In response to recent COVID-19 concerns, we are writing to assure our clients that we are taking recommended precautions.

Close
×

Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Countryside Animal Hospital

Call today:

(419) 882-7688

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Payment Options
  • Our Links
  • About Us
    • Services
    • Meet Our Team
  • Careers
  • Petsimonials
  • Iditarod
  • FAQ
    • Pet Surgery/Home Care
    • New Pet
    • Fleas, Tick and Heartworms
    • Dental Care
  • Contact Us
  • Veterinary Topics
    • Pet Health
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Digestive and Oral Health
      • Diseases and Viruses
      • Pests and Parasites
      • Orthopedics
    • Today's Veterinarian
    • Choosing Your Pet
      • Finding Your Pet
      • Cats
      • Dogs
      • Exotics
        • Amphibians
        • Birds
        • Reptiles
          • Lizards
          • Turtles
      • Small Mammals
        • Ferrets
        • Rabbits
        • Domesticated Animals
          • Prairie Dogs
        • Pocket Pets
          • Chinchillas
          • Guinea Pigs
          • Hamsters
          • Hedgehogs
          • Rats
      • Livestock
        • Cows
        • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
        • Goats
        • Pigs
        • Poultry
        • Sheep
    • Living With Your Pet
      • Bringing Your Pet Home
      • Children and Pets
      • Providing Care
      • Travel
      • Saying Goodbye
    • Newsletter Library
      • Tips for Pet Owners
      • Seasonal Topics
      • Nutrition & Food
      • Recognizing Illness
      • Visiting the Vet
      • Equine
      • Cats
      • Keeping Pets Healthy
      • Fleas & Parasites
      • Pet Dangers
      • Behavior & Training
      • Newsletter Archive
        • Fun with Pets
        • Unbelievable Pets
    • Video Newsroom
      • Health Topics
      • Technology and Science
      • Other Interests
    • Client Survey
    • Pets4Kids
  • The Big Give
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Seasonal Topics >
  • Should my pet get a summer haircut?

Should my pet get a summer haircut?

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics
shaved dog

A summer haircut may help you feel more comfortable during hot, humid summer weather, but it won't have the same effect on your pet. In fact, cutting or shaving your pet's fur can actually compromise your furry friend's ability to remain cool.

Your Pet's Coat Provides Built-In Climate Control

Although wearing a fur coat in the summer might increase your risk of heat stroke, the same isn't true for your pets. Their coats actually provide a built-in heating and cooling system. During the winter, your dog or cat's fur offers warmth when it lays flat against the body. When temperatures soar, the individual hairs in your pet's coat stand upright, maximizing air flow.

Some breeds, such as Chow Chows, Alaskan Huskies, Sheepdogs, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Scottish Terriers and Shih Tzus, have double coats that keep them comfortable whether it's warm or sunny or snowing and frigid outdoors. The undercoat, the layer of hair closest to the body, insulates your dog's body during the winter. During the summer, the undercoat prevents your pet from becoming too hot by keeping cooler air next to the skin.

Cutting Your Pet's Hair Isn't the Best Choice

Cutting or shaving your pet's hair interferes with your dog or cat's ability to stay cool. Although you may have the best intentions when you turn on the clippers, your pet may have more trouble regulating heat after a shave or haircut. Shaving can even affect your pet for years to come if hair doesn't grow back again after a shave or grows in an abnormal pattern. The problem is particularly harmful if your dogs' undercoat doesn't grow back completely. Without that protective layer of hair, your dog will have trouble handling both hot and cold temperatures.

Sunburn isn't normally a concern when you have a furry pet - unless you shave or cut their hair. Hair protects their sensitive skin from the rays of the sun, preventing burns and reducing the skin cancer risk. Applying sunscreen before trips outdoors is a must if your dog has thin or shaved hair.

Fur also keeps all sorts of unpleasant things from coming in contact with your pet's skin, such as allergens, insects and lawn care products. Without the protection that hair provides, your pet may be more likely to develop painful rashes or bites after spending a little time in the yard.

Better Ways to Keep Your Dog or Cat Cool

The tips can help your pet stay cool during the dog (and cat) days of summer:

  • Find Shade. Make sure your yard offers plenty of shady spaces if your dog or cat will be spending time outdoors this summer. Although a doghouse may help keep your dog warm in the winter, the small space traps heat in the summer and isn't a good shade option. If you don't have any trees in your yard, a large deck umbrella or a tarp can be used to create a little shade.
  • Offer an Ample Supply of Water. Dogs and cats need to drink more when it's hot. Replenish water bowls frequently when temperatures rise.
  • Limit Exercise During the Hottest Part of the Day. Take your dog for walks during the morning and evening when temperatures are a little cooler.
  • Know When to Bring Your Pet Indoors. If it's too hot and humid for you to spend more than a few minutes outdoors, it's also too hot for your pet. Although panting can help cool your pet, panting isn't as effective during very humid days. Young pets, old pets, and pets with short noses, such as bulldogs, may react more intensely to heat and humidity and will benefit from spending more time indoors.
  • Don't Leave Your Pet in a Parked Car. Every year local newspapers and TV stations run stories about pets that die after being left in hot cars. It only takes a few minutes for temperatures in a car to soar to unhealthy levels, even if you leave the windows cracked. If you can't take your pet to a store or restaurant, it's best to leave him or her at home.
  • Brush Your Pet Often. Brushing removes loose hairs and allows air to circulate freely through your pet's coat.

Allowing your pet's natural cooling system to do its job is the best way to keep your furry friend cool this summer. If you have a question about your pet's health or need to schedule an appointment, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Sources:

Safe Bee: Should You Shave Your Dog for Summer? No Way, Vets Say, 5/22/15

http://www.safebee.com/family/should-you-shave-your-dog-summer-no-way-vets-say

Catster: Is Shaving Your Cat Okay?, 7/19/17

http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/is-shaving-your-cat-okay

Washington Post: Dogs and Cats Can Usually Deal with the Heat, but Their Owners Must Be Careful, 7/9/12

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/dogs-and-cats-can-usually-deal-with-the-heat-but-their-owners-must-be-careful/2012/07/09/gJQAlOqtYW_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d595bf9a9275

  • Pet Health
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Exotics
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
        • Turtles
    • Small Mammals
      • Ferrets
      • Rabbits
      • Domesticated Animals
        • Prairie Dogs
      • Pocket Pets
        • Chinchillas
        • Guinea Pigs
        • Hamsters
        • Hedgehogs
        • Rats
    • Livestock
      • Cows
      • Donkeys, Horses & Mules
      • Goats
      • Pigs
      • Poultry
      • Sheep
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Children and Pets
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Cats
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Pet Dangers
    • Behavior & Training
    • Newsletter Archive
      • Fun with Pets
      • Unbelievable Pets
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you

  • Make an Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Request an appointment today!
    Request Now
  • Our Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
    Read More
  • Testimonials

    We have been taking our dogs here since 1988 & we couldn't be happier with the services we have received! Ellison Weber - Sylvania, OH
    Read More

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Countryside Animal Hospital

Monday:

8:00AM - 4:00PM

Tuesday:

7:00AM - 4:00PM

Wednesday:

8:00AM - 6:00PM

Thursday:

7:00AM - 4:00PM

Friday:

8:00AM - 4:00PM

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonial

  • "We have been taking our dogs here since 1988 & we couldn't be happier with the services we have received!"
    Ellison Weber - Sylvania, OH

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • How to Tell When Your Cat Is Sick

    Not sure if your cat is sick? Take a look at these signs. ...

    Read More
  • Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance

    Wondering if pet insurance is a good idea? ...

    Read More
  • Human vs Pet Medications: Why You Should Never Share Medicine with Your Pets

    Could your medications harm your pets? ...

    Read More
  • Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit

    Does your pet dread veterinary visits? ...

    Read More
  • Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer

    Do you know how to protect your pet from heatstroke? ...

    Read More
  • Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets

    Is your pet protected against heartworm? ...

    Read More
  • Cat-Safe House Plants

    Not sure which house plants are safe for your cat? Take a look at our list. ...

    Read More
  • Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care

    Has scratching become your cat's favorite activity? A skin allergy may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Next Step

    The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should ...

    Read More
  • Battling Canine Cancer

    Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Sign up

Signup for more articles

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map