Oh, the sun is out, and it feels so good! It’s a perfect day to take your dog to walk around the neighborhood or to a local park. Yet if you’re not careful, hot weather won’t feel as lovely for your dog as it does for you. Dogs don’t sweat like humans do, making them more susceptible to heatstroke than we are on hot summer days. So to help keep your best friend cool and safe, follow these tips:
Don’t Leave Your Dog Outside in the Heat.
In the summer, it’s important to make sure you don’t leave your dog in a hot car. Dogs have a lower body temperature than humans, so they’re less able to regulate their temperature in extreme heat. In addition, dogs can’t sweat or pant as people do; they need a cool place to rest and possibly even ice packs for their feet. If you see your dog panting excessively or lying down on the ground with its feet up (a sign of heat exhaustion), take them inside immediately!
Water is Essential to Life.
If you’ve noticed your dog panting a lot, it’s time to bring them some cool water. Dogs need water to survive and stay hydrated, just like humans do. However, they can get dehydrated if they don’t drink enough water or if they’re in a hot environment for too long. If your dog shows signs of dehydration (such as weakness or lethargy), try giving it some ice cubes or frozen vegetables to help it rehydrate faster.
You’ll want to keep an eye open for any signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke during the summer months because these are potentially fatal conditions if left untreated! If you are concerned about your pet’s health after being exposed to high temperatures for extended periods, consult a veterinarian immediately. Additionally, protecting your dog with reliable pet health insurance allows you to provide it with the best medical attention. This will relieve some vet-related expenses and allow you to focus on caring for your beloved friend.
Shelter from the Sun
Provide shade. If you can’t provide adequate shelter from the sun, find a shady spot in your house where the dog can retreat when it’s hot outside.
Keep the air conditioner on. Even if your dog doesn’t like being in the house with you, make sure it has access to cool air through an open window or by keeping an air conditioner on low all day long. It will help keep its body temperature down too!
Ensure there’s always clean water for them to drink—this is especially important for dogs who don’t have access to water outside since they’ll have fewer opportunities for hydration during hot weather months.
Take Care of the Paws.
You need to be careful of your dog’s paws. If they are not clean, dry, and trimmed, they can become sore, leading to other problems such as infections. The surface of their paws also needs protection from hot surfaces.
Dog-Friendly Sunscreen.
You can use a dog-friendly sunscreen on your dog to help protect him from the sun. If you’re wondering why you would need to do this, dogs don’t get sunburned as humans do. Their fur protects them from UV rays, and their skin is different from ours (think about how thick their coats are). Also, they are usually outside more often than we are, making them even more exposed to the sun’s harmful rays.
Dog-friendly sunscreen is made with zinc oxide instead of titanium dioxide or oxybenzone—the chemicals used in human sunscreens that can be toxic for pets if ingested in large quantities. Some brands out there claim their formulas will keep fleas away too! You can find a variety of sunscreens available in pet utility stores like PetCareRx, etc.
Signs Your Dog Needs to Cool Off.
If you see your dog panting heavily, drooling excessively, and vomiting, they may be overheated. If this is happening regularly, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. Other signs that your dog needs to cool down include:
- Diarrhea
- Lack of coordination or confusion
- Dizziness/staggering
- Loss of consciousness
What Causes Heatstroke in Dogs?
Several factors can lead to heatstroke in dogs, including the following:
- Excessive exercise
- Being overweight
- Older age (over seven years)
- Poorly ventilated kennel or crate
- Being left in a car on hot days
Symptoms of Heatstroke in Dogs.
A dog with heatstroke is suffering from a lack of oxygen and will exhibit the following symptoms:
- Weakness.
- Trouble breathing.
- Vomiting.
- Staggering, falling over, or collapsing on the ground (or floor).
- Panting heavily without any relief from the Heat.
Get your dog to shade or cool water right away if you see these signs!
How to Treat a Dog for Heatstroke?
If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, you should help him get cool as soon as possible. You can do this by taking off his collar and harness or any other heavy item that feels like it’s restricting his movements. Then, stand him up in the fan’s air stream or move him to a cooler place if possible. If you have access to tap water without chlorination, you can use that to cool down your dog by spraying him with it until he stops panting and seems more comfortable.
If your dog has been overexposed to heat for so long that he has developed severe symptoms, such as vomiting from dehydration or pale gums due to lack of blood flow through the body (shock), get veterinary attention immediately! Heatstroke is extremely dangerous for dogs and sometimes fatal if left untreated for too long.
Hot Weather can be Dangerous for Dogs!
Your dog has a few ways of regulating his body temperature, but they’re not as efficient as yours. He can’t sweat as humans do, and there’s no way for him to pant as we do. If your dog is overheated, he’ll be forced to cool off by lying down in the shade and tucking his head between his paws. If that doesn’t work, you can try misting him with water or applying ice packs (but not directly on their skin).
Please take the time to educate yourself on what you can do to help your pet and keep them safe during hot weather, especially in the summer months. You must know how best to protect them from heatstroke and their paws from burns!
