Seasonal Guide
Your dog's coat changes with the seasons — and so should your grooming routine. Spring shedding, summer heat, fall transitions, and winter dryness each present distinct challenges that a single year-round routine can't address. This guide breaks it all down season by season, with a monthly calendar to keep you on track.
Shedding Season — the undercoat goes, the coat stays
Spring triggers the most dramatic coat change of the year. Double-coated breeds "blow" their entire undercoat over 2–4 weeks, releasing dense tufts that clog drains, cover furniture, and mat against the remaining guard hairs if not removed. This is the highest-grooming-demand period for most dogs.
Switch to a deshedding shampoo and conditioner formulated to release undercoat during the bath. These work by softening the undercoat bonds so the blow-dry removes far more loose fur than hand brushing alone.
Add an undercoat rake or Furminator-style deshedding tool to your kit for spring. Use it after every bath and two or three times per week during peak shed. Work section by section — the amount of fur that comes out is startling the first time.
Increase bath frequency from your usual schedule to every 3–4 weeks during shedding season. Bathing loosens the dead undercoat and makes removal dramatically easier.
Watch for eye discharge and skin irritation — spring allergies affect dogs just as they do humans. Increased tearing and paw licking are common signs. Consult your vet if symptoms are severe.
Begin flea and tick prevention in early spring, before the first warm snap. Ticks are active at temperatures as low as 4°C (39°F), so don't wait until it feels like summer.
Cool, don't shave — the double coat insulates both ways
The most dangerous summer grooming myth is that shaving a double-coated dog keeps them cooler. It doesn't. A double coat — like that of a Samoyed, Husky, or Golden Retriever — acts as insulation in both directions, keeping cold air in and hot air out. Shaving destroys this system and can cause permanent coat damage called "post-clipping alopecia."
Never shave a double-coated breed for summer. Instead, focus on thorough undercoat removal through deshedding baths, blow-outs, and raking. A properly deshedded double coat allows airflow and is cooler than a shaved coat growing back in patchy.
Swimming is great exercise in summer but dramatically accelerates mat formation, especially in Doodles, Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels. Rinse with fresh water after every swim, and brush before the coat dries.
Watch for signs of heat stress: excessive panting, drooling, reluctance to move, or bright red gums. Keep grooming sessions short on hot days — the grooming table is stressful, and a stressed dog overheats faster.
Short-coated breeds (Beagles, Boxers, Dalmatians) can get sunburned on their backs and pink-skinned areas. Pet-safe sunscreen is available and appropriate for dogs that spend significant time outdoors.
Monthly baths are appropriate for most breeds in summer due to increased outdoor activity, swimming, and dirt exposure. Use a gentle, pH-balanced dog shampoo — human shampoo strips the protective coat oils.
Second coat blow — don't let mats set before winter
Fall brings a second, lighter coat blow as dogs grow in their denser winter coats. This transition period is critical: the outgoing summer coat must be fully removed before the denser winter coat grows in over it. When this doesn't happen, the two layers compress into mats that are painful to remove and can hide skin problems all winter.
Schedule a professional deshedding treatment in September or October — before the winter coat is fully established. This is especially important for double-coated breeds like Samoyeds, Goldens, and Pomeranians.
Return to brushing 2–3 times per week through October. The coat is in transition, and dead hair accumulates faster than in mid-summer.
Apply paw balm before the first frost. Dry, cracked paw pads are uncomfortable and can become infected. Building the habit in fall makes it automatic by the time it matters most in winter.
Check for ticks one final time in early fall — tick populations peak in autumn in many regions before the first hard frost eliminates them.
Breeds to watch this season
Moisture, salt, and dry heat — your dog's coat needs protection
Winter introduces three grooming threats that most owners overlook: dry skin from indoor heating systems, paw damage from road salt and ice-melt chemicals, and moisture trapped in the coat from snow and rain. Managing all three keeps your dog comfortable and healthy through the coldest months.
Reduce bathing frequency to every 4–6 weeks in winter. Indoor heating strips moisture from both air and skin; frequent bathing worsens dry, flaky skin. Use a moisturizing or oatmeal-based shampoo when you do bathe.
Rinse paws after every outdoor walk in areas where road salt or ice-melt chemicals are used. These are mildly toxic if licked and cause cracking and irritation between the pads. Paw wax (like Musher's Secret) creates a protective barrier before walks.
Keep hair trimmed short between the paw pads — snow packs into this hair and forms painful ice balls that make walking difficult. Check between the pads after snowy walks.
Use a leave-in moisturizing spray between baths to combat dry skin from indoor heating. Look for products with aloe vera or vitamin E formulated specifically for dogs.
Maintain the coat trim around the eyes and face. Winter moisture and debris accumulate in facial hair and can cause eye irritation and skin fold infections in flat-faced breeds.
Breeds to watch this season
At a Glance
| Month | Bath | Brush | Nail Trim | Pro Groom | Seasonal Task |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Every 4–6 wks | 2× / week | Every 3–4 wks | As needed | Paw balm; moisturizing spray for dry skin |
| Feb | Every 4–6 wks | 2× / week | Every 3–4 wks | As needed | Check for dry, cracked paw pads |
| Mar | Every 3–4 wks | 3–4× / week | Every 3–4 wks | Deshedding bath | Spring shed begins — add deshedding tool |
| Apr | Every 3–4 wks | Daily | Every 3–4 wks | Full groom | Peak shedding season — undercoat rake daily |
| May | Every 3–4 wks | 3× / week | Every 3–4 wks | As needed | Begin flea & tick prevention; allergy check |
| Jun | Monthly | 2–3× / week | Every 3–4 wks | Full groom | Post-swim brushing; sunscreen for pink skin |
| Jul | Monthly | 2–3× / week | Every 3–4 wks | As needed | Watch for heat stress; keep sessions short |
| Aug | Monthly | 2–3× / week | Every 3–4 wks | Full groom | Rinse after swimming; check paws weekly |
| Sep | Every 4–5 wks | 3× / week | Every 3–4 wks | Deshedding treatment | Fall coat blow — pre-winter deshedding session |
| Oct | Every 4–5 wks | 3× / week | Every 3–4 wks | Full groom | Apply paw balm; final tick check of season |
| Nov | Every 4–6 wks | 2× / week | Every 3–4 wks | As needed | Trim paw pad hair before snow season |
| Dec | Every 4–6 wks | 2× / week | Every 3–4 wks | Full groom | Paw rinse after salted walks; moisturizing spray |
Frequencies shown are general guidelines. High-maintenance breeds (Poodles, Bichons, Doodles) should increase professional groom frequency to every 4–6 weeks year-round.
Explore More
Seasonal care varies significantly by coat type. Browse our breed guides to see exactly what each coat needs throughout the year.