How Dogs Handle Summer Heat
The sun is high and the sky is cloudless, the summer heat is scorching and although many of us enjoy it, it can eat away at our dogs. In a wild state, a canine animal had solved the situation. Let us tell you how, so you can help your dog cool off naturally.
Learning from the wild dogs
The dog's ancestor the wolf, wild canines and street dogs survive hot climates without dog ice creams and cooling vests. They have other strategies that are often effective for our pet dogs as well.
Best walking times on hot days
When the sun is at its highest, the wild animals retreat to cool places, they seek shade and do almost nothing. They move, hunt and play at dawn and dusk, because then it is cool.
We can do the same for our dogs, set the alarm clock and go for a walk before the sun's rays gas, keep the break short in the middle of the day and take the long walk at sunset. If the dog needs to be trained in the middle of the day, cool indoor halls are preferable to the appeal court.
Changing your diet in summer
A wild dog that slows down during the warmer seasons does not get the same amount of food as foraging time is reduced. If your dog gets less exercise or independently hits the roof during the summer, you may need to regulate the feed so that your dog does not gain weight.
Cut back on fat and carbohydrates. Extra weight is harmful to health and can also impair your dog's ability to regulate its temperature. Read "Dog's summer menu - how to customize your dog's food this summer" for tips.
Panting is important for cooling
Dogs sweat through the footpads and via panting. When the tongue is long and the breaths are short and fast, your dog thermoregulates. Do not ask the dog to shut up or stop, the behavior is important to prevent your dog from overheating. Reflect on why the dog is too hot and help your dog to cool down. Overheating can lead to death. Read more about this in the article "Overheating in dogs - symptoms and actions".
Create outdoor refreshment areas
A wild canine animal had spent the warmest hours in the shade. If your dog is leashed or in a smaller enclosure, you need to make sure that the conditions for cooling are in place.
If you are outside, a shady spot with a light breeze will be cool and comfortable for your dog. If you have an empty lot, you can set up a shelter and direct your dog there. Many dogs will go under the patio or dig a hole in a shady spot when the sun is burning. Under the top layer of soil it is cooler, the pit is the dog's natural cooling mat.
If you can, find a cool spot in your yard and help your dog dig a nice, cool resting pit in the shade.
An alternative is a cooling mat or a towel you soak with cold water. Offering the dog a cold place gives the option to change position or leave if it gets too cool, something a cooling vest does not allow.
Create a cool room indoors
Our pet dogs spend some time in the house. If it's too hot outside, it can be a good thing. The basement usually becomes a cool and comfortable den to chill in. Or on the cold tiled floor of the bathroom.
You can create a cooling room. Choose a room whose walls are not exposed to the sun. Draw down the blinds, put in a fan and open a window or two if they face the shadow side. Show the dog the room and hang out there for a while, in time your four-legged friend may go there on his own to relax in the coolness.
Keeping your dog hydrated this summer
Wild dogs like to choose areas with watercourses. They attract game but are also great to drink from and bathe in. That your dog drinks properly during hot summer days is vital. Feel free to put out several water bowls, indoors and on the grounds if you have one. If your dog can easily take a sip here and there when the breath falls, the fluid intake increases.
You can also try mixing in something tasty that motivates your dog to drink more. A little blood powder or fresh feed.
Water contains important salts, minerals and electrolytes that optimize body functions such as blood pressure, muscle and kidney function and the nervous system. A lack of fluids becomes a lack of minerals and electrolytes and can occur during hard exercise or hot weather. If the summer is hot and your dog drinks poorly, you can mix in liquid replacement in the water bowls.
If you are out on an adventure, you should bring a water bottle and a bowl, deep enough for your dog to lap up a good amount of water from. The dog's tongue needs to be dipped into the water, scooped up and thrown into the mouth. Few dogs gulp down water and shallow bowls can make it difficult for your dog to drink water.
Let your dog bathe safely
A given summer activity with the dog is going swimming. Swim to catch up or just splash in the water's edge. If you have a patio or plot of land, you can offer a dog pool, a hard plastic tub will do just fine.
Keep the water temperature just below your dog's body temperature, it should cool down and not cool down too much, otherwise the body will increase temperature to counteract the cooling down. If the water is cool against your wrist, it is usually just right. If you are indoors, a dip in the bathtub, a tub of water in the shower area or a cooling shower can be nice for your dog. Check out "7 water games to cool your dog on hot days" for more ideas.
Removing winter fur
Wild dogs shed their fur more efficiently than dogs that live indoors. They rarely go with dense undercoat during the warmer season. So make sure to take off your dog's winter coat. Brush regularly in spring, card out the undercoat and make sure to keep tangles away. A well-kept coat becomes airy and sun-protective, it also reduces the risk of moisture eczema if your dog loves to bathe.
There are many opinions about cutting short or shaving a dog during the summer. But some dogs seem to enjoy having a short haircut and become more alert from the coolness it provides. However, keep in mind that a well-kept coat is a natural sun protection and a too short-cut coat means that the sun can burn the dog's skin. You probably know what will be best for your particular dog, if you feel unsure, you can ask a dog groomer. For more information, read "Taking care of your dog's summer coat".
Extra help for heat-sensitive dogs
Some dogs are affected by the heat worse than others. Breed, age, diseases and holes can affect.
- Breeds with short noses and flat faces such as pugs, French and English bulldogs, boxers, Japanese chins and Pekingese can have difficulty thermoregulating through efficient breathing. The heart can be overloaded and the situation can become life-threatening. For these dogs, coolness, fluids and low activity are especially important during the summer.
- Senior dogs or dogs with health problems can be extra sensitive to heat. If you have a gray nose that shows signs of dementia, he may also have forgotten what leads to cold and instead lie outside in the sun without a thought for the shade under the tree. Such a dog needs guidance and help not to overheat.
- Overweight dogs usually have extra difficulty in the heat, they are burdened by their weight and the fat stores become heat insulating. So keep your dog's belly line in shape, for several reasons.
- Dogs with thick fur such as Alaskan malamute, chow chow, long-haired German shepherd or old English sheepdog can get very hot in summer. Carding out loose undercoat will make the situation easier.
- High-energy dogs with running legs can be so motivated to keep going that they forget about the heat. Try to activate such a dog mentally when the sun is at its highest. Avoid fast-paced activity in the sun, switch bike rides and agility to nosework or rally obedience.
Final tips for managing the heat
We don't want to knock on dog ice creams and cooling vests. But keep in mind that a rapid cooling from the inside such as ice cream or ice blocks with meat or candy in them can cause the dog's body temperature to rise to balance the rapid cooling. You can try making your own dog ice cream; check out the recipe in the article "Recipe for homemade dog ice cream".
A vest can be good if you are careful to control your dog's response to the cold, as the choice to remove the vest is rarely the dog's.
The heat can cause it for your dog, but water, shade, coolness and adaptations make it easier. Enjoy the summer and take care!
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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