By Sarah Hoggan, from the July 2000 Newsletter

Summer sun feels wonderful on our bare skin. Those with fur don't share our sentiment. The summer heat isn't a blessing for our pets. Seasonal grooming can make the difference between a comfortable summer and an anguishing bake for them.

A clip down is an easy and effective way to help pets cool off. Think of how refreshing it feels to take off a jacket or sweater when you're too hot. A good trim has the same effect for them.

While bringing your pet into an air-conditioned house after they've been outside all day may seem thoughtful; it's actually a stress. They're going from one extreme to the other and their bodies have to rapidly compensate. Normally animals can pant to eliminate heat. That offers limited benefit given the surface area they are trying to cool, their whole body, and the area where evaporation takes place, their tongue! It's especially hard for pets to cool off if they have been very active, like chasing a ball or catching a Frisbee. A trimmed fur coat helps them eliminate heat because the insulating effect of the fur is gone.

A summer hair cut also has health benefits for our pets. Dogs frequently get grass awns, or cheat grass, caught in the fur between their toes. Over time the seed can work its way into the skin and cause a painful abscess. If the fur is trimmed from between their toes, the seed has no way of getting caught in the first place.

Cats are more likely to get fur balls or hair impactions in their digestive system in the summer when they are shedding excessively and must groom themselves. A popular trim for longhaired cats is the lion cut. The body and legs are trimmed but the tail and head are left long. The finished cut resembles a lion with a mane. Surprisingly, cats don't seem to mind their new shorn appearance. They're cooler and more comfortable and are less likely to develop fur balls because there's less fur to groom.

Finally, a trimmed coat is easier for owners to manage. Longhaired dogs and cats need regular combing to prevent the formation of mats. A shorter coat eliminates this chore. Also, long fur forms clumps when it's shed. The clumps accumulate and grow to resemble dust bunnies. A trimmed animal doesn't have enough fur to generate these clumps and consequently eliminates the formation of these extra pets.

If you are unsure of how you want the coat trimmed, most professional groomers are happy to offer suggestions or are knowledgeable to standard cuts for specific breeds. Remember that if you have an animal with a light colored nose, or is very fair skinned they may require some sunscreen right after a trim because their skin hasn't seen sunshine on a regular basis. Your veterinarian can suggest a good brand for their protection.

Summer is a beautiful time of year. Help your pet get the most out of the season by helping them stay cool. Grooming will not only make them look good, they will be happier because they won't be trapped in a fur coat when it is 90 degrees in the shade!

Sarah Hoggan is a senior veterinary student at WSU's College of Veterinary Medicine. She and her growing family make their home in Troy, Idaho.

 

Copyright: Copyright on articles and recipes are jointly held by the Moscow Food Co-op and the respective authors, except were otherwise noted.

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