Panorama Pet Hospital now offers DNA health screening for your dog. With greater than 99% accuracy, our new DNA tests screen for more than 230 genetic health conditions and unlocks breed ancestry, which can inform health care.

With just one cheek swab, your veterinarian can learn actionable insights and create a personalized care plan for your dog. Together, we can be proactive and improve your dog's health! Contact us at (818) 786-4300 to take the next step in providing for your dog's wellness and schedule a DNA test.

Summer Grooming Tips

dog grooming and bath

How to Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer

Your pet may not need a new summer wardrobe, but your furry friend can certainly benefit from a little extra grooming during the warmest months of the year. These five summer grooming tips will help keep your pet cool, clean, and comfortable during the summer months.

Brush Your Pet Often

As temperatures rise, your pet begins shedding its heavy winter coat, leaving piles of hair behind on your furniture and floors. Regular brushing offers a simple way to reduce the amount of hair floating through your home. Most pets benefit from a weekly brushing during the summer, although pets with long hair may require daily brushing.

In addition to removing excess hair from your pet's fur, brushing also:

  • Gets Rid of Dirt
  • Distributes Natural Oils Through Your Pet's Coat
  • Improves Skin Condition
  • Decreases Tangles and Mats

Some pets enjoy being brushed more than others. If your pet becomes agitated or restless, stop the session and resume it a little later. Brushing offers the perfect opportunity to spend a little one-on-one time with your pet and should be a relaxing experience for both of you.

Increase Baths

During the summer, more frequent baths may help your pet look and smell his or her best. Bathing a little more often is particularly important if your pet enjoys rolling in the mud or likes to swim in ponds, lakes, the ocean, or a swimming pool.

Does your pet suffer from seasonal allergies? Weekly or bi-weekly baths will wash away allergens and may reduce allergy symptoms for pets and family members who may also struggle with allergies. In between baths, wipe your pet's body with a moist washcloth daily and wash bedding weekly.

Cats groom themselves countless times during the day and usually don't need to be bathed. Spot cleaning is best if your cat has a patch of dirt on a leg or bumped against your freshly painted wall. Full baths may be needed occasionally if your cat can no longer groom itself, is hairless or has long hair.

Think Twice Before You Shave Your Pet

Your pet's hair provides a naturally cooling effect during the summer. In fact, shaving your dog or cat, or even cutting its hair, can interfere with its ability to regulate heat. During warmer weather, your pet's hair stands upright, allowing for maximum airflow and cooling. When temperatures drop, the hair flattens and naturally insulate your pet from cold weather.

If you do decide to cut your pet's hair, leave at least an inch. Cutting the hair shorter can increase your dog or cat's risk of developing painful sunburns.

Pay More Attention to Pads and Nails

Your pet may be more likely to develop skin infections when it's hot and humid outside. Trimming hair around the paws and between the toes can help prevent infections.

Check your pet's paws and pads after romps through the woods, fields, or even trips around the block. Foreign objects, burrs, and thorns can become lodged in and around paws, causing pain and discomfort.

Burns can occur easily if your pet walks on hot pavement during the summer. Walk your pet in grassy areas to avoid burns or limit walks to the cooler early morning or evening hours. Call your veterinarian if your pet limps, favors a paw, or has obvious cuts or burns on pads.

Regular nail trims are also important during summer months when your pet is more likely to be active. Long nails tend to break more easily, particularly if they're caught in a crack, and may even begin to grow into your pet's skin.

Use Sunscreen for Some Pets

Hairless pets and animals that only have one coat of hair can benefit from an application of sunscreen or sunblock if they'll be outside during hot summer days. Sharing your sunscreen with your pets isn't a good idea, as these products may not be safe for animals. Choose products designed specifically for pets and avoid sunscreen or sunblock that contains zinc oxide. The ingredient can cause severe anemia in both dogs and cats.

Some pet supply companies offer lightweight coats that can be used instead of sunscreen. Although sunscreen, sunblock, and coats can help protect your pet from burns, it's best to avoid sun exposure during the middle of the day.

Good grooming is essential to your pet's comfort during the summer. If you have grooming questions or need to schedule a veterinary appointment for your pet, give us a call.

Sources:

Modern Dog: Top 5 Summer Grooming Tips for Dogs

https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/top-5-summer-grooming-tips-dogs/96219

ASPCA: Dog Grooming Tips: Bathing Your Dog

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-grooming-tips

WebMD: Should You Shave Your Pet for Summer?

https://pets.webmd.com/features/shaving-dog-or-cat-during-summer#1

Purina: Do You Need to Bathe Your Cat

https://www.purina.co.uk/cats/health-and-nutrition/grooming-and-daily-care/do-cats-need-baths

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

3:00 pm-5:30 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

3:00 pm-6:30 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

3:00 pm-6:30 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

3:00 pm-6:30 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

3:00 pm-6:30 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Testimonials

Read What Our Clients Say

  • "I have nothing but good things to say about Panorama Pet Hospitals Dr. and staff. Took my dog in for a dental exam and Dr. Suman addressed the problem immediately. Dr. Suman and the veterinary assistant were so gentle with my dog and made him feel very comfortable. I ended up booking a deep cleaning and I could not have been happier. Dr. Suman took great care of my dog and got his teeth cleaned. All I can say is if you want a trust worthy doctor and a kind staff head over to Panorama Pet Hospital you wont regret it! Thank you again Dr. Suman and staff!"
    Tanya D.
  • "I was contemplating coming here due to the distance. Since I was extremely unhappy with our previous vet. I took the hour's drive. Needless to say, was one of the best decisions I made in my dog's life. Our initial visit was let me just say first impressions go a long way. Dr. Prabhakar showed great concern immediately about my dog Molly's condition. I have worked closely with doctors throughout my career and I have a good intuition on whether a doctor genuinely cares about their patients and Dr. Prabhakar does. A lot of Doctors just prescribe medication. Without determining the underlying problem. When I leave all my questions and concerns are answered. The staff there are so nice and friendly. Tammy is the best! No matter how busy she is she takes the time to stop and listen to me and answers my questions. Definitely worth the drive. I wouldn't go anywhere else."
    Sabrina M.
  • "Came across Doctor Suman after looking for a vet to perform surgery on my kitty leg ! I went to 5 different
    opinions until I found this Doctor! He explained everything in detail and told me exactly how the work would be
    done, I felt so comfortable! He did a fantastic job! Thank You Doctor Suman and Staff! My dog needed the same
    surgery and Doctor Suman was there again performing his magic! He truly cares and has love for every animal
    that comes through his door! The entire staff is full of love and caring hearts!"
    Susie M.
  • "I love this vet so much. Dr. Suman is so smart and kind. Everyone here is very accommodating and whenever
    I've come in stressed and worried for my pet, they are so comforting. It is always a quick and easy experience
    and one of the less expensive vets. Thank you for all your help!"
    Amber F.
  • "This wonderful office squeezed an appt in for my cat's urinary tract infection. They were kind and considerate,
    and accepted Care Credit. Since I lost my teaching job during Covid, the doctor was very compassionate and
    affordable. Thank you, Dr. Prabhakar!"
    Elizabeth F.
  • "Dr. Suman really cares for his patients. Personally even does follow ups and calls to check on how his patients
    are. He respects the pet parents and understands that life us difficult- he presents the real scenario and issue and what needs to happen but also presents options on how to go about the situation if needed."
    Cris Q.
  • "Dr. Suman is the best Veterinarian. I brought my dog in extremely ill suffering from ITP. He was able to place her
    on the right medication to control her illness. The way he demonstrated care, nurture, compassion and
    responded quickly was the best care my fur baby could have received. Thank you Dr. Suman and the whole."
    Erika G.
  • "I've been bringing my cats to dr. Suman for many years now. I find him to be caring and a great vet. They've
    got a wonderful new addition to the team in Dr. Gupta. She is helping me with my cat Joey who has dental
    issues. I feel very confident with her. The ladies in the front office are very nice too."
    Susan M.