The weather this past weekend here in Plainfield was absolutely spectacular, which naturally meant our household split into two very distinct camps.

Billy, my Border Collie, saw the sunshine and immediately morphed into an all-day, relentless fetch machine. He would have happily chased a tennis ball until his legs fell off. Meanwhile, Lizzie my Bulldog, took a completely different approach. She waddled out to the warmest patch of grass she could find, threw herself down, and turned into a literal baked potato. She is currently working very hard on her base tan.

But watching them enjoy the gorgeous weather brought on a sudden, horrifying realization: they are still wearing their winter coats.

As we gear up for backyard BBQs and patio season, we need to talk about summer grooming. Because the only thing worse than a dog panting heavily in the heat is a dog leaving a trail of sweaty fur all over your guests. Here is everything you need to know about getting your pets summer-ready, and why you need to leave the heavy lifting to the professionals.

The Why: Beating the Heat and the Tumbleweeds

We all love summer, but our pets are walking around in permanent fur sweaters. Proper grooming right now is not just about aesthetics; it is about basic temperature regulation and hygiene.

  • The Shedding Apocalypse: Spring and summer trigger the massive "blowout" phase for double-coated dogs and cats. If you do not actively manage it, your home will quickly succumb to the fur tumbleweeds. A professional de-shedding treatment pulls out all that dead undercoat, allowing air to actually reach their skin.
  • Preventing the Mats: Summer brings more swimming, more running through sprinklers, and more rolling in mysterious yard dirt. Moisture and friction are the perfect recipe for severe matting, which is incredibly painful for both dogs and long-haired cats.
  • BBQ Ready: We are officially entering entertaining season. We want our pets looking sharp and smelling fresh for guests, ultimately helping us avoid having literal "hot dogs" at the party. (Yes, I made the joke. I apologize. Moving on.)

The Things to Know: Put Down the Clippers!

Before you panic-buy a set of clippers on the internet to shave your fiercely panting dog, stop. We need to establish a very strict ground rule regarding summer haircuts.

Do not shave a double-coated dog or cat. Breeds like Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and most cats have a double coat. It acts as an advanced, built-in HVAC system. The top layer blocks the sun's harsh UV rays, while the undercoat traps cool air against their skin. If you shave them down, you destroy their natural air conditioning and expose them to severe sunburns. (Baked potatoes like Lizzie also need pet-safe sunscreen if they plan on sunbathing all afternoon!).

Instead of shaving, these breeds need a thorough bath, a blowout, and an aggressive de-shedding session.

However, if you have a single-coated breed (like a Poodle, Shih Tzu, or Yorkie), a shorter "summer cut" is highly recommended to keep them breezy and mat-free!

The How: Enter the Pets Etc. Grooming Salon

You could absolutely try to bathe and brush your pet in your own bathtub. But let's be realistic: you will end up soaked, your bathroom will look like a swamp, and your cat will hold a grudge against you until Thanksgiving.

Let our expert groomers handle the chaos. We have the professional-grade tools, the premium shampoos, and the high-velocity dryers required to properly clear out that winter undercoat and trim those overgrown nails.

A Fair Warning: The first signs of summer mean our grooming schedule is filling up incredibly fast. Everyone in Plainfield is having the exact same realization you are right now.

Do not wait until your dog is actively panting in the shade or your cat's fur is hopelessly tangled. Book your grooming appointment at Pets Etc. today! Give us a call or stop into the store to get your furry friend on the schedule so they can strut into summer feeling cool, breezy, and BBQ-ready.