Dog days of Summer. How to beat the heat and stay safe
Another summer is upon us and before you blink the heat and humidity will be almost unbearable, Muggy days with air so thick breathing becomes a chore. Clothing sticking to clammy skin. Ice cubes disappear in seconds. Worried about your furry family member on these hot days? Well today I am going to discuss ways to beat the heat and stay safe.
1. SWIMMING
A favorite pastime of many dogs and humans alike is swimming. When the temperatures soar, head to the nearest dog friendly watering hole and take a dip. Be sure your dog knows how to swim and always supervise swim sessions. Watch for signs of dehydration and keep fresh water on hand. If your dog drinks too much water while swimming he could become water intoxicated. Water intoxication is a very serious condition that often leads to death. Signs to look for are lethargy, stumbling, vomiting, drooling, bloating, seizures, and difficulty breathing.
2. START DIGGING
Dogs love to dig. Digging is a natural dog behavior, so why not give them their own sandbox. Your dog will enjoy digging in the sand to find cooler ground and don’t be surprised to see your dog laying in the hole he just dug to keep cool. Dogs are smart like that. You might need to cover it when not in use so the neighborhood cat’s won’t leave gifts of kitty nuggets for little Fido to feast on.
3. SHADE
Offer areas of shade in the backyard. Too long in direct sun can cause heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Planting trees will offer shade as will canopy tents, umbrellas and awnings. Simply adding shade and a big bowl of ice water can make the air feel 10 degrees cooler. Never leave your dog outside for more than a few minutes when the temperature starts climbing even with lots of shade covering. Dog houses do not count as shade and should be avoided in high heat and humidity because air cannot circulate in them.
4. FREEZE THE TREATS
Frozen treats will not only delight your dog but will help keep them cool too. Frozen treats are simple to make, just toss some dog friendly fruit like strawberries and bananas into a blender. Add the fruit slush to a mold or ice cube tray and freeze for at least 3 hours. You can get fancy and add plain nonfat yogurt to the bottom of the molds. You can also freeze bananas then blend them in a blender until the consistency of ice cream, add dog friendly peanut butter and blend until well mixed. Place in small paper cups and freeze. Your dog will love these treats and you might too after all they are human friendly.
5. WALKS AND HIKES
Exercise is great for dogs, but not so great in the throngs of summer. When you must go for walks or hikes, plan to do so in the early morning or late evening when the sun is lower in the sky and the pavement is cooler. Touch the pavement with your bare foot or back of your hand, hold it there for 7 seconds, if you can’t do that then it's too hot for your dog. Walking on grass or soil is a better option. If walking on pavement is unavoidable than have your dog wear socks or booties. This may seem silly at first, but it could protect your dog's pads from painful burns. Bring plenty of fresh water and wet towels to wipe down your dog, especially his paw pads. When the temps start to get in the high 80s and beyond it may be wiser to skip the walks and stay inside playing enrichment games.
6. GROOMING
Regular grooming will benefit by helping them feel cooler. Dogs with heavier coats will need daily brushing. Depending on your dog's breed and coat, a summer trim can keep them cooler in the heat. However, if you have a double coated dog, the longer fur is designed to keep them cooler in summer and warmer in winter, prevent sunburn and protect against bug and insect bites. Shaving or cutting this type of fur can also lead to sunburn and skin issues. If you must shave this type of fur; first consult your vet and or a professional groomer and be sure to protect their skin with pet friendly sunscreen or doggy clothing.
7. KNOW YOUR DOG
Some dogs struggle with hot humid weather more than other dogs or breeds, especially Brachycephalic or flat faced dogs such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, or Pekingese. These dogs have shorter muzzles which causes restricted air flow in and out of their mouths. They struggle to exchange hot air for cold air, causing them to overheat. These breeds of dog really need to stay indoors during the peak heat of those long summer days. There are breeds that are more hot weather tolerant like Chihuahuas, Great Danes, Greyhounds, and the Ibizan Hound, however caution still must be taken to avoid heat strokes.
Let's face it, you love going places with your dog. I don’t blame you, I do too. He’s your pal, your companion and he probably loves going everywhere with you too, but there are times your dog is safer at home and if you're honest with yourself, more comfortable too. It’s nice walking around downtown or at some outdoor event with your dog at your side, but it may not be nice for your dog. It’s summer, it's hot, there's people everywhere and some of those people will try to interact with your dog. Your dog is panting, he’s hot, he’s getting grumpy, a face is shoved in your dog’s face and you know what may happen even if you think your dog wouldn’t do that. Be responsible and know when to leave your dog at home.
I shih tzu not, it’s summertime….
Written by Louisa Redman