There’s a tendency to adapt to the weather, to do so much as you regulate thermal exposure. But what about your pets? Dogs and cats, like us, get hot, and without proper grooming, the summer months can become very uncomfortable- and even dangerous for our furry family members. Stanfield Veterinary Hospital is here to provide expert tips on how to keep your pets cool, clean, and comfy with our summer grooming tips.
Your pet requires different types of grooming during the hotter months of the year. All of the outdoor activity, shedding, and hot weather can result in:
Grooming your dog or cat is a necessary part of pet ownership, especially in the summer, as it helps your pet stay clean, eliminate tangles, shed excess hair, and improve your pet’s overall health and comfort.
Brush More Frequently: Summer = shedding season. Caring for their coats also helps remove loose fur, allowing your pet to stay cool. It also keeps the mats that trap heat and moisture from coming into contact with the skin at bay.
Don’t Shave Double-Coated Breeds: It’s a widely held myth that shaving double-coated dogs, like Huskies or Golden Retrievers, helps keep them cool. Their undercoat insulates against both hot and cold. Choose to go all-out de-shedding and trimming instead.
Do Some Hair Trimming (Especially around those problem areas!): For dogs with long coats, trimming hair around the paws, belly, and rear may help keep your pet cool and relatively clean. You should leave enough hair to cover the skin from sunburn.
Clean Their Ears Regularly: Excessive humidity and prolonged time spent in the great outdoors can increase the risk of ear infections, particularly for floppy-eared dogs. Use vet-approved ear cleaners to maintain dryness in your ears after swimming or bathing.
Check for Fleas & Ticks: Grooming is an excellent opportunity to check for fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Flea combs are great, as are vet-recommended preventive treatments.
Wash the Hair with a Gentle, Moisturising Shampoo: A bath once every 3 to 4 weeks (or more frequently if your dog gets dirty) will wash away allergens, dirt, and loose hair. Use a gentle, natural pet shampoo to prevent it from stripping away natural oils.
Hydrate Inside and Out: Don’t let your pet get dehydrated, and also keep their skin lubricated. In warm weather, supplement a pet’s diet with omega-3 fatty acids and/or give pets pet-safe conditioners to help prevent dry, flaky skin.
Do not bathe too often: Excessive bathing can dry out your pet’s skin.
Don’t go human: Human shampoos, brushes, and other grooming products can irritate pet skin.
Don’t groom in the sun: It raises the risk of heatstroke.
Steer clear of electric clippers: They can get too hot or hurt your pet if she jerks in the wrong direction.
Not sure how to physically manage grooming your fur baby or don’t know the proper techniques for doing so safely? Our team of professional groomers, along with our veterinary team, is available. We provide:
Our pet groomers team up with our veterinarians to make your pet’s grooming experience not only cosmetic but also part of their healthcare regimen.
Don’t let matts, heat rashes, or scratching become an issue. Enjoy the rest of the summer with your furry family member looking cool, clean, and snuggle-ready, thanks to the professional grooming at the Stanfield Veterinary Hospital.
At Stanfield Veterinary Hospital, we consider ourselves part of your family. That’s why we are 100% committed to your happiness and the well being of your pet.
