For the Groomers:
Help Familiarize Your Clients with Possible Pet Summer Hazards
Summer brings sun, fun, and, unfortunately, a spike in pe-related hazards. From heat exhaustion and burned paw pads, to worried clients unsure whether their pet needs a haircut, the season can be stressful for grooming teams and pet parents alike.
To help ease that load, we’ve created this guide for pet owners to reference while they’re out enjoying the season. Plus, you can share the downloadable infographic with your clients to help them recognize potential pet hazards lurking outside, when it might be time to go to the emergency room, or when they might be able to monitor at home.
We cover topics like:
- Grooming considerations
- Parasite risks
- Preventing infections
Feel free to use the content below on your website, in an email newsletter, or as part of your salon’s summer safety campaign. We’re here to help you empower clients with knowledge so they feel more confident during the warmer months so your team can stay focused on providing excellent care.
For the Pet Parents:
Summer Pet Safety: Seasonal Hazards to Watch For
Summertime means more adventures, backyard gatherings, and quality time outdoors. Naturally, we want our pets to be part of the fun. At DaySmart Pet, we’re both pet lovers and summer enthusiasts. Our summer pet safety series is dedicated to the hidden hazards that come with warm-weather activities and how to handle them.
Let’s dive in!
The Importance of
Summer Grooming
What Every Pet Parent Should Know
Regular grooming isn’t just about keeping your pet looking their best—it plays a big role in their health and comfort, especially during the summer months. Hot weather, extra time outdoors, and seasonal pests can all create challenges for your pet’s skin and coat.
Here’s what to know about summer grooming and why it matters:
Regular Grooming and Trims
Keeping up with consistent grooming all year long supports a healthy skin and coat, which is critical in the summertime. Here’s why:
1. A healthy coat helps with cooling and airflow
Avoid shaving unless a groomer or vet recommends it. Some dogs have double coats that actually insulate them against both the heat and the sun. Shaving these coats can interfere with their natural ability to regulate temperature and may increase their risk of dangerous complications, such as heatstroke or sunburn.
Pets with long or thick coats may benefit from a light trim to help keep them cooler in hot weather, so it’s important to consult with your grooming professional to see what they recommend for your pet’s individual needs.
2. Help prevent matting and skin problems
Brushing between grooms removes dirt, debris, and loose hair. This helps prevent painful tangles or mats. These mats can trap moisture and bacteria close to the skin, which may lead to rashes or infections if left untreated.
Provide regular coat maintenance to stay on top of issues that may arise and seek any necessary treatment immediately before they become a problem for your pet.
Don’t Overdo the Bathing
It’s tempting to bathe your pet more often during the summer, especially after beach trips or hikes, but bathing too frequently can strip their coat of natural oils.
How often should you bathe your pet?
A good general guideline is once every 4–6 weeks, unless your groomer or vet says otherwise. If your pet is getting dirty frequently, be sure to look into ways you can safely remove dirt and debris without impacting your pet’s overall coat and skin health.
Helpful bathing tips:
- Use a pet-specific shampoo. Human shampoos or dish soaps can dry out or irritate your pet’s skin.
- Look for formulas with gentle, soothing ingredients like oatmeal or aloe vera.
- If your pet sheds a lot, a de-shedding shampoo can help maintain coat health.
Watch for Parasites and Skin Irritations
Warmer weather brings out fleas, ticks, and other pests that have easier access to your pet outside. Here are a few common pests and potential skin irritations to watch out for:
1. Fleas
Fleas thrive in the warmer weather, making them a particularly pesky summertime pest. They like to hide under your pet’s coat and feed on their blood by biting through their skin. Usually, your pet will show signs of having fleas, like excessive itching and biting at certain parts of their bodies. However, some pets are sensitive enough to have substantial reactions from just one flea.
Did you know? Even indoor pets can get fleas — they can hitch a ride on shoes, clothes, or other animals and settle themselves within your living space.
Prevention is key. It’s much easier to prevent fleas than to eliminate an infestation, as fleas breed and spread rapidly. Make sure all your pets are on a veterinarian-approved flea preventative and that you’re regularly vacuuming and washing bedding.
2. Ticks
Ticks can burrow into the skin and carry dangerous diseases. Gross, right? If your pet spends time outside, they are at an increased risk of coming across these hazardous creepy-crawlies — especially if you live in an area where they’re prevalent.
- Long-haired pets can make them hard to spot, so be sure to check your pet after hikes or time in wooded areas.
- If your pet starts showing signs of illness after you’ve spotted a tick on them, call your veterinarian immediately for what to do next.
If you do find a tick, remove it safely and save it in rubbing alcohol or a sealed plastic bag in the freezer. This allows your vet to identify or test it later if your pet shows signs of illness. Since ticks can also cause infections in humans, it’s important to act immediately if one is found in your living space.
3. Skin wounds and rashes
Bath time is a great opportunity to check for any cuts, abrasions, or rashes your pet may have picked up. If you come across one on your pet, do not get the area wet and consult with your veterinarian to see if immediate medical attention is warranted. Unsure of how to tell when it’s serious or not? Familiarizing yourself with basic wound assessment and care can be invaluable knowledge to have.
For wounds that appear deep, on or near the eye, or won’t stop bleeding, seek veterinary care immediately.
If your pet is licking the affected area, a cone or e-collar may help prevent further irritation or introduction of bacteria, which would increase their risk of developing an infection.
Keep in mind: there are a lot of products out there that are designed as alternatives to using a cone. Be sure to look closely when considering these, as some alternative products are meant for wounds in a specific area on your pet.
Check Those Paws (and Ears!)
While most of us look forward to the summer months, they can bring hidden hazards like foxtails and grass seed pods, which can burrow into your pet’s skin. These commonly occur between their toes or around the ears, eyes, and nose. While they may seem harmless, these foreign bodies can cause life-threatening complications if not treated in a timely manner.
Here’s what to watch for:
- Limping, excessive licking or chewing at their feet, or sudden swelling could all be signs of a foreign body. These can occur anywhere on your pet, including their feet, face, and body.
- If you suspect your pet has an infection or abscess, contact your vet as soon as possible to determine your next steps.
If your pet has spent time outside or running around near grass fields, it’s a good idea to perform regular checks to catch any potential foreign bodies from becoming embedded and causing infections.
Going Swimming? Don’t Forget the Ears
Dogs who love playing in the water are at a higher risk of developing ear infections, especially if water gets trapped inside their ears.
To help prevent this:
- Dry your dog’s ears thoroughly after they go swimming or take a bath.
- Safely clean inside their ears to remove any remaining water trapped inside.
Use a pet-safe ear cleaner, but always check with your vet first, especially if your dog’s ears are red, swollen, or have a foul odor. This could be a sign that an infection is already present. Using the wrong product at this point (or using it at the wrong time) can make things significantly worse in some cases, so always seek veterinary guidance prior to using these products.
Summing It Up
A solid summer grooming routine can go a long way toward keeping your pet comfortable, healthy, and happy in the warmer weather. And the best part? It gives you a chance to bond, check in on their health, and catch any issues before they become problems
If you ever have questions about your pet’s coat, skin, or grooming needs, don’t hesitate to ask your groomer or veterinarian. They’re your go-to team for keeping your pet looking and feeling their best — all summer long.
Notice something new with your pet, but unsure if it’s an emergency? Check out this helpful infographic to determine whether to take action right away or if you’re safe to monitor for now.
Looking for some more general, warm-weather tips? Read our blog on summer safety, and also see what FEMA recommends to help keep your pets cool and safe this summer.