Grooming Dogs During Summer
Preparing dogs for summer means to help your clients' pets stay comfortable and healthy during the summer. It's about ensuring their overall well-being in the heat, keeping their skin and coat healthy, and protecting them from the elements.
By educating your clients about grooming during the summer, you'll not only enhance the dogs' appearance but also significantly contribute to their overall health and happiness. Doing this well will make your clients return to your saloon over and over.
The warm period presents unique challenges, from heat management to dealing with the effects of swimming. This blog has few tips on summer grooming and offers you as groomer guidance on how to communicate these practices to your clients effectively.
The Importance of Summer Grooming
Summer grooming is essential for several reasons. It helps prevent overheating by removing excess fur, reduces the risk of skin infections and hot spots, keeps the coat free of mats and tangles, and maintains overall hygiene, especially for dogs who swim frequently. In addition with the climate change we all will see warmer and warmer summers as years go by.
Best Practices for Summer Grooming
During the summer months, regular brushing becomes essential to remove loose fur and reduce matting. For long-haired breeds, using a slicker brush is recommended, while a bristle brush is suitable for short-haired breeds. Checking the dog’s coat thoroughly for ticks and fleas after brushing is important, as summer is peak season for these pests.
Proper bathing involves using mild shampoos and ensuring the dog is bathed every 2-4 weeks with a moisturising shampoo to keep their skin and coat clean without stripping natural oils. Ensuring all shampoo is rinsed out thoroughly is crucial to avoid skin irritation.
Clipping and trimming should focus on trimming excess fur around the dog's paws, ears, and underbelly to help them stay cool and clean. However, avoid shaving double-coated breeds, as their fur helps regulate body temperature.
One in four dogs gets skin cancer during its life
Sun protection is also vital. Applying pet-safe sunscreen on areas with thin fur, such as the nose, ears, and belly, can prevent sunburn.
Dealing with Dogs Who Swim in Lakes and Salty Sea Waters
Swimming is a great way for dogs to cool off during summer, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Always rinse dogs with fresh water after swimming in lakes or the sea to remove chlorine, salt, and debris that can irritate their skin and coat. Dry their ears and fur thoroughly to prevent ear infections and hot spots. Using a vet-recommended ear cleaner after swimming helps remove excess moisture and prevent infections. Encourage clients to regularly check for signs of skin irritation or infections, especially in areas that remain wet for long periods.
Traveling with Dogs in Hot Weather
Traveling with dogs during hot summer days requires special precautions. Share these tips with your clients to ensure safe and comfortable journeys. Emphasise that dogs should never be left alone in cars, as the temperature inside a car can rise rapidly, leading to heatstroke. Advise clients to use sunshades for windows and ensure proper ventilation in the car. Recommend taking frequent breaks to allow dogs to stretch, hydrate, and relieve themselves. Suggest using cooling mats in the car and always having drinking water available for the dog to drink.
Double-Coated Dog Breeds and Their Care
Double-coated breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds etc require special attention during summer to manage their thick fur and prevent overheating. For these breeds, regular brushing with an undercoat rake to remove loose fur from the undercoat is a must.
Educate your clients on the importance of not shaving double-coated breeds, as their coat helps regulate body temperature and provides protection from the sun. Offering de-shedding treatments during grooming sessions helps manage the thick undercoat. Bathing these breeds with a moisturizing shampoo and ensuring thorough drying prevents matting and hot spots.
Sun Protection
Do Dogs Need Sunscreen?
Yes, pets do need sunscreen! They may not get sunburned as easily as humans, but they can still suffer from sun damage and skin cancer. Veterinarians estimate that one in four dogs will develop a form of skin cancer in their lifetime. Some dogs are more susceptible to sun damage and sun protection is recommended for them:
- Hairless dogs
- Dogs with white or thin coats
- Dogs with with white fur or with pink skin
- experience seasonal hair loss due to shedding
- When a health condition causes hair loss
- Dogs with light-pigmented noses and eyelids. Dalmatians
This can include limiting their exposure to the sun during peak hours, providing shade in your yard, and using pet-safe sunscreen on their ears, nose, and other areas with less fur. Regular veterinary check-ups can also help in early detection and treatment of skin cancer.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Pets
When selecting a sunscreen for your pet, look for the following:
- Specifically formulated for pets: Human sunscreen is not suitable for pets, as it can be toxic if ingested.
- Waterproof and unscented: Pets may lick their skin, so it’s crucial to choose a sunscreen that is waterproof and unscented to prevent accidental ingestion.
- SPF 30 or higher: A higher SPF provides better protection against UVB rays.
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Zinc oxide or PABA-free: These ingredients are toxic to dogs if ingested.
Other Sun Protection Methods
In addition to sunscreen, consider the following sun protection methods for your pets:
- Protective clothing: Invest in sun shirts or suits that cover large areas of their bodies.
- Shade: Provide shade for your pets when they’re outdoors, especially during peak sun hours.
- Avoid peak sun hours: Limit your pet’s outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (usually between 10 am and 4 pm).
- Monitor your pet’s skin: Keep an eye out for signs of sun damage, such as redness, itching, or blistering.
Communicating with Clients
As professional groomers, it's important to talk to your clients about the importance of summer grooming. Share with them how they can contribute to their dog's comfort and health. Provide informative information (breed-specific) detailing summer grooming tips the importance of each step. Engage clients during grooming sessions to discuss specific grooming needs and practices for the summer. Recommend high-quality grooming products tailored to summer care and explain their benefits.
Remind clients about Hydration and nutrition. While not in your domain they are key components of good summer care. Dogs should always have access to fresh, clean water to stay hydrated. A balanced diet rich in omega fatty acids helps maintain a healthy coat. Skin care starts in the stomachs, same as in humans.
Encourage clients to visit authoritative sources such as professional veterinarian in your area instead of relying on information from often questionable social media sources.
Products for Skin and Fur Protection SPF
As a leading manufacturer of premium dog grooming products, we offer a range of high-quality items designed to keep your clients' dogs' skin and coat healthy during the summer. Our Protective Sunscreen Spray is pet-safe and protects against harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn. It's easy to apply and non-greasy, making it ideal for outdoor adventures.
Our Moisturizing Shampoos is formulated with natural ingredients like aloe vera and cucumber extract to cool and soothe the skin while providing deep hydration. It's perfect for summer use and suitable for dogs with sensitive skin.
Our Hydrating Conditioners is enriched with essential oils and vitamins to nourish the skin and coat, reducing dryness and promoting a healthy, shiny appearance. Use it after each bath to keep the dog's fur soft and manageable.
Our Ear Cleaning Solution is designed to remove dirt, debris, and excess moisture, reducing the risk of ear infections, especially in dogs who love to swim.
Conclusion
You as a professional dog groomer can by following these best practices and using high-quality grooming products, you can ensure your clients' dogs stay comfortable and healthy throughout the summer.