Here it is, the question of the season:

To Shave or Not to Shave?

Its starting to be the routine topic of every conversation. Sometimes there are alternative motivations, but most the time we hear:

"But he gets so hot!"

Here's the truth of it guys. It's summer.

We're all freaking hot!

But rushing to the next available groomer to shave off all that long coat from your pup is most certainly not the answer. Long story short, you will be causing your fur-babies far more suffering by eliminating the one true barrier nature gave him to fight off that summer heat: his fur.

Is Shaving Truly Dangerous?

Does a bear sleep in the woods?

It may seem like an overly dramatic thing to say, but shaving a double-coated dog truly is a danger to them!

I stand firmly against shaving because it causes permanent damage to their fur and puts them at a greater risk for health issues; all while exposing them to the heat of our muggy summer days.

First and foremost, shaving a double coat ALWAYS causes damage to their coats. Even if you don't feel you can see it right off. It's there. While each case is unique and different, it can even lead to permanent hair loss. Each consecutive shave continues to decrease the quality of the fur. It doesn't matter if it has been done once, or many times over. That coat will never be the same. Losing their coats makes them more susceptible to allergies and skin infections. Without the protection of their coat, the risk of sunburn, heatstroke and skin cancer also greatly increase. You wouldn't spend a day in the sun without sunscreen. Don't make your dog go out without protection either. While we greatly encourage the use of doggy sunscreen, that will do nothing against the greater and more deadly threats that shaving a double coat presents.

Furthermore, shaving your double coated pup does absolutely nothing to help with shedding. A shave simply makes the hair less visible to us because it's shorter. I promise your fluffy buddy is still going to continue shedding all over your house, your clothes, your car. Wherever he goes, it goes. Shed happens.

Now here is the real kicker and where people find the most confusion. If you shave your pup, they can no longer maintain body temperature and will be much hotter than if you had left the coat intact. Here is a handy diagram I found to perfectly display how a double coat works. They also have a fantastic article on why shaving double-coated dogs needs to come to an end. I'll add their link below.

https://www.completek9inc.com/post/2018/05/30/please-stop-shaving-your-double-coated-dogs

It's amazing how nature has engineered animal bodies to cope with the heat and with the cold. The graph above perfectly demonstrates how a double coat is essential to the health of a dog year round. That giant cloud of sneeze-worthy fluff is the only thing standing between him and the outside world. If you take that away and damage it, our dogs can no longer fend for themselves and you will create a world of peril for them.

It's really pretty plain and simple. Shaving your pups coat DOES NOT help him cool down. It does the opposite! By removing and damaging the undercoat, there is no longer insulation between his skin and the heat. You don't take out all of the insulation in your walls during the summer right? I certainly hope not anyway. Sounds expensive. We all know that insulation works two ways! It keeps the cool in and the heat out. Then when the weather changes, it works the other way around by keeping the cold out and the heat in! Your dogs fur works exactly the same way. (except they kinda do change their insulation....twice a year.)

Wow! Okay, so that was a lot of info. What about ways that do

Help Your Pet Stay Cool

Luckily, even with all that dooms day talk of pet shaving, there are lots of wonderful ways that truly do help your pet stay cool during the dog days of summer. (No pun intended.....okay yes it was. Totally intended.)

So let's take a look at all the ways we humans stay cool in the Summer.

Swimming! Air-conditioning! Popcicles! Ice Cream! Fans! Cold Drinks!

Believe it or not, all of these are great ways to keep our fur-babies cool this summer. Now, don't go giving your pup a bowl full of Bluebell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. We don't want any vet visit's happening. But! There are tons of wonderful recipes for dog safe ice cream! Just this week, at our own local Walmart here in Nevada, I saw an entire shelf of Pup Cups designed specifically for the enjoyment of our dogs. I did not personally inspect these, so be sure to read the ingredients and keep as much processed junk out of your pups diet as possible. (That goes for us humans too) Those pup cups would be worth looking into.

Ice makes a great play toy and treat. Fill their water buckets with ice cubes! Ice trays are super cheap and take zero effort on your part, but they make a great stimulation game and conquer summer all at once. For extra fun, throw some peas and carrots into the water of the ice trays to make even tastier ice treats! You can even feed frozen peas and carrots directly to your pups as a icy reward. Not a veggie fan? Try throwing in some jerky treats!

Popsicles are also a cool treat your pups can enjoy as long as you are confident about the ingredients. Avoid artificially sweetened popsicles, as they could contain the additive xylitol, a sugar alcohol that's toxic to dogs. Remember to keep popsicle sticks away from your pup! Dogs love a good stick, but that one can pose a host of threats, starting as a choking hazard.

If you know it's going to be extra hot, give them shelter. Preferably inside with air-conditioning. If your pup isn't use to the house, you can try a kennel or maybe let them hang out in the garage. If that's not possible, make sure they have lots of shade and always, always give them plenty of cold fresh water. If possible, hang up a fan, out of reach, to ensure air flow and secure their water bucket so they can't flip it.

What about swimming!? Isn't that our favorite summer past-time? Dog's are natural swimmers and most of them love the water. Swimming is a great way to burn built up energy and cool down. Try playing a game of fetch to encourage them to get in the water. Some dogs are anxious of the lake or river, but will spend all afternoon lounging in a kitty pool. (Like mine, waves might eat him). Gather some floating dog toys and hit the water as a great way to keep cool and build lasting bonds.

Last but most certainly not least, the best way to help your pup stay cool is:

Regular, Professional Grooming

It doesn't matter where you go, I'm not trying to sell you on my services. I'm being very serious. Regular de-sheds keep all that dead coat pulled away from your dog and allows their skin to breath. The more you brush your dog, the cooler they will be and the more you see a groomer, the easier your job will be. Grooming schedules allow you to do minimal work, while your groomer puts in the effort of maintaining a healthy coat. Stay on a schedule and you and your pup will stay cool and happy all summer long.

I truly hope this article was insightful and helps many who seek the right answers in giving their pets the care they deserve. Keep your pet's coat, let nature do the leg work and your groomer do the de-shedding. Everyone will be happier (and healthier) in the end.

If you're interested in scheduling a de-shed appointment, contact your local groomer, or reach out to us to help you find one!.

Happy Summer Ya'll!!

Sam Slates, DCPG