How To Protect Your Pups From The Heat This Summer
The dog days of summer are creeping up on us. The humid heat, the bright sun, the cicada sounds, I’m overheating just thinking about it. But when it’s that hot out, I can turn on my AC and get a drink of water. Our pets however, especially our dogs since they tend to be the pet spending the most time outside, can’t do those things for themselves. It’s up to us to keep them safe and comfortable when it’s scorching.
Keeping Your Dog Cool
There’s a few effective ways to keep your pet cool on a hot summer day. Limit your dog’s exercise when it’s very hot out. You don’t want them overexerting themselves in the heat. It’s also best to walk your dog either early in the morning or later in the evening on extremely hot days, as to avoid the hottest points of the day. And you should avoid walking them on asphalt, as it can burn their paws. If you wouldn’t want to walk around barefoot, then your dogs shouldn’t be walking around on it either.
If your dog is going to be spending any time outside, it’s best to be providing them with plenty of shade and cold water. Tree shade or a tarp set up is best. Doghouses don’t get enough airflow and could make your pet overheat faster. If the day is particularly hot, adding ice to their water is a good idea.
It’s also good to know that a fan isn’t necessarily best for keeping your pets cool. Dogs regulate their body temperature differently than people. We sweat all over and when the breeze of a fan hits that sweat, we feel cooler. According to the Humane Society of The United States, dogs sweat mostly through their paws, so that fan isn’t hitting their sweat. Dogs also pant to regulate heir body temperature, moisture from their lungs evaporate as they pant which cools them down. But when it’s very humid outside, this process can be interrupted and ultimately be dangerous for your pet. So keep an eye on the humidity levels before letting your pup run around freely in the yard all day.
Signs Of Heatstroke
There are a few behaviors your dog may display if they are having a heatstroke. Here’s what to look out for according to the Humane Society: “heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and unconsciousness.” If your dog is having these symptoms, move them to shade or an air conditioned area and pour cool (not cold) water over them. You should also take them to the vet as soon as possible.
And NEVER Leave Your Pet In A Hot Car
Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car on an 85 degree day can reach 102 in 10 minutes and 120 in half an hour. DON’T leave your dog in the car. And if you happen to see a car with an animal inside, the Humane Society has some great tips. If you can’t locate the owner of the vehicle, the best course of action is to call the non-emergency line of the local police station or animal control, they will give you further instructions.
We love our pets and we want to do right by them. Summer safety is a big part of that. If you don’t have a dog, please share this information with your friends and neighbors who do.
