Double Coated Dogs: The Great Shave Debate

There has been much debate over shaving your dog’s coat during the hot summer months.  After doing some research of our own, the answer to the great shave debate is...it really depends!  No matter what type of coat, it is important to consistently keep your dog brushed and bathed in order to maintain a healthy coat that will protect your dog’s skin from the harsh sun.  For dogs with single layer coats, shaving might be a great option to keep your dog cool.  For dogs with double layer coats, summer grooming is slightly more complicated.

Not sure if your dog has a double coat?  See if his or her breed made the list. 

What you might not know about double coats:

• The undercoat grows on a different cycle than the primary hairs
• The secondary hairs are on a shorter growth cycle
• Primary hairs do not shed as often and can take years to regrow 
• If shaved, the coat may never come back in the same
• Repeated shaving can permanently change the ratio of secondary to primary hairs, resulting in either:
• A fuzzy thicker coat that is more difficult to maintain
• A sparse, patchy coat

Natural Adaptation. A properly maintained double coat can insulate your pet from heat. When double-coated breeds undergo normal seasonal shedding, which is triggered by longer daylight hours, they drop much of their undercoat.  If this shedding coat is properly maintained and removed by brushing, bathing, and drying, what is left is a small to moderate amount of undercoat and the long, glossy hairs.  This longer but reduced coat, helps to defend the pet from hot air, overexposure to the sun, and even from biting insects.

Natural Protection. A pet's coat protects against sunburn and skin cancer. Thinner coats, or white or light-colored coats are especially vulnerable to sun damage. You dog's coat helps prevent bug bites, and as you know bugs are quite common in the summer! The bites can be quite painful and may potentially cause allergic reactions, hot spots and irritation.

Always exceptions. According to the ASPCA, there are better alternatives to shaving, such as trimming and brushing your pet's coat, especially during warm weather, but of course, there are also exceptions. If your dog has hot spots, you might need to shave the area to help it dry out and heal properly. If your dog's coat is full of mats, you may also want a groomer to shave the coat so to prevent irritations. Your vet may also recommend shaving to help treat medical conditions of the skin. Dogs with long hair around their back end, may also benefit from a trim back there to keep the area clean.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is best for your dog.  The more you know about your pet's coat, the better you are able to give them the best care.  Last but not least, don’t be afraid to ask your groomer if you have any questions on how to properly trim your pet to beat the heat!  They are the experts, and will be sure to give you the necessary information to make the best decision possible.

Source: ASPCA, PetAge

Hot Weather Tips for Your Pets

Summertime calls for more outdoors fun with your pet, but the hot weather must be handled with caution. Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA and Animal Care & Control of NYC experts, to have a safe and enjoyable summer for you and your pet.

Visit the Vet. An early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control program.

Made in the Shade. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun. Keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.

Know the Warning Signs. Symptoms of  overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively.

These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. If your pet shows signs of heat distress, cool him down slowly with a cool rag. Do not submerge him in water. Take your dog immediately to a veterinarian for follow up care.

 

No Parking! Never leave your pets alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.

Make a Safe Splash. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool -- not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

Screen Test. Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured. It is possible for pets to fall out of windows or to escape!

Summer Style. Feel free to trim longer hair.  The layers of dogs' coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. And be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on dogs or cats.  A clean coat can help to prevent summer skin problems, so keep your dog or cat well groomed. Consult with your groomer or veterinarian to determine whether your pet would be more comfortable with a shorter haircut for the summer. If he has a heavy coat, shaving your dog’s hair to a 1-inch length will help prevent overheating.

Street Smarts. When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close to the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum. If you can’t hold your hand long on the surface, it’s probably too hot for your pet as well.

Avoid Chemicals. Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well. Be alert for coolant leaking from your vehicle. Pets are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant and ingesting just a small amount can cause an animal’s death. Consider using animal-friendly products that use propylene glycol rather than those containing ethylene glycol.

Party Animals. Remember that the food and drink offered to party guests may be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol.

Fireworks Aren't Very Pet-riotic. Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.

Source: Animal Care & Control of NYC, ASPCA