Top Tips to Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy All Summer

Summer is a season of sunshine, outdoor adventures, and fun, but it also presents unique challenges when it comes to caring for your dog. Rising temperatures and seasonal conditions require extra attention to make sure your furry friend stays comfortable, healthy, and happy. This guide provides detailed tips on how to address common summer grooming challenges, including coat care, paw protection, and more.

Protecting Paws from Hot Pavement

Concrete and asphalt can become scorching hot under the summer sun, posing a severe risk to your dog’s paws. If you can, walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening when there is no direct sun and surfaces are cooler. Always make sure to test the ground with your hand first; if its too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog. 

Grass Seeds: The Hidden Hazard

Grass seeds might be small, but they can pose significant risks to your dog’s health. These seeds can easily lodge in your dog’s fur, ears, paws, and other areas, potentially leading to discomfort, infections, or even serious medical issues if they sprout. Its extra important to be aware of these during summer, and its a good idea to thoroughly check your dogs paws after each outdoor adventure. 

How to Spot Grass Seeds:

• Check between your dog’s toes, inside their ears, and around their eyes after walks.

• Look for signs of irritation or discomfort, such as excessive licking, hiding, head shaking, or swelling. These may indicate a lodged grass seed or another source of discomfort. 

Prevention Tips:

• Trim the fur around your dog’s paws and ears to reduce the chances of seeds getting caught.

• Avoid areas with tall grass during peak seed seasons.

• Thoroughly check for grass seeds in the coat after each outdoor adventure. 

If you find a grass seed on your dog immediately after an outing which shows no sign of infection or redness, you can attempt to remove the seed with tweezers. If the seed is embedded in your dog’s skin or is causing too much discomfort to safely remove, consult your vet immediately. Attempting to remove an already embedded grass seed yourself can push the seed further in or cause further discomfort.

The Importance of Brushing

Brushing your dog’s coat is vital during summer. Regular brushing not only reduces shedding but also removes loose fur and prevents matting, which can trap heat and moisture, which can irritate the skin. Brushing improves air circulation near the skin, helping to regulate body temperature. Use a brush suitable for your dog’s coat type and maintain a consistent brushing routine to keep their coat healthy and tangle-free.

For more information on what brush suits your dog best, check out our brush guide here. 

Choosing the Right Shampoo

Though bathing is a year-round requirement, summer calls for more outdoor adventures and trips to the beach, which can lead to more baths than usual. If you find yourself washing your pup more than normal this time of year, its a good idea to switch to something that's gentle to prevent irritation from over-washing.

[product=bio-groom-so-gentle-hypoallergenic-shampoo-355ml]
Bio-Groom So-Gentle is a pure and natural, very gentle, hypo-allergenic, tearless shampoo. It is exceptionally mild, recommended for allergy prone dogs, cats, puppies and kittens, for sensitive skin, frequent baths, and when tearless shampoo is needed. It cleanses thoroughly without stripping the natural, protective oils from skin and coat. Results in a beautiful, shiny coat. Rinses out easily and completely, leaving no irritating residue behind.
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[product=amazonia-sense-gentle-shampoo-500ml-copy]
Amazonia Senses Gentle Shampoo is a soothing, hypoallergenic formula for all coat types and suited for sensitive skin. Infused with nourishing cottonseed oil, it gently cleanses while helping to maintain the skin's natural moisture balance. Chemical-free.
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[product=fidos-everyday-shampoo-500ml]
Called everyday shampoo for a reason, it won't dry or strip the coat of natural oils. Soap-free and hypoallergenic for sensitive or allergic pets (great on your own skin too). Moisturises the coat and actually lifts soil and dirt off the hair for quick, easy rinsing, which speeds up bathing time. You can tell a Fidos dog by the extremely fresh, clean-smelling scent unique to Fidos products.
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For light coloured dogs, summer can be the perfect season to help keep your pup looking nice and bright, with the help of MiPuchi Whitening Shampoo. This whitening shampoo is quite unique as it contains chamomile—a natural ingredient that enhances coat brightness, especially when exposed to sunlight. Not only does it help to whiten your dogs coat over time with sunlight exposure, its also formulated with natural and gentle ingredients which make this a good choice for frequent baths during the summer months. 

[product=mipuchi-professional-grooming-series-neutral-shampoo-concentrate-500ml-copy]
The new natural range of pet grooming products, made pure in New Zealand. Developed by Master Groomer Flavio Fernandes.
The MiPuchi Whitening Shampoo with Manuka Honey & Harakeke provides high-powered cleansing while reactivating and enhancing the white coat with an optical brightening action, diminishes yellow stains, and restores nutrients to revitalise the skin and promote a soft, shiny coat. The addition of Chamomile in this formula promotes natural brightening over time with exposure to sunlight.
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Hydrate Their Coat with Conditioning Sprays:

The summer sun can dry out your dog’s coat, leaving it brittle and dull. To combat this, use a moisturizing conditioning spray in between baths to keep their coat soft, shiny, and hydrated.

[product=bio-groom-coat-polish-473ml]
Bio-Groom Coat Polish in the 473ml size is the perfect finish to a groom. A coat glosser and detangler. Creates a lustrous, healthy, show-ring sheen. Highlights all colours. Retains dog and cat grooming for longer. Repels dirt and dust and prevents stains. Can be used all over as a coat spray, or as a brushing aid to help detangle matted hair and smooth the cuticle to keep it frizz-free. Use on wet or dry coats, or for tangles and mats.
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[product=mipuchi-professional-grooming-series]
A nourishing detangling hair solution that revitalises the coat and assists in the removal of knots, makes brushing easier, and provides softness and shine. Shields the coat from excessive heat during drying, preventing damage and promoting healthy hair.
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Keep Ears Clean and Dry:

Summer activities often involve water, whether from pools, lakes, or a backyard sprinkler. Excess moisture can lead to ear infections, especially in breeds with floppy ears. Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner after water exposure to keep ears healthy and prevent problems.

[product=virbac-epi-otic-ear-and-skin-cleaner-237ml]
Virbac Epi-Otic Ear and Skin Cleaner is an ideal routine ear cleanser for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens of any age. A broad-spectrum antimicrobial, alcohol free formula that treats and protects against a wide range of infections. Removes crusts and wax for clean ears. Cleans without irritation and has a drying action within the ear canal. Ideal for dogs that swim.
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Shaving: When and When Not to Trim

Shaving can be beneficial for breeds with continuously growing coats like Poodles and Shih Tzus to keep them cooler and knot free during the warmer months, but it’s essential not to go too short. Leaving at least a couple centimeters of fur protects their skin from sunburn while keeping them comfortable.

Going shorter during the busier months is also a good idea if you know you will have less time for coat maintenance. Extra trips to the beach, park, or bringing them on holiday with you are all activities that can promote the formation of mats, if the knots and debris are not immediately addressed. By keeping the coat short, you can spend less time grooming and more time enjoying the summer fun. 

For Double-Coated Breeds:

Double-coated breeds like Huskies and Retrievers should not be shaved, as it can damage the coat’s natural insulation. Shaving these breeds can damage their coat’s natural structure and won’t help them cool down. Instead, focus on regular brushing to remove loose undercoat hairs and prevent matting. To help with the removal of undercoat and to prevent excess hair-fall around the house, you can consider using a De-Shedding Shampoo and Conditioner system to remove the majority of the undercoat during the bathing process.

[product=bio-groom-anti-shed-deshedding-shampoo-355ml]
Bio-Groom Anti Shed Deshedding Shampoo is exactly as the name suggests, a mild, high quality, natural shampoo specifically developed to help reduce shedding. This shampoo is great for double coated and long-haired breeds to keep their shedding down. Grips loose coat and removes stubborn hair and loose undercoat during bathing to cut down on brushing and grooming as a whole. Reduces the amount of extra brushing required for double coated or long hair breeds.
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[product=bio-groom-anti-shed-deshedding-creme-conditioner-355ml]
Bio-Groom Anti Shed Deshedding Creme Conditioner is a high quality, natural dog conditioner specifically developed to help reduce shedding. This crème rinse conditioner is great for double coated and long-haired breeds to keep their shedding down. Grips loose coat and removes stubborn hair and loose undercoat during bathing to cut down on brushing and grooming as a whole. Anti-Shed Crème Rinse also removes tangles! Rinses out quickly and film-free, leaving the coat easy to manage and with a clean, fresh smell.
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If your double coated dog is really suffering in the heat, you can shave their underbelly to allow them to lay on cool surfaces to help keep cool. 

Trim Nails Regularly:

Active summer adventures can cause wear on your dog’s nails, but regular trimming is still necessary to prevent snagging or injuries. Keeping your dog’s nails at an appropriate length ensures they remain comfortable and safe during outdoor activities.

[product=andis-nail-clippers-large]
The Andis Nail Clippers Large are one of AllGroom's top sellers. Heavy duty, spring loaded, stainless steel blades with safety stop to prevent over-cutting. Ideal for all size dogs. Anti-slip, easy grip handle for safe, comfortable grooming. Safety lock on handle for safe storage.
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[product=bio-groom-sure-clot-styptic-powder-14gms]
Sure Clot is a specially developed clotting-aid formula by Bio-Groom to help stop bleeding from clipping nails, trimming beaks and on minor cuts. A must-have to keep on hand for first-aid for all grooming salons, vet clinics, breeders and multi-pet households.
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For more information on how to clip your dogs nails, check out our guide here. 

Refresh Their Bedding:

Your dog’s bed can become a hotspot for dirt, sand, dander, and odors during summer. Wash their bedding often and refresh with a pet-safe sanitizer between washes. 

[product=mipuchi-professional-grooming-series-odour-neutraliser-250ml]
A specialised odour neutralising spray that employs advanced technology to break down urine molecules, sanitise pet grooming areas, and infuse a fresh fragrance, creating a clean and invigorating environment. Leaves no residue and does not stain the area where it has been applied. No alcohol, parabens, sulphates or harmful chemicals.
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Flea Prevention:

Keeping your dog up to date on flea and tick preventatives is essential during the summer months. Warmer weather increases the risk of these parasites, which can cause discomfort and transmit diseases if not addressed. Regularly applying a vet-recommended flea and tick treatment will protect your dog from infestations. If fleas are found on your pet, immediate action is necessary. Start by using Fidos Flea Shampoo for Cats and Dogs, which effectively eliminates fleas within your pets coat while being gentle on your pet’s skin. Follow up with an Andis Flea Comb to remove any remaining fleas and eggs from their coat. Regular cleaning of your dog’s bedding and vacuuming your home can further help control and prevent re-infestations.

[product=fidos-flea-shampoo-500ml]
Fido’s Flea Shampoo is a gentle flea shampoo used to help treat fleas, ticks, lice and mites on both cats and dogs. Will not irritate even the most sensitive skin types. Also designed to remove any unpleasant odours, not just mask them, plus has a lovely fresh, clean fragrance. Includes natural pyrethrin and biodegradable insectice carbaryl. Leaves the coat softer and shinier. Thoroughly wet pet then apply shampoo. Work into a lather. Leave for 5 minutes before rinsing off and drying. Also recommended for treating bedding, especially in summer.
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[product=andis-long-coat-flea-comb]
The full-length Andis Flea Comb is ideal for all coat lengths, and designed for longer coats in particular. The teeth length is 1.5cm and with the teeth being so fine, with super-fine spacing between, it removes fleas, loose hair and dirt effectively. The rounded pins are gentler on your dog's skin. A great length of comb with a nicely balanced, lighter-weight and a comfortable grip, decent sized handle to reduce grooming fatigue, especially handy when grooming larger dogs.
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By following these tips, you can ensure your dog’s health, comfort, and happiness throughout the summer season. Consistent grooming and preventive care will allow both you and your furry companion to enjoy all the joys that summer has to offer.