Content
- Why after the grooming my dog was weird?
- Behavior change after dog grooming
- Could strange dog after grooming and scratching be an allergy?
- Irritation after clipping
- Allergy after shaving
- My dog came back strange from the pet shop, what to do?
- I groomed my dog and he was sad
- How to avoid 'post-grooming depression'
- Allergy to hygienic grooming
When summer arrives, many people prepare to groom their dogs to avoid getting too hot. This is super common in tropical countries like Brazil, where temperatures are really high during this season. However, some tutors are surprised and unavoidably worried when they notice their dog sad after he cuts his coat. That's when the questions appear: “Why after the grooming my dog was weird?” or “Why did I shave my dog and he was sad?”
As a first reaction, many people are suspicious of the pet shop and the skill of the professional who cut the dog's fur. Although it is really essential to take our dogs to reliable establishments that comply with hygiene and safety standards, the cause of this post-shear sadness is not always related to the pet shop and often concerns the personality, the organism or its own characteristics. of each dog.
In this post by PeritoAnimal, we will explain in a simple and quick way the main causes that answer the question: ’my dog came back strange from the pet shop, what can it be?’. We'll also give you some tips to prevent this from happening without jeopardizing your best friend's good hygiene and coat maintenance. Don't miss it!
Why after the grooming my dog was weird?
One super important thing you need to consider is that not all dogs need to be groomed. The canine metabolism itself is prepared to adapt the coat to climatic and environmental variations in different seasons. Precisely for this reason, dogs experience at least one or two hair changes during the year, in which they tend to lose a lot of hair and need to be brushed more frequently.
In autumn and winter, some dogs are extremely sensitive to low temperatures (especially small and short-haired ones) and can feel very cold if they are shaved. A dog shivering after shaving may be cold, but it may also be frightened by this sudden change in its coat, especially if it has been shorn for the first time.
In addition, in no case is it recommended to “peel” or cut with “machine 0” in dogs, as the coat fulfills several essential functions for the animal's health and well-being. Your dog's fur not only protects him from the cold and weather adversities, but also prevents his skin from suffering sunburn, scratches and bruises during walks, and from coming into contact with impurities and microorganisms that can cause allergic processes, canine dermatitis and other skin problems in dogs.
Behavior change after dog grooming
So it's completely normal and understandable for a puppy to feel awkward without its usual coat. In addition to actually seeing yourself and seeing yourself differently, the dog usually feels more exposed, fragile and/or vulnerable without the hair that protects it. As a matter of fact, your skin, your reproductive organs, your eyes and your mucous membranes will really be more exposed after the grooming. And the more radical the haircut, the more vulnerable and strange a puppy can feel.
So, as a tutor, it is essential that you know your puppy's coat a little better before deciding if, how and when to shave him. It will also help you to use the right products to bath, dry and style your best friend's hair. Seeing a veterinarian is a great idea, but we've also prepared an article to help you get to know the different coat types of dogs and how to care for each one.
Could strange dog after grooming and scratching be an allergy?
In addition to 'after shaving my dog got weird', another relatively common complaint among tutors is that their dog scratches itself after shaving and shows reddened skin. Depending on the type of grooming performed, it is possible that there is a slight irritation on the dogs' skin, especially if we are talking about a “0 grooming” (another reason not to “skin” your best friend in the summer). This strange and uncomfortable feeling can also negatively impact in dog behavior, making you look more sad or discouraged, prefer to be alone and calm and/or not be so predisposed to play, walk and learn as usual.
Irritation after clipping
In most cases, both redness after clipping how the behavior changes should pass quickly, the next day or about 2 days after the grooming. But if you notice that your dog comes back from the pet store intensely scratching, with irritated and/or dry skin (with or without red spots) and these symptoms persist for more than 3 days, it is best to consult a veterinarian to identify the cause of this symptomatology.
Allergy after shaving
One of the possibilities is that your dog is allergic to the blades of the machine used to cut the hair, especially if they are not coated with hypoallergenic materials, such as titanium or stainless steel. It is also possible that your puppy is allergic to any product used in the pet store, but not necessarily in grooming. From hygiene products at bath time, to cleaning products used to clean the floor, for example.
In both cases, the ideal is to take the dog to the veterinary clinic for allergy tests, physical examination and other procedures that will help the veterinarian identify why after the grooming your dog became strange.
My dog came back strange from the pet shop, what to do?
After the grooming my dog was weird, how to deal? At first, the only thing you can do if after clipping your dog came back strange is to watch it carefully for 1 or 2 days to see if the changes in behavior after dog clipping are disappearing and your puppy returns to behave normally, or continue to show different or undesirable behavior. If there are other symptoms, such as redness or blemishes on the skin, it will also be essential to follow the evolution. It is also worth calling the pet store and checking how the dog behaved during the bath and grooming, if it had any problems or experienced any uncomfortable or unconventional situation.
I groomed my dog and he was sad
During those first few days after grooming, especially if it's the first time your puppy has been to the pet store to cut its fur, you will need respect your best friend's space. Chances are, he'll feel different without the fur and just need some time to get used to it again and get back to being your most faithful and joyful companion. But until that happens, allow him to be comfortable and don't force him to interact or do activities that don't seem to be of interest to him.
This is a great lesson for all of us, dog lovers and tutors: learn to respect that our dog is an individual with his own personality, who also experiences mood swings and need to take his time to adapt to a new reality, be it a small haircut or a big move.
But as we said before, if the symptoms don't go away or you notice that your dog's character has changed, don't hesitate to consult a veterinarian who specializes in ethology or canine psychology who will help you better understand your dog's behavior and understand what you are doing. can do to help you feel better.
How to avoid 'post-grooming depression'
First, consult a veterinarian and make sure grooming is really necessary. If so, confirm how often it should be done and what type of cut is most appropriate for your dog. In addition, we recommend you to avoid "peeling" your dog during the summer, because, contrary to what it may seem, this will leave him more exposed to the sun's rays, which can cause burns and, in more serious cases, a heat stroke.
If your dog's coat really requires periodic grooming, whether complete or hygienic, the ideal is to get him used as a puppy to this type of handling and care. Obviously, this doesn't mean you need to start trimming your dog's fur in the first few months of life. Simply get him used to living with peace of mind these moments of care and hygiene, such as nail clippings, baths, grooming, ear cleaning, toothbrushing, etc. In a positive environment and with the help of positive reinforcement, you will be able to make your puppy assimilate these procedures as a time for petting and relaxation.
Allergy to hygienic grooming
It will also be essential to find out if your dog has any type of allergy. In case you suspect that the blades can irritate your best friend's skin, the ideal is to ask the pet store that the clipping is done only with scissors, or perhaps prefer to cut your dog's hair at home.
Also, remember that brushing is essential to keep your dog's coat clean and beautiful, also preventing excessive hair loss. Here at Animal Expert, we have prepared some tips to correctly comb your best friend's coat and your dog's skin well hydrated to avoid irritation, sores and dryness.
Do you notice your dog sad or after the shave your dog turned tinny and you suspect it's depression? This video on the PeritoAnimal channel can help you: