How to Keep Your Pooch Happy This Summer
- January 04, 2019
- By VetShop
- 0 Comments
With summer well and truly here, it’s a good time to be thinking about how you can help keep your pets cool through the heat.
As you keep yourself cool and out of the summer heat, it’d be pretty tough not to consider your fur-friends too! Here's how to keep your pooches safe and happy this summer.
Never Leave Your Dog in The Car
This is almost a given, but still worth a reminder – never leave your dog in the car. No, not even if you think you’ll only be a few minutes. Even when it isn’t that hot outside, the temperature can soar inside a closed car. Research shows that the temperature inside a sealed car on a sunny 20° day can double in less than ten minutes, and rise to as much as 60° within 30 minutes.
Dogs don’t cool down the same way we do. They can’t sweat, so they pant to lower their body temperature. If they’re inside a car, recycling hot air, heatstroke can happen. Make sure if your pooch is in the car with you, you don’t need to make any ‘quick’ stops at places your dog isn’t welcome.
Keep Your House Cool for Indoor Dogs
If your dog is home alone, make sure they can truly relax. If possible, have the air-con or fan running. If that is not an option, open the windows, close the blinds to cool down your house and consider investing in a cooling vest or mat for your pooch. Make sure you also have enough fresh water for your pooch so they stay hydrated.
Offer Plenty of Water and Shade for Outdoor Dogs
If your dog is an outside pooch, don’t lock them up in their kennel as they can overheat. We suggest allowing them to relax under some trees as there is better airflow. Make sure your dog has lots of fresh water – try adding ice cubes when you can to keep the water cool. Another way to help your dog from overheating outdoors is to think about a sprinkler or kiddie pool to let them cool off.
Watch When You Exercise
Limit when and how much you do when it's hot and humid. Take walks in the cooler part of the day -- the early morning and evening. And carry enough water for both of you. Before you head out for a walk, touch the pavement. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paw pads. Walk on the grass, stay off the roads and ensure your pooch has sunscreen on as dog sunburn is especially common in areas with little to no fur, such as their nose, belly, around the mouth, eyelids, and ears.
When the air is full of moisture, your dog may not be able to pant enough to cool himself off. That can raise his temperature, which can lead to heatstroke. Stay inside, and limit exercise, too.
Make Cool Treats
We can all agree that frozen desserts are one of the best things about summertime. So why shouldn't your dog get to experience the same happiness? Help your pooch chill from the inside out with pupsicles. All you need for dog popsicles is some ice cubes with tasty treats inside, or fill and freeze a chew toy to make it a chilly snack. Our favourite popsicle recipe can be found below.
Ingredients
4 cups watermelon
200ml coconut milk
Method
Blend watermelon until pureed, and then add coconut milk and blend again until mixed together.
Pour into popsicle moulds and freeze for 2 -3 hours.
Watch for Signs of Over Heating
Lastly, it’s important to know your dog can't tell you when they don’t feel well, so keep an eye out for any signs of heatstroke, such as:
- Heavy panting
- Heavy drooling
- Trouble breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dark or red gums and tongue
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Agitation
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