The summer is around and a bright sunny day usually brings a lot of outdoor fun for your pups but you need to take care of them when the temperature rises.
We humans can stay cool in the hot weather by taking a shower or even sweating helps us to stay cool but in the case of dogs, it’s different because they can’t express themselves while suffering from the heat nor do they sweat enough to get rid of it.
Still, there are many ways you can keep your dog cool in hot and humid weather. Remember, it is really important to understand this because overheating can be deadly for your four-legged friend.
So, you’ll find some useful ways to keep your dog cool but first, let us learn some signs that you’ll witness when your dog will be having tough times fighting with the heat.
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Signs your dog is overheating
Excessive flow of saliva (Drooling): Overheating can let your dog to drool more than normal, especially the short-nosed dog breeds such as Boxers, Shar Peis, French Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers are likely to drool more than normal because of their face structure and short nose. Such dog breeds are also known as Brachycephalic breeds.
Heavy Panting: Overheating can also cause heavy panting in dogs. So if you find your dog panting abnormally, make sure it is not overheated or dehydrated. A visit to your vet is highly recommended if you witness heavy panting in your dogs frequently. Short-nosed dog breeds are more likely to pant heavily as compared to other breeds.
Rapid breathing: Over-exercising in hot weather may let your dog breathe rapidly, so try not to over-exercise your pups on hot days, especially, if the air is humid. It can further lead to heatstroke. Instead, let your dog do some indoor light exercises and activities.
Some other signs: There are some other signs of overheating or heatstroke in dogs that include but are not limited to weakness, vomiting, agitation, mental dullness, dizziness, and pale or dry gums.
So, these are some primary signs if your dog is having a heat stroke or suffering from overheating. Now, let’s find out how to keep them from overheating.
How to keep your dog cool in summer
Change their routine
“Prevention is better than cure”, they said, well said. Why let them suffer from overheating if they could be saved from exposure to the sun. Change their playtime- try to walk and exercise them in the early morning or evening. By doing this, you’ll be able to avoid as much heat as you can.
Avoid Hot Pavement
Before leaving for a walk, you must check the pavement using your hand. If it is too hot for you, it’s hot for your dogs too. So, in this case, either delay the walk or try boots for your dog.
Ensure Access to Cool Shade
During the hot and sunny days of summer, don’t leave them outside for a long time. And whenever they are out, make sure there is enough cool shade for them. Trees are preferred because doghouses may trap heat. Also, it would be best if you could arrange a pool for them filled with cool water.
Availability of enough water
Water is necessary for your pooch to avoid dehydration. Also, try to add ice cubes to the water. If you leave your dog home alone for a long time, make sure fresh water is accessible to them. Nowadays, automated water machines can be helpful in such scenarios.
Make Frozen Treats
It’s just simple. Add their favorite treats in ice cubes and they’ll not only love it but will spend a long time eating them. You can also stuff their regular meals in a chew toy and freeze it.
A wet towel or ice pack to lay on
You can either make a homemade ice pack by yourself or get one from a pet store. The use of a Reusable ice mat is also a good idea. Alternatively, you can place a wet towel under them to lay on.
Take extra care in humid weather
In extremely-humid weather, the dogs may not be able to pant normally to get rid of extra heat. In such conditions, limit exercise and try to stay inside as much as you can.
Final words:
So, these were the signs of overheating in dogs and the ways to avoid or treat them. We hope you will be able to take good care of your four-legged soulmate after reading this informative post.
Recommended read – Sprocker Spaniel Facts