How does your dog cope in hot weather?

If you’re experiencing hot weather read this…

Back in May, I wrote about keeping your dog cool – evidence suggests though, that there are still too many dogs being left in hot cars…

Do you know an elderly person with a dog and who drives? Some of our elderly folk unintentionally leave their hound in their car which heats up very quickly and with current record temperatures this year we all have to be vigilant – so please keep an eye out.

As Summer is now fully established and if you are concerned about your dog in the hot weather – you may want a few suggestions for your dog and for you.

Always sure your dog has easy access to water – I always have a bottle of spring water tucked away in my car as a safety measure.

Having a few bowls of water around the house or strategically placed around your garden will prompt your dog to take on water…I’m sure that they can be as forgetful as we are! Make the water is fresh though.

Because the weather has been really hot lately you could pop a few ice cubes in to keep the water cool and refreshing.

If you’re out walking with your dog you need to take water and treats along with you. There are all sorts of clever folding and portable water kits combined with a feeding bowl which makes life easy for you and your pooch.

Use cooling aids

Using a towel, cooling mat or a cooling collar can be a source of great relief for your dog especially if he gets overheated. Soak a towel in water and then loosely wring it out, then apply it to your dog… He’ll either love it or run away! The evaporation principle really can help to calm your dog’s mood and it’s surprising how quickly it can lower his temperature. You can also use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or an ice-box cooling pack which can be very comforting in this heat.

Did you try the icy dog treat?

Keeping your dog occupied as well as having a cooling effect are two advantages of this tasty treat which is quick and easy to make. Grab a plastic container like an ice cream tub or large Tupperware box and fill it with a stock mixture. You can easily make a simple stock from water and a low salt stock cube or some leftover stock from a previous nights roast if you keep it. Pour the mixture into the container and add your dogs favorite flavored Exe Valley Kibble available in delicious flavors. Place the tub in your freezer overnight and turn the ice block out the next day.

 

Using protective boots for extreme surface heat…

These boots can prevent pain and injury – its amazing how quickly hard surfaces can heat up in the summer especially in urban areas. Look for booties which provide a much-needed layer of insulation preventing heat transferring to their body and prevent uncomfortable burn injuries to their paws.

Share your paddling pool or use a sprinkler in your garden?

So, not all dogs like sprinklers in which case a paddling pool may be better suited. Because a dog can’t sweat, being wet has the equivalent effect of sweating by lowering its temperature. On hot day water rapidly evaporates you’ll be helping this process as a dog can only pant to help it cool down. Cool water can prevent heat stroke in hot conditions especially if your dog has a naturally long thick coat.

Make sure your dog has access to a shaded area

Most dogs like to be outside most of the time so make sure he can get some shade. So many gardens don’t offer any shade so putting up a sunshade or gazeebo will really help protect him and keep him happy.

Weight loss

Not such an obvious one but carrying excess weight is like your dog wearing a thick overcoat in some cases. It is best to consult your vet about a weight loss program. Involving a high-quality feed such as our high nutrition prepared kibble is an obvious part of any weight loss program.

Have your dog clipped and groomed

Having a regular grooming regimen is always a good idea especially in hot weather. Dogs can get quite miserable when they have thick long coats especially those that are bred as working dogs in the Northern hemisphere.

Exercise in the cool part of the day

If like me you love early mornings, getting out with your pooch can be very therapeutic and because it’s so warm you don’t have to skip walks. Taking your dog out for an early morning walk when the day is at it’s coolest is an obvious choice. You can also do this in the evening when the sun is setting. A good tip is to try and avoid any over-exuberance as this will raise your dog’s temperature.

The most important tip though is…never leave your dog in a parked car in warm weather – EVER!

So many dogs die unnecessarily in parked cars every year because owners have misjudged or are completely oblivious how quickly their car heats up – even with the windows cracked open the inside temperature can rapidly soar.