Is it right to shave dog hair when summer gets hot? As summer arrives, everyone feels the weather getting hot and the mood irritable, with short sleeves, vests, and shorts coming out. Dogs also lie weakly on the ground panting, looking down at themselves dressed so lightly, so is it okay to shave the dog's hair to make it cooler? Actually, this idea is wrong.

1.Dog Hair Protects Against UV Rays

Is it right to shave dog hair when summer gets hot? UV rays are especially strong in high mountains or snowy areas, so dogs native to these places, such as various sled dogs and mountain dogs, have hair that serves a UV protective function. Shaving in summer will instead expose the dog's skin directly to UV rays. In the hot afternoon, direct sunlight will rapidly increase the dog's surface temperature by2-4 degrees Celsius, and there is a high probability of burns or even heatstroke.

2.Temperature Regulation

Is it right to shave dog hair when summer gets hot? A dog's hair provides certain insulation from external temperatures, helping maintain body temperature. Thus, having fur on actually keeps them less hot, and when lying on the floor at midnight, they are less prone to catching a cold.

3.Dogs Have Different Cooling Methods

Is it right to shave dog hair when summer gets hot? Dogs cool down through their tongues and paw pads, by drinking more water, and regularly trimming the hair on their paw pads, which is much more effective than shaving all their hair. Humans feel cooler by removing clothes and having wind blow on sweat glands to cool through evaporation. However, dogs' skin barely has sweat glands, so shaving does not help with heat dissipation. Therefore, shaving dogs not only fails to provide sun protection or cooling but may also cause various other problems.

Problem 1: Easy to Get Skin Infections

After the dog's protective fur is shaved off, they lose the outermost layer of defense. In summer, this not only fails to prevent heatstroke but increases vulnerability to UV damage. With skin directly exposed to the air, dogs easily experience itching and allergies from dust, pollen, and insects. When the dog feels itchy, it will scratch with its paws, which often causes skin breaks. These wounds easily get infected with fungi.

Problem 2: Damage to Hair Follicles

Is it right to shave dog hair when summer gets hot? If owners shave their dogs without a professional pet groomer's clipper or skilled technique, it's easy to damage the dog's hair follicles. As a result, the new hair that grows back will lose its luster and be unhealthy.

Problem 3: Prone to Depression

This happens to many dogs because after being shaved or completely shorn, they are not used to their appearance, which can cause strong feelings of inferiority and lead to dog depression. Common symptoms include loss of appetite, reluctance to go outside, and increased aggression; some dogs also develop skin allergies and varying degrees of skin ulcers.

Is it right to shave dog hair when summer gets hot? Summer is a peak season for pet skin diseases. Even when shaving, you should leave2~3 centimeters of hair. If shaved completely bald, pets will feel uncomfortable and scratch themselves causing skin diseases. If it is the dog's first time being shaved, owners can appropriately praise and spend more time with them. Also, pay attention to avoiding high-temperature periods when taking dogs out and maintain the dog's hygiene.