Thinking Of Shaving Your Dog? Read This First
I’m not sure why people would want to do this to their dog(s) but I guess some folks actually have their dogs shaved in the mistaken belief it helps them battle hot temperatures. I’m talking shaved to the skin here not grooming your dog.
Yona Zeldis McDonough over at WebVet as written an informative article on things you want to consider before taking your dog to the groomer.
In the heat of summer, many pet owners opt for shaving their dog. But before heading to the groomer, it’s a good idea to know all the facts before you shave your dog.
Dogs sweat from their paws. This means that in many cases, having a long coat does not significantly affect the dog’s body temperature. Still, Carol Johnson, a professional groomer and contributor to critterhaven.net, offers good reasons to consider shaving:
- Your dog is a swimmer
- Your dog is too matted to detangle
- Your dog is too old or sick to tolerate a good comb-out
- Fleas and ticks are easier to spot
- Shaving can reduce shedding
- Your dog is prone to hot spots, fungal conditions or is unusually smelly
But in a recent MedHelp.org article, Aleda Cheng, DVM, warns that shaving the coats of northern breeds such as Siberian huskies or Samoyeds, or double-coated breeds such as German shepherds, could cause an irreversible change in the hair. She adds that veterinary dermatologists “frown upon shaving shelties (Shetland sheep dogs) because their coats can take years to regrow.”
Read the rest of the article HERE.