Can shaving a dog make them sick? Here’s What to Expect

But clipping short ANY double coated breed, even once, can and often does cause serious permanent, irreversible damage to a dog’s beautiful natural coat. Further, using clippers to take off a smooth coat, flat coat or wire coat is also not recommended as it can cause other kinds of problems.

And whereas we have ONE hair per follicle, dogs have on average between 5 and 22 hairs per follicle. They have primary hairs and secondary hairs that lack a cortex. Their hair/fur is in a constant state of rotation between the three growth stages – anagen, catagen, telogen. That is new hairs growing in, old hairs falling out, and mature hairs resting in between. Lots of activity all going on inside one follicle.

But we will not shave a double coat (unless medically necessary, in consultation with your veterinarian). We are grateful you took the time to let us tell you why.

Many is the time that I wished there was law in place to require more guidance to people who buy and own dogs regarding their needed and proper grooming care. I have spoken to devastated pet owners of breeds such as Bernese Mountain Dogs whose coat was permanently ruined by being clipped down. Read what a group of Siberian Husky owners have put out on the internet to protect their beloved breed:

The clippers cannot differentiate between the undercoat and the outer coat. The undercoat as it grows back will try to “become” the outer coat but it will be harsh, scratchy, and the beautiful smooth shiny soft water resistant outer coat may be lost for good. A good brushing and combing, and blowing out after a vigorous bath and condition – those steps WILL differentiate on a double coated dog between the fur that needs to come out and the fur that needs to stay on the dog.

Do dogs feel better after grooming?

Grooming your pet regularly comes with many health benefits.

Grooming not only keeps your pet looking good, it will keep them feeling good and allow them to live a long life.

4 Tips to Keep Pets Cool in the Summer

The best thing you can do for your pets when summer comes is help them keep themselves cool. To do that:

Never leave your pet in a parked car — for any length of time. It gets very hot, very fast inside a parked vehicle, and that can be deadly. Just dont do it, even for a short time.

Offer clean, cool water. Be sure cats and dogs always have plenty of water, says Sonnenfield. On really hot days, try putting ice cubes in your pets water bowl. Some petsenjoy it.

Shelter them from the sun. The prime way dogs cool themselves is through panting. “That works best if the air around them is cooler than their body temperature,” Stickney says. So be sure your pooch (and kitty) have a shady place to get out of the sun.

Keep pets inside when its really hot. Your pets normal body temperature can range between 100-103 F. When its that hot or hotter outside, it can be hard for pets to keep cool through panting. So on really hot days, bring cats and dogs indoors.

Brush your pet. Brushing your pet removes dead undercoat, helping air to circulate near the skin, keeping pets cooler. An additional benefit: “In summer months, pets can get bitten by insects and end up with moist dermatitis, a skin infection,” Stickney says, but removing dead, matted hair by brushing helps skin stay drier. If you have the time and energy, brush daily.

If your pet does overheat, act fast. Get your pet to a veterinarian right away — it could save your pets life.

Signs that your pet may be overheated include problems breathing, excessive panting, drooling, weakness, stupor, and an elevated heart rate. Symptoms can also include seizures, vomiting, a temperature over 104 F, and bloody diarrhea.

YOU WON’T BELIEVE how this DOG looks after shaving all these dreadlocks

Summer arrives in a blaze of heat and sun, and most of us shed clothes until were down to shorts or swimsuits. If less is more for us when temperatures spike, shouldnt it be good for our pets, too?

Though it may seem like a no-brainer to shave your dog or cat when summer comes, does it really keep pets cooler?

Generally, most experts recommend against shaving most pets, though there are exceptions. Veterinarians often advise against shaving cats and dogs for a simple reason: Your pets hair isnt like yours.