Take a moment and think what it must be like to wear a fur coat during the hot summer months. Does the sweat begin to bead across your brow? Your dog has no choice in the matter. He or she can’t leave their coat behind for the day. Dogs have to deal with what Mother Nature throws at them.
Hot weather can have detrimental effects on your dog’s health. Dogs overheat faster than humans do because they have very few sweat glands, forcing them to cool their bodies by panting. If your body is cool, it does not mean that Fido is cool and comfortable. He could be overheating even while you think there is a slight chill in the air.
There are some things you can do to keep your dog comfortable in hot weather. Exercise is an important part of a dog’s daily life. If you walk with your dog, schedule your strolls for the coolest parts of the day or evening.
Some breeds are more susceptible to suffering in hot weather. Dogs such as bulldogs and boxers that are brachycephalic or short-faced have a tougher time dealing with heat because they cannot pant as effectively to rid their bodies of heat.
Some experts advocate cutting the dog’s hair as a means of helping they stay cool. Others argue that the longer hair actually shades their bodies from the beating sun. It is probably best to discuss this with the dog’s veterinarian, who can make a recommendation based on his knowledge of the dog’s breed and health.
If you do decide to cut Fido’s hair, leave at least an inch of hair. The dog can become sunburned if the hair is cut too short.
Dogs who spend a good bit of time outdoors in hot weather will benefit from applications of sunscreen to protect their skin from the burning rays. Do not use human products. Most pet stores stock a variety of sunscreen products that are manufactured for canine use. Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before taking the dog outdoors.
It is important to protect a dog’s paws from the hot pavement, sand or cement. Be considerate and keep moving when you are walking on hot surfaces. If you stop and make the dog stand still, he or she can end up with badly burned paws. The best thing you can do is avoid the hot surfaces and walk the dog on grass.
However, never allow your dog to walk on grass that has been chemically treated until at least 24 hours have passed. It is important to keep your dog away from toxic plants that could cause sickness or even death if ingested.
It is important to keep dogs hydrated during hot weather. If you go for a walk, carry some cold water with you. You can get collapsible bowls at your local pet store. These can be used and folded up and put in a pocket. At home, make sure there is water available indoors and outdoors. Keep the water cool by placing some ice cubes in the bowl.
If your dog spends any amount of time outdoors in hot weather, make sure he or she has a shady spot in which they can rest. Doghouses tend to trap heat, so unless you have an air-conditioned one, Fido is better off resting under the shade of a tree.
Another option is to provide a doggie pool. This can be as simple and inexpensive as a child’s wading pool or as deluxe as one specially designed for canine use. Those made for canine use tend to be stronger and more durable.
It is important that your dog’s vaccinations are up to date. The reason for this is that dogs tend to stay outdoors longer in nice weather. Thus, they have a bigger risk of coming into contact with other animals that may carry diseases.
Dogs need to be protected from fleas, ticks and heartworms, which are transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Discuss prevention options with the dog’s vet.
If you like to take your dog to the beach, there are a few precautions that should be taken. Provide shade and plenty of cool, fresh water. Drinking salty, ocean or bay water can make a dog sick. Check with the lifeguard to make sure that conditions are safe for a swimming dog. Keep in mind that dogs are targets for jellyfish and sea lice. Beware of water currents and riptides. Rinse the salt and sand from the dog at the end of the beach session.
Not all dogs can swim, so use caution when introducing your dog to the water. Never throw a dog into the water. Let them acclimate to it at their own pace. Never leave a dog in the water unattended. Swimming is very tiring and dogs can drown if left unattended.
Travel in the heat of summer can take its toll on dogs. Some airlines refuse to fly pets during hot summer weather. If you plan to fly your dog, check with the airline to see what regulations apply.
If you travel with your dog in a crate, put frozen ice packs in the crate and cover them with a towel or blanket. Make sure the dog has fresh water to drink.
Never leave a dog in a vehicle with closed windows on a hot day. When the hot sun beats on the car, the temperature can climb to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes. Your dog can suffer a heat stroke in just minutes.
If you do take your dog with you in the heat of summer, install sunshades on the car windows.
It is not a good idea to depend on air conditioning and/or generator systems to keep a vehicle such as a motor home cool. These devices can malfunction. If your dog is in the vehicle when they do break down, your dog could die. If you have no other choice but to leave the air conditioner running for the dog, check it frequently and don’t close all of the windows.
Remember, heat stroke can be deadly in a very short period of time. Don’t put your dog in a position where this can happen.
Related posts:
- Help! My Dog Is in Heat and I Don’t Know What to Do
- Car Safety
- Pool Safety
- A Female Dog’s Heat Cycle
- Summer Safety Tips
