Keeping your dog cool during the summer months
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Our Guide - How To Keep Your Dog Cool During The Summer Months
None of us enjoys seeing our pets panting excessively due to the heat. As a result, when the summer comes, we must be sure to offer them strategies to stay cool. Allowing a dog to become too hot not only makes them uncomfortable, but it also puts them at risk of heatstroke. Multiple organs begin to fail and death might occur when a dog's body temperature exceeds roughly 107° F. Naturally, none of us want to find ourselves in this dreadful predicament and we must do all we can to prevent this from happening. Panting is a dog's primary method of temperature management. As they pant, moisture evaporates from their tongues, nasal passages, and the lining of their lungs. This air cools them down as it flows through their bodies. This helps them keep cool, but we can help assist this both outside and inside the home as well.
The simplest and most obvious tip to keep dogs cool is to stay inside with the air conditioner on, especially during the summer months. You and your dog can simply go for a walk, hike, or bike ride early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler. However, not everyone has air conditioning, and not everyone, including your dog, wants to be stuck indoors binge-watching TV series. You can get freezable toys that can keep your dog busy whilst staying cool. A dampened towel fresh from the freezer is great for a dog to chew on as well as helping them to cool down.
A frozen pea bag can be used as an ice pack to cool your dog's head or placed on the neck or groin, where some large blood veins are located. Cooling pads come in a range of sizes, shapes, and designs. Some have a gel in them that allows them to cool down faster than a standard mat. Freezable inserts, for example, keep things cooler for longer but must be re-frozen. There are various ways to help keep your dog cool during the summer and protect them from getting heatstroke. Here we will tell you all the different ways for keeping your dog happy and content during the hotter parts of the year.
Keeping your dogs cool in the car during the summer
A road trip with your dog may be a lot of fun for both of you, especially if your destination is a dog-friendly area. However, being locked in the car for an extended period of time might be torturous for your dog! Dogs must not only take frequent toilet breaks, but they must also stretch their legs and expend some energy in order to be able to relax in the car. Stopping at a rest stop is also a good time to offer your dog some food and water, as having those available in a moving car might be messy!
On a cool day, it's OK for your dog to stay in the car alone for several minutes with the windows open to give them enough air and ventilation. On a hot day, it is recommended not to leave your dog alone in the car, especially if the car is parked in the sun. Temperatures can reach extreme levels on hot days in a car and without shade, the heat can be deadly to a dog, cat or child.
The length of time your dog may stay in the car is determined by a number of factors, including your dog's age and condition. While on the road, you should try to stick to your dog's typical regimen for potty breaks and food, but this may be tough. You should give your dog a 15 to 30 minute rest every 2 to 4 hours on average, and limit your driving time to no more than 7 hours per day.
- Puppies that are still in training to "hold it" may require more frequent toilet breaks, such as every 2 hours or less.
- Elderly dogs may lose their capacity to "hold it" for long periods of time, requiring them to stop more frequently.
- Dogs with specific medical issues or who are taking drugs that cause them to excrete more frequently.
- Dogs who are prone to motion sickness may require multiple stops owing to nausea.
- Dogs who suffer from travel anxiety and can only stay in a moving vehicle for brief amounts of time.
The best dog food to use during the hot months to keep your dog cool
Seasonally adjusting one's diet to include more healthful foods can benefit both humans and dogs. In the summer, it makes sense to eat more cooling foods, whereas in the winter, the body benefits from eating more warming foods. While plenty of protein is necessary for your dog's health, cooling proteins can also assist your dog beat the heat. Cod, duck, duck eggs, rabbit, tofu, turkey, and yogurt are all excellent sources of energy and a great way to keep your dog cool in summer.
It's no surprise that your dog enjoys a good chilled wedge of watermelon on a hot summer day. Watermelon is a refreshing fruit that is largely made up of water. Cooling characteristics are found in alfalfa sprouts, apple, banana, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, coconut, cranberry, cucumber, lettuce, mango, melon, pear, and watermelon. Adding water to dog food will also help your dog to stay hydrated.
The best way to use water to keep dogs from overheating during the summer
There are various ways water can be used to keep your dog cool in the heat of summer. Placing a wet, frozen towel over their coat or for them to lie on is a great way to help with the cooling process. Your pet will greatly appreciate it if you make frozen ice-pops to chew on and suck the juices from. You can make ice cubes from water and add it to their bowel of water for them to chew or leave for extra cold drinking water.
Fill a dog pool with water and you've got yourself a cooling solution that will keep any dog occupied for hours. Your dog will be cool in no time after a quick plunge in a lake or the ocean. Remember to practice water safety and, if necessary, provide your dog with a life jacket. Spray your dog down with your outdoor hose. The cold water will cool your dog off as it passes over its coat. According to data, some dogs will be more receptive to this than others.
If your dog appreciates getting hosed down, you'll find out soon enough. If they don't, they'll take shelter! Consider adding a sprinkler to your hose if your dog enjoys playing in the water or if you have multiple dogs. Remember to try and make activities for the dog in the shade and away from the heat of the sun if possible. Try to make shade for your dog to lie in or under if you do not have shade down the side of your home.
It's possible that hosing down long-haired, fluffy dogs will have the reverse impact. On humid days with poor airflow, this is especially true. When you soak a dog with a thick coat, the water weighs it down, trapping heat underneath. Concentrate on hosing the chest, stomach, and paws of these dogs. This way, they can enjoy the cool, flowing water while allowing body heat to escape via the top of your dog's hair. Make sure to dry your dog before they come into the home or if you see them shivering.
How much water to use when cooling down a pup or small dog
A puppy whilst in training should be introduced to water to help strengthen their muscles and improve coordination. Some dogs take longer to develop their strength so they should never be thrown in at the deep end and must be watched and guided in stages to ensure they can swim and if they enjoy the water. Some dogs will steer clear of any water they see. Make sure any water they go in is not too deep and that they can always see an exit to climb up and out of.