Should I Shave My Dog in the Summer?

It's been a hot couple of weeks here in Burlington, and for many of us dog owners the question of whether or not it's best to shave our dogs this summer has arisen. It seems the obvous thing to do; if we were wearing a thick fur coat, we'd want to take it off in 80 degree weather too. But for most dogs, this isn't the case.

^^My double coated, panting & hot pup!

Double coated dogs are dogs that have a heavy undercoat, which is the lighter coat that sheds naturally. If you have a Golden, Shepherd, Chow, etc. your dog has a double coat. These dogs have hefty fur and seem like they'd really benefit from a cut, but these are the ones you shouldn't shave. However, dogs like the Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu, etc. do not have undercoats and if you're an owner of one of these, you probably are already aware that they do need regular grooming and haircuts! Double coated dog owners read on!

A dog's coat (and cat's too!) works like a thermostat as a temperature regulator; it has many layers that are essential to your pooch's comfort. When shaved, your dog loses its natural cooling system and not only will be uncomfortable and hotter than before, but can also get a nasty sunburn and has a higher risk of getting skin cancer.

"A dog's coat is kind of like insulation for your house," said Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Hospital Dr. Louise Murray. "Insulation stops your home from getting too cold in winter, but it also keeps it from overheating in summer -- and your dog's coat does the same thing."

Dog's skin, unlike humans, does not possess blood vessels and sweat glands that keep us cooler in hot conditions. They do have sweat glands in their footpads, but they play a small role in thermoregulation, according to Veterinary Insider.

So how do you keep your dog cool in the heat?

• Cold water: try putting ice cubes in your dog's water bowl on hot days; some dogs really love ice cubes!
• Shade: dog's primary cool-down mechanism is panting, which works best if the air around them is cooler than their body temperature
• Brush them: this helps to remove dead undercoat, which helps air circulate near their skin. "A well-brushed coat has 'loft,' allowing air to circulate within it and cool the pet while offering natural protection against the elements," according to DogChannel. 

Need more info? It's always a good idea to ask your Veterinarian. He or she will be the most familiar with your pet, their breed, and know more about what's best for your dog in particular.


Information via ASPCA blog, WebMD Pets, Veterinary Insider, Doggy WOOF and DogChannel. Image 2 via follow the leader, image 2 via The Dog Spa