, a sore ear, or red skin. The AKC’s groomer rules say the vet is the one who finds the cause and treats it.

Questions people ask.

Do dog groomers express anal glands?

Some do. Many dogs never need it, because they empty the glands on their own. Ask your vet if your dog needs it before you ask the groomer.

Is ear plucking bad for dogs?

Vet sources say not to pull hair from a healthy ear canal as a habit, since it can make the ear sore. Some vets say it can help some curly-coated dogs. Ask your vet.

Should groomers cut dog whiskers?

No. Vets say to leave them, because they help a dog sense what is around it. If one is cut by accident, it grows back.

Why do groomers shave paw pads?

They trim the hair between the pads, not the pads. Long hair there can mat and catch snow and ice.

What is a sanitary trim for dogs?

A short trim around the rear and belly. It keeps poop and pee from sticking in the fur.

Where these facts come from.

We read each page on November 2, 2026. This is general advice, not vet care. Ask your vet about your own pet.