Cool, Calm & Canine: Summer Grooming and Heat‑Safe Tips for Victorian Dogs

Keeping your dog cool in an Aussie summer is about smart grooming, safe environments, and plenty of cooling options inside and out, backed by guidance from RSPCA and veterinary experts.[1][2][3] Done well, it keeps pets comfortable, prevents heat stress, and turns your grooming visit into a wellbeing check, not just a haircut.[1][4]

Cool, Calm & Canine: Summer Grooming and Heat‑Safe Tips for Victorian Dogs

Golden retriever resting in shade on a hot summer day

Why summer heat is risky

 

• Heatstroke is a life‑threatening emergency that Australian vets see more often in summer, especially on humid days or during heatwaves.[5][3] Dogs cool mainly through panting, paw pads and a little through their ears, so they overheat faster than humans.[3][6]

• Risk is highest for brachycephalic breeds (pugs, Frenchies, bulldogs), older or overweight dogs, and pets with heart or respiratory disease.[5][4] Even healthy dogs can develop heatstroke with exercise or confinement in a hot space such as a car or unshaded yard.[5][7]

 

Grooming styles that help (and what to avoid)

 

For a Victorian grooming salon, summer styles should balance comfort, coat function and skin protection.

 

Quick tips:

• Regular brushing removes loose fur and mats that trap heat against the skin, especially in ‘oodles, retrievers and thick‑coated breeds.

• Avoid clipping most coats to the skin. RSPCA explains that a dog’s natural coat (especially double coats) helps protect against sunburn and also insulates from heat as long as the dead undercoat is removed.

• For many dogs, a tidy “summer cut” that shortens but does not strip the coat, plus careful thinning of the undercoat for heavy‑coated breeds, strikes the right balance.

• Trimming hair around paws, sanitary areas and ears improves airflow and cleanliness and reduces moisture build‑up that can lead to hot spots.

• Keeping nails short makes it easier for dogs to walk comfortably on varied surfaces and maintain normal posture and cooling behaviour.

 

Regular grooming, not “skinny clipping”

RSPCA notes that double coats are designed to keep dogs warm or cool by shedding undercoat, and that clipping them to the skin can actually make dogs hotter and increase sunburn risk.[1] The focus should be on thorough brushing to remove dead undercoat, light thinning and tidy trims rather than stripping the coat. 

 

Short, practical “summer cuts” 

Single‑coated breeds and many ‘oodle types (who don’t have a classic double coat) often benefit from a shorter, easy‑care clip that lifts hair off the ground and improves airflow over the skin.[8][9] Short but not naked is the aim, with enough length to protect from UV, insects and friction hot spots. 

 

Vet‑aligned advice on clipping 

Dr Karen Becker has highlighted that many pets never need to be trimmed for heat and that the season alone should not drive extreme grooming; coat type and lifestyle matter more.[10] Many veterinary sources echo that double‑coated dogs should not be clipd to the skin, except under medical direction, because the coat insulates against heat and sun.[1][3]

 

Salon add‑ons that support cooling 

Our professional groom can incorporate cool (not cold) baths, gentle blow‑drying on low heat, detangling to prevent hot spots, and paw/under‑carriage (lower chest and tummy) tidy ups that help airflow and reduce moisture build‑up.[8][3] For brachycephalic (flat‑faced such as a bull dog or even some Cavaliers) or high‑risk dogs, allowing rest breaks in air conditioning is particularly important.[5][4]

 

Keeping cool at home: indoors

 

RSPCA Australia and veterinary hospitals give consistent advice on creating a cool home set‑up in summer.[2][11][3]

 

Cool air and shade 

Bringing dogs indoors on hot, humid days is recommended if your home is cooler than outside, especially if you have air conditioning or fans.[2] If they must stay in, closing curtains, using fans and providing a cool resting spot off direct sun all lower the risk of heat stress.[11][4]

 

Water, hydration and treats 

RSPCA suggests multiple large bowls of fresh water in cool spots, with spare bowls in case one is knocked over; adding ice cubes can help keep water cold.[2] Some holistic vets, including Dr Karen Becker and Rodney Habib, have promoted frozen “doggie ice cream” or frozen food balls as enrichment that also helps keep dogs cool in hot weather.[12][13] These should be species‑appropriate and part of the dog’s normal diet rather than sugary human ice cream.[12]

 

Gentle indoor activities 

On extreme days, RSPCA recommends limiting activity and avoiding the hottest part of the day.[4] Food puzzles, scent games and short, calm play sessions inside the air‑conditioned home let dogs burn mental energy without overheating.[4]

 

Keeping cool outside: yards, walks and outings

 

Victorian summers can be dry, windy and very hot, so outdoor management is critical.

 

Shade, airflow and ground temperature 

RSPCA and other Australian welfare groups stress the need for a shaded, well‑ventilated area with constant access to water if dogs are outside.[2][4] Wetting concrete or using a shallow paddling pool can lower the ambient temperature, as some guide‑dog and council resources suggest.[11][7] Always check the ground with your hand; if it is too hot to hold your hand on, it is too hot for paws. 

 

Safe exercise timing 

National RSPCA guidance is to walk dogs in early morning or evening to avoid the hottest part of the day and reduce heatstroke risk.[4] Some councils and vets advise breaking longer walks into several short ones and avoiding strenuous play or running when temperatures climb, especially for brachycephalic breeds.[7][9]

 

Travel and cars 

Heatstroke cases often involve dogs left in vehicles, and emergency hospitals repeatedly warn that even a few minutes in a parked car can be fatal, even with windows cracked.[5][3] Mobile or visiting vets in the area, such as The Visiting Vet in Werribee, emphasise heat‑stress awareness and proactive care for pets in local suburbs.[14][15]

 

Spotting and responding to heat stress

Local vets, emergency hospitals and RSPCA all describe similar warning signs and first‑aid steps.[16][5][3]

 

Early signs to watch for 

Common signs include heavy panting, restlessness, drooling, bright red or very pale gums, weakness or staggering, vomiting or diarrhoea, and collapse in severe cases.[5][7][3] Dogs at your groomer or at home who start to pant excessively or seem mentally “dull” in the heat should be cooled and assessed urgently.[5][3]

 

What to do (and not do) 

Veterinary advice is to remove the dog from the heat, wet them with cool (not ice‑cold) water, and use fans over damp fur to encourage evaporation.[5][7][3] Vets warn against ice baths because rapid cooling and skin vessel constriction can impair heat loss; emergency vet review is essential even if the dog appears to improve.[5][3]

 

By combining vet‑guided grooming choices, a cooling‑focused salon environment, and RSPCA‑aligned home and outdoor habits, a Victoria grooming salon can play a central role in keeping local dogs safe and comfortable all summer long.[1][2][14]

 

Sources

[1] Keeping pets cool https://rspcavic.org/learn/keeping-pets-cool/

[2] 4 ways to keep your dog cool this summer https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/4-ways-keep-your-dog-cool-summer/

[3] Heat Stroke & Stress in Dogs: Signs and Treatment https://www.greencrossvets.com.au/pet-library/articles-of-interest/other-pets/heat-stress-in-animals/

[4] Caring for animals over summer https://www.rspca.org.au/latest-news/blog/caring-for-animals-over-summer/

[5] Heat Stroke In Dogs - Signs, Symptoms & Treatment https://animalemergencyservice.com.au/blog/heat-stroke-in-dogs/

[6] Sunscreen for Companion Dogs https://hemopet.org/sunscreen-for-companion-dogs/

[7] Preventing Heat Stress in Summer for Your Dog https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Animals-and-Pets/Pet-Ownership/Preventing-Heat-Stress-in-Summer-for-Your-Dog

[8] At-Home Grooming | RSPCA Victoria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANPmACd3Eiw

[9] Taking care of your dog in the Australia Heat https://bestfriendspets.com.au/blogs/tips-and-expert-advice/taking-care-of-your-dog-in-the-australia-heat

[10] Thinking of clipping your pet to keep them cool during the ... https://www.facebook.com/doctor.karen.becker/posts/thinking-of-clipping-your-pet-to-keep-them-cool-during-the-summer-heres-why-you-s/10158556376332748/

[11] Keep your canine cool this summer https://qld.guidedogs.com.au/news/tips-to-keep-your-canine-cool-this-summer/

[12] Cool Treats for Hot Dogs! This is one simple and powerful ... https://www.facebook.com/doctor.karen.becker/posts/cool-treats-for-hot-dogsthis-is-one-simple-and-powerful-way-to-add-longevity-ben/955537742602644/

[13] The hot weather made me think of this recipe to share! This ... https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ZQ_OVBGFp/

[14] The Visiting Vet in Werribee: Veterinary Care Guide - Pet https://pet.nears.me/listings/au/victoria/werribee/the-visiting-vet-in-werribee-veterinary-care-guide/

[15] The Visiting - ☀️Heat stress☀️ It is important to be able to detect ... https://www.facebook.com/thevisitingvetOZ/photos/%EF%B8%8Fheat-stress%EF%B8%8Fit-is-important-to-be-able-to-detect-the-early-signs-of-heat-stress/1443538060063185/

[16] Heatstroke Guide For Cats And Dogs https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/health-and-wellbeing/heatstroke-hyperthermia

[17] The Visiting Vet, 13 Loop Rd, Werribee, Victoria 3030, AU https://www.mapquest.com/au/victoria/the-visiting-vet-794812184

[18] Keep Your Dog Hydrated During Hot Weather With This ... https://www.tiktok.com/@petlabco/video/7223459047557713157?lang=en

[19] Summer Heat and Dogs: Know Your Dog's Limits https://lovelaughwoof.com/2017/06/summer-heat-and-dogs-know-your-dogs-limits/

[20] Easter celebration Embracing Autumn in your home ... - Manor Lakes https://manorlakes.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Manor-Lakes-Autumn-Newsletter-2023-10.pdf

 

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