Doodle Seasonal Care
Doodles thrive year-round with a little seasonal planning. Adjust grooming, exercise, and routines for spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Spring care tips
- Allergies: rinse paws and brush coat after walks to reduce pollen buildup.
- Ticks & fleas: restart preventatives before warm weather peaks.
- Shedding check: even doodles can loosen coat; increase brushing.
Summer care tips
- Heat safety: walk early or late, avoid hot pavement, always carry water.
- Grooming: shorter trims help prevent matting but avoid shaving to skin—coat insulates from heat & sunburn.
- Water fun: dry ears and coat thoroughly after swimming to prevent infections.
Fall care tips
- Outdoor debris: remove burrs, leaves, and foxtails from coat/paws daily.
- Joint support: cooler temps may stiffen seniors—consider supplements with vet guidance.
- Holiday prep: watch for toxic seasonal foods (chocolate, grapes, fatty leftovers).
Winter care tips
- Paw protection: use balm or booties to guard against salt, ice, and cold burns.
- Coat care: let hair grow a bit longer for warmth but keep it brushed to avoid dense mats.
- Indoor enrichment: replace long outdoor walks with puzzle feeders, training games, and indoor play.
Year-round basics
- Adjust food portions if exercise levels rise or drop with the season.
- Keep a steady grooming schedule (brushing, nails, ears) regardless of season.
- Always monitor body condition and hydration—needs shift with weather.
Every doodle is different—climate, coat type, and lifestyle all matter. Adapt these tips for your home environment and consult your vet as needed.
Doodle Seasonal Care
Caring for a Doodle’s coat and overall health requires adjusting routines with the changing seasons. Seasonal factors such as temperature changes, allergens, and pests can all affect your dog’s comfort and health.
Spring
Spring brings warmer temperatures and a surge in pollen, which can trigger allergies in some doodles.
Grooming:
- Increase brushing: Your doodle will shed its dense winter coat, so brush more frequently to prevent matting from the loose undercoat.
- Wipe paws and coat: After outdoor activities, wipe your dog’s paws and coat to remove pollen and other allergens.
- Check for mats: Pay close attention to areas prone to matting, such as behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar.
Health and safety:
- Flea and tick prevention: Begin or resume vet-approved flea and tick prevention, as parasites become more active in spring.
- Allergy management: If your dog shows signs of allergies like paw licking or excessive scratching, consult your vet about management options.
- Protect from toxic plants: Be aware of toxic spring-blooming plants like daffodils, tulips, and lilies.
Summer
With high temperatures, your primary focus should be on keeping your Doodle cool and hydrated.
Grooming:
- Opt for a shorter cut: Consider a shorter coat to help your dog stay cool and reduce the risk of overheating.
- Regular brushing: Shorter coats still require regular brushing to prevent tangles and keep the skin healthy.
- Paw protection: Protect paw pads from hot pavement with a quality paw wax. Walk your dog in the cooler morning or evening hours, and never leave them in a parked car.
Health and safety:
- Stay hydrated: Always provide fresh, cool water, especially during outdoor play.
- Limit exercise: Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m..
- Recognize heat stroke: Watch for signs of overheating, such as excessive panting, lethargy, and drooling.
- Water activities: Supervised swimming is a great way to help your Doodle cool down, but be sure to brush their coat thoroughly after they dry to prevent matting.
Fall
As temperatures drop, your doodle’s coat will begin to thicken in preparation for winter.
Grooming:
- Adjust to shedding: Your doodle will have another shedding period in the fall as their summer coat is replaced with a denser winter one.
- Brush often: Increase brushing frequency during this period to manage shedding and prevent mats from the new undercoat.
Health and safety:
- Revise diet: Your dog’s diet might need a slight increase in calories if they are spending more time playing outdoors in colder weather.
- Keep up with parasite prevention: Flea and tick prevention is still important through the fall until colder temperatures kill off the pests.
Winter
For most doodles, winter is a calmer shedding period. However, cold weather presents its own unique challenges.
Grooming:
- Maintain coat length: While a longer coat offers more warmth, it can also mat more easily. Keep a consistent brushing schedule to prevent tangles.
- Protect paws: Trim hair between paw pads to prevent snow and ice from clumping. Wipe paws after walks to remove salt and de-icers, which are toxic if ingested.
- Reduce bathing: Bathe less frequently to prevent dry, flaky skin, which is a common issue in winter.
Health and safety:
- Stay warm: While most doodles enjoy the snow, their coats are not as insulating as breeds like Huskies. Supervise them closely and bring them inside during freezing temperatures to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- Stay active: Find ways to exercise indoors with puzzle toys or games on days when it’s too cold to play outside.
- Guard against antifreeze: Antifreeze is highly poisonous but smells sweet to dogs. Clean up any spills immediately.
What Are Some Signs A Dog’s Having A Heat Stroke?
Immediate veterinary care is critical if you suspect your dog has heat stroke. When a dog’s internal body temperature rises to dangerous levels, it can cause severe organ damage and even death if not addressed quickly.
Early warning signs of overheating and heat exhaustion
These symptoms can progress to heat stroke if not addressed right away.
- Excessive panting: Your dog may be panting more heavily and rapidly than normal.
- Intense thirst: The dog may seek out water frantically.
- Lethargy and weakness: Your dog may seem visibly tired and sluggish.
- Excessive drooling: The saliva may become thick and pasty.
- Reddened gums and tongue: The gums and tongue may appear a brighter red color than usual due to increased blood flow to the surface to help cool down.
- Seeking shade: Your dog will actively try to move to a cooler, shaded area.
Signs of severe heat stroke
If you observe any of the following signs, it indicates a severe medical emergency.
- Body temperature over 104°F (40°C): This is a key indicator of heat stroke.
- Bright red or pale gums: Gums may become bright red, or in severe cases of shock, turn very pale, purple, or bluish.
- Vomiting and diarrhea: This can sometimes contain blood in advanced cases.
- Disorientation and stumbling: The dog may appear confused, dizzy, or wobbly on its feet.
- Rapid, weak, or irregular heartbeat: An increased heart rate indicates that the cardiovascular system is under stress.
- Muscle tremors or seizures: These neurological symptoms can occur in extreme cases.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness: This is a critical sign that the dog’s body is shutting down.
What to do in an emergency
If you see these severe signs, take immediate action to cool your dog and get veterinary assistance.
- Move to a cool area. Immediately bring your dog into the shade or an air-conditioned space.
- Cool your dog down. Apply cool (not ice-cold) water to your dog’s body, focusing on the paws, stomach, and groin area.
- Use a fan. If available, use a fan to blow cool air over the wet areas to increase evaporative cooling.
- Offer small amounts of water. If the dog is conscious and can drink, offer small amounts of cool water.
- Seek emergency veterinary care. Contact an emergency veterinary clinic immediately and inform them you are on your way. Even if your dog seems to be recovering, organ damage may not be apparent for hours or days.
