10 Dog Grooming Tips For a Heatwave

We pet lovers know dog grooming can be a tricky chore under the best circumstances. With summer about to start a heatwave predicted for many parts of the world, My Pet Naturally thinks our clients will appreciate a few tips on how to keep their furry friends well-groomed for the hottest times of the year.

1. Brush Regularly

Brushing your pup keeps them looking clean and well-looked after, and it keeps them cool when the weather turns hot. When a dog is not brushed and mats form in their fur, those mats contain moisture as a result of humidity, and that can irritate your canine’s skin. The best way to avoid this, particularly for long-haired breeds, is to brush your dog’s hair thoroughly and often, however much is recommended for your dog breed.

2. Bathe Accordingly

While daily washing might feel great for an overheated human, a dog does not need to be bathed that frequently. Washing a dog too much can dry out a dog’s coat and give them itchy, irritated skin. Dog grooming rules dictate that a canine receive a bath once a month or every few weeks.

3. Find the Right Haircut

Dog fur insulates them against the cold, but during the summer months having that fur can turn to torturous. Finding a haircut that can keep your dog cooler is a dog grooming practice all canine owners should consider. Long-haired breeds in particular can be affected by high temperatures, and getting their hair cut to a more manageable, light length will protect them from great discomfort.

4. Protect Your Pooch’s Ears

Any pup who loves a good summer swim runs the risk of getting an ear infection, much like their human pals. Help your dog avoid this by drying out the inside of their ears with a towel after they’ve emerged from the pool or lake. However, using a Q-tip should not be a go-to for drying dog ears, because you can accidentally damage your dog’s eardrum pretty easily.

5. No Hot Sidewalks

Going barefoot might feel free, but it will backfire on a super-hot day and burn or blister your feet! For dogs, it’s no different. Their paws get hurt easily, and if you can’t walk on a surface barefoot because it’s too hot, then consider it proof that your dog shouldn’t be walking on it either. Thankfully, there are dog shoes that can help to prevent their paws from getting injured if they absolutely have to walk on hot pavement, so we encourage our clients to invest in a pair if your pet does a lot of walking on sidewalks or streets with you.

6. A Car Is Not a Dog House

Leaving your pooch in a hot car isn’t just dismissive from their POV—it’s dangerous to their wellbeing. A dog can develop heat stroke very quickly, much faster than most other species due to canines’ lack of sweat glands, sometimes in as little as 15 minutes depending on how hot your car becomes. They can even experience seizures if they are in a temperature they cannot handle, and there are some instances of dogs dying because they were left in a hot, closed car for too long. You definitely don’t want your dog to be one of them, so avoid leaving your furry friend in a hot car at any time.

7. Water on the Rocks

If you need to leave your pooch at home while you’re at work, one way to keep their water cool is to give it to them in ice! Sounds hard, but it’s pretty simple. Just get an empty container, freeze some water in it overnight, and empty the ice block into your dog’s water bowl before you go to work. Put it in a shady part of the house, and your dog will have some cold water throughout a longer time period than just the standard water bowl filling each morning.

8. Don’t Get Bugged

Fleas and ticks are rampant during the summer months, and both can transmit diseases that cause horrible suffering for a dog. Make sure you check your pet’s body frequently for the little bugs, probably each time your pet plays outside. There are also medications available for heartworm, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. It might seem daunting trying to protect your canine from these parasites, but consulting your vet for the right preventive medication will put you ahead of the game.

9. Protect the Complexion

Dogs with short fur or more exposed skin can easily get sunburned, so try to keep them out of the sun as much as possible. Dogs with white fur and lighter-toned skin are even more at risk, and the nose is a sensitive spot for all dog breeds. Human sunscreen does not work on dogs, and any kind that contains zinc oxide is very toxic for a canine. However, there are plenty of sunscreens for dogs, and it wouldn’t hurt to consult with My Pet Naturally or your vet about the right kind for your furry friend.

10. Treat Your Pooch To a Manicure

Long, polished nails might be in vogue for the human population, but for dogs, they are nothing but a nuisance. Pets who play outside need as much freedom of movement as possible, and having overgrown nails can hinder their ability to walk properly. No pooch wants that when they’re determined to spend their summer outside exploring.

The best and safest dog grooming for nails is a professional cut, which we are happy to do at My Pet Naturally.

Summer should be one of the best times of the year for a dog, even during a heatwave. Follow all of our grooming tips, and your canine best friend will have the time of their life during the summer season. My Pet Naturally is always happy to help you keep your pup prepared for heatwaves, hot summers and every other kind of weather. Feel free to contact us if you need any help grooming or finding the right products for your pooch.