GROOMING
Should You Shave Your Dog in the Summer?
With the temperatures rising rapidly this summer, can shaving our dogs’ fur completely provide them comfort & keep them cool? Canine expert Chaitra W M answers.
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With each passing summer growing hotter and hotter, pet parents grow increasingly worried about their dogs' ability to handle the rising temperatures. One common method for keeping dogs cool in summer is trimming or even shaving their coats off completely. This technique can garner greater interest amongst dog parents of long-haired or double-coated breeds such as Golden Retrievers or Shih Tzus. But is this approach truly effective and foolproof? And how important is our dogs' coat for their well-being? Let's delve into these questions and find out!
Should You Shave Your Dog in the Summer Season?
The short answer is No. Whether your dog has a single or a double coat, it is imperative that you do not shave their fur down to their skin, especially in the summer season. A dog’s coat acts as a natural, built-in thermostat regulating temperature by providing both heating and cooling functions to their body. During winter, your dog’s fur offers warmth when it lays flat against the body. When temperatures soar, the hair in your pet’s coat stands upright, maximizing airflow. The coat acts as a barrier, shielding the skin from direct sunlight and trapping a layer of air close to the body, which aids in heat dissipation and prevents sunburn.
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The Vital Role of Fur in Keeping Dogs Cool in Summer
Double-coated Dogs:
Certain breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, Border Collies and Chow Chows have a double coat consisting of a soft undercoat close to their skin and a thick outer coat with longer hair. They shed their undercoat twice a year, in summer and winter, while the outer coat sheds less frequently. The undercoat plays a crucial role in regulating temperature, acting as insulation to keep them cool in summer by trapping cool air next to their skin and preventing excessive heat absorption.
Shaving these double-coated and often long-haired dogs might seem like the obvious solution for keeping dogs cool in summer, but it disrupts their natural cooling mechanism. It exposes their sensitive skin to harmful UV rays, increasing the risk of sunburn and heat-related illnesses. Additionally, shaving can hinder the regrowth of the undercoat, leaving the dog vulnerable to overheating and sunburn in the long term. It can also cause long-term damage by altering the growth patterns of their hair, leading to potential overcrowding of the undercoat and susceptibility to skin issues.
Single-coated Dogs:
Some dog breeds including certain Indie dogs, Poodles, Maltese, Bulldogs, etc. possess a single coat of dog fur with either short or long hair with no soft undercoat. These dogs should not be shaved down to their skin either as the fur protects them from sunburn, skin cancer, and bug bites. These dogs don’t have the added insulation of an undercoat, so they need their fur for protection.
Shaving these double-coated and often long-haired dogs might seem like the obvious solution for keeping dogs cool in summer, but it disrupts their natural cooling mechanism. It exposes their sensitive skin to harmful UV rays, increasing the risk of sunburn and heat-related illnesses. Additionally, shaving can hinder the regrowth of the undercoat, leaving the dog vulnerable to overheating and sunburn in the long term. It can also cause long-term damage by altering the growth patterns of their hair, leading to potential overcrowding of the undercoat and susceptibility to skin issues.
Single-coated Dogs:
Some dog breeds including certain Indie dogs, Poodles, Maltese, Bulldogs, etc. possess a single coat of dog fur with either short or long hair with no soft undercoat. These dogs should not be shaved down to their skin either as the fur protects them from sunburn, skin cancer, and bug bites. These dogs don’t have the added insulation of an undercoat, so they need their fur for protection.
Although the idea of shaving the fur off completely to keep dogs cool in the summer may be well-intentioned, is a rather misguided practice. It can do more harm than good by disrupting their natural cooling mechanism and exposing them to sunburn and overheating. Unless it is for medical reasons or to manage severe matting or skin conditions, completely shaving a dog is ill-advised. For most dogs, regular grooming, providing shade, access to fresh water or using cooling products such as cooling mats should help them stay comfortable during the summer season.
Want to keep your dog cool this summer season? Here are five foods you can try!
Happy Pet Parenting!
Want to keep your dog cool this summer season? Here are five foods you can try!
Happy Pet Parenting!
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