Is a new summer cut for your pooch in order?
Carroll Gardens is heating up — hello thick, humid air! — and the official kickoff to summer is here! So, what does that mean for your furry friends and their oftentimes long, thick coats?
The Vet Set knows just how relentless the Carroll Gardens’ summers are, which is why it’s vital to cover summer grooming tips for your dog. Grab something cool to drink and explore today’s topic with us!
To Shave, or Not to Shave…
When it comes to your beloved four-legged best friend, shaving them — even in the extreme, sticky Caroll Gardens’ heat — is not the best grooming practice. This is a recommendation for all breeds from the uber-fluffy Samoyeds and Irish Setters to Golden Retrievers and Australian Shepards.
Refraining From The Doggy Buzz Cut
Why shouldn’t you shave your dog? It would help keep them cool, right?! While most of us like to cut our hair shorter or tie it up in the summer, the same method just doesn’t work for dogs.
Just as their coat keeps them warm and toasty when it snows, it also helps shield them from overheating in the summer. Many dogs have many layers to their coats that keep their heat regulated, and when you shave your dog, it can also leave them vulnerable to sunburn.
Dogs with double coats have two layers to provide extra protection in the cold, freezing winter — there are long guard hairs that are the outer layer and the undercoat that is closer to your dog’s skin.
Typically in the summertime, your dog will shed the undercoat, leaving the protective long guard hairs. This insulates them from the heat and allows air circulation to better cool the skin.
Shaving Disrupts Texture
When you shave a breed with a double coat, it can change the texture and how the hair grows back. Once shaved, the undercoat will rapidly grow back but is often soft and fuzzy, and not great for hot weather. The long guard hairs take longer to grow, and the texture will likely change — you’ll notice them to be more velcro-esque and sticky.
The rapid growth of the undercoat and the long guard hairs coming back is the perfect storm to cause overheating in your dog.
Try A Summer Cut
Sure, you don’t want to shave your dog down to the skin, but there’s nothing wrong with a nice summer trim. By cutting longer coats, you can help lighten their heavy coat to make it more manageable. If you’re not sure how or what to do, you can always take your dog to the groomers and ask them for a summer cut.
If you’d rather just leave their coat alone, that’s just fine too! Don’t worry, they won’t overheat! Dogs with a lot of hair will shed their coats naturally in warmer weather, and you can give them a hand by brushing their coats daily.
Need more summer tips to keep your dog cool? Connect with our Carroll Gardens vet office today and schedule an appointment.