Grooming part of keeping pets summer safe
Aug. 5—As eastern New Mexico continues to bask in warm summer days, it is important for pet owners to keep an eye out for their furry companions' grooming routines as the temperatures near triple digits.
Regular grooming not only ensures that your dog looks good, it also ensures they are comfortable and protected from the heat, according to Dr. David Hudson, owner of Sierra Pet Hotel & Spa, a pet boarding and grooming service in Clovis.
"It's good practice in thinking, 'am I going to be comfortable out there in that heat? Because if I'm not, then neither is my pet,'" Hudson said.
Hudson opened his boarding establishment about 10 years ago, after owning and serving as a veterinarian at All Pets Animal Hospital for 33 years. Listed below are some tips Hudson suggests for every pet owner to consider.
Grooming tips for the summer:
— Brush your pet regularly. Removing dirt, dead hair and debris can help your pet's coat stay sleek and thinner for the summer months. Dogs with dense or double coats should be brushed two to three times a week.
— Know your pet's fur type. Whether they have short hair, long hair or a double coat, caretakers should look into their dog's shedding seasons and how the elements could affect them.
— Bathing is not as important as brushing. Bathing too much can dry the dog's skin out and not remove any of the dead hair that has accumulated during the dog's shedding season.
— Keep an eye out for ticks and fleas. As the temperature increases so does the flea and tick population, which can cause skin sores and coat problems regardless of the dog breed.
Hudson said it is a common mistake that pet owners give their dogs too many baths in the dry New Mexico weather. He said the water tends to actually dry up the pet's skin even further the more baths they receive.
To prevent that while fighting any odors on your pet, he suggests that regularly brushing your furry companion and spreading the natural oils in their coats can actually help with weekly cleanliness. Hudson said diet can be another factor that could alleviate some of the dryness and odor in your pet's fur.
Knowing how to accommodate your dog's fur type and color is something every pet owner should know, said Hudson. Not only could it protect them from the summer heat, but having good grooming habits can also prevent your pet from bacterial infections and other serious medical problems.
"Especially for this time of year, white dogs have really fair skin and are really prone to sunburns. They roll over and their bellies are exposed to the sun and they get sunburned and can develop skin cancer," Hudson said.
With the climbing temperatures, Hudson said to keep an eye out for the breed's typical stamina and breathing as well. Breeds such as pugs and English bulldogs, who have short snouts tend to pant a lot more than other breeds and struggle to cool themselves down in the summer heat.
"It's common sense if you think you're going to get sunburned, your dog is too," Hudson said. "And if you leave your dog outside on real hot days like this, then they need to have shade and plenty of water."
Madison Willis writes about pets for The Eastern New Mexico News. To suggest a story or nominate a "Pet of the week," contact her at: