Seasonal grooming tips

As the seasons change throughout the year, your approach to pet grooming will need to change as well. Dogs and cats even have different reactions to the season change! We have put together a list of tips and tricks that will help you and your furry best friend go into the new season with confidence!    

Dogs

Fall:

It is essential to make sure you are brushing your pet frequently as a new season is approaching. The drop in temperature from summer to fall can cause an excess amount of shedding because of your pet’s winter coat that is trying to grow! Brushing frequently also gives you a great opportunity to see if there are any ticks, wounds or other small injuries your pet might have acquired from a long summer season of being outdoors!  

Winter: 

If you live in an area with harsher winters, your pet’s paws may need some extra love and care! During the snowy season it is common for sidewalks and streets to have some kind of de-icing products that can be harmful to paws and skin. If you are taking your walking buddy with you during the winter it is recommended to rinse the affected areas with warm water and dry them after each time you are outside. If you live in an area with extreme winters, there are also products that can protect your fur baby from the snow like dog boots or paw protector wax! Your veterinarian can give you the best advice about how to protect your dog’s paws so that they can be happy and active no matter the challenging climate!

Spring:

Did you know that just like humans, pets can have seasonal allergies too? Usually, we scratch or rub our eyes and ears when our allergies are bugging us. Dogs will do something very similar, by biting or licking certain spots on their body that could be irritating them! Dogs tend to be the most sensitive to things like mold, dust mites, weeds, trees and grass pollen. Keeping up with their overall hygiene (baths, brushing, grooming) will help relieve their allergy irritation. There are even different medications that you can give your pup to make them feel less uncomfortable during allergy season! 

Summer: 

We all know that summertime means there will be plenty of outdoor activities planned for you and your doggo! To make sure that they can be as free as a bird for the whole summer, you should make sure to keep their nails trimmed and keep their ears clean and dry! 

Frequent nail trimming should be a part of your normal routine but this especially applies in the summer. The longer your dog’s nails are, the more common it will be for them to collect mud, dirt, rocks and roots while you are out and about doing outdoor activities! Dirt and mud build up in their nails can cause painful injuries that could potentially ruin your summer plans… which we would hate to see! Keeping your furry friend’s ears clean and dry after a long day of swimming is so important, especially if they have adorable floppy or low-hanging ears. Just make sure to extensively clean and dry their ears and you can lower the chance of an infection so they can swim their heart out all summer long! 

Cats

Fall:

As the seasons change and the weather starts to get chillier, you should always do your very best to prepare your cat for the upcoming winter! The fall season is always a time where your fur buddy is shedding their summer coat and starting to prepare for the upcoming winter. To make sure they grow a healthy winter coat you should be feeding them a healthy, balanced diet. Your veterinarian can give you great customized diet tips that will ensure your pet is getting the exact nutrients that they need to feel happy and healthy!

Winter:

Did you know that in the winter your cat may be prone to getting shocked by static electricity? This is commonly found in cats that roam inside and outside! Indoor heating is known to remove a lot of moisture from the air which creates a dry and cold climate. As humans we deal with this in the winter a lot as well and we know how annoying it can be! Luckily, there is a very simple step that you can take to remove the uncomfortable static for your kitty. You can add air humidifiers around your house, or in the room that your cat spends the most time in and it will add moisture to their coat! You can also wipe your cat down with a pet bathing wipe or use a moisturizing shampoo when it’s bath time. 

Spring:

Let the shedding season begin! Sometimes it seems like there is no way your cat could lose anymore fur… and then they just keep shedding. Veterinarians recommend using a wide tooth, rubber comb when you are de-tangling and brushing out fur. Metal combs tend to irritate and scrape their soft skin, which can cause a lot of irritation. Rubber combs are a much better alternative to de-shedding kits as well! It will be much more pleasant for both of you and you won’t have to worry about hurting your furry friend. 

Summer:

Cats are notorious for cleaning themselves; they are very independent in that way. That doesn’t mean that they don’t need a little bit of help once in a while, especially in the summer! It is common for them to have dead hair stuck to them that gets in the way of them being able to keep cool in hot weather. You can easily help your little buddy out by keeping on top of their hygiene more regularly than any other time of the year. Brushing and bathing their coat alone can be the nicest thing you can do for your kitty in the summer! However, make sure you are careful with how short your trim their hair – if you cut it too short it can cause skin irritation from the heat and sometimes a sunburn. They want to be cool, but still need a layer of fur for protection from the sun!