Summer Hairdo? No, not for you.

It’s summer in San Francisco. While most people think it gets “hot” when the temperature hits 85 or 90 degrees, we know anything over 70 is too hot. But even with our moderate climate, there are pet parents who want to give their dogs a “summer haircut.” Well, in addition to the embarrassment your dog will feel about being completely shorn when they show up for doggie day care and the other dogs tease them, turns out there may be some health and safety reasons to avoid the summer cut.

furry dogAccording to the veterinarians at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, while the summer cut might make intuitive sense, it is a bad idea for several reasons:

  1. A dog’s hair insulates them from the heat. The hair/fur creates an air chamber that blocks heat conduction, keeping your dog cooler.
  2. Your dog’s hair/fur protects them from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and helps them avoid getting sun-burnt. It is easier for the UV rays to get to your dog’s skin when their hair is shorter. 
  3. A short haircut makes it more likely that your dog will dehydrate as longer hair/fur limits the loss of moisture through their skin.

So, as tempting as it may be to get a summer coif for your dog, think twice before asking the groomer to “go for it” and consider other options to keep your dog cool, comfortable and safe during the summer months.  We hear a Pet Camp Pupsicle might be just the thing!

Thanks for reading.


Source: “Your Dog,” Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, July 2020.
Pet Camp is proud to be the San Francisco Bay Area’s most award winning pet care facility.  With two San Francisco locations, we are offer doggie day care, over ngiht care for dogs and cats, bathing, training and pet transportation.   If you’re a San Francisco pet parent with questions about pet care, give us a call and chat with a counselor.  New campers get 50% off their 1st 3 days.

Want more stories like this? Sign Up for our Newsletter!