Even though most of us humans love the hot weather and prefer to spend time outside, our four-legged friends do not like the heat; they would prefer it to be cold and wet if anything.
It is crucial to know that leaving dogs in a hot car on their own is dangerous, but many people do not realise that walking your dog during the summer is also harmful to their health. Dogs are vulnerable to sunstroke, overheating, as well as the risk of burning their paw pads on hot pavements and roads.
How to keep a dog cool in the summer months
We need to make sure that our pets and dogs are getting enough fluids to stay happy, healthy, and hydrated.
We dog owners are being urged by veterinarians and animal welfare groups to be aware of the early signs of heat-related illness and what to do if we discover them.
The effects of heat on dogs can range from organ failure to brain damage, even death. No responsible dog owner wants to witness their beloved pet suffer.
Like us humans, dogs also need time to get used to the warmer weather and adjust themselves gradually over a period of weeks, especially if the weather suddenly changes from cold to
extremely hot. Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat and find it hard to cool down. By employing cooling strategies such as frozen dog treats, dog cooling mats, wet towels, cool coats, and access to plenty of fresh water, we can help our furry friends beat the heat and even a paddling pool can help.
There are even cooling toys that you can buy, like dog cooling bones, cooling neck wraps or our favourite is the Dog water fountain which helps to keep your dog cool all summer long.
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Remember, have fun in the sun with your dog, but always keep plenty of fresh cool water around in water bowls. This innovative water bowl keeps your water cooler for longer and is well worth checking out.
You should also look after your dog’s paws all year round and apply dog paw cream and Pet safe sunscreen on exposed parts of your dog’s skin. My favourite is the 'Chill Out Water Fountain'.
If you still want to exercise your dog in the hot months, plan ahead. Do your walks early in the morning when it’s cooler and instead of taking your dog for a walk when you get home from work, have your tea earlier and take the dog for a walk later on in the evening. You will be surprised at just how pleasant and enjoyable walking is, not only for you but for your dog too. Avoid over-exercising your dog, even at these times.
When going on any walk in the warmer months, always carry some fresh water with you and think about the route. This convenient all-in-one water bottle is great for these walks. Keep out of the sun, and walk in shaded areas, such as a wood walk, or a river walk where the dog can take a dip into the water. Be careful taking your dog for too long on the beach, and don’t let the dog drink lots of seawater, this can be bad for their health.
As you can imagine, all dog breeds are at risk, but different breeds of dogs are more susceptible than others. Flat-faced dogs that have narrow airways and dogs with respiratory diseases and/or cardiovascular diseases are always more likely to be affected by warm weather.
Watch out for these signs of heat-related illness:
· Less keen to play
· Behaviour changes, lying down more frequently and stumbling.
· Excessive panting, that doesn’t stop with rest
· Breathing difficulties, and look out for unusual noise or any blue/grey tinge to the gums or tongue.
If you see any of these signs, stop the activity immediately and move them into the shade. Lay the dog down in water or pour water over the body to cool them down. If you are concerned at all, contact your vet immediately.
So the message is for this summer, NEVER leave your dog in a hot car, because, ‘not long’ is too long, ad when it comes to walks, ‘if in doubt, don’t go out’. Use your common sense, and enjoy the summer months together.
And finally, you should always check your dog for TICKS after a walk especially if you walk near animals like sheep and dear or long grass. You can remove these very easily yourself with a Tick remover, which you can buy. And this useful video shows you how easy it is to remove them.
Update: 02.08.2023
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