Heat wave: is it advisable to shave dogs in the face of high temperatures?

The high temperatures that we have experienced this last time, affects us all equally; humans, plants and animals, so we must take precautions to survive the heat waves, increasingly frequent, protecting ourselves, taking care of the environment and of course, our pets.
Diego Rugeles, veterinary director of pet food Poema, explains that “to know when the dog is hot, we must look at its behavior, dogs pant to cool their bodies, so that the more they pant the more heat they have.”
“The reduction in activity is also a symptom that they are heated since they tend to decrease their movements and it is normal to see them lying down, stretched directly on the ground, or in covered and shadowy areas,” says the expert.
What to do if we notice that our dog is hot?
– Worry about always having plenty of fresh water at your disposal so that you have how to hydrate often. In the face of higher temperatures, it is recommended to add some ice to the water, so it stays cool for a little longer. They can also be given ice cubes to play and refresh at the same time.
– Make sure to provide you with a cool space to be at all times, always avoiding leaving them locked in the car or a room where the temperature can be concentrated and raised more than outdoors.
– Take it for a walk at the hours of less heat, either early in the morning or in the afternoon when the day begins to cool, never in full heat during the afternoon.
– When it is very hot, a cold water bath helps them lower their body temperature.
– Avoid putting clothes or shoes on them, since these accessories generate even more heat.
“Many people wonder if it is advisable to cut the hair of their pets at this time, and it turns out that the fur of dogs serves as protection from the sun and as a temperature regulator, so if they want to tell them the hair the recommendation is to avoid the extreme of shaving them, since it can be counterproductive in some breeds in particular. If you have doubts, it is best to always consult an expert canine hairdresser, “says the veterinarian.
The most important thing to help dogs in the face of heat waves is to be attentive to their behavior and take the necessary precautions to ensure that they are not affected by high temperatures, which usually influence mainly dogs “younger, sick, older or overweight,” concludes Rugeles.

Original source in Spanish