With the arrival of heat, humans change our wardrobe for lighter garments. There are even those who cut their hair for a more refreshing feeling. Therefore, it is common to believe that the same thing happens with dogs. Shaving them in summer is a very common practice and, unfortunately, very harmful to dogs.
The initial reasoning seems logical: that coat of hair could make it hot, perhaps it is best to shave it to keep it cooler. Big mistake. There are many reasons why shaving your four-legged best friend will have very negative consequences for him. Let's see what they are and other alternatives to help you cope with high temperatures.
The dog's coat has a great capacity for thermoregulation. Therefore, it protects them from the cold, but also from the heat. Likewise, the hair acts as a barrier to protect the animal from UV radiation. So, if you completely shave the dog, it will be completely vulnerable to these rays, thus increasing the risk of sunburn, irritation, rashes and even skin cancer, which is very common in these animals.
In addition, the absence of hair does not make the dog cooler, but due to the greater exposure to the sun, it will feel even hotter. With this, you will be more suffocated and could also suffer a heat stroke. As if this were not enough, your skin will be more vulnerable to cuts, irritations and wounds, such as an embedded spike or rubbing against a stinging plant.
Hair also makes it difficult for external parasites to reach your pet's skin. When you shave it, its dermis is more exposed to insect bites such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks, which, in addition to their annoying bites, can transmit diseases to your dog.
On the other hand, you should know that some breeds of dogs have a double coat of fur, such as huskies. First is the undercoat, which is thinner and protects them from the cold. This is the one that the animal loses in times of molting. Then there is the most superficial layer of hair, which we can see with the naked eye and protects them from climatic factors such as sun, rain and cold, while making it difficult for insects and other external agents to reach their skin.
By shaving it completely, the lower layer grows faster than the upper one, hindering its exit. Consequently, your dog could show alopecia, hair loss and bald spots due to this poor growth in its fur.
Ultimately, it is best to take him to a professional dog groomer who knows how to cut his coat so that it is fresh but protected, especially removing the undercoat. Brush him often to remove dead hair and bathe him frequently to keep his coat looking strong and healthy.
