In the summer, when the sweltering heat reaches its maximum, not only people, but also animals suffer. Our pets are especially vulnerable because they cannot help themselves. It depends only on us how easily this period will pass for the animal. How to help a dog in the heat and what to do if it overheats?
Which dogs are at risk?
There are dogs with a special structure of the larynx and trachea - the so-called brachycephalic breeds. The shortened upper respiratory tract makes them vulnerable not only to colds and infectious diseases, but also poorly tolerated heat. Even minor physical activity at high temperatures can lead to disastrous consequences. Extreme heat causes rapid breathing, and physiological characteristics lead to the development of respiratory failure and fainting. Brachycephalic breeds include bulldogs (American, French), bullmastiff, boxer, Dogue de Bordeaux, pug, Shih Tzu, Pekingese.
Dogs with dense, thick undercoat are susceptible to overheating: Malamutes, Huskies, Samoyeds, Shepherds. Small decorative dogs also suffer from the heat: Chihuahuas, Spitz, Yorkies. Also at risk are breeds with hair that is too short and hairless. Older pets and dogs with excess body weight endure hot days especially hard.
Caring for your dog's coat in summer
Contrary to popular belief, thick and fluffy fur, such as that of a husky or malamute, does not cause any inconvenience or discomfort to animals. Their coat is a little different from other dog breeds, because it not only effectively protects from the cold, but also from the summer heat. Therefore, do not panic and treat such dogs completely calmly. Of course, this does not mean that they can be kept in the sun for a long time, but cutting them in the summer is definitely not recommended.
It should be remembered that only a clean and well-groomed “fur coat” protects well from high or low temperatures. If it is dirty and matted, then skin ventilation deteriorates and wounds and scabs may even form.
Therefore, dogs should be brushed and scratched regularly during the summer, especially those with long and dense fur. This standard procedure will not only ensure a beautiful appearance, but will also remove dirt, dead skin particles and loose hairs. In addition, during combing, air access to the skin and its cooling increases.
If long-haired dogs need to be brushed daily, then for short-haired dogs it is enough to do this two to three times a week. Thanks to this treatment, your pet's coat will be clean and shiny, less dense and tangled, and will also allow more air to pass through.
When do you need a haircut?
For those breeds that need regular grooming (schnauzers, Yorkies, poodles), it should be done in late spring or early summer. This will help keep the coat in good condition, and it will be much easier for the dog to endure the heat.
You should not shave your dog's head because it can cause sunburn.
If you have a breed that does not require grooming, such as a Jack Russell, then in addition to brushing, you can slightly thin out the fur on the inside of the thighs and under the belly. This will bring them relief and greater thermal comfort.
Breeds with thin and short hair are more susceptible to harmful solar radiation. To protect them, it is recommended to use special sunscreens or clothing.
Summer swimming
On very hot days, everyone loves to swim, dogs are no exception. When bathing animals, you must follow a few simple recommendations:
- Dogs can swim in the sea, a quiet river or a clear lake. They can be doused with water from your home pool.
- Do not use very cold water for bathing, such as straight from a tap or garden hose. This can trigger colds.
- Do not allow your dog to jump into open water from a height - it is dangerous. She may be injured by underwater debris or a sharp branch, or fall into a strong stream or river whirlpool.
- Don't force your dog to swim. Especially if this is a young dog and he has never done this before. Such coercion can create a fear of water procedures.
- In the summer, do not refuse hygienic baths for your animal using shampoo, conditioner and other care products. Even if he was swimming in a pond.
- After bathing, the dog should dry in a warm place without drafts.
- Do not dry your dog in the sun or wrap it in a warm towel.
- In extreme heat, wipe the head, chest, belly and paws with a damp towel.
How to tell if your dog is hot
You can tell that a dog is hot by its external signs. On particularly hot days, carefully monitor your pet’s condition so as not to miss the first symptoms:
- the dog refuses food, even its favorite food;
- rapid breathing - the dog is breathing more quickly than usual;
- the pet refuses to play or spend time in any active way;
- digs holes in search of a cool place;
- movements are lazy, as if slow.
It is very important to understand the difference between moments when a dog is simply hot and heatstroke, which has serious consequences and harm to health. During the heat of the summer, heatstroke can happen at any time. Its first signs:
- too frequent, heavy breathing;
- increased salivation, drooling;
- frozen, unseeing gaze, out of focus - the dog cannot concentrate on an object or follow a moving object;
- lack of response to the owner’s voice and commands;
- loss of coordination – shaky, uncertain gait;
- muscle weakness or cramps;
- rapid pulse;
- body temperature is above 39 degrees.
At the slightest suspicion of heatstroke, it is necessary to immediately measure the temperature - if it is 40 degrees or higher, measures should be taken as soon as possible.
How dogs feel in the heat
Heat has a negative effect on your pet's body and can be downright dangerous for it. Every owner needs to know how dogs behave in the heat in order to relieve their pet’s condition in time. The animal becomes lethargic, loses appetite, is constantly sleepy, and the respiratory rate reaches 300-400 per minute. This behavior is a protective reaction of the body.
Heat stroke can cause a number of illnesses and even lead to the death of a dog.
Important! Since dogs have few sweat glands, thermoregulation is carried out by evaporation of moisture from the tongue. This may explain the need to stick out your tongue in the heat.
Sometimes owners notice a smell from the animal, which is associated with the onset of the sultry summer heat. They think that the dog is simply sweating, but this is not true. A healthy dog does not have any odor, and if it appears, then this is a good reason to seek advice from a veterinarian. In hot weather, diseases such as chronic cystitis, heart failure and others may worsen in a pet, which is why an unusual smell begins to emanate from it.
In summer, the owner must take the necessary measures to protect the dog from overheating
How to cool your pet
The easiest and most affordable way to quickly help your pet is water. It is important to remember that it should not be icy or even cold. A sudden change in temperature can cause vasospasm and cause even more harm.
Take water at room temperature or slightly cooler and generously wet your dog's belly and paws. You can wipe the face and ears with a damp towel. Place a cold towel on the head, but do not cover the dog completely, this will hinder heat transfer. In the apartment you can turn on the air conditioning, curtain the windows and ventilate the room well.
Recommendations
To help your dog survive hot days in the summer, it is enough to follow simple recommendations from veterinarians and experienced dog lovers. If you follow these tips, the summer heat will go almost unnoticed:
- in the hot season, review your walking schedule - spend more time outside early in the morning and in the evening, when the sun is not as active as during the day and the air temperature does not reach critical levels;
- active games, jogging, and sports should be postponed until cooler days or done in the evening;
- avoid long walks on concrete or asphalt surfaces, as they tend to get very hot;
- Always take clean drinking water for your pet when going for a walk;
- if the dog is kept outdoors, make sure that there is enough shade in the enclosure where the pet can hide from the sun;
- Ventilate the apartment regularly, shade windows facing the sunny side, it’s great if you have air conditioning;
- change drinking water more often than you usually do, you can put 1-2 ice cubes in a bowl;
- limit long trips as much as possible, whether by public transport or by car;
- do not leave your dog in the car, even with the windows open - the temperature in it rises at a tremendous speed and this can seriously harm the pet;
- feed little by little, without leaving food in the bowl, as in the heat it spoils very quickly and can cause poisoning;
- all procedures that may cause stress or physical tension in the animal (haircut, cleaning ears or teeth, anything that the dog does not like to do) are best postponed until a more favorable moment;
- Do not cut your dog's hair too short - this may disrupt normal natural thermoregulation and aggravate the situation.
Get out into nature more often, to bodies of water, where you can hide from the scorching rays of the sun and still have a great time with your pet.
First aid for overheating
Having discovered signs of overheating in a pet, the owner should take immediate action. The first step is to move the injured dog to a cool, dark room. If the pet is conscious, then it should be given cool, fresh water.
Cold compresses will help cool your dog down. The manipulation should be carried out under the control of thermometry, avoiding a sharp decrease in body temperature. An overheated pet can be wrapped in a wet towel or sheet. After providing first aid, you must take the dog to a veterinary facility.
We recommend reading about the causes of increased thirst in dogs. From the article you will learn about how much water a dog should drink per day, the causes of extreme thirst in dogs, normally and in diseases.
And here is more information about why a dog doesn’t eat.
With the onset of a hot period, the owner must take measures to improve the quality of life of the furry family member. Following the recommendations of experienced dog breeders will help to avoid overheating of the dog. Special cooling accessories come to the rescue that can alleviate the pet’s condition in the summer heat.
