Gold Coast Guide to Seasonal Dog Grooming
Living on the Gold Coast means embracing the beach, bush, and everything in between—but for our dogs, it also means navigating heat, humidity, shedding seasons, and sudden weather changes. Keeping your dog groomed year-round isn't just about looking cute (though we love that too)—it’s about comfort, skin health, and managing their coat through every season.
Here’s your Gold Coast guide to seasonal dog grooming, broken down by season to keep your pup fresh, happy, and free of mats, sand, and fluff bombs.
Spring: Deshedding and Fresh Starts
As the weather warms up, your dog’s coat starts to shift. Spring is the peak deshedding season for most breeds, especially double-coated dogs like Labs, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and German Shepherds.
Why Spring Grooming Matters:
Dogs are losing their thick winter undercoat, which can get trapped and cause matting or overheating.
The humidity starts creeping in, which can make unwashed coats feel sticky or smelly.
Dogs are more active outdoors, picking up pollen, seeds, and debris.
Spring Grooming Musts:
Deshedding Treatments – to remove all that loose undercoat and reduce fur around your home.
Full Wash & Dry – not just a splash of water, but a proper wash with skin-safe products to remove allergens and dirt.
Nail Trim & Paw Check – paws take a hit after winter inactivity; cracks, dryness, or buildup between pads are common.
Ear Clean & Eye Trim – many breeds get more tear staining and ear gunk as the weather heats up.
Spring is all about helping your dog feel lighter, fresher, and ready for beach season.
Summer: Cool-Offs and Skin Care
The Gold Coast summer is hot, humid, and filled with sand, salt, and backyard fun. Dogs feel the heat hard, and grooming becomes a non-negotiable part of keeping them comfortable and healthy.
Why Summer Grooming Matters:
Dogs can overheat fast, especially fluffy or dark-coated breeds.
Saltwater and chlorine can irritate their skin and dry out their coat.
Increased parasite risk—fleas, ticks, and hot spots thrive in the heat.
Summer Grooming Musts:
Summer Cuts – short, manageable styles for breeds like Poodles, Cavoodles, Spoodles, Maltese, and more. (Not shaving double coats—just strategic trimming.)
Regular Warm Baths – especially after beach visits. Salt, sand, and sunscreen residue need to be properly rinsed out.
Paw Pad Trims & Balm – hot pavements and beaches can burn or crack paw pads. We clean and protect them.
Fly-Off Deshedding – even short-coated breeds like Staffies, Labs, or Kelpies can benefit from a light deshed to keep them cooler.
Ear & Tail Trims – long ears and feathered tails trap moisture, which leads to hot spots.
Grooming in summer is your dog’s best defence against heat, itchiness, and discomfort. It’s also one of our busiest seasons—so book in early!
Autumn: Prep for Cooler Days
Autumn on the Gold Coast is a bit of a wildcard—hot one day, chilly the next, with bursts of dry wind and rain thrown in. It’s also when dogs start to regrow thicker coats in preparation for winter.
Why Autumn Grooming Matters:
Dogs begin to bulk up their coat, especially thick or long-haired breeds.
Dirt and loose hair get trapped easily during this seasonal transition.
Many dogs still stay active outdoors, but with less swimming—this means more brushing, less rinsing.
Autumn Grooming Musts:
Brushing and Coat Maintenance – this prevents matting as the new coat grows in.
Mini Trims or Tidy Ups – a quick groom around the eyes, feet, and hygiene areas keeps your dog neat without taking off their protective coat.
Deshedding Light – some dogs will still drop summer fluff as they prep for winter.
Ear & Eye Cleaning – wind and pollen levels are still high in early autumn, and dogs may suffer eye irritation or gunky ears.
It’s a great time to reassess your dog’s coat needs and schedule their pre-winter full groom.
Winter: Warmth and Moisture Management
Yes, it gets cold—even on the Gold Coast. Fewer beach visits, more snuggles, and potentially less grooming if owners assume their dog doesn’t need it. But grooming in winter is still important—just in different ways.
Why Winter Grooming Matters:
Dirt, oils, and dead fur still build up, even if they’re not swimming every day.
Long winter coats can mat easily, especially on the chest, underarms, and behind ears.
Dry indoor heating and cold outdoor wind can cause flaky, irritated skin.
Winter Grooming Musts:
Warm Baths – always done in a climate-controlled salon. No cold hoses or wet vans here.
Longer Trims, Not Full Shaves – we keep the coat longer but tidy up problem areas.
Skin Conditioning – we use products that soothe dryness and lock in moisture.
Ear Hair and Nails – ear infections and overgrown nails spike in winter when grooming lapses.
Your dog doesn’t stop needing care just because the weather cools down—they just need a different kind.
Bonus: Senior Dogs and Puppies – Grooming All Year
Older dogs and young pups need consistent, gentle grooming throughout the year.
Seniors benefit from regular nail trims, soft brushing, and comfortable warm baths—especially if arthritis or sensitive skin are involved.
Puppies need grooming desensitisation from 12 weeks on—quick, fun visits that help them love the process later in life.
At Pets Juicy, we tailor our seasonal grooming approach to the dog in front of us, not just the calendar.
Book Smart for the Season
To stay on top of your dog’s grooming, consider these seasonal schedules:
Short coat dogs (e.g. Staffy, Frenchie, Beagle):
Groom every 4–6 weeks
Deshed with seasonal changes
Nail trim monthly
Long or curly coat dogs (e.g. Cavoodle, Maltese, Poodle):
Groom every 3–4 weeks to avoid matting
Full bath, brush, trim, and eye/tail tidy
Add deshedding during transitions
Double coat dogs (e.g. Golden Retriever, Border Collie, Husky):
Groom every 6–8 weeks
Major deshed in spring and autumn
No shaving—just smart trimming and coat care
Stay Ahead of the Seasons with Pets Juicy
Whether your dog needs a spring deshed, summer trim, autumn tidy, or winter skin rescue, Pets Juicy has you covered year-round. Our expert team knows what your dog needs at every temperature, every humidity level, and every stage of life.
Gold Coast dogs live big, messy, wonderful lives—and we’re here to help them look and feel amazing through all of it.
Book your next seasonal dog groom now and give your pooch the year-round comfort they deserve.