Clinical & Salon Overview
Memphis doesn't do subtle seasons — summers are long, humid, and brutal; winters are short but bring their own hazards; and allergy season hits pets as hard as people. Your pet's grooming needs shift with the calendar. Here's the year-round playbook from groomers who work through every Memphis season.
Summer is the season of the number-one grooming myth
Summer is the season of the number-one grooming myth: "shave him, he's hot." For double-coated breeds, shaving makes heat worse — the guard hairs provide sun protection and the coat insulates against heat; a thorough deshedding removes the heat-trapping dead undercoat without destroying the coat's function. For single-coated and curly breeds, a shorter summer cut is genuinely more comfortable — a practical puppy cut or short teddy trim that stays maintainable. Whatever the coat: never leave a pet in a car, walk during cooler hours, watch for heatstroke signs (excessive panting, drooling, lethargy — that's an emergency vet visit), and keep water available. Light-colored and thin-coated pets can sunburn on noses, ears, and bellies — ask your vet about pet-safe protection.
Memphis humidity plus heat equals skin trouble.
Memphis humidity plus heat equals skin trouble. Hot spots — moist, painful, rapidly-spreading skin infections — appear seemingly overnight, especially on thick-coated breeds. Keep the coat clean and fully dried (never let a wet coat sit), and check the skin regularly during summer. Our Benzoyl Peroxide Clarifying treatment (+$15/18/22) is designed for oily, problem-prone summer skin. Flea and tick pressure peaks in summer — keep preventatives current, and tell your groomer if you find fleas; we'll handle it discreetly and thoroughly. Swimming dogs need rinsing after every swim — chlorine and lake water dry the coat and irritate skin.
Memphis pollen seasons — tree pollen in spring, grass in summer, ragweed in fall — affect dogs and cats too.
Memphis pollen seasons — tree pollen in spring, grass in summer, ragweed in fall — affect dogs and cats too. Allergic pets lick their paws raw, scratch their ears, rub their faces, and develop red, itchy skin. The single most effective grooming intervention is frequent bathing: every 2–4 weeks with a gentle, soothing shampoo physically removes pollen from the coat. Our Oatmeal Soothe treatment (+$12/15/18) is built for exactly this — itchy, irritated allergy skin. Wipe paws after walks during high-pollen days. And work with your vet on the medical side — grooming manages the symptoms on the coat, but allergies often need veterinary treatment too. If your pet is miserable every spring, that's a vet conversation, not just a bath.
Memphis winters are mild but real — and winter brings specific grooming needs.
Memphis winters are mild but real — and winter brings specific grooming needs. Paw care tops the list: cold pavement, de-icing salts on sidewalks, and dry air crack paw pads. Wipe paws after winter walks, keep the hair between paw pads trimmed (it collects ice balls and salt), and consider paw balm for protection. Indoor heating dries skin — flaky, itchy winter skin responds to moisturizing shampoos and our Oatmeal Soothe treatment. Don't skip grooming in winter because "the long coat keeps them warm" — an unmaintained winter coat mats, and mats don't insulate; they trap moisture against the skin. Keep the regular schedule year-round.
Some things don't change with the seasons
Some things don't change with the seasons: nails every 3–4 weeks, ears checked weekly, teeth brushed regularly, and a consistent professional grooming schedule. The seasonal adjustments layer on top of that foundation — shorter cuts and deshedding in summer, paw care and moisturizing in winter, frequent soothing baths in allergy season. The pets who sail through Memphis seasons comfortably are the ones on a steady routine, not the ones getting crisis grooms when problems appear. Book the year's appointments ahead, adjust the services with the calendar, and let your groomer fine-tune the plan.
Recommended Equipment & Mid-South Supplies
Professional equipment proven to maintain health between salon visits
Professional Grooming Undercoat Rake
Grooming Essentials
Stainless pins gently remove trapped dead undercoat without irritating sensitive skin.
All About Pawz Soothing Aloe & Oatmeal Wash
Shampoos & Conditioners
Veterinary-grade gentle formulation calms redness and itchy skin caused by Tennessee grass allergies.
All About Pawz Enzyme Dental Sticks
Wellness
Dual-action enzymatic chew cleans tartar, freshens breath, and protects gums between teeth brushings.
Enrichment Suction Bathing Lick Mat
Feeding & Watering
Keeps nervous dogs happily distracted during bathing, ear cleaning, and nail trimming sessions.
Serving Pets Across Greater Memphis & Shelby County
Whether you live near Midtown, Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, or Arlington, All About Pawz offers full salon appointments and concierge pet care.