Can You Shave a Pug?

Pugs have a real hard time during the summers. I know you feel like I can lease my pug a new life by shaving its fur coat. Well, you shouldn’t. Do not shave your pug in any circumstance. It’s a part of its body that protects it from every skin problem known for a pug. We will delve into it much deeper here about this topic. A fur coat protects your little pug from a myriad of skin problems. It includes bug bites, dust allergies and even acts as a protective overlay against UV radiation. 

Photo Credit: YouTube

Can You Shave Your Pug?

Well to be frank, without a doubt no. You should not be shaving your pug under any circumstance until and unless there is a medical emergency. That too is rare. A fur coat has many functions in a pug’s body. Shaving it would mean devoiding a pug of all the health benefits. Before shaving, you have to know about the reasons underlying why your pug has a double-layered coat in the first place.

What Do You Need to Know Before Shaving Your Pug?

A pug’s coat has different functions as per different seasons. A pug’s coat usually acts as an insulator in winter to keep them warm. And a passage for airways to pass to keep them cool in the summer. Pugs generally have both single layer and double layer coats. Generally, the coat acts as a protector from harmful UV rays. Both inner and outer coats have various functions. The outer fur is responsible for repelling water while the inner coat keeps your pug warm. 

Understanding about Dog’s Undercoat

As far as the dog’s undercoat is concerned, the upper hairs are lighter. The upper part of hairs acts as a water repeller while the lower hairs regulate temperature. Brachycephalic dogs however require special care as far as their coats are concerned. 

Why Should You Not Shave Your Pug?

Pugs depend a lot on their hair. They carry out many bodily functions because of it. Even if a pug remains indoors it depends a lot on their hairs. It provides them safety from many diseases, allergies and infections and even from UV rays. Let’s find out some reasons why shaving does not sound like a good idea for a pug.

More sunburns and prone to skin cancer

If you shave your pug there is a chance it can get skin cancer and sunburns. As humans aren’t we advised that too much sunlight can make us prone to skin problems? Well, it’s the same for pugs as well. If pugs spend too much time under the sun they can have several skin-related issues like sunburn or even skin lesions.

Stunted hair regrowth

Many people might think that shaving off your pug’s hair will regrow it. Well, it’s a myth, and it may take a lot of time for your pug to grow its hair. And there is no guarantee that it would grow normally. The topcoat will grow faster leaving your pug from not being warm on the inside. They can catch colds due to this. 

If you want to regrow your pug’s hair there are chances that the new fur will be thin, fluffy, scattered and patchy. However, shaving a pug’s undercoat can threaten its insulation capacities. It can produce a thick undercoat that will retain all forms of soil, sediments, dust particles. And more so it can retain water which will make your pug suffer cold. And, there is a chance of irritation from summers as the thick undercoat will heat itself. If the hair is coarse on the inside, there won’t be sufficient airflow to keep your pug warm in the summers.

Doesn’t cool your pug in summers

The other common misconception people have is that shedding a pug will cool down their pug while the reality is very different. People should know that pugs have the discharge cycles that they follow. They discharge hair especially the bottom coarse hair in summers to let the airflow enter. Regardless, even if they do not shed there is no reason to shave the hair. As the shedding can lead to more problems related to allergies and infections. 

Doesn’t help with shedding nor with allergies

People want to control the problem of shedding in pugs. Well, there is no good news for them. You cannot control your pug’s shedding. The small coarse hairs will stick to your furniture, table, chair etc. Shaving is not a good step rather grooming is. Make sure you are grooming your dog more often and taking care of them. It’s the same for allergies. The problems of dander do not get controlled through shedding. Dander can be a strong irritant in these cases.

How to Treat Dander Problems for a Pug?

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Do Pugs Shed?

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Many are still not accustomed to the question. Do pugs shed well? The short answer is yes they do. Pugs are a heavy shedding breed though they are not hypoallergenic. Pugs generally have both single layers and double-layered coats. Black pugs majorly have single coats but in minute numbers black pugs with double coats exist. Pugs shed hair year-round. Though shedding can aggravate in autumn and spring mainly because of temperature change.

Photo Credit: Reddit

Why Do Pugs Shed?

Some factors that can cause a pug to shed:

• Double coat pugs will shed more than single coat ones
• Puppies will shed less. They will start shedding after 1 year of age.
• They shed for the entire year. But it can intensify in the spring and autumn period.
• After bathing and brushing, pugs tend to lose a lot of hair. Make sure they are out while you pick their hair.
• Heat cycles play an important role. Females who are not sprayed with water can shed a lot of hair.

Some quick pointers on how to not let your pug shed: 

• Brush your pug
• Stock up on brushes
• Feed healthy rich fats like omega-3
• Don’t shave your pug

Pug Facing Heat Burns in Summer: Alternatives to Keeping Pugs Cool

I get that you are extremely scared to see your pug going through a hard time in the summer. But, let’s face it there are millions of ways to keep your pug cool. Do not worry, you do not have to get a pair of clippers and clip your pug’s hairs. That won’t be necessary.

Give your pug bowlful of water to drink

Hydration is the key. Give your pooch some good freshwater to drink. Keep water with you especially if you see your pug panting, give him/her water. There are many portable water bowls that you can use to feed water when your pug is thirsty.

Do not leave your pooch in a parked car

This is with utmost caution to remember. Never in any circumstance leave your dog alone in a parked car. Even if the car windows are open, cars can be boiling on the inside in the parking lot. The best idea is to take them with you or keep them indoors. You might wanna keep track of how many pugs die due to keeping them in parked cars.

Calm your pug

If the season is warm and you know your pug can be a bit overexcited, make sure things are calm. Playing a lot can exhaust them and in no second they will pant heavily. Water breaks will help in this situation if they are constantly on the move.

Let them play in the water

Summers can be extremely stressful for your pug. And, in case your pug looks more playful make sure it has a good playtime in water. That way they are not much at risk of overheating. Let them splash in the river, spring and paddle pool. It’s a visual treat for you as well. You will see your pooch having the time of their life. 

Interiors are safe havens

Well, there is no denying that we have established this fact already. But interiors are safe places for pugs as there is no case of them being exhausted or overheated. Make sure when your pug is heavy on the temperature scale, he/she is indoors. Pugs should have access to their shelters if you are staying out for a substantial amount of time.

Brush your pug in and out

You need to take care of your pug’s undercoat. Brush their hair gently. Separate tangled or dried hair. Brushing can increase airflow in the skin of your pug. They will be cool and have better circulation after a good session. 

Final Words

It is advisable to not shave your pug under any circumstance until recommended by your vet. What you think will help can rather turn out to be a headache for our pooches. Hairs act a lot like natural safeguards to every skin-related problem. And, it is the opposite if we think correctly. Hairs help the pugs from getting cold and being overheated. So, our solution to the problem is creating the problem, not solving it. By cutting the double coats, we are not letting the air breeze flow. Nor the undercoat that keeps them warm in winters.