To shave or not to shave?

Each year, veterinarians, pet groomers and pet lovers have debates about the pros and cons of shaving a thick coated or long-haired dog during the warm summer months.

From our human perspectives, higher temperatures mean less and lighter clothing. Unfortunately, this is probably not true for the majority of our pets.

We know that we cool ourselves by sweating and as more skin is exposed, the sweat evaporates more efficiently, cooling our bodies.

Dogs, however, don't sweat like we do. Their main cooling comes from panting. As the moisture evaporates off of the tongue of the panting dog, the blood is cooled and this cooled blood is circulated to keep the pet comfortable.

A properly groomed, clean and matt free hair coat will actually insulate the dog from the heat and help to keep them cooler. Here are some reasons not to shave your pet.

The pet's fur actually serves as insulation. It keeps it from getting too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. Especially your undercoated breeds.

Another concern about shaving any dog is the potential for sunburn in lightly pigmented breeds. This can make them more prone to skin cancer.

However, many of the protective functions of a full coat can be lost if the coat is not keep clean and free from debris such as grass awns, leaves, sticks, etc. that can cause mats and significant skin problems.

Some dogs like Huskies and Pomeranians have a down that grows next to the skin. If not properly removed, even if shaved, it will not let the skin breath. It will hold moisture and may cause a nasty skin infection.

In some cases due to age or lack of mobility, your veterinarian may recommend shaving certain areas (like the region under the tail) in longhaired breeds to facilitate keeping the area clean and free from poop and maggots.

If your pet is indoors most of the time under air conditioning it is at less risk of overheating. So if your pet likes having their coat removed and feels like they have been set free, then go ahead and shave.

If your pet spends a lot of time outside you should leave his coat at its normal length. Make sure to provide plenty of cool water, shade possibly a fan and keep the hair coat clean matt free and free of other debri. Also flea and tick prevention is essential.

Questions about shaving your dog should be directed to your veterinarian and staff. They are best equipped with the knowledge of how shaving may affect your pet. Contact Dr. Underwood of Trumann Animal Clinic and Best Friends Vet Mobile at catdoc56@gmail.com if you have questions.