I want to shave my dog's hair since its summer here and its really hot but I don't have the money to take her to a groomer. Can I use our clippers instead?
By connei from Houston, TX
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You should purchase a set of heavy duty hair clippers to be used on animals only. You will ruin your own hair clippers.
Yes, you can clip your own pet's hair with your clippers, but you will need to send the blade to a sharpener as it will dull the blade. If you have clippers, then invest in a couple of quality blades for backup. ( They will pay for themselves from the cost of a professional dog grooming service) While one is in the shop being sharpened, you have the other ready for use.
There's a spray product you can use while grooming your dog to help keep the blade cooled down so it doesn't get too hot against your dog's body. This makes a big difference in how well your pet will tolerate being groomed and give it frequent break time if you're working with a longer haired pet.
Here's a tip I'm going to share with you but haven't tried yet. I plan on buying one of those men's personal (cylindrical) grooming tools for my pet's inner ears that men use to cut nose & ear hair. It runs quietly and it may perform well on my dogs ears.
I give my dog a shorter haircut in summer, but please remember they can get a bad sunburn, too just like us. Good luck!
Be careful cutting your dogs hair with 'people' clippers. It really depends on the type of coat he has. I tried it years ago on my Australian Shepherd dog, but didn't think twice about his coat--they have a double coat with fine downy hairs near the skin, and long hairs out side.
I burned up the clippers trying to shave him, then tried just scissors, but then had to end up taking him to the groomers. For once a year, which I now do every year, it is $50.
Be careful cutting your dogs hair with 'people' clippers. It really depends on the type of coat he has. I tried it years ago on my Australian Shepherd dog, but didn't think twice abouthis coat--they have a double coat with fine downy hairs near the skin, and long hairs out side.
I burned up the clippers trying to shave him, then tried just scissors, but then had to end up taking him to the groomers. For once a year, which I now do every year, it is $50.
Be careful not to go too short and never clip against the way the hair grows, always with. As the others said, depending on the breed you may burn up your clippers.
I always thought the hair on an animal kept it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. I know in the Middle East they wear wool in the desert to keep cool.
Please find out from your veternarian before you do anything to your animal. Usually nature knows best.
Check out this link from the ASPCA:
aspcacommunity.ning.com/
You'll see a lot of questions just like yours; I think that Carol in PA's answer is probably the best here. A lot depends upon your year-round grooming habits with the dog.
If it's the type of dog that gets matted fur, you need to keep up on that especially in the summertime because a matted coat is a breeding ground for infections. Being outdoors more often in most areas during the summer makes a dog more susceptible to skin problems from an unkept coat.
But most dogs--like the breeds that "blow" coats--Shepherds, Labs, Belgian Malinois ( that's ours!) will dump the undercoat for the summer, helping them keep cooler "nature's way". The thinner outer coat protects against insects and sunburn.
I'd keep the dog just generally groomed normally and opt out of a short 'do.
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