Pet Grooming: How to Take Care of Your Pet's Coat, Nails, and Ears During Summer

During summer, many pets shed more than usual. Regular brushing helps remove loose fur, dirt, dead hair, and small tangles before they turn into painful mats. It also allows better airflow through the coat, which can help pets feel more comfortable.

For dogs with longer coats, a light trim may help keep the coat manageable. However, avoid shaving your dog down to the skin unless your veterinarian or professional groomer recommends it. A dog’s coat helps protect them from overheating and sunburn, especially double-coated breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and similar breeds. The Furrmart also recommends trimming longer hair if needed, but not fully shaving dogs because their coat layers help protect them from heat and sunburn.

Cats are very good at grooming themselves, but in summer they may need extra help, especially long-haired cats or cats that shed heavily. Brushing your cat more often can reduce hairballs, prevent mats, and help remove extra fur during hot weather. The FurrMart specifically notes that brushing cats more often than usual can help prevent heat-related coat problems.

Start with short brushing sessions and use a soft brush or comb. Reward your cat with treats and gentle praise so grooming becomes a calm routine instead of a stressful experience.

Summer can mean more dirt, sweat, outdoor smells, grass, pollen, and mud. Bathing can help, but too much bathing may dry out your pet’s skin. Use a pet-safe shampoo, not human shampoo, because pets have different skin needs.

For dogs who swim in pools, lakes, or splash pads, rinse them afterward to remove chlorine, salt, dirt, or bacteria. Dry the coat properly, especially around the ears, belly, armpits, and between the toes.

Good advice:

If your pet has itchy skin, redness, flakes, hot spots, or a bad smell even after bathing, it may be more than “summer dirt.” A vet check may be needed.

Many pets are more active in summer, which means more walks, backyard play, and outdoor adventures. Long nails can make walking uncomfortable and may affect your pet’s posture. They can also split, crack, or get caught in carpets, decks, or grass.

Check your pet’s nails every few weeks. If you hear clicking on the floor, the nails may be too long. Trim small amounts at a time, especially if you are unsure where the quick is. For dark nails, it is safer to trim little by little or ask a groomer.

Don’t forget dewclaws:

Some dogs have dewclaws that do not touch the ground, so they do not wear down naturally. These can curl into the skin if ignored.

Warm weather, swimming, humidity, and allergies can make ears more prone to irritation. Dogs with floppy ears, hairy ears, or a history of ear infections need extra attention.

Check your pet’s ears regularly. Healthy ears should not smell bad and should not have heavy wax, redness, swelling, or discharge. If your pet is shaking their head, scratching their ears, crying when touched, or you notice a strong odour, book a vet visit.

Use only pet-safe ear cleaners. Never push cotton swabs deep into the ear canal, because that can hurt the ear or push debris deeper.

Summer grooming is not only about fur. Your pet’s paws need care too. Hot asphalt, sidewalks, sand, and concrete can burn paw pads. The FurrMart recommends avoiding hot surfaces like asphalt because they can burn pets’ paws.

Try walking your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when the ground is cooler. A simple test: place the back of your hand on the pavement for a few seconds. If it feels too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pet’s paws.

After walks, check paws for redness, cuts, dryness, burrs, or small stones stuck between the toes.

Some pets, especially those with white fur, thin coats, pink noses, or exposed skin, may be more sensitive to sunburn. Use only products that are labelled safe for pets. Human sunscreen or insect repellent can contain ingredients that may not be safe for animals. The FurrMart advises using sunscreen or insect repellent only when the product is specifically labelled for animal use.

If your pet spends a lot of time outside, ask your veterinarian what protection is safest.

A professional groomer can help with coat trimming, de-shedding, nail trimming, ear cleaning, mat removal, and breed-specific grooming. However, some issues should be checked by a vet first.

Call your vet if you notice:

1.Red, itchy, or painful skin

2.Bad ear smell or discharge

3.Sudden hair loss

4.Hot spots

5.Bleeding nails

6.Paw burns or limping

7.Heavy matting close to the skin

Signs of overheating such as heavy panting, weakness, drooling, vomiting, or collapse

Pets can dehydrate and overheat quickly in hot weather, so always provide fresh water, shade, and cool resting areas during summer.

Summer grooming is one of the easiest ways to keep your pet comfortable, clean, and happy. A few simple habits — brushing regularly, trimming nails, checking ears, protecting paws, and using pet-safe products — can prevent many common summer problems.

Whether your pet is shedding more, getting dirty from outdoor play, or needing a fresh summer clean-up, a proper grooming routine helps them enjoy the season safely.

Need help choosing the right brush, shampoo, nail trimmer, or grooming product? Visit Furrmart or contact us — we’re happy to help you find the right option for your furry friend.