Spring Dog Care Tips From Bloom Groom, a New Grooming Brand Created by Pros
Spring is the perfect season to get out and about with your dog, but all that exploring can get messy. Enter Bloom Groom, a just-launched line of skincare-grade skin, coat, and paw care products from mother-and-son duo Melissa and Austin Leonard.
Through Melissa’s longtime work as a groomer and Austin’s background in consumer packaged goods, the pair saw a gap in the pet-care market and felt called to create grooming products that go beyond the basics. The brand’s focus on using premium, human-grade ingredients tested to the highest standards speaks to Melissa and Austin’s deep love and compassion for dogs.
We spoke with Melissa and Austin to get the scoop on the new brand, tips for grooming and bathing dogs in warmer weather, and how grooming helps you bond with your pup.
The Story Behind Bloom Groom
Put off by dealing with dry, irritated hands after grooming sessions and seeing dog-care products featuring harsh detergents and overpowering scents, Melissa and Austin Leonard set out to find a solution. “We believe pet care should be held to a higher standard,” Melissa says. “Our mission is to make grooming products that are safe, effective, and thoughtfully crafted—formulas that use human-grade ingredients, clear labeling, and no shortcuts. Products that actually work, smell amazing (without overwhelming), and leave dogs clean, soft, and comfortable. At the heart of Bloom Groom is transparency, quality, and care—for dogs, their people, and the planet. Just the kind of grooming experience we wish had always existed.”
Bloom Groom customers can expect ingredients like full-spectrum colloidal oatmeal to soothe and moisturize, aloe vera and panthenol to calm irritation and boost hydration, and squalane, silk protein, and argan oil to strengthen hair and restore softness, Austin tells us.
When it comes to scents, Austin says that Bloom Groom uses naturally derived, skin-safe ingredients from plants—no harsh synthetics and no overwhelming perfumes—and grabs fragrance inspiration from real-life moments. “A quiet morning, a walk through the trees, your dog curled up next to you after a bath,” Austin explains. “Nothing too strong, nothing artificial—just a light, balanced fragrance that makes being close feel even better.”
Austin and Melissa also wanted to address one of the other issues they saw in the industry—create products that are gentle but still get the job done. Bloom Groom products use nourishing, sulfate-free cleansers that lather without stripping the skin or coat. And plant-derived surfactants lift dirt, oil, and buildup while maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. “These ingredients don’t just clean; they soothe, hydrate, and support healthy skin,” Austin says. “It’s a thoughtful balance—high-quality, effective care that’s gentle enough for regular use, even on sensitive dogs.”
Grooming and Bathing Dogs in the Spring and Summer
Spring is a great season to get serious about your dog’s grooming, bathing, and general care. “With increased outdoor play, dogs are exposed to dirt, sand, pollen, and environmental pollutants that can irritate their skin,” Melissa tells us. “Regular grooming helps remove these irritants, preventing discomfort like rashes, sunburns, and itchy spots. Even short-haired dogs can experience oily skin, rashes, and sunburns. Additionally, their paw pads take a beating from hot sidewalks. A regular routine helps protect their skin and coat, especially during the warmer months.”
So, increased time outdoors means more baths—but is there such a thing as bathing your dog too much? Melissa assures us that “dogs can be bathed as often as needed—even weekly—as long as you're using products that are designed for them.” Bloom Groom’s products are formulated for regular use, which is especially helpful in the spring and summer when dogs are more likely to pick up dirt, pollen, oils, and more.
Keeping Dogs Fresh in Between Baths
Bloom Groom products are gentle enough for regular use, but how do you keep your dog fresh between baths? Melissa advocates for using Bloom Groom’s Grooming Powder. “It lifts dirt and excess oils, helps with detangling, and keeps your dog smelling fresh—all without disrupting the natural balance of their skin,” Melissa says. “It’s especially helpful for large dogs, older pets, or busy days. Paired with regular brushing and combing, it creates a balanced, effective routine that keeps your dog clean, healthy, and comfortable all season long.”
For paws, Austin suggests Paw Balm, a non-clogging product that uses nutrient-rich oils like broccoli seed and sea buckthorn to help protect and moisturize after time on hot pavement or rough surfaces, as well as Bloom Groom’s Foaming Paw Cleanser to effectively clean your dog’s dirty feet.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one, cost-effective way to keep your dog fresh between baths, consider Bloom Groom’s Essential Care Bundle, which features the Paw Cleanser, Grooming Powder, and Paw Balm.
Beyond the usual dirt and grime from playing outside, warmer weather also means issues such as fleas, ticks, and hot spots. This is where consistent grooming goes beyond the usual benefits. “When you're brushing and bathing your dog regularly, you’re more likely to catch things early—whether it’s a new bump, irritated skin, or a hidden tick,” Melissa says. “You’ll notice mats, itchy areas, ear buildup, or signs of infection before they become bigger problems. It’s not just about keeping them clean—it’s about staying in tune with their body and spotting changes that matter, especially as dogs get older.”
Dogs and Spring Shedding
Another spring issue, shedding, is best managed by—you guessed it—a good bathing routine. “As a groomer, the most effective way to manage shedding—especially in the spring—is with a good bath followed by a blowout,” Melissa says. “A high-powered dryer helps remove the loose undercoat quickly and thoroughly (yes, the hair goes everywhere!), but it’s incredibly effective. For many dog parents, that part is best left to the groomer—but there’s a lot you can do at home to manage shedding between appointments.”
Melissa offers these grooming tips for canine caregivers to manage shedding at home in warmer weather:
• Regular brushing is key. “A shedding rake is one of my go-to tools—it gets down to the undercoat and helps loosen the fur that’s ready to come out,” Melissa says. “Just be gentle, especially around sensitive areas like the legs, since some rakes have blades. Brushing with the coat and then lightly against it can help lift out even more fur. You can also use your fingers to pull out tufts as they surface.”
• All coats thrive with a healthy foundation, and that starts with the right shampoo and conditioner. “Our formulas are designed with professional grooming and veterinary dermatology in mind—they nourish the skin, hydrate the coat, and make brushing and shedding management so much easier,” Melissa explains. “A healthy, balanced coat sheds more cleanly and tangles less.”
• Between baths, our Grooming Powder helps keep the coat fresh and manageable without overwashing. “Everything we create is built from real grooming experience, to make at-home care feel easier and more effective for you and your dog,” Melissa tells us.
A Final Word on Grooming
The increased need for grooming and bathing your dog in the warmer months can feel overwhelming, but it’s actually part of an important bonding experience. “Grooming is so much more than keeping your dog clean—it’s a powerful way to build trust and deepen your bond,” Melissa says. “When you make grooming a regular part of your routine, your dog learns to be handled in a calm, safe way. Touching their paws, brushing their coat, cleaning ears, checking teeth—these are all moments that help your dog get comfortable with being touched, which makes things like vet visits, nail trims, and even treating injuries much easier.”
Melissa also reminds us that grooming and bathing don’t have to take too much time, either. “A few minutes of brushing, checking their paws after a walk, or using Grooming Powder to freshen up are all simple ways to turn grooming into a positive, low-stress experience,” she tells us. “The more often you do it, the more your dog will relax and trust the process. It becomes your shared rhythm—something familiar, comforting, and good for both of you. That connection is what grooming is really about.”
Ready to try Bloom Groom for your dog? Related residents can use the code RELATED15 to enjoy an exclusive offer of 15% off their first purchase.
The Related Life is written and produced by the Related Life Editorial Team. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest events, news, and announcements in your area, and tag us for a chance to be featured @therelatedlife and #therelatedlife.