How to Create the Right Summer Grooming Routine for Your Dog

Summer activities like swimming, camping, and hiking can affect our dogs’ typical grooming needs. Here’s how to adjust your pup’s routine to keep him clean and healthy all season long!

Common dog grooming tasks

Bathing

We should only bathe our dogs when necessary. Most healthy pets with normal skin don’t need baths unless they’ve developed a strong odor (which, for those of us who love to adventure with our canine companions, can be more often than we’d like). Washing with a gentle soap and rinsing with warm water typically does the trick! You can learn more about the process in our ultimate dog bathing guide.

Dogs with skin conditions or allergies might require more frequent soaks with special shampoo as directed by their veterinary teams. Legendary Canine’s Healer Bar is one option.

Brushing

Short-haired dogs with smooth coats usually only need to be brushed every few weeks. Long-haired breeds, especially those with thick double coats or curly hair texture, require more frequent combing to prevent painful mats.

There’s no such thing as “over brushing” our dogs. This is one area where it’s better to do more than less!

Nail trimming

Your dog’s nails should be short enough that they don’t touch the ground when he walks. If they’re too long, they can affect his posture — which can have permanent muscle and joint effects over time. It’s best to trim them far before they reach that point so that his quicks (the sensitive part of his claws containing blood vessels and nerves) stays back. For the average dog, this usually looks like filing or clipping every two to six weeks.

Paw pad care

Along with their nails, our dogs’ paw pads also deserve routine TLC. Our pets walk on this thick-yet-sensitive skin everywhere they go — grass can be itchy, asphalt gets hot, gravel can lead to small cuts, foxtails are every dog owner’s nightmare… The world isn’t kind to our dogs’ feet.

Thankfully, we can keep them comfortable by gently wiping our pets’ paws and applying a soothing paw balm about once a week. This enables us to catch any problems, like embedded burs or slivers, early on.

Ear cleaning

A dog with healthy, normal ears should have them cleaned every one to two months. This is an important way to reduce the chance of infection. Regular cleaning with a gentle ear cleanser lets us notice any flare ups before our pets become too uncomfortable and can prevent minor irritation from getting worse. You can learn how to properly clean your companion’s ears in this video.

Floppy-eared breeds might need them flushed more frequently while pets with pointed or cropped ears can get away with longer intervals.

Tooth brushing

Not everyone needs to brush their dog’s teeth. If your pet is still young or on a raw diet, his pearly whites probably don’t need much help from you. If your dog eats kibble or is nearing old age, though, it’s a good idea to get on a regular oral care routine. The sooner you start, the healthier he’ll be in the long run!

You can learn how to brush your dog’s teeth in this video.

Weekly onceover

If you’re keeping up with the grooming tasks above, chances are your dog is in top shape! It’s always a good idea to do a regular physical check about once a week though, even if it’s not time for another brushing or nail trim yet.

Think of this like a toned-down version of your vet’s exams. Gently take a look at your pet’s fur, paws, ears, and teeth. Note any changes you see — and reach out to your clinic if anything seems off.

How do popular summer activities affect your dog’s grooming needs?

Depending on your lifestyle, your dog’s grooming needs might vary throughout the year. Let’s take a look at some common effects of pet-friendly summer activities:

Swimming

If your dog swims regularly:

• Baths: He should be rinsed with clean water often and bathed with a gentle soap after entering any still ponds or algae-heavy areas.
• Brushing: He might need to be brushed a bit more than usual.
• Ear cleaning: He’ll need his ears cleaned more often.

Increased walking or running

If your dog regularly joins you on paved or natural trails:

• Brushing: He might need to be brushed more frequently, especially if he’s venturing into the underbrush and collecting burs or other plant matter.
• Nail trimming: He might be able to go longer between nail trims. Rough surfaces like concrete can naturally grind our dogs’ claws.
• Paw pad care: His paws should be cleaned and waxed more often.

Camping and hiking

If your dog loves to camp with you:

• Bathing: He probably needs to be bathed, or at least rinsed with clean water, more often.
• Nail trimming: He might be able to go longer between nail trims.
• Paw pad care: His paws should be cleaned and waxed more frequently.

Time in the sun

If your dog spends a lot of time in the summer sun:

• Bathing: His skin might start to dry out from excessive skin exposure. Pay attention to this when rinsing or bathing him. If you have to use shampoo, opt for a gentle, soothing option.
• Paw pad care: His paws should be cleaned and waxed more frequently. Pavement, sand, and other surfaces can heat up to painful levels during the heat of the day.

How to create the right grooming routine for your dog

Your dog grooming tasks and timeline will vary depending on your pet’s individual needs, your favorite summer activities, and your own tolerance for odor and dirt.

Consider your dog’s individual grooming needs

Take a look at the common grooming tasks above and consider your dog’s specific needs. How long is his coat? How much does he weigh? (Heavier dogs might need less frequent nail trims because they’re better able to grind their claws down while walking on hard surfaces.) How are his ears shaped? Has he had any chronic skin conditions? Does he seem prone to ear infections?

Think about your favorite summer activities

Then think about your favorite summer activities. Consider how they might mix with your dog’s baseline needs to change your grooming routine. For example:

• Your short-haired dog who usually doesn’t need much brushing might have to be combed more often if he’s regularly running through the woods.
• Your pointy-eared pup who typically goes two months between ear cleanings might need them once a week if he’s swimming more often.
• Your snuggly dog whose paw pads never cause issues might need weekly waxing if he’s spending more time on rough trails.
• And so on.

Know your tolerance for odor and dirt

Finally: Consider the level of messiness you personally find acceptable. Are you willing to cuddle your pet if he smells like wet dog? Is it important to you to keep a super-tidy home?

Anything that can affect your dog’s health — ear cleaning, nail trims, and skin irritation — needs to be taken care of right away. When it comes to tasks like bathing to eliminate odor, though, there’s more wiggle room for you to have your own preferences.

If you’re backpacking every weekend, maybe baths aren’t a priority (he’ll just get dirty again anyway). If you’re regularly hosting guests, maybe dry shampoo and fur deodorizer are your best friends. Ultimately, the details of your dog’s grooming routine are up to you.