Hot Girl Bummer
It was The Bangles in 1989 that sang “is this burning an eternal flame?” and operating through summer is certainly an eternal battle. Some of you will argue it was an Atomic Kitten original in 2001, but whilst music separates generations, the temperature limits of the human body reunite us.
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted that both minimum and maximum temperatures will be higher than average this summer (a statistic we’re only providing in case you haven’t heard about global warming through your tin-foil hat, because… duh!).
Whether you’re based in a salon or are mobile, all groomers will be struggling this summer, thanks to the sheer physicality of the job and the drying rooms that make us feel and look like a well-cooked rotisserie chook… hold the gravy.
But whilst we can use our sweaty upper lips to communicate our symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion, our four-legged friends don’t have that privilege, so we’ll touch on canine cooling first, and then be back to you (with a cool towelette for troubles).
Serious cases of heatstroke in dogs can occur at air temperatures around 27 degrees celsius, but have even occurred at temps as low as 22 degrees, which is barely balmy! Dogs have higher body temperatures than humans and can’t cool themselves as efficiently as we can. Whilst we’re sweating profusely out of every crevice we have, and our body is combatting a rise in body temp, a dog relies on panting, and very mild sweating through their pawpads (maybe remember that next time you’re complaining about sticking to a plastic chair on a summers day at the local pub). Dogs also have a harder time regulating their body heat in humid climates, so a wet dog, hot air and the greater rainfall we’re also expecting this season, our pups will be struggling more than normal!
Signs a Dog is Overheating:
- Excessive panting
- Drooling
- Gum and tongue color change
- Increased heart rate
- Lethargy and weakness
- Agitation or restlessness
Severe Signs
- Disorientation/stumbling
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Collapse/ loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Body temps above 40 degrees
- Blue or purple gums
If you see severe signs, stop immediately, move the dog to a shaded/cool area, wet them (not with ice water), and seek veterinary help.
Okay - so now to our heating-humans, and what actions you can take to stay sane and sweatless this summer.
Mobile Groomers: When summer ‘Van Life’ isn’t as sweet as it sounds
1. Maximise Ventilation & Airflow
- Roof vents & powered exhaust fans to suck hot air out of your workspace
- Cross-vent fans, or oscillating fans aimed to push are throughout the workspace
- Open windows with screens
2. Parking Smarter
- Always park in the shade where possible (trees, buildings, find a very tall human)
- Utilise awnings and shade cloths
3. Scheduling
- Start earlier in the morning, finish before the warmest part of day
- Schedule larger/harder grooms first (Double-coats, large breeds, elderly/compromised dogs), and short coats, small dogs later.
4. Hydration & Breaks
- Cold water for both you and the dog
- Micro breaks to cool down
- Use a cooling towel or mist spray
5. Gear Wisely
- Don’t use dryers on high heat
- Store tools away from sun exposed surfaces
6. Temperature Monitoring & Protocols
- Keep a digital thermometer inside your work area
- Set a cut-off point for when it becomes too dangerous to continue operating (and give clients a heads up on expected hot days)
Salon and Drying Room Groomers: Avoiding the unintended sauna
1. Ventilation & Air Movement
- Use ceiling fans, large stand fans & wall mounted blowers
- Cross ventilation: open windows and doors (when safe to do so) on opposite sides of work areas
- Install exhaust fans in drying rooms to pull hot air out
2. Room Zoning & Workflow
- Don’t bring wet dogs directly to a hot drying room. ‘Rest’ them in a cooler prep space first
- Schedule heat-intensive tasks to the rooms with the best airflow
- Alternate ‘hot’ jobs (drying) with ‘cooler’ tasks (nail trimming face trimming)
3. Window & Sun Management
- Use blinds, reflective film, curtains to block midday sun
- Consider external shading (awnings, eaves)
4. Hydration & Environment
- Keep cold water stations for dogs (and you) in all rooms
- Use cooling mats and damp towels
- Encourage staff breaks and regular hydration
6. Monitoring & Safety
- Place thermometers in each room
- Tag rooms that get too hot - don’t use them for drying when over threshold
- If a dog shows heat stress signs, move them to cooler rooms, mist, turn on fans and pause work to monitor
As tough as dog groomers are, if you pick a fight with something that has a diameter of 1.4 million kilometers and a core temperature of 27 million degrees celsius (the sun) you will lose everytime. Our decisions don’t just affect us in these conditions, so be thoughtful in your choices and plan ahead with your weather forecasts - because we’ve seen it, we’ve lived it, and rotisserie chook is just not a good look.
Buk-buk,
igroomhub ♥
P.S.
If you’d like to learn a little more about heat stroke and other emergency situations you might face as a groomer, check out our First Aid Basics For Dog Groomers course.
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