When Should You Trim Your Dog's Fur?

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 18 November, 2023

When spring hits, a lot of owners get ready to trim their dog’s fur. Others believe it’s better to wait for the summer. If you’ve ever wondered when will be the right time to trim your dog’s fur, then you can look at the following advice to clear up your doubts.

Do all dogs need to have their fur trimmed?

Many experts say that your dog’s fur trimming is unnecessary and even dangerous for some dog breeds. Fur is their best protection against outside threats, so by taking it away from them, you might be making them more vulnerable to disease and the heat.

Dogs with short fur don’t need to go to a groomer. Their fur protects them from the cold and the sun’s radiation, preventing sunburns and cancer.

One thing you can do is perfrom an annual trimming around their eyes, nose, paws, and genitals, to maintain their hygiene.

Dogs with long or thick fur might need a full trim done every year. It can be especially good for breeds with a lot of fur around their face and ears. 

These sensitive areas of their body accumulate moisture and are in constant contact with microorganisms. A trim can help prevent disease-carrying agents from getting into their body.

Brushing them is always necessary

All dogs need a weekly brushing done to get rid of dead fur and impurities. Of course, how often you should brush your dog depends on what their fur is like. Dogs with short fur should get brushed once or twice a week. However. dogs with long fur usually need at least four brushings a week.

Dogs that shed a lot need one brushing session a day–two during their shedding season. Also, it’s not just dogs with long fur dogs that shed a lot. For example, pugs have extremely short fur and they shed a ton of hair.

Fall and winter: the worst times to trim

Winter is absolutely not the time to get rid of your dog’s fur. This is the coldest part of the year and this is when they need their fur the most. It helps keep them warm and protects them against the snow and rain.

It’s not good to trim your dog’s fur during the fall, either, because it won’t grow back in time for the winter. Plus, this is when the temperature starts to drop, so obviously, your dog will need to have their natural coat for the winter.

Spring or summer: when should you trim your dog’s fur?

Is it best to trim your dog’s fur in the spring or summer? The classic answer is summer, but many owners have started doing it earlier for one specific reason: parasites.

Climate change is a worldwide reality and temperatures are rising more every year. The heat may be nice after winter, but high temperatures are also what helps many disease-carrying agents flourish. 

When the spring heat appears, so do ticks and other parasites and they begin to reproduce. They attack all kinds of dogs, but they prefer to make a home in thick fur because it gives them shade and protection. Plus, when your dog’s fur is really long it’s also harder to spot these kinds of parasites.

Nowadays, it’s recommended to trim your dog’s fur between the first and second month of spring. In other words, the best time is when you notice the temperatures start to rise, which means there’s a higher risk of parasites.

Advice on how to know when to trim your dog’s fur

• Check their body every day to see if there are any parasites. If you see any fleas or ticks, then you should take your dog straight to the vet in order to have them treated and ask the vet if it’s time for them to get their fur trimmed.
• See if the high temperatures are affecting your dog. Dogs tend to drink a lot of water and pant excessively when they’re hot. They sometimes lay down with their stomachs on the ground or sleep with their hind legs open while facing up. If you notice your dog acting this way then it’s probably best to trim their fur as soon as possible.
• Talk to your vet before you trim your dog’s fur. Some dogs are very sensitive to UV rays, and others get very cold. In both of those situations trimming their fur could be harmful. Your vet will tell you if trimming your dog’s fur is a good option or not.