As the temperatures begin to rise, pet owners seek out summer grooming methods that will keep their dog cool and comfortable.
Many people assume that the best solution for long-haired dogs in the summer is to shave them. However, a dog’s coat is central to regulating body temperature — when the weather is cold, it keeps the heat in and when the weather is hot, it keeps heat out. In addition, a dog’s coat provides protection from damaging UV rays, which are at their strongest during the summer months. Unprotected, a dog’s skin is prone to sunburn and possibly skin cancer just like yours.
Don’t panic though, there are still plenty of ways you can keep your dog comfortable during the summer.
Maintaining a Healthy Coat
Essential to dog grooming is to keep your dog’s coat healthy and clean by brushing her two or three times per week and providing regular baths. Remember that brushing and bathing should be part of a regular grooming routine not just during the few months of summer.
Brushing
A regular brushing enables air to flow through your dog’s coat and cool down the skin. Make sure to use a good quality dog brush designed specifically for the type of coat your dog has. A matted coat is very uncomfortable and may even cause fur to thin or develop into bald patches in some breeds.
Brushing is particularly important during the summer for double-coated breeds whether they have long or short hair. Some breeds, such as Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Newfoundlands, Huskies, Chows, and Great Pyrenees, are at a higher risk of overheating if their coat isn’t properly maintained. For double-coated short-haired breeds, regular brushing will cut down on constant shedding during the warmer months.
Bathing
Fill a bath with no more than 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water. Start by wetting your dog’s entire coat avoiding her eyes, ears, and nose. Once she is completely soaked, apply the shampoo starting from her head and moving down her tail. You should use a shampoo designed for dogs since human shampoo may irritate their skin. Finish by rinsing thoroughly and toweling off your dog. Be sure to pat your dog dry, instead of rubbing, to prevent tangling.
Follow every bath with a brush and blow dry to remove any remaining loose hairs. You may also want to consider using a blow dryer prior to bathing to blow out loose hair. (Set the dryer on cool or warm, never hot.)
Summer Clips
If you do want to trim your dog’s coat during the summer to make the hair more manageable and to lessen the chance of matting, talk to your groomer about how much you can comfortably take off (based on your dog’s coat). This will provide your dog with protection from UV rays, dirt, and impurities.
De-shedding Treatment
If shedding is a real problem, you may wish to ask a dog groomer for a de-shedding treatment. This treatment involves a warm bath to loosen the coat, lathering the dog in a special shampoo and massaging it into his coat, a deep conditioning, then drying with a high-velocity dryer. These treatments remove more of the undercoat which reduces matting and shedding as well as protects the remaining fur from breakages.
Don’t Try this at Home!
If you’re considering a summer clip or a de-shedding treatment, you should seek a professional in dog grooming. Although products such as a Furminator deShedding tool can be purchased for home use, if not used properly you can damage your dog’s coat.
Instead, seek out a groomer who deals with all types of dog coats. Discuss with them exactly what you are looking for in regards to reducing your dog’s coat. Be specific about whether or not you want your dog’s hair cut or simply have the undercoat reduced. Ask them about their experience in dealing with your specific type of dog – you can also ask for photos to aid in your discussion.
Once your dog’s hair is under control for the summer, there are other fun things you can do to keep him cool! Stay tuned…
