The undercoat of a dog is exactly what it sounds like; it’s a second coat that lies beneath the outer coat and keeps your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Breeds that originated in colder climates, such as the German Shepherd, Pomeranian, Chow, Husky, Malamute, and Samoyed, typically have undercoats.
Breeds with double coats have long, coarse outer coats that shield their typically fluffy and soft undercoat. While dogs constantly shed their outer coat, they typically only do so yearly with their undercoat.
Breeds with an undercoat require a lot of upkeep all year long, but every change in season necessitates a thorough deshed and blow out. To avoid matting and to remove all the loose fur during shedding season, you must brush the undercoat constantly. A rake or a deshedding tool can be used to do this.
It is uncommon to shave a double-coated dog for the following reasons:
- The undercoat’s main function is to keep them warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Your dog will be shielded from the sun’s rays and insect stings by the top coat’s tougher guard hairs.
- Your dog will lose its soft undercoat in the summer, only keeping the guard hairs. Air cannot flow beneath the outer hair and keep the skin cool without the undercoat.
- The hair on single-coated breeds just keeps growing, whereas the fur on double-coated breeds only grows to a particular length. A single-coated breed’s coat will grow back unchanged if you shave it. A double-coated breed’s coat can be seriously damaged by shaving.
- If you do shave your double-coated dog, the undercoat will regrow before the new hair. The guard hairs develop more slowly. All sorts of grass seeds, twigs, and plants will attach to the dog’s coat because of the texture of the new coat that is developing, which has a tendency to be sticky.
- Because of the soft undercoat’s texture, which absorbs sunlight, your dog will become hotter in the summer.
- A double-coated dog’s shedding is unaffected by shaving.
The best approach to keep your dog cool in the summer is to make sure they have regular grooming and a de-shed at the start of each season to get rid of all the dead hair and make sure the outer coat can function as an insulator as it should.
The undercoat is not entirely removed by brushing alone. Regular bathing and brushing together encourage shedding, which is then hastily removed by using a high-velocity dryer.
How can a dog with two coats stay cool?
In the summer, double-coated dogs will slough off their undercoats. A decent brush and plenty of patience can help a lot.
One of your dog’s natural cooling methods is air circulation, which can be facilitated by brushing your dog to help remove the fluffy undercoat.
By assisting your dog to shed his or her fur, you may also keep the skin drier and less prone to hot patches and insect bites. To keep your friend comfortable and cool, give him or her a regular brush.
Shaving: should you?
Despite what might seem illogical, shaving a dog with a double-layer coat can really be more harmful than helpful.
The undercoat of a dog acts as insulation. They naturally lose it in the spring and summer because of this. The topcoat shields a dog’s skin from the elements, including UV radiation from the sun, while yet allowing cooling air to reach it. Shaving this upper layer can leave your dog’s skin vulnerable to the damaging effects of the sun and other elements, such as biting insects, and also eliminate the built-in cooling mechanism.
Therefore, even while it would be difficult to comprehend how all that fur could possibly be keeping your pet cool, keep in mind that dogs only perspire through their nose and paws. They panted to expel the extra heat. Therefore, set the shears aside and fill the kiddie pool.
Having said all of that, there are a few situations in which a trim can be helpful. You might want to think about giving your dog a haircut if:
- has a lengthy coat (1 or longer)
- has one layer of armor.
- lives mostly outside
- has matted or tangled fur
- often becomes wet (including swimming in the pool or lake)
- Has a dark coat
- afflicted by hot areas
If you do decide a trim is in order, here are a few tips:
- Never shave a coat that has two layers.
- Hire a specialist. The cost of hiring this service is considerably cheaper than the cost of treating a burn or lesion brought on by incompetent clippers.
- Never trim the hair of a dog with a one-layered coat any shorter than 1. Anything shorter puts your dog at risk for cancer, ingrown hairs, and sunburn.
- Carefully eliminate any matted areas since these might act as lodgings for insects, parasites, or pathogens. But prevention is important. Long-haired dogs should not require dramatic haircuts if they are given the proper care and attention.
Water, water, water
Dogs primarily control their body temperature by biting their lips. They can move the needed oxygen through their body to cool down by panting. So it’s crucial to keep cold water on hand for them to drink in order to avoid dehydration.
Splash town
Allow your dog to swim if they enjoy the water. Buy a wading pool specifically for your dog, or take them to a dog park with a lake where they can swim. Just keep in mind to put safety first at all times. Never leave your dog unattended near bodies of water, and if you do take it on a boat, make sure it has a flotation device. In order to avoid skin infections, be sure to properly dry your dog’s coat after swimming and to rinse off any chlorine or salt that may have gotten on it.
Too hot to trot
The delicate paw pads of any dog can suffer greatly from hot asphalt. Try to keep your dog on the grass when you’re out for a walk, and try to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day. Go for walks in the morning or the evening, and always have water with you.
Made in the shade
Make sure your dog has access to lots of shade if it spends a lot of time outside. But even in the shade, temperatures can rise (particularly for dogs that were meant for cold weather), so try to restrict your time outside if you can.
Contact your veterinarian if you are worried that your heavy-coated dog is overheating. Before attempting any novel cooling procedures, including a haircut, consult your veterinarian as well.
This blog’s content was created in collaboration with our veterinarian with the intention of educating pet parents. Please consult your veterinarian if you have any queries or concerns regarding the nutrition or health of your pet.
When is a dog with a double coat too hot?
How warm do you think it would be outside on a 90 degree day if you put a coat on? How about adding two additional coats? You would be cooking.
Dogs have a coat that they can’t just take off to be more comfortable, unlike most of us who can go outside or even sit in the car on a 75 degree day without becoming too uncomfortable.
A dog with a thick coat can begin to sweat at temperatures as low as 70 degrees, and 85 degrees becomes dangerous for them.
The danger zone threshold begins at roughly 90 degrees, while dogs with lighter coats will begin to heat up at 75 degrees.
Even briefly leaving your dogs in the car on a hot day with the windows cracked is dangerous.
Take your dog home if you can’t leave them in the a/c-running car.
How can a dog with long hair de-stress?
Both dogs and their owners enjoy the summer months. There is a ton to do, and your dog will likely be delighted to join you in all of your enjoyable summer activities. However, you might worry about your fluffy, furry dog overheating if you have one. When temperatures soar, even if dogs have natural cooling mechanisms like panting, you still need to protect your pet.
Some of the fluffiest dogs have gorgeous double coats of fur and originate from colder climates. When the weather heats up in the spring, they drop dense tufts of hair that are easy to identify. You are included in this:
- Aussies
- Collies
- Shepherds of Germany
- Retrievers’ Goldens
- Huskies
- Malamutes
- Sheepdogs
- Pomeranians
- Mastiffs
- Spitz
- Terrible breeds
- In addition to others
Here are some suggestions on how to keep your fluffy pet cool as the temperature rises:
Grooming Advice
You might believe that the greatest way to keep your furry child cool is to shave their thick hair. However, their fur acts as a natural form of insulation during the sweltering summer months. The topcoat is what is left over after they lose their heavy winter undercoat. It shields your dog from elements like bug bites and UV rays while yet allowing fresh air to reach their skin.
However, there are some grooming practices that will assist you in keeping your dog calm:
- Brush your dog every day when they molt to encourage the loss of their soft undercoat.
- If your dog’s fur is one inch or longer or if it has a single layer coat, you should trim or shave it.
- Keep the fur on your dog free of mats and knots.
- Examine your skin for any hot areas or heat-related skin irritation, and treat as necessary.
Water, Water and More Water
Dogs primarily regulate their body temperature with their mouths. That explains why your dog pants when they become too hot. By providing plenty of water, you can assist in keeping them cool. Take a foldable dog bowl with you when you go for walks or on any outdoor outings. If you discover that your dog is still warm inside, add ice cubes for a cool beverage.
Take a Dip
The summer is the ideal time to take your dog swimming. Your dog will enjoy the enjoyable exercise and a cool down at the lake or beach. You might want to think about obtaining them a kiddie pool for your backyard even if you live far from a body of water. If everything else fails, use the hose to enjoy some water fun.
Choose Your Exercise Times Wisely
Your dog will undoubtedly become as hot as you when it is a hot and muggy afternoon. If you’re going to take your dog for a run or some playing at the dog park, think about going in the morning or evening. In addition to being cooler, there will be less of a possibility that your dog will burn their paws on the scorching pavement.
Make Sure There’s Shade
Make sure there is enough of shade if you are taking your dog for a walk during the day or if you have a backyard where your dog may play. This will enable your dog to take a break if they need to cool off. If you don’t have any trees, consider purchasing a shade screen or erecting a tarp. However, trees are best. Because they don’t allow ventilation, dog houses can get stuffy when it’s hot outside.
Keep Your Home Cool
You might want to keep the A/C on or a fan going for your dog even if you’re not home. Give them access to the tile or wood flooring in your house if they appear to be overheated. On these cold surfaces, hot dogs adore to rest their bellies.
Make Some Chilly Treats
On a scorching day, who doesn’t enjoy a cold treat? Just like us, dogs want to cool off with a cold treat. They’ll enjoy a ton of frozen treats. A tasty cold snack includes frozen green beans, dog treat-filled ice cubes, and pup ice pops. Even their preferred chew toy can be filled and frozen with peanut butter.
Furbo Dog Camera is necessary if you’re concerned about leaving your dog home alone on a hot summer day. You can keep tabs on your dog all day long using our interactive webcams to ensure their safety. Furbo’s entire interactivity is preferable, though. You can use two-way audio to greet them and view them on your smartphone. Even a treat dispenser is included so your dog can have a tasty treat. Purchase our Furbo Dog Camera right away for your personal piece of mind.
Nobody is less excited than your pet than you are to return to the office. Both they and you are going through a transformation. The days of me sitting on your lap during Zoom meetings are over. But fortunately, you can count on them to welcome you home with a wagging tail! Whatever your new situation may be, a change can cause your dog to experience separation anxiety or panic. Even though both of your days will suddenly be different, your dog can get used to it with a little assistance.
How frequently should you bathe a dog with two coats?
An extensive bath is a requirement for any grooming session. Depending on your dog’s tolerance for grooming, the state of their skin, the time of year, and other factors, you should generally bathe a double coated dog every one to twelve weeks. If it’s shedding season, you might need to give your dog more baths more frequently to keep the amount of stray hair in your house under control and preserve your dog’s level of comfort.
You’ll still need to brush your dog frequently even if you don’t clip his nails. Similar to washing your dog, frequently brushing your dog will reduce the amount of shed dog hair in your home and help keep uncomfortable mats from forming in their coat. After a bath, drying your pet quickly with a high-velocity drier will assist remove any stray hair and cut down on the time you need to spend brushing your pet.
How can a dog with long hair stay cool in the summer?
With your dog, the summer can be a ton of fun outside. Take action to safeguard your pet, however, when the temperatures spike. The heat can be uncomfortable for them whether you take them for a stroll down the street, a ride in the car, or simply let them play outside in the yard. Here’s how to protect your animal companion.
Never leave your dog in a moving vehicle. No, not even if you anticipate only being absent for a short while. Even when it’s not so hot outside, a closed car can get rather hot. It can rise to 102 F in just 10 minutes on an 85° day. With the window cracked, no less. It might reach 120 after 30 minutes. Leave your dog at home or take them with you when you go out.
Make sure your home is cool. Make sure Fidos can fully unwind if they are left at home alone. Close the drapes and keep the air conditioner running. Open the windows and turn on a fan if you don’t have air conditioning. Check to see if a cooling mat or vest can be helpful.
Keep an eye on your workouts. When it’s hot and humid, keep your activities to a minimum. Go for walks when the weather is cooler, such as in the morning and evening. Likewise, bring extra water for the two of you.
Look at the sidewalk. Touch the ground before you go on a walk. If it’s too hot for your hand, your dog’s paw pads will also be too hot. Avoid the asphalt by walking on the grass instead. For your dog’s paws to avoid burning, you might also wish to try booties.
Provide a lot of water and cover. Don’t leave your dog outside by himself for too long. Additionally, make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water nearby and shade while they are there. Anytime you can, add ice cubes. For shade, trees are preferable over doghouses. Air was allowed to pass through. Doghouses can increase the heat by trapping it. To assist your friend cool off in the yard, consider installing a sprinkler or a kiddie pool.
Create tasty snacks. From the inside out, assist your dog in cooling off. Make ice cubes with savory food inside for puppy ice pops. Or you can prepare a cold snack by stuffing and freezing a chew toy.
Observe the humidity as well. Your dog might not be able to pant sufficiently to cool down when the weather is humid. That might increase their body temperature, which might result in heatstroke. Stay inside and take only limited exercise.
Protect dogs that are in danger. If you own a dog or a pug with a snub nose, you should exercise caution. It is more difficult for them to expel heat when they pant due to their narrower airways. Additionally, dogs who are old, overweight, or have breathing or cardiac issues are more susceptible to heatstroke.
groom your animal. Remove any mats and tangles from your dog’s lengthy hair. They will stay cooler as a result. Before consulting your vet or a groomer, avoid shaving or trimming your pet’s coat. They may stay cool in the summer thanks to the extra fur that keeps them warm in the winter.
Go to the vet. Maintain his vaccinations, particularly during the summer. Heat promotes the propagation of the parvovirus. Additionally, because your dog spends more time outside, it is more probable that they will come into touch with an animal that is rabid. Fleas, which spread numerous diseases, and mosquitoes, which transmit heartworm, are most prevalent during the summer. Put them on regular medication to ward off these critters.
Watch for overheated warning indicators. Keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke in your dog because they can’t tell you when they’re sick.
