31/07/2024
🐕PLEASE SHARE and take a minute and read. Some useful info, tips, updates from dog welfare experts with experiences with hot summer temperatures
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The human body reacts to high heat by sweating, a natural cooling process, however, dogs do not have such cooling system, the only place with sweat glands is the dog’s tongue and their pads. The only natural cooling process that dog can provide for himself is panting. Their natural coat provides some protection however this is not much. Then especially owners who get their pets a "SUMMER SHORT CUTS” at the groomers, take this protection away from the dog and should be even more cautious. Allow at least 1,5 to 2 inches of coat on naturally longer haired dogs.
When the dog gets overheated and doesn’t get enough water, the blood in the system suddenly doesn’t get enough oxygen, starts to thicken, but by the dog’s more excessive panting the heart needs to do harder and faster job, this will start causing a blood clots, result is the dog’s confusion, fading and unconsciousness all of this often leads as far as death or at least lasting health issues.
First signs are, excessive panting, discomfort, drawling, bright red gums, glossy eyes, very dry and hot nose, then diarrhoea and vomiting, fading.
WHAT TO DO DURING THE HOT DAYS :
💧walk your dog early mornings and later evenings, or very short “wee” walks if you have a shaded area nearby your house/flat.
💧you can travel in a car to a place where is plenty of shade, river etc, but always make sure you can provide a shade to your dog and bring plenty of water.
💧do a research on home/indoor activities to keep your dog busy, if he is used to long walks.
💧if you have no access to a garden/patio and you live in the middle of the town and can not carry your dog to a toilet place, purchase fabric breathable “doggy boots” so he doesn’t get his pads burned! And make the walk as short as possible
💧make sure, your dog has always acces to water a wet towel to lay on is always good idea, or a cool pads
💧be extra cautious around elderly dogs, they will probably need even less outing
WHAT NOT TO DO:
⚠️💧If you happen to have an overheated dog or a dog with heatstroke, NEVER pour cold water over an entire body! As you risk the dogs body go into a shock.
💧Start cooling the dogs pads at first and ears and offer small amounts of water to drink, you can drip the water on his tongue, after a few minutes move the cooling with water up the dogs legs until you slowly start cooling the entire body and seek the vet.
💧leaving your dog in a heated car is a no no! It doesn’t even have to be hot day, but leaving your car on the sun, or even in the shade, the temperature inside can very quickly rise up to 65 degrees!
💧if you can not leave the TOP of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds it’s too hot for a dog to walk on it.
💧it is lovely to be by the river and let your dog swim about, BUT, never leave a wet dog on the sun for longer time (the dogs wet fur can create a surface that traps the heat between it and dog’s skin beneath it, the direct sun heats that space in between and can result overheating)
💧all short nosed breeds and molosser breeds are always in much higher risk on hot days. Older and obese dogs too.
💧do not let a dog that just had gotten out of the hot car, or had, even a short play, and is excessively panting to jump straight into the water or excessively drink cold water, this could cause a shock to the system , or make your dog sick with continuous health issues.
💧NEVER, unless your dog is a very slow and fussy eater, give them frozen veg/fruit, or ice cubes. That could cause a havoc in your dog's tummy and a trip to the vet. Picking and very slow consumption is OK.
