Dog Grooming Advice For The Summer Swelter

By Kendra Bobowick

Looks, especially long fur, can be deceiving in the summer’s heat says Grooming Finalist LLC owner Teresa Papalia. Ms Papalia, a professional dog groomer, frequently consults with two- and four-footed clients to ensure dogs and their humans get through summer’s dog days without too much dog daze.

“A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that a dog needs to be shaved, but that’s not true; that’s how they cool down,” she said. Pets need their fur, Ms Papalia explained.

And when it comes to walking around in a fur coat when its 95 degrees, cool is the key to a pet’s happiness when the haze of humidity and temperatures rise.

 “Their coat is an insulator that protects in the cold and heat,” she said. “It’s how they keep warm in winter and cool in the summer.”

In her five years in business, Ms Papalia, an award-winning groomer who recently relocated from the “mall” at Sand Hill Plaza to a standalone salon at 105 South Main Street, has seen many mistaken attempts to cool off a dog.

“I see a lot of dogs — even golden retrievers — shaved because the owner thinks that is cooling them down, but it doesn’t.” In fact, dogs do not sweat like people, but pant and release heat through their mouths, she explained. “They need their coat for protection.”

Not all dogs are meant for shaving.

“Retrievers and German shepherds need their coats,” she said. Fur removal is not necessarily dangerous, however, as long as the coat is not too short.

The fur’s length is not the problem that can lead to overheating Ms Papalia said.

“It’s not the length of the coat, but the undercoat. That needs to come out,” she said. Excessive undercoating “gets hot.” Shedding is the key.

 “All dogs shed but there is the kind of fur that falls out all over, and then there is undercoating,” Ms Papalia explained.

Unlike dogs with straight and longer fur like a golden retriever, for example, other breeds, such as poodles, bichons, Yorkies, and Shih Tzus have shedding undercoating that catches in the fur and prevents it from falling out.

“It turns into matting and needs to be combed out,” she said. Professional grooming provides the best tools and methods of cleaning out the undercoat, she said.

Regular brushing is good for any dog, whether or not its shedding fur needs attention.

“Long or short hair, it’s the same concept,” Ms Papalia said. “The brushing releases oils from the follicles and releases healthy oils. Weekly brushing is a good idea.”

Shorter summer grooms are also healthy for dogs that enjoy outdoor activities, including swimming, “but not too short,” she said.

She warns of signs of heat exhaustion including lethargy and collapse. “Get them in cool water,” she advised. A regular source of fresh drinking water should also be available.

The ideal time to take exercise a pet during the hot summer months is early morning or evening, said Ms Papalia. “Those are the best times, otherwise with the humidity they can’t last that long,” she said.

Hot weather hints and pet safety can be found at aspca.org. The site offers tips including the following:

éA visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer checkup is a must.

éNever leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace.

éAlways carry a gallon-sized insulated container filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.

éA day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.

éProvide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.

éWhen walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Also, be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.

éMake sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.

(Teresa Papalia can be contacted at Grooming Finalists, LLC, 105 South Main Street; 426-0022..)