It is entirely reasonable to assume that a dog with short hair will maintain composure when the temperature rises. They must be uncomfortable because they have so much fur (aside from the Mexican hairless dog!).
Although all dogs require routine grooming, they rarely—yep, you read that right—need to be shaved. Dogs don’t always require shaving, according to Susan Divine Sholar, president of the American Professional Pet Groomers Association. According to her, “Their coats have a function for the environment and activities they engage in.” The majority of groomers are eager to explain how to care for your pet and how frequently they should be groomed. “.
Heat Wave Approaching! Should You Shave Your Pet?
The summer season is well underway, and temperatures are rising everywhere. We are aware that as a good pet parent, you want to take every precaution to keep your favorite four-legged friends comfortable. So you might be tempted to pull out your grooming supplies and give your furry dog or long-haired cat a serious buzz cut when you see him sporting a thick, fluffy coat.
Although you and I wouldn’t want to dress in layers in 100-degree weather, your pets’ fur coats actually help them to reduce their body heat. A dog’s coat acts as insulation, preventing him from overheating in the summer and from becoming too cold in the winter.
The multiple layers in our pets’ coats are crucial for their comfort in the heat. Taking away this natural cooling system from your dog or cat can result in discomfort, overheating, and other serious risks like sunburn or skin cancer.
Don’t feel frightened about grooming your pet. Giving your long-haired pet a “summer cut” is acceptable because trimming their hair may make it easier to manage. However, it is best to let a professional groomer do the haircutting and never try to trim your own hair with scissors or shave close to the skin.
It’s acceptable if you don’t want to trim your pet’s hair. Dogs with thick coats naturally shed, so in the summer they have lighter coats. Keep in mind to frequently brush your dog’s fur and bathe them because clean, brushed fur promotes better airflow.
For more crucial information on summer pet care, visit the ASPCA’s Hot-Weather Safety Tips.
If I clip my dog will I ruin their coat?
Some pet owners fear that their dog’s double coat will patch up again. True, growing a double coat requires a lot of effort. In fact, it may take several years for things to return to how they were, which causes some people great concern. Most dogs will grow back quicker than this. Additionally, a relatively uncommon condition known as post-clipping alopecia may result in your dog’s hair never growing back. What matters more, your dog’s appearance or health?
If you place such a premium on the coat, you might want to think about shaving your dog’s underside. When they lie on a cool surface, such as the soil, this enables them to lose heat through conduction.
So, what does the dog thermal imaging picture show?
Thermal imaging looks at the temperature radiating from the object. It indicates surface temperature by coloring surfaces with cooler surface temperatures blue. An orange colour to temperatures that are warmer. The dog in the image has an orange body and a blue head, indicating that the surface of the fur is cooler than the skin. However, you would discover that the temperature of the skin beneath the fur is actually hotter if you inserted a temperature probe under the fur.
This is because the dog is losing more heat on the shaved portion of his body than he is on the haired portion. What you’re seeing in that is the fur keeping the dog’s body heat in; just as a human wearing a coat will have a dark body and a shining face on thermal imaging, the same is true of the dog. And you wouldn’t wear a coat out in this heat, would you?
FAQ
Does trimming dog hair help with heat?
Our pets’ coats have multiple layers that are crucial to their comfort in the heat, so don’t go trimming them just yet. Taking away this natural cooling system from your dog or cat can result in discomfort, overheating, and other serious risks like sunburn or skin cancer.
Does dogs fur make them hotter?
Fur functions as a thermal regulator to impede the absorption of heat Dogs and cats make their coats more suited for heat protection rather than warmth by shedding in hot weather. “In warm weather, a thick undercoat is not necessary to trap body heat like it is in cold weather.”
Are dogs cooler with long hair or short hair?
Insulation from the sun’s rays and its effects is provided by long hair and thick undercoats. Keep your coats well-brushed and free of mats for better airflow through your hair, which can actually have a cooling effect on its own.
Does grooming help keep dogs cool?
As the weather warms up, routine grooming will assist your dog in regulating their body temperature and preventing heatstroke. If they have long or thick hair, this is even more crucial. Despite the fact that dogs don’t perspire through their skin like people do, a tangle-free coat will be helpful in the summer.