Most dog breeds are less heat-tolerant than humans. We sweat, but they don’t have many sweat glands and must pant to lower their body temperature—not nature’s most efficient cooling mechanism. Dogs with heavy double coats or short, flat faces suffer even more when the temperature rises. If your dog’s breed hearkens from a cold climate (Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies, or St. Bernards for example), or has a short nose (such as Bulldogs, Pugs, or Pekingese do), take special care not to let your dog overheat. Yet, any dog can suffer the effects of heat, sun, and humidity, and any dog can benefit from good grooming to stay healthy, comfortable, and yes, good-looking, all summer long.
Step away from the clippers…
The first grooming tip for hot weather is actually a non-grooming tip! You probably think that shaggy fur coat looks just miserable in the heat. Dogs have those coats for a reason. Not only do coats keep dogs warm in the winter and protected from the elements, they also insulate from the heat and sun.
That’s not to say that your heavily coated Newfoundland will want to lounge in the direct sun and won’t feel a thing. Black coats soak up heat, but even the most sun-resistant snow-white coat, if heavy, can contribute to overheating in your dog, simply because heavily coated dogs aren’t made for hot climates. In other words, don’t take the clippers to your Bernese Mountain Dog just because it’s hot outside. Instead, provide plenty of shade and water, or better yet, a comfy spot in front of the air-conditioner.
If you have let grooming slip over the winter and clipping is the only way to reclaim your dog’s natural coat, you may have no choice. Some dogs actually enjoy being clipped, and if that’s your dog and your preference, go for it. Just remember that most long-coated dogs have long coats for a reason, and those coats are as much a part of what makes your breed unique as your dog’s size, shape, expression, and sparkling personality. If you keep your dog’s coat in good condition, you may never have to shave it down.
The power of the comb
Just because you don’t clip your dog’s coat doesn’t mean you can ignore it! Summertime is full of coat-tangling activities. Running, jumping, barreling through the woods after a squirrel, swimming in the pond, rolling around in the freshly mowed grass, shedding that heavy winter coat all over the house, not to mention the occasional flea or tick hitching a ride, all necessitate a ratcheting-up of the normal grooming routine.
A good, thorough brushing and combing all the way down to the skin from head to tail once a week will keep your dog’s coat in great condition all summer long. Dirt, tangles, mats, and bug bites encourage bacterial skin infections, allergic reactions, scratching, rashes, and hot spots.
The itchy and scratchy show
Head off the summer misery of flea, mosquito, and ticks bites and their associated risk of pest-borne illness by preventing infestations before they start.
Pest control is an integral part of good grooming, and should be a regular part of your summer grooming routine. The first step to effective pest control is to keep your dog clean. Also consider a spot-on treatment that repels or kills fleas and mosquitoes. If you live in or plan to travel to a woodsy area, make sure your pest control product also covers ticks. And don’t forget to be vigilant about heartworm prevention medication!
Cleanliness is next to dogginess
Regular summer baths are the best ways to keep your dog pest-free, odor-free, and beautiful. This important adjunct to brushing and combing takes pests off your dog in the old-fashioned, chemical-free way: by rinsing them off. It also keeps your dog’s coat in good condition by keeping it clean. A tangled, dirty coat not only attracts pests but also won’t protect your dog from sun and heat as well as a clean, shiny coat with good air circulation over supple, healthy skin. You may want to switch dog shampoos in the summer. Consider those that moisturize, soothe irritated skin, and/or contain natural pest-repellant ingredients like citronella, eucalyptus, or neem.
Depending on your dog and the amount of potential muddy spots in your yard, consider moving the bath outdoors. A child’s swimming pool or large metal tub and a garden hose (test the water first, in case it has been sitting in the hose getting hot!) provide the perfect spots for bathing dogs, and as that wet coat dries in the sun, the evaporation will help to keep your dog cool.
SPF:Dog
Part of good grooming is skin protection, and in the summer, your dog’s skin—especially in smooth-coated and/or fair-skinned dogs—is at risk for sunburn and skin cancer, just like yours.
Look for sunscreen designed just for dogs and apply it to exposed areas including noses, ears, and bellies. Doggy sunglasses, visors, and hats help protect your dog’s eyes from the damaging rays, and a light T-shirt (for a baby or made just for a dog) and fancy bandana can go a long way towards protecting skin in sparsely coated dogs. While these aren’t exactly grooming items, they serve a good-grooming function both by protecting skin and by looking smart and fashionable. A few products do double duty as skin-shields and cooling devices. Personal evaporative cooling neckbands, padded bandanas, even vests can protect dogs and keep body temperature in check. Some of these devices need to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer before use. Others cool through various high-tech methods, but all of them can help lower body temperature. Consider these coolers especially for smooth-coated flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs and Pugs, who are doubly at risk from both overheating due to their foreshortened muzzles and from the sun on their sparsely coated skin.
Adapted with permission from AKC Family Dog Good Grooming
