Every dog loves to be outside. You also love being outside with your dog, even in the summer. When it is hot however you also need to protect your dog from heatstroke, just like you protect yourself. It is important to understand how dogs sweat. Unlike us, they excrete sweat only through their paws – specifically the pads. The only other way a dog has to keep their body cool is through panting. Keeping your dog cool is critical to ensuring that they do not wind up with heat stroke which is not only dangerous, but can be life threatening.
Water and Shade
It seems obvious when you think about it, but many people forget the simple idea of having shade to sit in and having cool water to drink. These are some of the simplest and best ways to keep your dog cool. Doing this not only at home, but also when walking, jogging, or just in the park playing is important to your dog’s health. Carrying water or finding water fountains to use along your walk is a good start. Stopping frequently to rest, under a tree or awning, is also a good way to keep cool. This is especially important in the late spring when the weather is warming up and your and your dog’s activity level is going from winter dormancy to summer fun and play. This time is when your bodies are especially prone to overheating, so taking extra precautions is paramount.
Other Cool Tricks
Dogs love ice! You can add ice cubes to their outdoor water bowls or even find them frozen treats that they will love. Another fun option is to take their soft toys, soak them in water, and freeze them. Your dog will have a wonderful time playing with them and they will help him stay cool.
Dog cots and above-ground bedding is another good idea. Especially if you soak it with the garden hose a couple of times during the day. These allow air to circulate all the way around your dog and the water will cool the air (and your dog) as well. If your dog digs holes so he can lay in the cool dirt underneath, you can save your yard by offering him a cool pool to lie in instead. Cheap plastic kid’s pools (about eight inches deep or so) can be used or you can install a more permanent fixture if your dog really loves water. Keep the pool in the shade and keep the water fresh by emptying and refilling it daily. The dirty water can be used to water sections of your lawn, your garden, etc. If your yard doesn’t offer much in the way of shade, you can install some for your dog cheaply. You could plant a tree, build a small awning, or purchase a simple shade tent (or mosquito tent with removable sides) and set it up for him. A child’s light canvass tent is great, as it allows the air to flow easily but still provides a lot of shade. Often, you can find used tents at the thrift or Army/Navy store for a very good price. Finally, let your dog spend more time indoors, especially during the hottest parts of the day. A nap in the house on a cool, tile floor can’t be beat as far as he’s concerned.
What to Look For
It is important to understand dog’s normal body temperatures before you can understand heat stroke. A normal body temperature in most dogs is between 100 and 102 degrees. Heatstroke that is moderate means the body temperature has risen to 103 to 106 degrees. Severe heat stroke occurs around 106 degrees and you must take immediate steps to cool your dog down. You should take the following steps to cool your dog – do this safely – if your dog has a temperature of over 103 you should stop cooling when the temperature reaches 102 or 103 as doing so any faster could cause harm as well.
Watch for these symptoms and take steps to cool your dog immediately using the information listed at the end of this article.
Signs of Heatstroke:
• Rapid panting
• Bright red nose and gums.
• Thick, sticky saliva that drools heavily.
• Weakness, dizziness, or an inability to move or function normally.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or uncontrollable dry heaves.
• Shock-like symptoms, disorientation, or frequent passing out.
If any of these signs occur, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so do the following immediately:
• Remove the dog from the hot area and into shade or indoors.
• Wet the dog thoroughly with tap-cool water. Never use ice or “dunk” the dog in water as this can restrict blood vessels and lower your dog’s natural ability to cool off.
• Fan the dog to increase air circulation.
• Wrap the dog in wet towels (again, cool tap water, no ice) and get to a veterinarian as quickly as safely possible.
If you follow the tips in this article, you can prevent heatstroke from ever happening, but if it does happen, know what to watch for and how to deal with it. It could save your dog’s life.
Keeping your huntind dog safe is key, you should also take into consideration the training supplies you use for them too. Some great products are the SportDOG Field Trainer and the SportDOG SD 2400 dog training collar.
