You have been waiting all year for the arrival of summer, to go on vacation, bathe on the beach or enjoy yourself in the pool. However, your pet does not like high temperatures so much. With the arrival of heat, you want more than ever to go for a walk with your four-legged friend, but you must take into account some health recommendations to provide good care.
Take note of these 9 vital tips so that your dog does not suffer in summer.
Tips to take care of your pet in summer
In the face of the heat, refresh your dog
In summer, make sure your pet always has access to fresh water. Change the water at least twice a day. It would also be convenient for you to check if he drinks it because it is vital to avoid dehydration.
Do not take him out when it is very hot
Exercising at the hottest times of the day is not only unpleasant, but also detrimental to health. But you shouldn’t leave your dog cooped up at home all day either. For this reason, it is best to take it out first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sun is not so intense. Plan shorter walks and always carry water in case you can’t find any source.
Never leave him in a car in the sun
Never ever! Never leave your dog alone in the car without making sure there is a good air intake. Even if it’s in the shade, the temperature inside a closed car rises in minutes.
Wet his nose
Dogs only sweat through their paw pads, so opening their mouths and panting helps cool them down. If you wet their noses and body parts where they have less hair, they will notice the freshness.
Be aware of your pet’s behavior
When dogs are overheated, they usually lie on the ground, on their stomachs. They also often pant and have shortness of breath. If they don’t feel like playing, something is wrong.
Ask your vet about your dog’s hair
There are breeds of dogs, such as the Yorkshire or the Maltese, whose hair should be cut in summer so that they are less hot. However, for others like the German shepherd, the fur helps them cool down. Therefore, it is best to ask your veterinarian or the dog groomer you visit, to find out what you should do.
Protect him from insects
In summer, there are usually more parasites, mosquitoes and other insects. For this reason, we recommend that you protect your dogs from their bites with repellents.
Comb more often
Use a suitable brush for your hair type to comb it often. In this way, you will remove the hair that has piled up and that is giving it heat. You can also give them fresh water baths more often to cool them down.
Take care of his paws!
The ground can get very hot during the summer, especially asphalt and cement. And your dog is stepping on it directly without any kind of footwear. So that it does not suffer damage, avoid these surfaces in the hottest hours of the day.
Symptoms that your dog is suffering from the heat
It is important to know how to recognize the symptoms that indicate that your dog is suffering from high temperatures. It will allow you to avoid major problems such as heat stroke or even death.
- Gasping or rapid, labored breathing
- Extreme fatigue (more than usual)
- Tremors in the muscles or, in the most extreme cases, seizures.
- Change in the color of your nose
- thicker saliva
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- hemorrhages
Do not hesitate to quickly go to a veterinarian if you consider it appropriate.
Are all races affected equally by the summer heat?
- We take off our clothes in summer, but do they? Dogs are more affected by heat than humans because their average temperature under normal circumstances is higher than ours, reaching 38 or 39 degrees. In addition, they do not have a sweating mechanism, which serves to cool the body when it is hot. As a consequence, the dog can reach a temperature that is too high.
- Although this occurs with all breeds of dogs, there are some that are more sensitive to heat. For example, bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese, and boxers are more prone to respiratory problems.
- On the other hand, you have to worry about puppies or very old dogs, because they are the ones that suffer the most. Special care must also be taken with pets that are overweight or suffer from some type of insufficiency such as heart or respiratory.
- How do you take care of your dog in summer? What are your tricks to refresh him?
