Summer Grooming Tips for Pets: Keep Your Dog or Cat Cool, Comfy & Clean
When the days grow long and the sun’s shining bright, our furry friends can feel the heat just as we do. Whether you’ve got a sun-loving dog or a shade-seeking cat, a thoughtful summer grooming routine can help them feel cooler, cleaner, and oh-so comfortable. At Petdirect, we get pet — and that means we know just how important seasonal grooming is for their health and happiness.
Why Summer Grooming Is Essential
Unlike us, pets can’t simply change into shorts and jandals to beat the heat. Instead, they rely on us to help manage excess fur, prevent overheating, and maintain good hygiene. Regular grooming during warm months helps:
- Prevent matting and tangles, especially in long-haired breeds
- Support healthy skin and coat condition
- Reduce shedding, keeping your home cleaner
- Protect against parasites like fleas and ticks
Plus, grooming is a wonderful chance to bond with your pet and check for any hidden health niggles.
Brushing Basics: Keep That Coat Breezy
During summer, brushing your pet helps remove loose undercoat and keeps their fur feeling light and breathable. For dogs, invest in quality dog brushes and combs suited to their coat type. Cats, especially those with thick or long fur, can benefit from gentle grooming with cat brushes a few times a week.
For double-coated breeds, avoid the temptation to shave — their coat actually helps regulate body temperature. Instead, opt for a de-shedding tool to thin out the undercoat.
Bath Time Tips For Summer Freshness
A regular bath with a pet-safe shampoo helps keep their skin clean and odour-free, especially after beach or bush adventures. Choose a product that’s formulated for their needs from our great value grooming range. Look for features like soothing oatmeal, deodorising properties or a formulation that supports skin and coat health.
But how often should you bathe? For most pets, once a month is plenty. Over-bathing can strip natural oils, so if your pet gets grubby more often, consider a gentle deodorising spray for dogs or waterless shampoo for cats.
Paw And Nail Care In The Heat
Hot pavements and sharp terrain can take a toll on those precious paws, especially for summer-loving dogs. Keeping paw pads moisturised with a pet-safe balm and nails neatly trimmed can help prevent cracks, discomfort or snags during zoomies.
Have a look at our dog paw and nail care essentials and cat grooming tools to make this part of your routine a breeze.
Keep Them Cool With Hydration And Smart Grooming Hacks
During the warmer months, pets can dehydrate quickly. Hydration is key — offer clean, cool water at all times and consider investing in a smart pet fountain to encourage drinking. These are especially great for cats, who naturally prefer running water.
Regular grooming isn’t just about looks — it keeps your pet comfortable, helps prevent overheating and keeps unwanted fleas at bay. For extra protection, make sure your pet is up to date with their flea and worm treatments, especially as temperatures rise and pests become more active.
Grooming On The Go: Holiday Prep For Pets
If your pet is joining you on your summer staycay or road trip, pack a travel bowl or water bottle, a gentle shampoo, and a brush to keep them fresh on the road. A car seat cover is also a beach-trip essential to catch wet fur and sandy paws.
Conclusion: A Happy, Healthy Pet All Summer Long
A little effort with your pet’s grooming routine this summer can go a long way in keeping them cool, comfortable and radiant from nose to tail. Whether you’re chasing waves or chilling on the deck, let Petdirect help you support their seasonal needs with grooming tools, skin-friendly treatments and plenty of summer essentials.
Ready to get started? Discover everything you need for summer grooming and more in our summer essentials collection. Don’t forget to take advantage of our Pet Perks loyalty programme and Airpoints to make caring wonderfully rewarding too.