Pelham Pet Care Tips from Fifth Avenue Groomer

Madeline Volpe, the owner of Paws on Fifth, has no shortage of tips for taking care of one's dog during the summer months.

While it's not the dog days yet, the warmer days can take their toll of pooches.

Volpe emphatically said that dogs should not have their fur sheared off to the skin. The fur can help the dog regulate its temperature.

"You can do a shorten groom," she said, adding that the undercoat needs to be kept  knot-free so the dog stays cool.

Swimming is a great summer activity for dog, but Volpe said that care needs to be taken when swimming in the ocean or in a pool.

"You need to rinse the dog off completely with clear water," she said. Salt water and chlorine are bad for dogs if not washed off.

Volpe is passionate about flea and tick prevention.

"We've seen ticks around here," she said. "People take their pets out to the island" and bring ticks back.

"Don't let your dogs go under bushes or in tall grass," Volpe said.

Paws on Fifth is a dog and cat grooming salon, by appointment, located at 308 Fifth Ave. in Pelham.

The telephone number is 914-738-3850.