Beat the Heat: 10 Cool Ways to Care for Your Dog

✓ No pets alone in the car ✓ Lots of water ✓ Take a water bottle with you on walks ✓ Take care that the paws don't get burned

Prevent your dog from overheating!

During these hot summer days, our pets deserve a little extra care and attention. Heat stress in dogs is a genuine concern that can be fatal.

Dogs suffering from heat stress, a condition brought on by high temperatures and high humidity levels, are unable to regulate their body temperatures. Dogs can't sweat through their skin like humans can, so they can't get rid of extra heat, which leads to hyperthermia. A dog's typical body temperature ranges from 38 to 39 degrees Celsius. The health of the dog is in danger when its body temperature exceeds 40.5 degrees Celsius.

What are the effects of heat stress?

The body strives to intensify the heating effect by accelerating blood circulation in an effort to return to a normal temperature. The heart has to work much harder as the heart rate increases. The dog pants more frequently and starts to perspire (via the soles of its paws).

A dog who overheats may suffer catastrophic, occasionally even deadly, effects. They might experience heat cramps (in the muscles), be foggy and disoriented, throw up, have diarrhea, and occasionally have a tongue that is dark red or purple. Additionally, dogs are capable of passing out due to insufficient blood flow to the brain. The worst-case scenario is that the dog could get lethal heatstroke.

How can you treat your dog when it suffers from heat stroke?

When your dog suffers from heatstroke, it is critical that you remove the dog from the heat as quickly as possible. Bring it to a cold, well-ventilated area and place it on a cool surface. Avoid dumping a bucket of water on your dog. Cool the head so that the brain does not overheat and respiration improves. Give it enough water, possibly with some dissolved salt.

How can you prevent your dog from getting heat stress?

Of course, it is usually preferable to avoid heat stress. Maintain a constant supply of cool water for the dog. It's also critical to keep the dog's body cool.

The most important things are to give dogs lots of water and to avoid walks in hot weather, but there are also clever methods to keep dogs cool, such as keeping a cooling mat nearby. The dog rapidly realizes that lying there is pleasant because the temperature feels up to ten degrees cooler. Another option is to wrap a damp bandana around their neck. 

Good advice on how to make it comfortable for your dog this summer

Take care of the dog's paws in the heat!

1. Go and play in grass – not on asphalt!

The temperature is always higher on asphalt, which can easily harm the paws. If in doubt, remove your own shoes. If you must walk the dog on asphalt while out and about, it must wear shoes. Yes, regular dog shoes worn in the winter help protect the paws from the summer heat.

Give the dog a cold water paw bath if you detect that the paws have been burnt (not ice cold). Take your dog to the veterinarian if there are any sores, and keep them clean and moisturized (paw balm).

2. Give them shoes and use paw balm/paw wax

As mentioned previously, shoes protect against the heat of the asphalt, and paw balm helps protect the skin.

Give the dog plenty of water!

Keep a standing water bowl filled with fresh, clean water at all times. You can also use a water fountain, which is one of the entertaining methods to keep your dog hydrated. Giving the dog moist food like wet food and toys that can be submerged in water and frozen are other methods.

Shade in the garden, yes please!

It may seem apparent, but many dog owners believe that simply allowing the dog access to the garden and fresh air is sufficient. These days, the sun might be really hot. It is actually worse than remaining indoors if there is no shade. Shade is essential!

Putting a pool of water in the garden is like a birthday party ❤ in +30 degrees weather.

Cut the coat short, but not too short!

The majority of dogs with long hair can have their fur short-cut, but they shouldn't be too short-cut because the fur serves as a "sun screen" and protects the canines. So while you should never shave your dog to the bottom, it is acceptable to trim it short—about 1 to 2 cm. The dog retains its undercoat while still receiving cooling relief from the heat in this way. The majority of dog clipper packages include spacer combs in various lengths, making it simple. Take the Moser Max 50 trimmer, for instance. 

Do not leave your dog or other pets in the car!

The temperature rises significantly inside a closed car. It is very dangerous for everyone - pets and children - to stay in the car.