Summer is a wonderful time of the year, except for the high air temperatures and stuffiness. Many people have a hard time tolerating the heat even in light clothing, while a person can choose his clothes, place of stay, drinking regimen, and a dog is dependent on the owner to take care of his comfort and health.
Symptoms of overheating
Animals do not sweat with their whole body like humans, they have small glands located on the paws between the pads. Therefore, in the heat, dogs breathe heavily with their tongues out of their mouths to avoid overheating. Otherwise, heat stroke is inevitable and often with severe consequences.
The first symptoms of heat stroke, sunstroke or overheating are: reddening of the gums and tongue; rapid breathing; temperature above 39 C’; drowsiness, lethargy; refusal to eat; reluctance to move – movement and gait may be confused and coordination impaired.
If heat stroke is suspected, move the dog into the shade, soak its coat in cold water (you can wrap a towel with very cold water or rinse the whole body with cool but not ice-cold water) and then contact your veterinarian.
Basic tips to prevent overheating
Tip 1
It is important to move your walks with your Pet to the morning and late evening: the air is cooler at this time. Avoid walking on hot asphalt and sand as they burn the paws and for small dogs this is an additional source of heat. There are special wax creams on the market that protect dogs’ paws from hot surfaces.
Tip 2
Ensure your dog has access to clean water at all times. Make sure the water bowl is always full. But don’t throw ice in the water bowl, as floating cubes can scare your dog into approaching the bowl. And access to water during a heat wave, the animal just needs it. It will be advisable to increase the number of water sources by placing water bowls around the apartment or house.
Tip 3
Another way to freshen up – cooling toys. Usually they are hollow inside – pour water into them and freeze them. There are also so-called “congas” – hollow toys in the shape of a light bulb. You can put pate or cheese inside and freeze it. The pet will lick the goodies for a long time and at the same time will be cooled. The most important thing is to make sure that the animal does not begin to chew on such toys, so as not to hurt the gums and teeth.
Tip 4
Do not play and exercise in the sun – this threatens heat stroke. The dog should definitely rest in the shade, lie down, breathe. Try not to get into direct sunlight at all, but even in the forest among the trees in hot weather is quite stuffy.
Tip 5
If there is a body of water nearby where it is safe, it is good for the dog to swim. It is important to observe that the Pet does not jump into the lake or river. First, let him just walk in the water, get his feet wet, cool down, and then he can dive in and swim.
Tip 6
Never leave your Pet in a car or stuffy room, even with the car windows open, left in the sun, because the interior of the car heats up very quickly. Temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees, and this is deadly for the pet.
Tip 7
The room where the dog is located should be well ventilated, and the windows open, it is also appropriate to include fans or air conditioners, because dogs need cool fresh air. There are special mats with a gel layer in pet stores. If you wet them with cold water, they will hold the cold temperature well. Alternatively, a simple damp towel can be used.
Tip 8
Comb your Pet’s hair out more often. Removing the old undercoat will help the dog to cool down. Remember that shaving your Pet is strictly forbidden: it leads to heat transfer problems! Some breeds, such as Poodles, Spaniels, Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzu, and Zwerschnauzers, can be shaved because they do not shed and have no undercoat.
Tip 9
If, despite the hot weather, you and your pet need to go outside, take a bottle of cool water and a drinker with you. Every 100 or 200 meters, stop and offer your dog a drink of water. If the dog refuses, wipe the dog’s nose and lips with a well-moistened hand. Larger dogs can have some water poured into their mouths. Even if most of the liquid is spilled, a small amount of water will still be swallowed. Then, with a hand dipped in water or a wet cloth napkin, wipe the inside of the dog’s ears and belly. These areas usually have little hair and blood vessels close to the skin.
Dogs that have the hardest time with the heat
– Older dogs because they have impaired heat exchange and heart, vascular, and joint problems.
– Overweight dogs, where excess fat creates a heat cushion that interferes with muscle cooling.
– Brachycephals (pugs, Pekingese) – dogs with a large head, shortened muzzle and flattened nose. They have difficulty breathing because of their anatomy.
– Dogs with massive and loose bones. The skin is usually creased and the muzzle is short, such as the Mastiff.
– Dogs that are too shaggy or do not fade in time.
– Shaggy black dogs, as the color causes them to overheat in the sun.
– Dark smooth-haired dogs, because the coat itself is not enough to form a good air cushion.
– Puppies under 5 months old, whose bodies do not yet know how to fight the heat.
– Young dogs, because their thermoregulation is not fully developed.
– Northern breeds that are used to fighting the cold but not the heat. Or if the dog has lived in the north, then moved south.
Learning the rules and recommendations on how to behave as a dog owner in the hot summer, you can keep your Pet healthy, ensure the well-being and joyful mood of the Pet. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to the comfort of your four-legged friend!
