Heat affects us all, the difference is that humans can do something about the extra heat and dogs are left to depend on human care. There are several different things you need to consider when the temperature begins to increase. The summer months are going to be the hottest for a dog, whether they are inside or out in the backyard. Remember taking care of your dog is extremely important at all times of the year, but especially when the temperature begins to rise.
When you leave for work for the day follow a checklist. If the dog is going to be left out of doors you need to make sure they have a constant water source. Just having a food dish or two full of water is not going to help them keep cool. You may want to have a fountain in the yard that you turn on. This way the dog can get a constant stream of cool water running through the fountain. Also if it is large enough they can take a little dip and cool their entire bodies down with a little water.
If your dog is going to be outside you will need to make sure that a proper amount of shade is available. You may have a doghouse or you can have a shaded tree area that the dog will be comfortable lying in. Wherever the area is you need to make sure it will be shaded the entire day or that they can find shade the entire day. You dog is not going to be comfortable if the sun is beating down on their thick coat all day.
When you leave your dog inside during the day you may feel that since no one is home you can turn down the air conditioning if you have one. If you don't you may feel secure only when the windows are locked. Keep in mind the dog needs air and to be kept cool. You do not want to turn down the air conditioner too much. You should keep the house around seventy to seventy- five degrees Fahrenheit during the day when you have a dog at home. If you do not have an air condition for dog care you will need to leave a window open. During the summer heat a house can get extremely hot when the blinds are open, and the windows are closed. Even if you have the blinds closed the home can get above eighty degrees Fahrenheit making it really uncomfortable. Again inside a home a dog will need to have a source of water. You may feel a large bowl of water is enough, but having a toilet left open can help just in case they run out of water.
Another point for dog care when it gets hot is making sure to keep your dog groomed. You can ask the person grooming your dog to keep the hair short during the summer. Your dogs will also shed a lot of hair so keeping them bathed at least once a month and brushing them out can get that excess hair off their bodies.
When walking your dog in the summer heat you should have a source of water with you. You may feel that a quarter mile walk or less is not going to require some form of refreshment, but your dog is going to differ. They need to have a source of water, whether you carry it with you or you stop off at a creek. You will definitely need water for longer treks.
A source of problems has always been leaving a dog in a car while you are running your errands. While your dog needs the company the heat in the car can be so extreme even with the windows cracked that they can suffer. If you must bring your dog along see if you can't leave them outside the store, or at least leave water in the car.
For example, at temperatures of 40, 50, 60 or even 70 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on humidity levels) leaving your dog in the car can turn into a fatality. Dog heat stroke happens fast. Many places have laws about leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle and the places that don't, should.
Think about it! If it's 70 degrees, humidity is low but all the car windows are rolled up with a 1-3" opening, the car is in the direct sun, or even the shade, and you're leaving your dog in the car for more than 10 minutes, could this be a problem?
Maybe it's 80 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit and you leave your dog in the car. Take the moment and ask yourself, is this safe? Ask yourself if you would be safe left in the conditions you plan to leave your dog in. Would a baby be safe? If your answer is no, then your dog won't be safe either.
Would a police officer, animal control officer, or veterinarian scold you or possibly ticket you for leaving your dog? If the answer is yes, then don't do it. If you have any doubt about your dog's safety, listen to that and act accordingly.
In the spring & summer months, dog heat exhaustion & heat stroke is the main focus. Believe me, watching a dog succumb due to heat exhaustion/stroke is heart breaking. They refuse water and food, are lethargic, breath rapidly, can't get up, are disoriented, vomit continually, have uncontrollable diarrhea and slowly die.
To protect your dog from heat exhaustion/heat stroke, read the following::
*Don't leave your dog in the car unless you plan to leave the air conditioner running.
*Don't let your dog run and play in the middle of the day. Take your pooch our in the early morning or at night when it's cooler.
*Keep in mind if you live in a highly humid/tropical climate the actual heat index is 10-15 degrees higher than what the temperature gauge states. Exercise your dog when humidity is very low.
*Take stock if your dog has dark colored fur. They will get hot faster (black absorbs heat where white repels it).
*Be especially careful with short snouted dogs like pugs, bulldogs, mastiffs and shih tzu's. These breeds overheat much faster and are highly susceptible to dog heat stroke.
*Provide shade for your dog. Buy a tarp or a sheet from the thrift store and put it up if necessary. It's a lot cheaper than a vet bill.
*Always have fresh, clean water available for your dog. Dogs need hydration. Have a large plastic dish (metal gets hot) & leave your garden hose slightly running into the dish. A vet bill can be much higher than a water bill.
*An ice cold beer is not the answer for your dog on a hot summer day!! Alcohol is poison for your dog. Give your dog lots of cold, clean water. Some dogs like ice cubes. Give it to them.
*Please don't tether your dog outside when it's hot. Dogs easily get the tether wrapped around various objects and end up in the sun. This is a recipe for dog heat stroke.
*Remember your dog doesn't wear shoes and asphalt, concrete, etc. get very hot in the summer sun. Burnt puppy pads are very painful and can become a serious infection issue quickly. Imagine yourself walking barefoot on asphalt in the summer. I did that a few times when I was young; what a mistake. Ouch! Walk your dog when it's cooler outside and preferably in shaded areas.
*When you're out and about with your dog, don't let your dog drink from stagnant water sources. These often have bacteria and mold that will make your dog very sick. Vomiting dog is horrible.
*Never, ever leave your dog unsupervised around a swimming pool. They can easily drown. If you have a pool, train your dog where the stairs are located so they know how to get out. Just like children, keep an eye on your dog, at all times, when they're in the pool area.
If any of the following occur, immediately call your veterinarian or animal emergency hospital:
*Rapid breathing with an increased heart rate.
*Your dog has discolored gums--Dogs with heat stroke have dull gray or pink gums instead of the normal red-pink color.
*Your dog is disoriented--they are unaware of their environment.
*Your dog isn't listening or obeying commands, seems lost or scared.
*Your dog has a wild or panicked expression.
If you suspect your dog may have heat stroke, first call your veterinarian or animal emergency center. Secondly, to help bring your dogs temperature down do the following:
*Gently place a cool wash cloth on the unhaired belly area. Keep rinsing the cloth with fresh cool water and applying until your dog is calmer (this should only take about 5 minutes).
Nothing in this article is a substitute for getting your dog to the veterinarian or animal emergency hospital. Get your dog checked out if you have any doubts.
With the temperatures rising all over, be aware & make adjustments when necessary to take the very best care of your dog. If you have questions or concerns, talk with your veterinarian or veterinary technician. It could save your canine family member's life.
Both Gerry Ronson & Debra Rae are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gerry Ronson has sinced written about articles on various topics from German Shepherd Dogs, Hoodia and Programming. Gerry Ronson - , . Gerry Ronson's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Debra Rae has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets. Miss Debra Rae has been around animals her entire life. For years she ran a veterinary clinic and an animal emergency center. She continues to research and write about dogs who are indeed man's best friend. Visit Miss Rae's website by. Debra Rae's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.