People love getting their dogs coats shaved for all sorts of reasons. In Texas, a lot of people get their dogs shaved because they think they’re doing them a favor during the summer. The problem is the science and anatomy of dogs doesn't back up this commonly held belief. We put on layers in the cold, and take them off in the heat. Dogs don't work the same way as humans though.
It’s easy to assume that a dog with less hair is a cooler dog. So, people naturally assume that shaving their dog will help when it's hot. However, depending on the breed, you could be hurting your dog’s health instead of helping them.
A Dog’s Coat Acts as Insulation
Haircuts make complete sense for us humans. But, it’s important to know that dogs don’t control their body temperature in the same way. We can lower our temperature through sweat because the moisture cools our skin down. Dogs only sweat around certain areas like their paws, and must rely on other methods to cool themselves. If you want your dog to be able to beat the heat then you should help them groom their coat, not take it away completely.
Most thick-coated breeds are insulated by their fur, which protects them in the cold and the heat. When you shave a breed like a Husky or Golden Retriever you’re actually taking away the system that regulates their temperature. In the cold months, their undercoat traps warmth close to their bodies keeping them nice and toasty. When the temperature starts to climb, dogs shed this undercoat and rely on their overcoat to keep their skin from absorbing too much heat.
Heat Strokes are a Serious Risk for Shaved Dogs
Shaving your dog is like taking away their ability to sweat. You severely limit the natural tools a dog has to keep themselves from overheating. If your dog is in a situation where panting isn’t doing enough to regulate their temperature, and there isn’t water to cool them off, then they are at a serious risk for heat-strokes.
In places like Texas, this is a major concern. Temperatures can soar into the 100’s during the summer. This makes breeds like Huskies especially prone to having heat strokes, or worse, if you don’t take the proper precautions and pay close attention to their panting behavior. It can be really tempting, but totally shaving your dog increases the chance that they could have a serious stroke. It’s much safer to groom or shave the undercoat for a shorter summer cut.
Shaving your Dog Increases their Chances of Skin Cancer
Dogs can get sunburned even with a full coat. When you shave them, you expose all that vulnerable skin directly to the sun. This is especially dangerous for white-furred dogs like Huskies. Just like with fair-skinned humans, fair-skinned dogs will sunburn easily.
If your dog is shaved and spends any significant time outdoors then they might be getting seriously burned. Overexposure is one of the leading causes of skin cancer in dogs.
Professional groomers make this mistake too. Some owners think if the cut is professional they have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, every breed of dog needs a specific thickness of their coat to effectively protect them. Some groomers don’t always know when to stop trimming, and can unknowingly endanger your pet.
If you absolutely HAVE to shave your dog then you need to apply sunscreen on them. This isn’t all that uncommon actually. Dogs with pink around their eyes or on their nose need sunscreen, even if they have a full coat.
Better Safe than Sorry with Shaving
Err on the side of caution and don’t shave your dog unless you have to. Even if your dog requires regular grooming you should be sure that you don’t shave them down to their bare skin. It can only hurt their health, not help.
Unless a veterinarian has specified a special need for a total shave, there's no reason to remove your dog's coat entirely.
Ask For Help!
At Dogboy’s we’re concerned with your pet’s health first and foremost. Some of the biggest health risks for dogs in Texas are stroke, skin damage, and overheating. If you have any questions on how to protect your dog from an abundance of sun, then contact us and we’d be happy to help you.
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Curious Husky by David K
Husky in Field by RD Elsie
Retriever in Field by Alekswy Gnilenkov
