Canadian summers may be short, but heat waves with humidex values in the high 30s are increasingly common — and dogs overheat far more easily than people. Proper summer coat care plays a bigger role in keeping your dog comfortable than many owners realise. Here is how to manage your dog's coat and routine through the hot months.
To Shave or Not to Shave?
It is a common myth that shaving a double-coated dog keeps them cooler. In reality, the double coat insulates against heat as well as cold, and shaving removes sun protection, increasing the risk of sunburn and overheating. For most breeds, the answer is regular brushing — not clipping. Removing the loose, dead undercoat allows air to circulate against the skin, which is how the coat's cooling design is meant to work.
Breeds with continuously growing hair (like poodles and shih tzus) are the exception — they do need regular trims year-round. For everyone else, brush more, clip less. The Furbliss One-Click Deshedding Brush pulls out the loose undercoat efficiently, which makes the single biggest difference to summer comfort.
Brushing Frequency in Summer
Increase brushing to several times a week during summer, since heat and activity loosen more undercoat. Each session removes insulating dead fur and lets you check for hot spots, ticks, and skin irritation that thrive in warm weather. Keep sessions short and positive, with water breaks on very hot days.
Timing Exercise Around the Heat
Walk early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures and UV are lower. Midday summer pavement can burn paw pads — if it is too hot for your bare hand, it is too hot for paws. On extreme heat days, skip the long walk in favour of indoor play and mental enrichment. Always carry water, and watch for overheating signs: excessive panting, drooling, glazed eyes, or unsteadiness.
Water, Shade, and Cooling Strategies
Ensure constant access to fresh, cool water — add ice cubes on hot days. Never leave a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes; interior temperatures become lethal with shocking speed. Provide shade outdoors, and consider cooling mats for indoor rest. A shallow kiddie pool gives many dogs a fun way to cool off, but always supervise around water.
Summer Skin and Coat Watch
Warm, humid weather encourages hot spots (moist, irritated skin patches), especially in thick-coated breeds. Keep the coat clean and dry — dry your dog thoroughly after swimming, since trapped moisture against the skin invites irritation. Check ears after swims too, as moisture contributes to ear issues in floppy-eared dogs. If you notice persistent scratching, redness, or sores, consult your veterinarian.
Cooling Aids: What Is Worth It
Beyond coat care, a few products genuinely help dogs in heat. Cooling mats — the pressure-activated gel kind — give dogs a cool surface to lie on indoors without electricity or water. Cooling vests, soaked in water and worn on walks, help short-nosed and dark-coated breeds that overheat fastest. Elevated mesh beds allow airflow underneath, which many dogs prefer to a hot floor cushion in summer. What matters most, though, is management: shade, water, and sensible scheduling outperform any product.
Key Takeaways
- Brush out the undercoat instead of shaving double-coated breeds.
- Walk early or late to avoid midday heat and hot pavement.
- Never leave a dog in a parked car, even briefly.
- Keep water, shade, and cooling options available at all times.
- Dry thoroughly after swimming and watch for hot spots in humid weather.
Note: This article provides general information only. Consult your veterinarian for specific health concerns.
Summer coat care is mostly about working with your dog's natural cooling system rather than against it. Regular brushing, smart scheduling, and plenty of water keep summer fun and safe.
Shop Furbliss grooming essentials at furbliss.ca and make pet hair, messy paws, and tangled coats a thing of the past.