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Dogs and the Sun
Did you know dogs get sunburned? Especially dogs with short hair or little hair on some parts of their bodies. Keep them out of the sun.
Dogs and Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is common in dogs. It can happen in your own yard, or on a walk. Dogs cool themselves by panting. If panting does not reduce the body temperature the dog will develop heat stroke. Early
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signs of heat exhaustion include rapid breathing, heavy panting, and salivation. Other signs are fatigue, muscle tremors, and staggering.
If you see a dog that is experiencing heat exhaustion, take the dog to a cool, shady place, and apply wet towels or cloths to help cool the dog's body down. Give the dog small amounts of water, and immediately call a vet.
Keeping your Dog Cool
Some dogs enjoy water and can keep cool if a misting system is left on during the day, or if there's a kiddy wading pool for them with a couple of inches of water in it where they can go to cool off. Keep the water in the shade. Sitting in a tub of 110 degree water won't help the dog. Some people say that they provide a sandbox with damp sand for the dog. Digging must be allowed in the sandbox--you'll only frustrate a dog with a sandbox where digging is not permitted!
The summer heat can be especially dangerous to dogs, so if you must leave your dog outside for any period of time, make sure that shade is available. Here is a product you can buy to keep your dog as cool as possible on hot days. The Cool Bed III™ is a product that has tremendous cooling power - without refrigeration. It feels like a cold tile floor does on your bare feet. It readily absorbs heat from your dog, and dissipates this heat back to the surrounding air. Your pet enjoys a lasting, dry, and powerful cooling sensation.
Year-round, many dogs look for a cool spot to lay on. Remember, even in the winter, the ambient temperature in your house is still warm, and your dog is wearing a fur coat! If you find your dog is lying on a hard floor at any time, the chances are very good that he is hot. Replace that hard, heat-trapping floor with the wonderful, cushy, cooling comfort of the Canine Cooler. The Canine Cooler is a dog's comfort dream come true! A lasting cooling effect using ordinary tap water for a comfort sensation that's bound to leave your dog grinning from ear to ear!
Dogs and Water
If the dog is outside, make certain that there is a good supply of clean water in a weighted dish (or two in different locations in case one gets knocked over anyway).
Hiking with your Dog in the Summer
Like to hike with your dog? Please do it very early in the morning. Carry plenty of water, and make it an easy hike, please.
Dogs Breeds That Don't Like Heat
Overweight and older dogs will have more difficulty with the heat. As far as breeds are concerned, it is generally accepted that snub-nosed dogs, like boxers, bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus have poor panting mechanisms, and so are more susceptible to being affected by heat. These should be indoor dogs, and should not be kept in the yard during the day. They should spend their days lounging in air conditioned comfort.
Dogs with heavy coats can be trimmed for the summer, but not shave bare or else they'll have a hard time insulating themselves and will be prone to sunburn and other skin irritations.
Walking your Dog in the Summer
Can you walk your dog in the summer? Yes, but it is generally accepted that you should only walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening, about an hour after the sun has gone down. That's because not only is the temperature high, but the sidewalks will be too hot for the pads of the dog's paws. They'll burn.
General rule: if the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on. When walking your dog in the summer, choose early morning or late evening walks, bring along water and make frequent water stops for the dog. Don't take long walks or over-exert in the summer. Consider these walks light exercise.
Dogs and Summer Exercise
It's never a good idea to exercise your dog by having him run alongside your bicycle. If for some reason you do this from time to time, please don't do it in the summer.
Dogs and Trucks
If your dog loves to travel in the back of your pickup, please avoid the temptation. If for some reason you must take your dog with you in the back of your truck, make sure the surface of where the dog has to sit or stand is not metal, and does not absorb heat.
Test it. Leave your truck out in the sun for two hours and then go stand in it for 20 minutes in your bare feet (or sit on it with your bare butt!). If it feels hot to you, or it burns the skin right off your body, it feels that way to your dog, too.
Dogs in the Car
I know that Fido loves to ride in the car, too. I've never met a dog that didn't. If you are going to run some errands, and it's 100 degrees outside, and the dog wants to come along in the car, please do him a favor and leave him home. If for some reason you have to take him along, never leave him in the car without the A/C on. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature in a car can soar well above 120 degrees F., causing brain damage or death in just a few minutes.
Dogs in the Pool
If your dog has access to your swimming pool or spa, make sure the dog is trained to get out of the pool. The dog needs to know how to get to the steps. If there are no steps or shallow areas, like in some lap pools, make sure the pool is fenced and locked so the dog can't get in. Every year puppies and dogs drown in backyard pools because they could jump in, but they couldn't get out.
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