June in India is no joke. With temperatures crossing 40°C in many cities and humidity beginning to creep up as the pre-monsoon air rolls in, this is one of the most physically demanding months for your dog. While you reach for a cold drink and switch on the AC, your dog is stuck carrying their full coat around and often, there's very little being done about it. This is where grooming stops being a luxury and becomes a necessity.
Grooming Is Not Just About Looking Good
This is the most important mindset shift for Indian pet parents to make. A lot of dog owners think grooming is something you do for photos - a birthday bath, maybe a trim before a gathering. But regular grooming, especially in summer, is fundamentally a health and hygiene practice.
Here's what an unkempt coat actually does to your dog in peak summer:
It traps heat. A matted, overgrown coat acts like insulation, trapping body heat and making it much harder for your dog to regulate their temperature. Dogs already rely heavily on panting to cool down, a dense, dirty coat makes the whole system less efficient.
It hides parasites. Ticks and fleas love thick, unwashed fur. They burrow in, breed, and often go unnoticed for weeks in a heavy coat. By the time you spot signs of infestation, your dog may already be suffering from irritation, hair loss, or infection.
It causes skin problems. Moisture, sweat, and dirt get trapped close to the skin in an unkempt coat. This creates the perfect environment for bacterial and fungal infections both of which spike significantly in summer and monsoon months.
It's uncomfortable. Dogs can't tell you their fur is matted and pulling at their skin. They can't communicate that they're overheating. Regular grooming is one of the clearest ways you can say I'm paying attention.
How Often Should You Be Grooming in Summer?
As a general rule, summer calls for more frequent grooming than winter. A dog that gets groomed every 6–8 weeks in cooler months may need attention every 3–4 weeks in summer. Regular brushing at home between sessions is equally important to prevent matting and remove loose fur that blocks airflow to the skin.
Breed-Wise Summer Haircut Guide
Not all dogs should be groomed the same way in summer, and this is where a lot of well-meaning pet parents make mistakes. Here's a quick breakdown by coat type:
Short single-coat breeds (Beagles, Dalmatians, Boxers, Dobermans) These dogs don't need haircuts, their coats are already minimal. What they need is a thorough bath to remove dead skin cells and dust, a good brushing, and nail trimming. In summer, focus on keeping their skin clean and moisturised.
Long single-coat breeds (Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier) These are prime candidates for a summer trim. A shorter cut often called a puppy cut or teddy bear cut reduces the coat length significantly while keeping them comfortable and adorable. Without regular trimming, their coats mat quickly in the heat and humidity.
Double-coat breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever, Husky, German Shepherd, Pomeranian) This is where most pet parents get it wrong. The instinct is to shave a double-coated dog in summer, but this is actually harmful. The double coat acts as insulation in both directions: it keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer by trapping a layer of air close to the skin. Shaving it destroys this natural mechanism and can cause coat damage, sunburn, and skin problems. What these dogs need instead is deep deshedding, removing the dead undercoat to allow airflow while keeping the protective outer coat intact.
Wavy and curly coat breeds (Poodle, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel, Cavapoo) These breeds don't shed naturally, which means their coats grow continuously and mat easily. In summer, a shorter trim is ideal. Without it, moisture and heat get trapped close to the skin. Regular professional grooming is non-negotiable for these breeds.
Mixed breeds and Indian dogs (INDogs) INDogs generally have short, wash-and-wear coats that are already adapted to Indian weather. A good bath and brushing every 3–4 weeks is sufficient. What to watch for is skin irritation and ticks, which are very common in summer.
What a Complete Summer Grooming Session Should Include
A proper summer grooming appointment isn't just a haircut. A full session should cover:
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Bath with a breed-appropriate shampoo — removing dirt, sweat, and allergens that accumulate quickly in summer
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Blow dry and brushing — especially critical for long and double-coated breeds to prevent matting
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Breed-specific haircut or deshedding — based on coat type, not just owner preference
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Ear cleaning — ears trap moisture in summer and are a hotspot for infections
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Nail trimming — overgrown nails affect posture and cause discomfort, especially on hot pavements
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Tick and flea check — a trained groomer will spot early signs that an untrained eye might miss
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Paw care — softening and cleaning paw pads that take a beating on hot surfaces
Why Professional Grooming Makes All the Difference
Home baths are great for in-between maintenance, but there are things a professional groomer can do that simply can't be replicated at home especially in summer.
Zigly's grooming experience is built around exactly this. With 200+ expert groomers across 44+ centres in India, every session at Zigly is designed to be more than a wash-and-trim. The groomers are trained in breed-specific techniques and follow consistent hygiene protocols, so whether your dog is a first-time grooming visitor or a regular, the experience is calm, safe, and thorough.
Every session at Zigly uses premium, pet-safe shampoos and grooming products designed to protect skin health and maintain coat quality not the harsh generic products that strip natural oils and leave skin dry and irritated. The grooming spaces are regularly sanitized and structured to be stress-free for pets, with gentle, patient handling at every step.
With over 3,00,000 happy pets served, the trust pet parents across India place in Zigly's grooming team speaks for itself.
And if your dog gets anxious in unfamiliar spaces, Zigly also offers at-home grooming and van grooming services professional-grade grooming brought directly to your doorstep.
Signs Your Dog is Overdue for a Grooming Session
Watch out for these in summer:
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Coat looks dull, dirty, or tangled
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Your dog is scratching more than usual
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You can spot ticks or flea dirt in the fur
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There's a persistent odour even after a home bath
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Paw pads look cracked or overly dry
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Nails are clicking loudly on the floor when they walk
If you're seeing two or more of these, your dog needs a proper grooming session not just a rinse.
At-Home Grooming Between Sessions: Quick Tips
Professional grooming sets the foundation, but here's what you can do at home to maintain it through the summer:
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Brush your dog at least 3–4 times a week to remove loose fur and prevent matting
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Wipe paws after every walk with a damp cloth or pet-safe wipe
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Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge
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Do a quick tick check after outdoor time, especially around the neck, ears, and paws
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Avoid bathing too frequently at home, as it strips natural skin oils once every 2–3 weeks is usually enough between professional sessions
Conclusion
Your dog can't ask for a haircut. They can't tell you their coat is making them uncomfortable or that something feels off under all that fur. Regular, professional grooming in summer is one of the most direct ways you show up for your pet's health and comfort not just their appearance.
With peak summer still here and monsoon on its way, now is the best time to get your dog in for a proper grooming session before the humidity makes everything worse.
👉 Visit your nearest Zigly Experience Centre for a professional summer grooming session — or book an appointment online in minutes.
Zigly has 44+ centres across India, 200+ trained groomers, and a team that genuinely loves your pet. From breed-specific haircuts to full spa sessions, your dog will leave looking great and feeling even better. Book a session now or walk in to your nearest Zigly Pet Care Centre today!
