Keep Your Dog Away from Heat in Hot Summer
2008-07-30

During the hot summer weather, it is important to remember to keep your dog away from heat and to keep her/him cool. Sometimes it requires a few pet supplies. Why it's Necessary With summer comes heat, people usually cool off by going indoors, swimming, or drinking lots of fluid.

However if your pet is an outside dog they need some relief from the heat as well .Most animals know how to stay cool during the summer heat. Yet, pets suffer from the same hot weather problems humans do, like overheating, dehydration and sunburn.

Pets don’t have many sweat glands. What they do is pant. If you watch them they will find shade or a cool place, cut down on activity, and drinks lots of water during the heat of the day. What Can We Do to Help There are some simple precautions you can do to help you and your dog enjoy the summer months. Water Available You probably know that dogs pant to cool down and drink water to cool down. It is important to always have fresh, cool water available for your dog. Remember if you are on walk, in the house or in the yard make sure you have fresh, cool water for your dog.

When your dog is outdoor, you need to provide a large shaded area for him and he should be brought inside during the hottest hours of the day. Make certain he always has access to cool water, because the sun can quickly make water too hot to drink. You can use a product that simply attaches to your garden hose. Once attached, you turn on the tap and the bowl fills to the perfect drinking level. Another way to make sure your pet gets enough water is to put their bowls under a dripping faucet, since that may increase your water bill make sure the drip is slow but steady. Monitor Exercises Monitor the amount your pet runs or exercises during the hot days.

Heat exhaustion in dogs is caused by dehydration and overheating due to over-exercising during hot weather. Heatstroke can occur when your dog’s body temperature is too high for a prolonged period of time. Both heat exhaustion and heatstroke can cause illnesses like heart failure, brain and organ damage and even death. Interestingly, this is just like people, heat affects babies, the elderly and people with respiratory, cardiovascular and other health problems Cool the Crate If your pet is in a crate, turn the metal pan in the bottom of the crate over, and put ice packs under the tray, and towels on top. The ice packs will cool the towels above and provide a comfortable place for your dog to cool his body.

Pay close attention Signs of heatstroke can be one or more of the following: panting hard, staggering gait, dazed look, listlessness, restlessness, rapid heartbeat, dark red or purple gums and/or tongue and vomiting. If you think that your dog has a heat-induced illness, gradually lower his body temperature by moving him to a cool area, either to the shade or air conditioning. Then, apply cold packs to his head, neck or belly. You can immerse your pet in cool (not cold) water or give small amounts of cool water or ice cubes to lick — and then take him to the vet immediately. Other keys .Prepare your pet sunscreen for his or her nose and ear tips to escape sunburned. Pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears are particularly vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer. .

Protect your dog’s paws. Walk during early morning or evening hours and never just after a meal. Don’t take your dog to the beach unless you can guarantee a shaded spot. .Don‘t cut your pet’s hair. You may think it looks hot or is making them hot but it really is keeping them cool. .Always protect your pet near water.

People think all dogs can swim, this is not true! Many dogs cannot swim, if you take your pet to a lake or have a swimming pool, make sure you have a life jacket for her and that she wears it. .Never leave your pet alone in a car during hot weather, not even for a minute. .At the end of your walk be sure to rub his belly down with a cool wash cloth and offer him a drink Your dog is more than a pet. She is part of your family! Give her the hot weather attention she deserves so that both of you can have a great summer.