Does cutting a dog's fur make them cooler?
Natasha Greenfelder
2025-08-05 12:22:15
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While you or I would hate to sport multiple layers in 100-degree weather, your pets’ fur coats are actually providing them with heat relief. Acting like insulation, a dog’s coat keeps him from getting too cold in the winter, but also keeps him from overheating in the summer. Our pets’ coats have several layers that are essential to their comfort in the heat. Robbing your dog or cat of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort, overheating and other serious dangers like sunburn or skin cancer. It is ok to give your long-haired dog or cat a summer cut—trimming their long hair may make it more manageable. However, it is best to allow a professional groomer to perform the haircutting, and never shave down to the skin or try to cut the hair yourself with scissors. Dogs with thick coats naturally shed, so they have lighter coats in the summer. Remember to regularly brush your dog’s fur and bathe them frequently, as clean, brushed fur allows for better air circulation.
Liam Grant
2025-08-05 11:00:24
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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. 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. 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. Without that protective layer of hair, your dog will have trouble handling both hot and cold temperatures.
Alfonzo Torphy
2025-08-05 10:52:47
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You may worry that all that fur will overheat your pet — especially if you have a double-coated or long-haired cat or dog — but in actuality, the coat acts as insulation to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says, When a dog is hot, it not only pants to regulate its body temperature (since dogs don't sweat through their skin like humans) but their coat traps the air in closest to the skin and keeps it the same temperature as their ideal body temperature. You might think shaving your dog or cat is a kind approach to keeping them cool, but it isn't recommended. When you remove your pet's coat, you're also removing their ability to cool themselves off. The AKC reports, If you shave a dog down to the skin you not only increase the risk of heatstroke but [of sunburn as well]. Shaving isn't a good idea if you want to keep your pets cool on hot days. For the best way to keep pets cool on hot days, make sure they have access to water to stay hydrated, shade and other cool environments, and it's best to leave their fur alone unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.
Flossie Ratke
2025-08-05 10:48:40
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The top coat doesn't regrow fast, and if the dog develops a condition called Post Clipping Alopecia it doesn't regrow at all. The undercoat will regrow quickly and it will be longer than the remains of the top coat. The fuzzy undercoat absorbs more sunlight, making your dog hotter in the long run. It doesn't repel water anymore. On the contrary, it soaks up rain and water and keeps the dog wet longer. The fuzzy fur is prone to matting and picking up burrs and all sorts of dirt. Due to the missing protective layer, the undercoat becomes coarse like velcro. Gone is the smooth, shiny protective top coat. Gone is the soft cushioning fur that protected your dog from physical injuries and sunburn. As soon as the undercoat regrows, it will be longer than the remains of the top coat.
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