It’s summer in San Francisco. While most people think it gets “hot” when the temperature hits 85 or 90 degrees, we know anything over 70 is too hot. But even with our moderate climate, there are pet parents who want to give their dogs a “summer haircut.” Well, in addition to the embarrassment your dog will feel about being completely shorn when they show up for doggie day care and the other dogs tease them, turns out there may be some health and safety reasons to avoid the summer cut.
According to the veterinarians at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, while the summer cut might make intuitive sense, it is a bad idea for several reasons:
- A dog’s hair insulates them from the heat. The hair/fur creates an air chamber that blocks heat conduction, keeping your dog cooler.
- Your dog’s hair/fur protects them from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and helps them avoid getting sun-burnt. It is easier for the UV rays to get to your dog’s skin when their hair is shorter.
- A short haircut makes it more likely that your dog will dehydrate as longer hair/fur limits the loss of moisture through their skin.
So, as tempting as it may be to get a summer coif for your dog, think twice before asking the groomer to “go for it” and consider other options to keep your dog cool, comfortable and safe during the summer months. We hear a Pet Camp Pupsicle might be just the thing!
Thanks for reading.