Home » Feature » Animal Planet
Shaving dogs may do more harm than good
By Dong Zhen |
July 3, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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GETTING dogs shaved in the long, hot, humid summer is a ritual for many pet owners who believe that a good shave, or partial shave and hair-thinning help keep their pets cool in the scorching heat.
And pet salons say their haircut orders are increasing dramatically as the mercury rises. Many owners like "lion cuts," leaving their dogs shaved except for a ruff or "mane" around their neck. Cuts run from 50 yuan (US$7.86) to 200 yuan.
But veterinarians and other animal experts warn that for most breeds haircuts do more harm than good and are unnecessary. Plenty of shade and water are necessary for all dogs.
However, for breeds with especially long and dense fur, originally from very cold climates, some shaving and thinning definitely helps cool them off. When the heavy insulating coat is shortened and thinned, cool air can pass over their skin and help lower their temperature. This applies to Siberian huskies and Samoyeds, which are very popular in Shanghai. They also welcome air-conditioning.
Dogs do not sweat through their skin, they have no sweat glands under their skin - they sweat through their footpads and have sweat glands between their pads. They also cool their body temperature by panting since cool pair passes over the tongue which has capillaries close to the surface.
"Contrary to what owners believe, dogs don't sweat through their skin, so a shave isn't much help in cooling dogs off in summer," says Shanghai vet Cai Lanying, who has been treating dogs for almost 30 years.
A shave is unnecessary.
And it may be harmful. Dogs that get a close shave are at greater risk of skin infections as they play around or lie on the ground. Fleas and mosquitoes can get at the dog more easily if they are shaved or their fur is thinned. And they can get sunburned if exposed too long to the sun.
There's another negative factor that most owners don't know about, Cai says. Dogs are actually quite sensitive to their appearance; they know when they have been shaved or get a dye-job.
"Some dogs feel quite uncomfortable and are reluctant to go outdoors after they have been shaved," Cai says.
But the animal experts are not totally against the practice. There are exceptions when a haircut is very helpful in hot weather to help thick-coated dogs get through the summer more easily.
Cai recommends haircuts for dogs with extremely dense fur, usually breeds from cold climates and high latitudes.
They have a tough time in hot and humid climates. They appreciate air-conditioning.
"For these breeds, we recommend shaving to increase the air flow across their skin and cool them. The best thing is to be sure they have full-time air-conditioning," Cai says.
He always urges owners not to completely shave their dogs, but to give them a hair cut instead.
Other dogs that need special care in hot humid summer are the breeds with wrinkled, pushed-in noses, such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers. They are prone to respiratory problems and need air-conditioning.
And pet salons say their haircut orders are increasing dramatically as the mercury rises. Many owners like "lion cuts," leaving their dogs shaved except for a ruff or "mane" around their neck. Cuts run from 50 yuan (US$7.86) to 200 yuan.
But veterinarians and other animal experts warn that for most breeds haircuts do more harm than good and are unnecessary. Plenty of shade and water are necessary for all dogs.
However, for breeds with especially long and dense fur, originally from very cold climates, some shaving and thinning definitely helps cool them off. When the heavy insulating coat is shortened and thinned, cool air can pass over their skin and help lower their temperature. This applies to Siberian huskies and Samoyeds, which are very popular in Shanghai. They also welcome air-conditioning.
Dogs do not sweat through their skin, they have no sweat glands under their skin - they sweat through their footpads and have sweat glands between their pads. They also cool their body temperature by panting since cool pair passes over the tongue which has capillaries close to the surface.
"Contrary to what owners believe, dogs don't sweat through their skin, so a shave isn't much help in cooling dogs off in summer," says Shanghai vet Cai Lanying, who has been treating dogs for almost 30 years.
A shave is unnecessary.
And it may be harmful. Dogs that get a close shave are at greater risk of skin infections as they play around or lie on the ground. Fleas and mosquitoes can get at the dog more easily if they are shaved or their fur is thinned. And they can get sunburned if exposed too long to the sun.
There's another negative factor that most owners don't know about, Cai says. Dogs are actually quite sensitive to their appearance; they know when they have been shaved or get a dye-job.
"Some dogs feel quite uncomfortable and are reluctant to go outdoors after they have been shaved," Cai says.
But the animal experts are not totally against the practice. There are exceptions when a haircut is very helpful in hot weather to help thick-coated dogs get through the summer more easily.
Cai recommends haircuts for dogs with extremely dense fur, usually breeds from cold climates and high latitudes.
They have a tough time in hot and humid climates. They appreciate air-conditioning.
"For these breeds, we recommend shaving to increase the air flow across their skin and cool them. The best thing is to be sure they have full-time air-conditioning," Cai says.
He always urges owners not to completely shave their dogs, but to give them a hair cut instead.
Other dogs that need special care in hot humid summer are the breeds with wrinkled, pushed-in noses, such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers. They are prone to respiratory problems and need air-conditioning.
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