With our recent roadtrip to Texas, we've had to adjust some of our plans due to the insanely hot and humid 100+ degree days. Although there's plenty of dog-friendly places to go here, we've opted out of some of the parks and outdoor activities to make sure our dogs (especially our long haired Aussies) don't overheat. Instead, we've been able to opt for short trips outside, and covered outdoor patios with plenty of shade and ice water.
Read on and let us share a few quick tips to care for your dog on hot days.
The Sun's Effect on Dogs
When it's insanely hot outside, everyone seeks a cool and protected shelter; your dog is no different. If you let your fur baby be in the sun for extended periods, it can lead to heat stroke.
Studies show that the majority of pet owners are unaware of the adverse impacts of the sun on their dogs. Hence, don't plan anything to counter it. But if you don't want to run to a vet when your pet overheats, be proactive about it.
Dangers of Overheating
The dangers of overheating for dogs and humans are pretty much the same. But since we quickly find a cure to beat the heat, we don't get much impacted. On the flip side, your dog needs tending right after there is a temperature rise. Here are some noteworthy dangers of overheating your pet might face:
● Dehydration
When the temperature outside is high, your dog's sweat glands will activate to cool it off. Since plenty of moisture evaporates from your dog's body because of sweating, it can get dehydrated and face the aftermath. Dehydration not only impacts your dog's overall well-being; it also puts its vital organs through extreme stress.
● Heat Stress
Heat stress is a common phenomenon in dogs during scorching heat. If you closely observe your dog's activities on a hot day, you'll see it panting and heavily breathing. These are the signs of heat stress, and they can dangerously affect your pet's growth and immunity.
● Exhaustion
If your pal is getting excessively lethargic during everyday activities, it is exhausted. Since overheating puts your dog through extreme stress, it will quickly lose the energy and willingness to do anything. So, if your pet starts acting lethargic outside, it might be a sign of overheating and dehydration.
● Heat Stroke
This is the worst-case scenario. If your dog gets a heat stroke, the vet will have to replace its intravenous fluids and give it medications to overcome the heat.
Keeping Your Dog Cool
Now that you're aware of the risks of overheating, it's time to be proactive and find a solution for it. If you take your pup out in the sun without a heat protection shield, things can get messy, and you don't want that.
Here are a few quick tips you can follow to keep your dog cool this summer:
Avoid Walks During Peak Sun Hours
Sure, walks are important for your dog's health, but that doesn't mean you can take your pet out whenever you want. You should avoid dog walks in peak sun hours and keep the pup indoors when the sun outside is scorching hot. Since 10 am to 4 pm is the peak heat time, keep your dog indoors during this window when the temperature is extremely hot out.
Enough Shade and Water
Whether you're on the beach or resting in the backyard, make sure your pup has enough shade. Sunshades, patio umbrellas, and pop-up canopies are useful for dogs. If you manage to shield your dog from the heat, you'll do it a huge favor because the sun can get very cruel in the peak summertime. So, if you often go out with your dog, investing in a portable sunshade is smart.
Also, you must keep enough water supply with you to ensure your dog doesn't get dehydrated and exhausted because of the heat. You can freeze a bowl of ice and keep it with you while going out. If I'm planning on taking the dogs out, I pre-freeze a half full Tupperware of water, and when we're out I fill the rest with fresh water so it keeps it cool.
Cooling Supplies
No worries if the sun gets scorching in your part of the world because you can invest in some cooling supplies and beat this heat. The best thing you can do for your dog this summer is getting it a cooling wrap or vest to protect its vital organs. A cooling mat or pad is also a good investment for your beloved buddy. These accessories protect your dog's vital organs and ensure it doesn't go through extreme heat exposure.
Skin Treatment
You can also use sunscreen to protect your dog from the harmful UV rays and inhibit the sun exposure it goes through. Using sunscreen is essential if your dog has thin hair and its skin often gets red bumps because of the heat. You should also keep an ice pack handy while going out because your dog might start excessive panting and need some quick cooling. You might not think that sunscreen is necessary for dogs, but without it, your dog might experience a lot of discomfort and itching due to sun burns under their fur that you might not see. It can actually lead to skin cancer in dogs as well.
Extreme heat can take a toll on your dog's health big time. If you don't want your pup to end up in a hospital, make sure you have all the necessary supplies to beat the heat, and your dog never faces heat spells without any protection. Investing in dog care supplies and ensuring your buddy always has enough shade is your best in this regard.