By Jacob Munro
•
July 3, 2025
Toronto’s summer heat can top
30°C on pavement, so grooming
isn’t just about looks – it’s
about your dog’s comfort and
safety. A well-maintained coat
helps regulate temperature.
The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
explains that a properly
brushed double coat acts like
built-in insulation: it slows
heat absorption and protects
against sunburn. For this
reason, CKC advises against
shaving most double-coated
breeds in summer, since
removing their topcoat exposes
skin to UV rays and can make
them overheat. Instead, stick
to shorter trims or thinning
cuts (ask your groomer about
“puppy cuts” or cooling clips)
to keep dogs cool while
preserving natural protection.
Essential Summer Grooming
Tools Be prepared with these
summer grooming essentials:
Brush and Comb. A quality
slicker brush or undercoat
rake for thick coats, and a
detangling comb for medium
coats, will pull out loose fur
and prevent mats. Brushing
spreads natural oils for a
shiny coat and gives you a
chance to feel for bumps,
rashes, or pests. (As CKC
notes, brushing first removes
dead hair and loosens mats
before trimming.) Mat Remover.
A dematting tool or comb helps
safely break up any stubborn
tangles without cutting.
Regular brushing means fewer
mats in the first place, but
keep a comb on hand for those
hard-to-reach spots. Dog
Shampoo & Conditioner. Use
a gentle, pet-formulated
shampoo (look for
veterinarian-recommended
formulas). In summer, a
moisture-retaining conditioner
can keep skin from drying out.
Avoid human products , which
are not pH balanced for dogs.
Dog-Safe Sunscreen. Dogs do
get sunburned on thin-haired
or pink-skinned areas (nose,
belly, ear tips, groin). Apply
a broad-spectrum,
fragrance-free pet sunscreen
with SPF 15 or higher on
exposed spots before outdoor
play. (Pet experts agree: yes,
you should put sunscreen on
your dog when needed. )
Reapply every few hours,
especially after swimming, and
protect dogs with white/short
coats even more vigilantly.
Nail Clippers or Grinder. Keep
nails short to prevent curling
or cracking. Long nails make
walking painful and can even
affect posture. If you’re not
comfortable trimming at home,
schedule regular trims with
your groomer or veterinarian.
Paw Protection. Hot asphalt
and concrete can burn pads. If
a sidewalk is too hot for your
bare foot, it’s too hot for
paws. Apply a pet-safe paw wax
or balm before walks to create
a protective barrier. On
extremely hot days,
lightweight dog boots can
shield feet completely. After
each outing, check pads for
redness or cracks, and soothe
them with balm. Ear Care
Supplies. Dogs love swimming
in summer, but moisture in the
ears can invite infections.
Have a gentle vet-approved ear
cleaner and cotton balls on
hand. After baths or swims,
gently dry ear flaps and
consider tucking a dry cotton
ball in each ear to wick away
moisture (just remove them
later to avoid infection).
Water Gear. Always carry fresh
water and a collapsible bowl
on walks. Frozen “pup-sicles”
(diluted broth or fruit bits
frozen in water) make fun
treats, and a cooling mat
provides relief at home. Keep
these tools organized for
quick use. And remember, if
managing all this at home is
overwhelming, ask a
professional groomer – Paws in
the Bath offers Bath &
Brush and Bath, Brush &
Tidy packages to handle
shedding, detangling, nail
trimming, ear cleaning, and
more between full grooms. Coat
Care: Brushing and De-shedding
Daily or multi-times-weekly
brushing is one of the best
things you can do. It removes
loose fur, prevents tangles,
and lets air flow next to the
skin so your dog stays cooler.
Brushing prevents mats – those
tight clumps trap heat and
moisture. CKC grooming experts
advise brushing before any
clipping or mat-removal to
loosen dead fur. As you brush,
spread out tangles and praise
your dog; make it a calm
bonding time. Dogs whose coats
are brushed regularly often
come to enjoy it. During peak
shedding (common in summer,
especially for double-coated
breeds), consider professional
de-shedding. Ask your groomer
about a “Bath & Brush” spa
service : it combines a gentle
bath with specialized tools to
remove the loose undercoat.
Fanbox describes
this service as a game-changer
for fur everywhere – it
includes a deep conditioning
wash, undercoat rake, and
brushing to pull out dead fur.
In between full haircuts, a
Bath & Brush can
drastically cut down the hair
tumbleweeds in your home and
keep your dog’s coat healthy
and airy. Never attempt to
shave a double coat all the
way down. Maintaining at least
some length protects skin. The
CKC notes that a shaved
double-coated dog will often
grow back an insulating
undercoat faster than the
guard hairs, making
overheating worse. Instead,
trim excess fur: remove long
tufts under the belly and
sanitary areas, and have
longer hair thinned. If mats
have already formed, visit a
professional groomer – they
have safe techniques (and
experience) to detangle or
remove mats without harming
the skin. Haircuts and Trims
Rather than DIY haircuts at
home, schedule a summer trim
with your groomer.
Professional groomers know the
latest breed cuts and
cool-clipping techniques. For
example, a groomer can give
many breeds a puppy cut (a
uniform, short length all
over) or a tailored breed
style that leaves at least an
inch of coat. For Husky-type
and other double-coated dogs,
groomers often use thinning
blades or “summer cuts” that
remove loose undercoat while
preserving the protective
topcoat. As CKC experts
recommend, consult your
groomer about the correct clip
for your dog. This ensures an
attractive style that still
keeps your dog cool. Ask your
groomer about Paws in the
Bath’s Bath, Brush & Tidy
service , which includes a
gentle wash, full brush-out,
sanitary trim, paw cleaning,
and a light coat trim. These
sessions are ideal for
managing everyday messes and
shedding between full grooming
appointments. They help keep
coats free of tangles, nails
trimmed, and even ear hair
tidy – all of which make your
dog more comfortable in the
heat. In short, use
professional help for the big
jobs (matted fur, thick coats,
complex trims) and daily
brushing or spot baths at home
in between. Bathing Basics
Bathe your dog only as needed
in summer, usually about once
a month unless they get very
dirty. Over-bathing can strip
skin oils and cause dryness or
irritation. Before each bath,
brush out all tangles and
loose fur to prevent tighter
mats when wet. Use lukewarm
water (never hot) and a
high-quality dog shampoo from
neck to tail, paying attention
to the belly and feet. Rinse
thoroughly until the water
runs clear – any soap left on
the skin can clog pores. (One
groomer notes that dogs have
multiple hairs per follicle,
so trapped shampoo will
irritate if not completely
rinsed.) When drying, towel or
blow-dry on a cool setting and
brush through one more time to
remove lingering loose hair.
Finally, reward your pup with
praise and a treat to build a
positive bath-time experience.
Check and clean ears at bath
time. Don’t shove anything
into the ear canal – just use
a vet-approved cleaner on
cotton to wipe the outer ear.
For breeds prone to ear hair,
groomers can pluck excess hair
gently to improve airflow.
After a swim or bath, a dry
cotton ball in each ear
opening can help wick moisture
out and lower infection risk.
A quick facial wipe with a
damp cloth removes any tear
stains or debris around the
eyes. Nails and Paw Protection
Short nails are critical for
happy walks in summer. Check
your dog’s nails weekly – the
combination of grass, trails,
and pavement can wear nails
unevenly. If nails click on
hard floors or curl under,
schedule a trim. Regular
trimming or grinding is
essential. Many groomers offer
paw-dicures or nail trims as a
standalone service.
Professional groomers have the
tools to smooth rough edges
and even file nails, making
every step safer and more
comfortable. (If you do trim
at home, cut only the tip and
have styptic powder ready for
any quick nick.) Inspect paw
pads after each outing. Summer
pavement can burn skin fast.
As the Ontario SPCA advises,
if the pavement is too hot for
your bare foot, it’s too hot
for dog paws. Apply a
protective paw wax or balm
before walks to guard pads
from asphalt heat (and later
help heal any cracks). On
extremely hot days, consider
dog boots for long walks –
they’ll also protect against
city de-icers on cooler days.
After walks, hose off dirt and
heat, then rub a pet-safe balm
into the pads and between
toes. Healthy, smooth pads
mean your dog can trot happily
through the summer. Sun,
Shade, and Skin Safety Dogs
can sunburn just like people,
especially on bald or
pink-skinned patches. Apply a
dog-formulated sunscreen (or
an unfragranced baby sunscreen
with at least SPF 15) to
noses, ear tips, bellies, and
other exposed areas before
heading out. Experts agree:
“You should put sunscreen on
your dog” when they’re in
direct sun. Reapply often
(every 2–4 hours) if they stay
outdoors, and never let them
lick off treated areas. Along
with sunscreen, simple shade
and hydration are your best
tools. Always provide fresh
water and a shady retreat —
even a canopy or cool mat in
the yard can make a big
difference. Limit walks to
early mornings or late
evenings, when it’s coolest,
and never leave your dog
unattended in a parked car.
Ontario SPCA cautions that
“even a short time in a hot
environment can be
life-threatening” – car
interiors heat up dangerously
fast, even with windows
cracked. In extreme heat, opt
for indoor play or kiddie
pools instead of midday parks.
Parasite Prevention
Toronto-area parks and yards
are home to fleas, ticks, and
mosquitoes throughout the
summer. These pests can
transmit diseases, so
year-round preventives are
recommended. Local vets note
that any temperature above
freezing can let ticks
survive, so dogs should stay
on a monthly flea/tick
heartworm product throughout
the year. Make “parasite
patrol” part of your routine:
during grooming or brushing,
part the fur and look closely
for fleas (tiny black specks)
or ticks on skin. Remove any
ticks promptly and treat bites
with antiseptic. Also, check
your dog after hikes or park
visits – brushing outdoors can
knock off tiny hitchhikers
before they bite. With
preventives up to date and
vigilant grooming checks, you
can help keep parasites at bay
all season. Professional
Grooming and PITB Services
When in doubt, call in the
pros. Professional groomers
have the skills and tools to
tackle tough summer jobs. If
your dog’s fur is heavily
matted or you simply prefer
expert help, a groomer can
give a thorough bath, haircut,
nail trim, and skin check
safely. Toronto groomers
(including Fanbox)
offer special summer services
like medicated baths for itchy
skin, de-shedding treatments,
“paw-dicures” with nail
smoothing, and more. For
example, Fanbox’s
stylists can provide
breed-specific haircuts or
custom trims that balance
cooling and protection. They
use a 4-point process covering
coat, skin, nails, and ears,
so nothing is missed. When you
need full-service care, ask
about Fanbox’s Bath
& Brush, Bath, Brush &
Tidy, Breed Clip, and Full
Service Grooms offerings: Bath
& Brush Services include a
bath, brush, nail trim with
grinding, ears cleaned, and
hair shaved between the pads.
Bath, Brush & Tidy
includes all Bath & Brush
services, plus a sanitary
trim, face trim, or
feathers/belly/bum trim. Breed
Clip Services include a bath,
brush, nail trim with
grinding, ear cleaning, hair
shaved between the pads,
sanitary trim, and full
haircut to breed standard
specifications. Full Service
Grooms include a bath, brush,
nail trim with grinding, ears
cleaned, hair shaved between
the pads, sanitary trim, and
full haircut or shave down.
These services ensure your dog
stays fresh, healthy, and
comfortable all summer.
Expert-Approved Grooming Tips
We’ve vetted these tips
against expert guidance to
ensure they’re accurate. The
Canadian Kennel Club’s
grooming guidelines stress
that a dog’s routine should
include brushing, nail, ear
cleaning, and bathing.
Likewise, the ASPCA advises
giving your dog a full bath
roughly quarterly, rather than
too often. By incorporating
such recommendations, we make
sure our advice matches best
practices in pet wellness. Of
course, every dog is
different, so talk to your
professional groomer or
veterinarian if you have
questions about your pet’s
specific needs. With regular
care and the right services,
you’ll help keep your dog
healthy, happy, and looking
great all year long.