PETS

Shearing dogs and cats in summer? Maybe not everyone knows this, but it might be better not to do it

Summer finally arrives and we begin to feel the first heat. The muggy, prickly sun arrives with its ferocity, and it is not only humans who feel the heat, but also pets, with dogs and cats at the forefront.

Many owners think that they are doing their pets a favour when they take them to have their fur sheared, but in reality this is something that, for a number of specific reasons, should not be done, or rather, should only be done in certain special circumstances.

In fact, dogs and cats do not regulate temperature as we do, and their fur serves precisely to ensure temperature control within the body.

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Shearing dogs and cats in summer? Maybe not everyone knows this, but it might be better not to do it
Summer finally arrives and we begin to feel the first heat. The muggy, prickly sun arrives with its ferocity, and it is not only humans who feel the heat, but also pets, with dogs and cats at the forefront. Many owners think they are doing their pets a favour when they take them to have their fur clipped, but in reality this is something that, for a number of specific reasons, should not be done, or rather, should only be done in certain special circumstances.
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How animal hair works
An animal's coat does not function like our clothes or our skin. In fact, it is designed by nature to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. Shaving the pet usually interferes with this built-in thermal regulation. Mark J. Stickney, DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), associate professor and director of general surgery services at Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Hospital, says that cats specifically do not benefit from shaving.
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For dogs, it depends on the specific cases
Jean Sonnenfield, DVM, veterinary surgeon at the Georgia Veterinary Specialists in Atlanta, says that dogs may need a helping hand to cope with the heat, but it would be better to resist the temptation to shave breeds that are already short-haired because they risk getting burnt. When shaving, it would be best to leave at least one cm of hair to protect it from the sun. It is also good to shave those longer-haired dogs that stay outdoors, because the hair that gets wet often risks developing a condition called miasis, i.e. the presence of worms in the hair. In any case, it would always be best to talk to your vet first for such a shave.
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A brush to the coat is a great help
Rather than shaving your dog or cat, an enormously effective way to help it against the heat in the summer months is to use a brush. Brushing removes dead undercoat, helping air to circulate close to the skin and keeping it cooler. An added benefit: 'In the summer months, pets can be bitten by insects and end up with wet dermatitis, a skin infection,' Stickney explains, but removing dead, matted hair by brushing helps the skin stay drier.
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Small tips to help dogs and cats cope with the heat
The first is more of a warning: do not leave animals in the car in the sun, even for five minutes. As we often hear in the news, it can really be fatal. Since dogs especially sweat from their tongues, it is a good idea to provide them with some shade (if they are often in the garden) as the air is less heavy in the shade. Finally, if the day is really hot, it would be best to keep these animals indoors, as it may be difficult to dissipate their body heat just by panting.
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