Shaving will not improve problems for anyone allergic to dogs, and can even make those problems worse. Allergic reactions are not caused by the dog’s fur, but by dander, skin flakes, oil and saliva.
I shaved my dog years ago, which was a mistake that I’ll never get over.
I believed shaving him would make it simple for him to stay cool while we were out in the summer, but that didn’t work out. It just made everything worse. He was even less tolerant of the heat after that shave, and ten years later his coat still hadn’t grown back.
His once-sleek, lovely, shiny coat had turned into a rough, frizzy mess that required hours to manage. Shaving permanently damaged his coat, so he would have to put up with those dreadful grooming sessions for the rest of his life.
Although it may seem like a good idea to shave your dog for the summer, it isn’t always the case. In order to share my own experience and stop others from making the same error I did, I wrote this article.
Why is my dog licking her private area so much after grooming?
A dog’s skin may become irritated after grooming, particularly when using electric clippers, scissors to trim hair, or other mechanical tools. This may cause your dog to lick the area repeatedly, resulting in swelling and redness but no obvious cuts or bleeding.
Clipper burn or razor rash is not uncommon. Typically, it shows up as red, raw skin that may or may not have bumps. The dog might lick or itch the area as a result. The dog may simply not be accustomed to such a close shave or it may have extremely sensitive skin and require a more gentle approach.
How can I reduce my dogs allergies?
To remove dust and dander, clean frequently and thoroughly, washing items like curtains, pet beds, and couch covers and pillows. 3. Bathe your pet once a week to lessen the amount of dander (old skin cells shed) that causes allergies.
We are frequently led to believe that shaving the dog down made it easier to apply creams and observe the condition in our search for a solution. Imagine for a moment that you had a rash somewhere, and you ran a clipper across it, despite the fact that it may seem sensible and that this is a practice that veterinarians and groomers frequently advocate. The itch would extend from the dog’s nose all the way to their tail if you were to shave them down completely, just like how scratching a rash makes it worse or how shaving typically irritates our skin.
Due to the fact that their pets lick their paws and the resulting discoloration, I do not advise clients to have their pets’ feet shaven bald for any reason. In most cases, shaving only makes things worse, so it’s more crucial to identify the source of the behavior than it is to make things worse.
If your dog had ever experienced skin issues, you would be aware that sometimes there is no quick fix. Even veterans must engage in some trial and error, and they lack a magic solution that would prevent the issue from reappearing months later. This is due to the fact that, as I previously stated in my post on chronic skin issues, there are numerous possible causes of skin issues. As a result, not only is it painful for the poor animals to experience all of that itching, but it is also upsetting for us to witness them in this state and frustrating to try and determine the cause.
And what would they do when they have that unquenchable urge to scratch, chew, and lick that itch? They do so until the skin turns red, raw, and injured, but the itch persists, and scratching and chewing are the only methods they are aware of. We are forced to wear the Elizabethan collar, also infamously known as the cone of shame on them, as the vicious cycle continues until the point of self-mutilation.
But if you insist on clipping, tell the groomer to leave at least a centimeter of the animal’s coat. The shorter the cut, the smaller the blade would be used during the grooming process. However, that would mean that the edge of the blade in contact with your pet’s skin would be sharper and heat up more quickly, two of the most frequent irritants during pet grooming.
FAQ
How can I reduce my dogs allergies?
- Wash up. Ideally, you’d wash your pets once or twice a week.
- Declare the bedroom a pet-free zone. …
- Brush or comb regularly. …
- Clean and pick up. …
- Use an allergen-capturing air filter. …
- Consider the whole environment. …
- Get medical help. …
- Sources:
What are the benefits of shaving your dog?
A summer shave can be beneficial if your dog is prone to hot spots or bacterial skin infections. Anecdotally, shaved dogs seem to have more energy and feel more at ease being active. Many people find that shaving their dogs makes them happier, so they do it again each year.
Is it bad to shave dogs fur?
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.
Should I shave my dog with skin issues?
Skin issues: If a dog’s coat is trimmed too short, ingrown hairs may form and cause uncomfortable bumps or lesions. Shaving will only make the dog’s existing skin issues, such as dryness or sensitivity, worse if they already exist.