Skip to main content

Tips For Keeping Your Dog Cool In The Summer

Summer can mean lots of fun outside with your dog. As the temperatures rise, your dog will get hot and can overheat. Whether you're taking him for a ride, to the park, or out in the yard to play, here are some tips for keeping your dog cool this Summer.


  • Never leave your dog in the car - This is a given, right? And no, not even for a few minutes. Temperatures can soar inside of a car. On an 85 degree day, the temperature can reach 102 F within 10 minutes. Cracking windows and leaving water for your dog will not keep them from overheating in a parked car. Would you really want to risk your dog's life for just a "quick trip" in the store? Leave your dog at home or wait to go places where he can come with you.
  • Keep your house cool - Close the drapes and crank up the AC on super hot days. You can even use a cooling mat to help your dog cool down inside or out
  • Offer an ice pack or wet towel to lay on, or add ice cubes to the water dish. 
  • Make your dog some homemade frozen treats to keep them cool! (Frozen Dog Treat Recipes or Dog Ice Cream)
  • Get a kiddie pool and fill it with cool water for your dog to wade or lay in, or better yet take your dog for a swim (watch out for water toxicity or harmful chemicals in some pools)
  • Let your dog dig - (Unless they dig to escape!) Dogs dig their dens to find food, hide, give birth, or keep cool.
  • Watch when you exercise - Not only do pavements get dangerously hot and can burn your dog's paw pads, but you should try to take your pet out for exercise during the cooler parts of the day. Don't forget to carry enough water for you both! 
  • Keep an eye on humidity because when the air is full of moisture, your dog may not be able to pant enough to cool himself off. Especially if you have a snub-nosed pet like pug or bulldog. Their smaller airways make it harder for them to release heat when they pant. It's also easier for older and overweight dogs to have a heatstroke.
  • Don't leave your dog outside alone for extended periods of time - and when he/she is outside, don't forget to ensure there is plenty of shade and water
  • Groom your pet - If your dog has long hair, get rid of any mats and tangles. Dogs will struggle to keep cool when they are covered in hair and matts. Be sure though to talk to your groomer first because some dog breeds have coats that keep them cool and are dangerous to shave down.
  • Watch for signs of overheating - Heavy panting, heavy drooling, trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, dark or red gums or tongue, dizziness, weakness, agitation. 
  • Watch for signs of dehydration - Sunken eyes, lethargy, dry mouth, depression - not all signs of dehydration are easy to detect.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What To Consider Before Gifting A Dog For The Holidays

With Christmas being right around the corner, it's not uncommon for families to get puppies as a gift for their family member or themselves over the holidays. As wonderful as a gift dogs and puppies are, unfortunately, often times they are soon surrendered for adoption because not enough research was done to ensure the dog you are getting is a good fit for you and your family. Often times, important things to consider prior such as dog's breed, dog's energy levels, dog's temperament, dog's grooming and health needs, the time, attention, and training required, etc. are overlooked before bringing a dog home. For example, if you are interested in a low maintenance dog, a golden doodle, though adorable, may not be the best choice because they require daily brushing and regular grooming every 6-8 weeks to avoid matted hair (see blog post on matting ). Dogs are not objects, dogs are living, breathing creatures and most importantly, they are family. We encourage everyone ...
2 comments
Read more

Tips for Treating Your Dog's Allergies

With allergy season for humans starting to kick into overdrive, lots of people don't realize their dog can also have allergies. If your dog is an obsessive licker or he frequently scratches or scoots across the floor, he may have allergies. Just like humans, dogs can overreact to harmless allergens in the air, sneezing and itching as a result. There are four main types of allergies in dogs: atopy, flea, food, and contact. Atopy refers to enviornmental allergies; a dog's body releases excess histamine when exposed to a higher concentration of pollen in the air. The most common symptoms of atopic allergies are itching, scratching, biting, and chewing. Here are some tips to help prevent or minimize the symptoms of atoptic allergies in dogs: Wipe down your dog to remove allergens after walks Try a hypoallergenic shampoo (or if your dog is allergic to wheat/gluten, then try a wheat and gluten free shampoo) Use appropriate, dog supplements such as biotin or omega-3s (Vet...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dog Friendly Events in 2018

Everyone loves to bring their dog out with them, in fact, most people, including us, wish we could take our pups everywhere! Here is a list of some of the dog friendly events coming up in Richmond in 2018. ●  Pups and Pints  – Beginning in April, Pups and Pints takes place at Ellwood Thompson’s the 2nd Thursday of every month from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This spring, Ellwood Thompson is proud to partner with local breweries to support a different animal-loving, non-profit neighbor each month. $1 from every drink sold goes to the non-profit partner. For more information, click  here . ●  Fido’s After Five  – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden partners with the Richmond SPCA allowing leashed dogs during “Flower’s After 5”. Known as “Fido’s After Five”, this fun event takes place on the following on the nights: June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26, August 9 & 23, September 13 , 2018. Live music, food and fun! Bring a blanket! In addition to the regular admission fee,...
Post a Comment
Read more