Summer Health & Comfort Requires Regular Grooming

Summer's the perfect season for extended outings with your best friend - but extra time outdoors means extra precautions need to be taken as well. Following safety rules and using common sense will help keep your pet safe from some of summer's hazards, but adhering to good grooming habits can also safeguard your furry friend.

Brushing
Contrary to popular opinion, a long coat does not make a dog overheat. In fact, the hair on a well-brushed dog will actually help keep him cool by acting as insulation against the heat. It also provides protection from sunburn and parasites.

Since dogs don't sweat to cool themselves (the way people do), they don't need exposed skin to stay cool. Most veterinarians and professional groomers recommend against shaving pets for the summer months.

However, the coat must be well-groomed for it to serve its purpose. If your dog is badly matted or tangled, her coat may actually trap the heat and humidity close to the skin, adding to her discomfort. In that case, a short clip may be needed.

Bathing
A summer spritz with the garden hose can be fun, but if your dog takes a dip in the neighborhood pond, the ocean or a swimming pool, be sure to follow promptly with a shampoo to get rid of chlorine, salt or other sources of irritation.

Use only a shampoo that is specifically formulated for pets and follow with a conditioning rinse to remove tangles and loose hair, the towel dry and brush well. Only use a home hair dryer on your pet if it has a "cool air" setting. Whether you blow dry your pet or not, it's essential to brush thoroughly to prevent matting.

Inspections
Asphalt, sticky tar, lawn chemicals, pesticides and grass seed can harm your pet. The feet and toes should be cleaned regularly and examined for dermatitis and injuries.

Ear infections are a common summer ailment, because bacteria thrive in moist, warm places such as the ear canal. Unhealthy ears may have an unpleasant odor and a reddish-brown discharge. Part of the grooming process may include swabbing the ears with an ear cleaning product made specifically for that purpose. If there is excessive dirt or discharge, or your pet is clearly uncomfortable (rubbing or scratching his ears), seek assistance from a professional groomer or veterinarian. Left untreated, ear infections could lead to deafness.

Parasites
You and your pets aren't the only creatures that enjoy the summer weather. Many parasites, insects and pests thrive in warm environments. Regular professional grooming can help catch these problems early enough to prevent major damage or harm.

Since fleas are about the size of the head of a pin, and their eggs look like little grains of salt, they can be very difficult to spot, but a professional groomer is trained to recognize any evidence. Ticks can be found anywhere, and the groomer will check for hiding spots.
A groomer will also recognize flea allergy dermatitis, which a pet owner may not notice. The condition starts as red, blotchy skin but can become extremely sore and uncomfortably itchy if left untreated. Yet another pesky parasite your groomer looks for is the mite, especially the "walking dandruff" mite (cheyletiellosis). These nasty critters cause the skin to flake, and then they hide under the debris. As they migrate around the pet, the dandruff appears to move as well. Scabies mites also produce a limited amount of scaling.

If fleas, ticks or mites are found, the groomer or veterinarian can determine the proper medicated shampoos and recommend treatments.

A good summer grooming routine will keep your pet looking and feeling fresh and healthy. For more information, speak to the professional groomer at your local Best Friends center.