06/16/2024
🌞 Summer is here and the hot weather is likely to stay for a while now. Here are some quick tips to keep your hounds safe and happy even when it is hot:
1. Always make sure a responsible adult waits in your car with your dog or leave your dog at home. Cars heat up to about 100 degrees within 10 minutes when it is only 80 degrees outside. Leaving the windows cracked has a surprisingly limited effect on the temperature inside. Make sure a responsible adult is there to know how uncomfortable it is getting and intervene when needed.
2. Limit outdoor exercise for your greyhounds to when the air temperature is under 80 degrees. Shoot for the cooler morning or evening hours. Keep your walks short and walk where there is plenty of shade. Consider an indoor walk if you have a suitable nearby location. Some stores, such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Home Goods, and Joann's, have liberal dog policies. Check before you go to make sure your destination allows big dogs.
3. Pavement reaches dangerous temperatures quickly on sunny days. If the air temperature is 77 degrees, expect the pavement to be a paw burning 125 degrees. Before you make your dog walk on it, feel it with your hand for at least ten seconds. If it is uncomfortable for you, it will be uncomfortable for your dog.
4. Make sure your pup always has access to plenty of fresh, clean water at home and on the go. Take a collapsible bowl and a spare bottle of water with you just for your pup. Cool water is best. Ice water can shock a dog’s system causing vomiting or other health concerns.
5. When your hound is home alone, leave the air conditioning on and make sure your pup can get inside to enjoy it. Fans are less effective for dogs than humans because dogs cool primarily by panting rather than sweating. A well insulated, built-in dog door can help keep the AC costs down. Provide shade or a kiddie pool for outdoor cooling.
6. Incorporate indoor activities such as canine puzzle toys, snuffle mats, frozen peanut butter Kongs, or homemade frozen dog treats to keep your hounds from getting bored on hot days when outdoor activity needs to be limited. You can also entertain your hound indoors with some light training activities or grooming such as brushing or nail trims.
7. Last, but most importantly, always be diligent in watching for heatstroke. Signs include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, and a deep red/purple tongue. If you see any of these signs, seek veterinarian assistance immediately.
