Summer Care

Summer is finally upon us, and that means it’s time to think about getting and keeping your dog cool during the warm weather! There’s good news:  we are taking grooming appointments at both of our Good Dog Spot locations again! In the meantime, we’ve put together some grooming tips to keep your dog happy and healthy this summer.

LOOK OUT FOR FLEAS AND TICKS

Fleas and ticks thrive in warm weather environments, so make sure to check your dog regularly. Ticks are especially common in wooded areas, so if you spend lots of time outdoors in grassy spaces, it’s important to search for and remove any ticks immediately. Similarly, warm and humid weather allows fleas to reproduce quickly, which bite and feed on your dog’s blood, causing discomfort and itchiness. When looking for ticks, focus on the areas in and around the ears, behind the collar, and between the legs and tail.

Bonus note: for an all-natural food supplement that works wonders against fleas and ticks, RAWGanic’s Ticked Off is our absolute favorite product! We currently sell it at Good Dog Spot locations for $15.99. It’s personally helped keep the fleas and ticks away from our cats and dogs!

CLEAN EARS

When it’s very hot, there’s nothing like taking a dip in a lake or cooling your pup off with a sprinkler. However, it’s important to monitor your dog’s ears for any water build up. Any leftover humidity in the ears provides an environment for damaging bacteria to grow. To clean your dog’s ear, gently wipe the visible part of the ear with a cotton ball.

BRUSH

Contrary to what you might think, trimming your dog’s hair, particularly if they have a double coat, does not make them cooler in warmer weather. In fact, trimming your pup often has the opposite effect, because the fur helps regulate their temperature to keep them cool. Instead of trimming, brush your dog’s hair regularly this summer to help them shed any dead fur to keep them as comfortable as possible. If you do want to give your dog’s fur a trim, give us a call to schedule a grooming appointment!

TRIM PAW PADS 

Did you know that dogs primarily sweat through glands in their paw pads? Because of this, it’s important to take extra good care of your dog’s paws. Puppy paws are sensitive, especially to heat, so try and schedule daily walks and exercise at cooler times of the day. Walks on hot asphalt or cement can be especially painful for your pup. Trim your dog’s nails regularly and remove any debris that accumulates on their paws — and look out for fleas and ticks there, too.

Want to add further protection to your dog’s paws? Consider applying some paw wax. For an all-natural DIY option, check out this recipe. 

BOOK YOUR GROOMING APPOINTMENT TODAY

Our Chicopee and Northampton locations are now open for grooming appointments again! Call us to schedule your appointment or for more tips on how to keep your pup cool this summer.