Summer Grooming: Should You Bathe or Trim Your Pet — and How to Do It Right?

When the weather gets hot, every pet parent wants to help their furry friend feel more comfortable. The natural thought is to give them a bath or trim their coat. But is it necessary? And what are the best practices? Read on for expert advice from Animal Clinic.

Bathing Tips for Cats and Dogs

Let’s start with cats: don’t over-bathe them. One bath per season is usually enough to maintain hygiene. During natural drying, the "greenhouse effect" of damp fur can actually make them feel hotter. Instead, brush your cat every other day to help remove excess fur and improve thermoregulation. For hairless breeds like Sphynx cats, a bath every 2 to 6 weeks is recommended.

For dogs, summer baths once or twice a month are enough. Always wash paws after each walk, wipe their belly with warm water, and regularly brush their coat.

General bathing rules for pets:

• Use warm water, not cold.
  • Fluffy dogs: 34–37°C (93–98°F)
  • Hairless dogs: 37–39°C (98–102°F)
  • Cats: 38–40°C (100–104°F)
• Use pet-specific shampoo.
• If using a showerhead, keep the water pressure low to avoid scaring or injuring the pet.
• Dry your pet thoroughly afterward, and never let them stay in a draft. Use a hair dryer if needed.

If your cat or dog is afraid of water, reduce noise by preparing the bath in advance.

Do not bathe pets that are pregnant or recovering from surgery.

What You Should Know About Trimming Cats and Dogs

Cats usually don’t need a haircut, even in the summer. The only exceptions are for medical reasons — if they have wounds, matted fur, or digestion problems due to excessive fur ingestion.

If you still want to trim your cat:

• Use a quiet grooming clipper with a guard (minimum 3 mm).
• The fur should be dry before trimming.
• Start from the back and move to the sides and belly.
• Avoid trimming the head, legs, and tail — these areas contain sensitive whiskers essential for spatial awareness.
• Be extremely careful not to injure nipples or genital areas.

For dogs:

• Do not trim breeds with an undercoat, such as Samoyeds, Irish Wolfhounds, German Shepherds, and Huskies. Their double coat provides natural insulation and sun protection.
• You can trim non-shedding breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, and Shih Tzus. These breeds benefit from model or breed-specific haircuts, which should be done by a professional groomer to maintain healthy skin and coat.

In Kyiv and the Kyiv region, you can trust the experts at Animal Clinic to take care of your pet’s hygiene — from bathing to professional grooming. We use safe products and specialized equipment to ensure every pet looks and feels their best.