Summer is a delightful time for outdoor adventures with your furry companion. However, the warm weather also brings unique challenges in maintaining your pet’s appearance and hygiene. Proper grooming not only keeps your pet looking their best but also ensures their health and comfort during the hot months. At SouthPaw, we’re dedicated to helping you provide the best care for your furry friends.
What is Stress-Free Grooming?
A stress-free grooming process is designed to keep our dogs comfortable, calm, and happy during grooming sessions.
DOG GROOMING TUTORIAL - Step by Step Maltese haircut
Key Elements of Stress-Free Grooming
- Giving breaks as needed: if the pet gets anxious or is older, Melissa stops and allows them to reset (CAGE FREE).
- Providing soft towels & low-noise dryers: high-speed dryers are avoided if they cause distress; using towel drying when possible.
Essential Summer Grooming Tips and Techniques
Here are some essential summer grooming tips and techniques to keep your pet cool, clean, and happy all season long.
1. Regular Brushing
Regular brushing is crucial in the summer to remove loose fur, dirt, and debris that can accumulate in your pet’s coat. For dogs like Golden Retrievers, who have a double coat, brushing helps prevent matting and reduces shedding. Use a slicker brush or an undercoat rake to reach the dense undercoat and keep it tangle-free. Brushing also stimulates blood circulation, promoting a healthy and shiny coat.
2. Bathing
Bathing your pet more frequently in the summer helps wash away sweat, dirt, and allergens that can irritate their skin. Use a pet-safe shampoo to ensure their skin and coat remain healthy. Avoid using human shampoos, as they can strip the natural oils from your pet’s skin, causing dryness and irritation. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all shampoo residue, and dry your pet completely to prevent dampness, which can lead to skin infections.
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3. Ear Care
Regular ear cleaning is essential, especially for dogs with floppy ears like Golden Retrievers. Moisture and heat can create a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast, leading to ear infections. Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner and gently wipe the inner ear with a cotton ball. Avoid inserting anything into the ear canal, as this can cause injury. Check for signs of redness, swelling, or unusual odor, and consult your veterinarian if you notice any issues.
4. Paw Care
Summer heat can make pavements scorching hot, which can burn your pet’s paw pads. Trim the fur between their paw pads to prevent matting and debris buildup. After walks, check their paws for cuts, blisters, or foreign objects. You can use a pet-safe paw balm to keep their pads moisturized and protected. Consider using dog booties for added protection during walks on hot surfaces.
5. Nail Trimming
Regular nail trimming is vital to prevent overgrown nails that can cause discomfort and affect your pet’s gait. Long nails can also snag on surfaces and break, leading to painful injuries. Use a pet nail clipper or grinder to trim the nails, being cautious not to cut into the quick. If you’re unsure how to trim your pet’s nails, seek guidance from a professional groomer or your veterinarian.
6. Coat Trimming
For breeds with long or thick coats, a summer trim can help keep them cool and comfortable. However, avoid shaving your pet’s coat too short, as this can expose their skin to sunburn and insect bites. A professional groomer can trim the coat to an appropriate length, maintaining a balance between protection and ventilation.
7. Hydration and Skin Care
Proper hydration is crucial for your pet’s overall health, especially during the hot summer months. Ensure your pet has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Additionally, consider using pet-safe sunscreen on exposed areas of your pet’s skin, such as the nose and ears, to protect them from harmful UV rays.
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8. Parasite Prevention
Summer is prime time for fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Regularly check your pet for signs of infestations, and use preventive treatments recommended by your veterinarian. These treatments can come in the form of topical applications, oral medications, or collars. Keeping your pet’s living area clean and free from parasites is also essential for their health and comfort.
SouthPaw Services
South Paw offers a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners and our staff is trained to determine the best products for your pets skin and coat. We will also use special shampoos prescribed by your veterinarian.
Available Packages
- Puppy Package: Familiarizes your puppy with the grooming process in a slow and calm approach moving closer towards a full or mini groom over several appointments.
- Loaded Full Groom: A good choice if you like a longer fluffy haircut and don't mind brushing between grooms to prevent matting.
- Pit Stop: A mini groom service that neatens up the face, feet, and tail between full grooms or as needed.
- Premium Clean Up: Great for dogs that are due for a bath after lots of playing. It includes a light de-shed as well as 15 min. coat blow-out & drying.
- Bells & Whistles: Additional services that can be added on to your groom or done a la carte.
Important Information
When you make your appointment please let us know if your dog has any special needs and should be groomed in an in-and-out situation. If your pet is elderly, difficult to handle, or needs to be muzzled, we will require extra time with your pet.
Vaccination Requirements:
For dogs, we require Rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza) vaccines for appointments, and we strongly recommend Bordetella for added protection. For cats, we require the Rabies and the FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) vaccines. We do not require your pet be spayed or neutered.
Additional Considerations
We can accommodate a variety of special needs and are happy to work with dogs that have a hard time with grooming.
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Custom Pet Coloring
Custom pet coloring is a great way to add a little flair to your furry friend's look! We use OPAWZ, a pet-safe dye made specifically for animals. The dye we use lasts for ten washes at minimum and can otherwise only be removed by shaving. We will need to see your dog at least 48 hours prior to your appointment for a test patch. Pets must be at least one year old and have some experience with being groomed.
Policies
Please provide a minimum of 24 hours notice for cancellation or rescheduling. Failure to do so will normally result in a charge of $25. Failure to appear at the scheduled appointment time will incur a fee of $50 or the full grooming price, whichever is lower. This fee is non-refundable. Clients who have previously no-showed will be asked to pre-pay their future appointments in full. Late arrival is considered more than 15 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, and there will be an additional late fee of $15.
Grooming Hours
We’re happy to accommodate your schedule as best as possible.
Grooming Hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7 AM - 7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM - 7 PM |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 7 AM - 7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM - 7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM - 7 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Closing hours may vary according to how appointments are scheduled.