Summary
While shaving a dog might seem like a solution for shedding or heat, it can be harmful, removing vital sun protection, insulation, and insect shielding, potentially causing skin irritation and follicle damage. Alternatives like regular brushing, professional grooming for de-shedding, bathing, using dog-specific sunscreen, and careful trimming of excess fur are safer. Shaving should only be considered for severe matting or medical reasons, always consulting a vet first. If necessary, use dog-specific clippers, prep your dog by brushing and bathing, ensure a calm environment, shave with the grain, leave at least an inch of fur, and be extra cautious around sensitive areas. If unsure, consult a professional groomer.
What is the Difference between Single and Double Coated Dogs?
Since the shaving practice does not modify the structure of their fur, single-coated canines can be trimmed frequently.
The hair on a single-coated dog will continue to grow indefinitely. Still, the hair on a double-coated dog will expand to a specific point and then stop when you shave away a double-coated dog’s hair; the smoothness changes.
When the shield hairs are shaved, they might become rough, allowing bristles and sticks to attach to them.
Due to the shaving procedure, your Dog may develop painful knots and itchy skin or hot spots. Please remember that shampooing a matted dog may cause the mats to harden much more, leaving your Dog much more miserable.
Why Should You Avoid Shaving Your Dog?
Shaving your Dog may seem an obvious solution to minimize shedding and help cool your pet’s body in the heat. However, the only problem is that dog coats serve a different purpose, and dogs do not cool down like humans.
Protects from the Sun
Shaving off dog coats is a recipe for skin issues. Your Dog’s body has been created to adapt to weather conditions accordingly and does not require your assistance.
Depending on your Dog’s breed, the multiple layers/ single layer of hair block out summer heat. It prevents sunburn and skin cancer by blocking out harmful UV rays emitted by the Sun.
Prevents Insect Bites
The hair on dogs’ bodies acts as a barrier that protects them from getting bitten by insects. A wide range of health issues and irritation to your pet can be avoided by letting its fur be as is.
Functions as an Insulator
Dog hair acts as an insulator by trapping air between the layer of hair and the skin underneath to keep dogs warm in winter and cool in summer.
Prevents Follicle Damage
Improper techniques while shaving dogs can cause damage to the hair follicles, causing inflammation and irritation, which can further progress into bacterial infections, itching, and a wide range of skin conditions.
Avoids Ingrown Hair
Shaving off dog hair would mean going exceptionally close to its skin to eliminate the entire hair length. This can cause ingrown hair when done improperly, which further causes inflammation and itchiness in dogs.
What are Alternatives to Shaving?
Suppose you aim to solve problems such as excessive heating, shedding, preventing infestations, and keeping your Dog in a good physical state. In that case, the following alternatives are better options than shaving.
Sunscreen
Dog skin is susceptible, and its layers of hair may not be the best barrier to the Sun’s UV rays, especially in areas with little to no hair, like its nose.
If you’re trying to protect it from the Sun, you can use a zinc-free sunscreen specifically for dogs. Ensure you only use any artificially produced product on your dog after checking with your vet.
Regular Grooming
Visiting a professional groomer regularly will ensure that your Dog is always in its best condition and has minimal shedding.
Brushing the Dog at Home
By brushing dogs, tangled hair can be straightened, and loose hair can be removed before it floats onto floors and eventually sticks to everything in the house.
It also helps improve air circulation in its coat and maintain its appearance.
Make Bathing a Habit
Dogs usually dislike water, and getting them to bathe is difficult, but it has various benefits. It always makes your dog appear clean and gets rid of dandruff and dirt. Still, it also helps detect any infestation of mites, etc., to tackle the issue as soon as possible.
Trim off the Excess
Keeping the parts of dogs’ bodies with excess hair is better than shaving. This can be used in the back of the hind legs, stomach, and paws. The hair should be trimmed down to no less than an inch over the layer of skin underneath.
How to Shave a Dog?
If shaving your Dog still seems to be the answer to an issue you are facing, this is a simple guide to shaving your pet without causing any discomfort.
Step 1: Check Your Tools
Make sure you check your equipment before starting. Your clippers should be clean and sharp to allow precise working.
Do not use tools meant for humans on dogs. For example, trimmers meant for humans have short blades that can easily nick your Dog’s skin, and it isn’t easy to work with them.
Step 2: Brush Through its Hair
Brush through its hair to eliminate tangles and dirt and prevent its coat from matting. This will ensure that the process is less painless and that your clippers do not jam.
Brushing your dog before bathing will also remove most of the dirt.
Step 3: Follow Up with a Bath
Bathing your dog will loosen up any tangles and any remaining dirt and dandruff accumulated from its hair and soften it.
Natural oils can also be temporarily minimized through bathing, which will make the process easier. Use a good quality shampoo and check its ingredients before use.
Step 4: Find a Distraction-Free Zone
Choose a location in your house where there are minimal distractions. This ensures that you are focused on the task at hand and your dog stays in position without moving around, making the task even more challenging.
Also, check that your clippers are as quiet as possible so they do not scare off your Dog and distress it.
Step 5: Dry off its Coat
Before you get started on the actual process, it is essential to dry off your Dog. Wet hair will get stuck in your clippers and cause your dog pain. Now, you are ready to start shaving it.
Step 6: Keep Your Dog Still in One Position
The most important part of the process is keeping your dog steady in one place without squirming around, which is required to prevent accidents. You may need assistance holding your dog regularly, or you can use a leash for it.
Step 7: Shave Along the Hair Direction
Like shaving human hair, work slowly in the direction of the hair. The hair may grow in different directions in different parts, so ensure you move slowly to follow the natural growth direction. Going against the grain will cause ingrown hairs and inflammation.
Step 8: Leave One Inch of the Fur Coat
Keep the coat at least an inch long across the body to prevent the risk of sunburn, pest infestation, etc.
Take breaks to check your Dog’s comfort and assess your progress. Your clippers also need to remain calm. Using lubricant during holidays can help in keeping it cool.
Step 9: Start with Sensitive Regions
Finishing the short areas where your Dog is likely to squirm is best done first. Work on the underarms, paws, tail, and the back of the head first.
Large areas like the belly and the sides can be tackled later. Although this method differs from a professional groomer’s, it can make the task easy for a beginner.
Step 10: Be Extremely Careful at the Rear
The hair near the groin is extremely thin and can be removed entirely if you are not careful. It will also cause extreme pain to your Dog if the clippers touch the skin. The same applies to the tail, underarms, and the back of its legs.
Pay extra attention when working on areas that are not fully visible and require you to lift another part to work on it.
Pause at Any Point if You are Not Sure
Although this article states how to shave a dog in 10 easy steps, follow your instincts if you sense that something isn’t going as it should or if your Dog is too difficult to handle. Visit a professional groomer at the earliest to take up the rest of the task.
