STOP! Put down the clippers!
Yes, that means you, reader with the double-coated dog. And you, too, pet parents of senior dogs who can never seem to stay clean. Before you evict your dog’s fur for offending you with shedding behaviors, you need to read this post.
Just because summer is right around the corner doesn’t mean it’s time to make drastic grooming decisions. In fact, while shaving can be helpful, it just might do more harm than good for certain breeds — and that’s just one of the many summertime grooming myths out there.
In today’s post, we’re going to talk about the dos and don’ts of summer dog grooming, including that pesky-yet-problematic issue of whether or not to shave. You just might be surprised to find out what your dog really needs!
DON’T Assume Shaving Is the Easy Fix
Let’s tackle the biggest myth first, shall we?
Summer is warm. It’s also when dogs spend the most time outside, and it probably seems logical to shave your pup down to simplify grooming and keep her cool. But here’s the thing: not every dog should be shaved.
Short-haired breeds and double-coated breeds both control temperature through their fur. And while that does mean their fur keeps them warmer in the winter, it also means their fur protects them from the sun in the summer. Full shaves can interfere with their ability to regulate, leaving them at risk for overheating or even heat stroke.
Furthermore, there are special concerns for double-coated breeds. Shaving the coat can cause the fur or hair shaft to break. Very often, it never grows back in quite the same way again, becoming unruly or even wiry.
So when SHOULD you shave? Anytime when the risk of keeping the fur is higher than the risk of getting rid of it. This includes when dogs experience chronic hotspots, when they will be wet often (as in daily), and if there are other contributing factors complicating your decision. Ultimately, your vet or breeder knows best.
DO Trim or Groom Regularly
While you shouldn’t shave except in special circumstances, there’s nothing wrong with a regular trim and a good grooming session. Visit your local groomer and have them clean up the ends of your dog’s fur, de-shed their undercoat, and treat the fur to keep it in healthy, shiny and soft condition. Remove mats promptly and don’t leave fur full of moisture or debris; you’ll only develop more mats.
How often is often enough? It depends on the breed. Short-haired breeds like the Vizsla can often get away with brushing three times a week with regular ear cleaning and nail trims. Long-haired Retrievers, on the other hand, should be brushed daily to prevent mats from forming (which can also lead to hotspots).
Remember, regular grooming doesn’t need to mean daily 40-minute sessions. Just spend time with your dog and love on him while you have a brush in hand.
DON’T Overbathe Fido
Daily swimming in the local lake: GREAT!
Daily bathing: not so great — potentially, even irritating.
You should bathe your dog any time he gets into something that makes him “dirty” (like mud, tree debris, sand, or something noxious or harmful). But be careful not to bathe your dog too often, as it can really dry out his skin. Too much bathing often manifests as flaking, hot spots, and sore, itchy welts, especially in dogs who are sensitive to the type of shampoo you use.
Oh, and that’s another great point – soap. If you do use shampoo to bathe your dog, be sure to use a shampoo actually made for a dog. Dawn dish soap will work in an emergency (hello, skunk!) but it, too, interferes with natural oils. Try to find a gentle canine shampoo with oatmeal in it and keep sessions to just once every few weeks.
Need to spot-clean? Grab some pet wipes from your local pet store. Or, make your own at home. Use them to nip away hangers-on after toilet time (ew!) or gently remove the mud from your furry friend’s favorite puddle.
DO Rinse Your Dog Off After Swimming
This one is especially important if you’re swimming in salt water or a chlorinated pool. There’s no need to bathe your dog afterward, but you should rinse him down with fresh, clean water (from the tap is fine).
Both saltwater and chlorine can be very drying to the skin, making your dog annoyed, irritated, and itchy. As soon as he gets to scratching, the heat will cause yeast colonies on his skin to explode, leaving you with infected hotspots.
This isn’t to say you shouldn’t swim — in fact, swimming can even supplement bathing in a pinch. Muddy? Hop in a safe for swimming local lake and let nature do its job. Just be aware and monitor his skin and fur for any breakage. Prevention is key!
DON’T Neglect Your Dog’s Ears, Eyes, and Paws
Ears, eyes, and paws have a rough go in the summer. Hot pavement and debris from playtime can cause pawpads to become rough, scaley, or even singed. And eyes often become irritated by sand, tiny bits of grass, pollen, and other minuscule substances.
As for ears? Well, they’re naturally warm and moist, and summer amplifies that fact, especially if your dog swims. Yeast loves this kind of environment, meaning it’s far more common for dogs to experience opportunistic infections during the warmer months. Bug bites are also a concern as the ears are incredibly sensitive and prone to swelling.
So what should you do to protect those itty-yet-important-bits? First, be cautious around hot sand and pavement. If it’s really hot, try a pair of mesh booties with leather bottoms or wait until the sun starts to set before venturing out. You can also just stick to the grass! For burned paws, a good soothing paw balm and a cool washcloth can do wonders, but you should see the vet for anything more than surface irritation.
For eyes, look for watering, redness, or discharge. Pawing at the eyes is another symptom of a problem. You can try using regular sterile optical saline found at the drugstore to rinse your dog’s eye out if you think he has debris in it (just be sure it’s ONLY saline). Don’t rub it, manipulate it, or try to pull out visible debris yourself; just head to the vet.
For ears, a good high-quality ear rinse can do wonders. You can even make one yourself at home, but they’re fairly cheap to buy at pet shops. Use it to rinse your dog’s ears every couple of days and you’ll limit yeast and keep those radar towers working as efficiently as they possibly can.
The better to hear you celebrate summer with him!