Summertime is one of the most joyful seasons of the year. Days are longer and people are happier. Iced drinks, top tanks, and flip-flops are only some of the ways in which we fight heat back. However, our pups don’t have that luck, so these grooming tips for dogs in summer can change the entire game. It’s up to us to attend their needs and change their summer experience.
It is very important to provide a summer grooming routine for your dog, specially designed for his needs. There are a few things you can do to get your dog ready for summer in only a few minutes.
4 Grooming tips for dogs in summer
Summer haircut. Some dogs can be fully shaved and some dogs can’t. Their needs vary depending on their breed, age, and type of hair. While some dogs really benefit from a haircut, some others can be severely affected by it. Even though you may think they are hot, double-coat breeds such as Pomeranians and Golden Retrievers shouldn’t be shaved since their coat is useful to regulate their temperature. Consult with your vet what’s the best approach for your dog.
Brush him daily. Not only you will get rid of dead hair and mats that can be super uncomfortable for your dog, but also it will provide better air circulation. Besides, he will look a lot cleaner and tidy. You can choose the perfect brush for your dog in our blog about shedding.
Don’t change his bathing frequency. Although you may feel a bath can freshen your dog up, bathing him more often is not a good idea. It can actually cause the opposite effect: strip away the natural oils of his coat and dehydrate his skin. According to specialists, dogs are bathed more often than they need to be. If you want to refresh your dog, you can give him ice cubs, or play with the sprinkler outside.
Check his paws regularly. Your dog’s pads can get hurt due to the high temperatures of the streets. Hot surfaces can cause blisters on their paws, so you need to make a follow-up to make sure your dog has not burned. You can also use dog summer shoes in order to prevent burns and blisters. Last but not least, checking your pup's paws is a habit you should adopt all year long: remember dogs walk barefoot, and their pads can get hurt easily, due to glasses, stones, garbage, etc.
Apart from these grooming tips for dogs in summer, the most important tip you can follow is making sure your pup has enough water. Remember dogs need it to regulate their body temperature, so it’s very important to provide them with plenty of water. Your dog water bowl should never be empty and you need to make sure it is clean and neat. Also, remember to change the water inside at least once a day, since it can grow bacteria. To keep him hydrated, apart from water, you can also feed him fruits with high water content, such as watermelon, strawberries, melon, and pineapple.
