Why shouldn't we shear an animal for the summer?

• Why shouldn't we clip a dog with an undercoat?
• Why shouldn't we clip a short-haired dog?
• Why shouldn't we clip an outdoor cat for the summer?
• What can I do to help my pet during the hot weather?

Summer is just around the corner and we know you're worried about your best friend getting too hot in their fur coat in the middle of the hot season. Well, think again! Stripping it of its coat would be the equivalent of removing its protection against bad weather: UV rays, insects, heat stroke or gale... Although we love to receive your dogs to groom them, we still consider that certain breeds do not should not be shaved at the risk of their health. Let us advise you on the best care for your pooch when the thermometer climbs!

Dog breeds that do not require shearing

The breeds most at risk are dogs with multiple coats of hair like the husky, shetland, pomeranian, chow-chow, collie, german shepherd, golden retriever, bernese mountain dog and akita. These breeds hold layers of undercoat that we absolutely must avoid shaving, as it serves as their protection. By shaving them, you damage the texture and damage the regrowth. Short-haired breeds, like the Labrador or Pug, don't require shaving either, as their coat is designed to be thicker, again to protect them. All of this information applies equally to cats, especially those who spend time outdoors. However, Shih-Tzus, Poodles and Yorkies, for example, are all breeds that can benefit from clipping because their coat is self-growing, meaning it regrows without negatively affecting its quality. Don't forget that their coat protects them from the summer sun, so be sure to simply shorten and not clip their entire hair during this season.

The role of moulting in dogs and cats

Your dog, believe it or not, is able to adapt to the seasons without the help of the razor. In winter, you will notice that the coat thickens and when spring arrives, your dog loses all that extra hair. This phenomenon is called molting. The bulbs constituting the root of the hairs thin out in order to let the air circulate more freely.

Thermal self-regulation

You have probably already noticed that our human body adapts to temperatures through the skin. When it's hot, we sweat to cool ourselves down. When it's cold, our body uses the phenomenon of piloerection to warm up, or in other words, we get goosebumps. However, your pup and all other members of the canine breed do not use these means to self-regulate their temperature. This is because dogs pant and sweat very lightly from the pads, not the skin. So mowing your companion will absolutely not help him cope with the summer heat. On the contrary, it could even cause him heatstroke much more quickly and intensely because the sun's rays would hit his skin directly.

So, when shaving an animal that does not require clipping:

• Irritation
• Heatstroke
• Sunburn
• Insect bites
• Loss of shine
• Change in texture (much less soft hairs)
• Patches of hair that no longer grow back at all
• Weakened regrowth

What to ask my groomer then?

To help your dog or cat manage their coat, you can brush them regularly with an undercoat brush. Thus, you help him to get rid of an unnecessary layer of dead hair. In addition, you can ask your groomer to give him a good shedding treatment. The groomer may shampoo your dog with a treatment that will speed up the shedding, followed by a good air-drying and brushing. You just have to see the cloud of hair in the grooming salon to understand that this treatment is ultra effective! Otherwise, your groomer can shorten the hair. Without shearing your animal entirely, she can take a few centimeters off her. This process has much less impact on the quality of the coat and on the protection of your animal from bad weather, but lightens its fur, which can relieve it during the summer.

How can I help my pet during the hot weather?

To help your companion during hot weather, there are many tips available to you without thinking about mowing them. For example, you can place wet towels of cold water on his body, or even offer him a small pool filled with cold water in which he can rest. In the same principle, some vests or cooling mats are found in pet stores. Composed of a gel that can go to the freezer, they keep the freshness for hours and your darling will feel relieved! Finally, be sure to offer him a source of fresh water at all times. It must be clean at all times, so be sure to change the water and clean the bowl at least once a day so that bacteria do not accumulate there. To help you, you can get a water fountain. Equipped with a filtration system, you can space out your cleaning for a few days. Then, it encourages the hydration of your animal, since a dog or a cat is much more attracted towards moving water than stagnant water.

In short, the Animal Garden team wishes you to enjoy the good time with your furry companion. We look forward to seeing your dogs or cats groomed to help them get through this hot season safely!