For a doggo, summer is sometimes fun due to more outdoor activities. But the season also brings its own set of health concerns. The heat can cause dogs to get dehydrated suffer from heatstroke or become sick from eating infected water. Also, the hot weather makes fleas more active and can cause them to bite people as well as dogs. If you’re worried about your dog’s summer health here are some things you should know.
Related reading: Winter Care for Dogs
Signs that your dog is suffering due to heat
During summertime, dogs can suffer from heatstroke, a condition caused by a body temperature that is too high. If left untreated, heatstroke can cause damage to the brain and other organs and lead to death To prevent such tragedy you should know the signs of heatstroke in dogs and what to do if your pet is exposed to extreme temperatures
- Heavy panting
- Dry or bright red gums
- Thick drool
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Wobbly legs
A dog’s body temperature can increase 1.5 times faster than a human’s body temperature. Dogs have no sweat glands so if they get overheated and stressed they are not able to cool themselves down by sweating. If you notice your dog acting lethargic or sluggish in hot weather immediately move him into a shaded area and give him plenty of cold water to drink.
Look for a good dog shelter if you are away
If you are going on vacation this summer and can’t take your dog with you it is best to have him stay in a kennel or send him to a doggie daycare where he can play with other dogs and get exercise during the day.
Buy your dog a harness (collar)
Sometimes, dogs become erratic in hot weather and may run here and there. Dogs should wear a collar with ID tags at all times when in public so that if they are suddenly ill, you can find and treat/her quickly.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer
If you live in a hot climate and are planning to go away this summer it’s important to leave your dog in a cool place. If you don’t have air conditioning in your house, you may consider a small cooler for dogs.
Make sure that the clothes you buy are comfortable and well-fitted. It’s a good idea to get clothes that have elasticized waists and cuffs so they won’t slip or fall off your dog. Also, it’s important to keep in mind that dogs can overheat easily so ensure that the clothes you buy are lightweight and breathable.
Dog summer beds
My dog loves her new bed! She is a small dog and likes to curl up in a ball so the smaller size works perfectly for her. It was also really easy to put together I did it by myself (and I’m not very handy) I would definitely recommend this product.
Never leave your pet in the car
Most pets love riding in cars. But they wouldn’t enjoy being stuck in it somewhere in the parking lot when it heats up to over 100 degrees. You may think leaving your pet in a car for a few minutes is no big deal. However, it can take less than 10 minutes to develop heatstroke in dogs and cats inside a hot vehicle.
Things to remember in summer if you are a dog owner
Here are some tips for dog owners to keep their furry friends happy and healthy during the summer months:
- Avoid Hot Pavement: The pavement can get incredibly hot during the summer months making it painful for your dog to walk on. Put your hand on the pavement for a quick temperature test. If it’s too hot to keep your hand on it’s too hot for your pup to walk on.
- Trim Their Coat: A thick coat can make summer weather even more unbearable for your dog. Give them a light trim to help them stay cool.
- Protect Their Paws: Hot pavement isn’t just tough on their pads it can also burn their paw hair. Put booties on your dog or apply pet-safe sunscreen to their paws before heading out for a walk.
- Keep Them Hydrated: Dogs can get dehydrated quickly in warm weather so make sure they have plenty of freshwaters to drink.
How to take care of your dog in summer? Quick Points
Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses so it’s important to take extra care of them during the summer months. Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water and shade and don’t let them over-exert themselves during hot days. If possible take your dog for walks early in the morning or late at night when it’s cooler outside. Be especially careful with short-nosed breeds elderly dogs and those with health conditions that make them more vulnerable to heat. And never leave your dog alone in a car even for just a few minutes!
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