The Paragon School of Pet Grooming August Newsletter

The air is stifling, the sun is beating down, and your dog is panting in the heat. Should you shave him down to help keep him cool?

This is a commonly asked question for pet groomers. It's important to know that dogs and cats do possess sweat glands - but only on the pads of their paws. Making sure they have a cool place to lie down - like the tile on your kitchen floor, or the cool ground in the shade - definitely helps. As you probably know, panting is the main method dogs have for beating the heat. Panting dogs take up to 200 shallow breaths a minute which allows their saliva to evaporate and cool them much like our own evaporating sweat cools our skin. This method of breathing also cools the blood to the brain. If you have a Pug, Boxer, Bulldog or other type of breed with a squashed-in face, you may notice that they have more difficulty breathing due to constrained nasal passages that makes it harder for them to pant. Make sure your pet has plenty of water to drink to prevent dehydration so that their natural cooling method can work.

After Shave Down

So, your dog is panting away - is that enough to help him stay cool? Understanding how your dog's coat works can help answer that question. In addition to helping you find the style that looks best on your pet, we also try to groom your pet in the way that best suits him and his life style. If your dog is really active and prone to matting, it may be practical to keep him shorter so that the condition of his coat isn't compromised, causing him discomfort or pain. Keeping his coat free of debris, matting, and excessive shedding will also help keep your pet cooler. A dog's coat is designed to loft about his body, creating air pockets that insulate him from the cold and also protect him from the heat. Making sure his hair isn't clumped with dirt, or clotted with matted or shedding coat will allow his natural design to maintain proper body temperature and prevent him from getting sunburned, as well.

The decision to shave down your pet is ultimately up to you, and we will make sure your pet looks his best. If you've never taken this step before, you may find it important to know that when the coat is shaved short, it lacks the weight to fall out naturally. This makes it even more important to brush and bathe regularly to encourage dead hair removal. Some coats do not grow back in the same way they did before shaving, creating changes to the color and texture of the coat.

Ask us to asses your dog's coat for you if you have questions. We'll be happy to make recommendations about a style that would best suit you and your pet.