Tips for Grooming Your Dog in the Summer
When Mother Nature turns up the heat not only does
your dog feel it, but the summer weather also opens the door to tons of
problems with his coat by bringing with it bugs, dirt and mud. Following are a few basic steps you can take at home to keep
your pup clean.
Do
Not Shave
Contrary to popular belief, warm
weather doesn’t necessitate going all military barber on your dog’s beautiful
fur. In fact, this can actually be counterproductive. A dog’s undercoat
reflects light and helps keep them cool through a process often called lofting,
which essentially turns it into a built-in air conditioner. Cutting it could
destroy the coat’s natural function as well as cause it to grow back in the
wrong way. Always be sure to check with your veterinarian to see if your breed
is one that’s better off with her coat long and intact, like a Husky or German
Shepherd.
But
Brush Often
The best way to handle your dog’s
coat is to brush it thoroughly and often. We’re not talking five times a day
here, but at least once a day for longer coated dogs and once or twice a week
for those with shorter fur. It’ll keep the coat from becoming tangled which
will in turn trap dirt, as well as help you check for harmful buggers like
ticks. Different coats require different brushes, so ask your vet which kind
works best for your specific breed’s fur.
Increase
Bathing
With summer comes more opportunities
for your dog to get dirty, so you’ll want to increase the amount of baths you
give your pup when it begins to get hot. Not only will it help remove excess
grass, mud and dander but it’s a great way to keep parasites like ticks and
fleas at bay. Be sure to only use a gentle, natural shampoo that will soothe
the skin to reduce any irritation or itchiness. Oatmeal and eucalyptus-based
shampoos usually do well in the summer. Contrary to popular belief, frequent
bathing does not dry out the skin or otherwise cause harm.
Inspect
the Ears
Dog’s ears are prone to infection,
especially for adorable floppy-eared breeds. During the summer, you’ll want to
take extra care to dry the ears after a swim or bath. To dry your dog’s ears
try using a cotton ball and gently rub the inside flap until the water is gone.
Never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal! Leave inner ear cleaning to
the professional.
Trim
the Nails
Since your dog is likely more active
outdoors during the summer months there’s a better chance that a nail might
break while at play on logs or rocks. To combat this, you need to remain
vigilant when it comes to keep them trimmed. You don’t want to cut them too
often, or too short, but you’ll know when they’ve gotten too long by the clicking
sounds you’ll hear when your pup walks on hard surfaces.
Look
for Foreign Objects
Twigs, splinters and rocks can get
lodged into your dog’s paw pads after some rigorous play out in the yard.
That’s why it’s important to always check them once they come inside. If you
notice your dog limping that could mean some damage has already been done, so a
quick inspection each day can head off injury.
Skin
Checks
Finally, you’ll want to pay close
attention to your dog’s skin during the hot summer months. That’s because more allergens are loose this
time of year that could cause your dog’s skin to become dry or irritated. Your
dog might also be more susceptible to infections like ringworm. Be sure to look
over your dog’s skin while brushing to ensure that everything is A-OK.
Doing these simple things yourself
will save you time and money – and your pup will thank you!