7 Taking Care Of Our Dogs During The Summer
During the summer, dogs can suffer a lot from the heat. Therefore, as owners, we must take care of them more than at any other time. In the following article, we give some tips for this season.
Tips on how to take care of your dog during the summer
Like people, animals experience changes in temperature. Therefore, extra care must be taken with dogs in summer. Pay attention to these tips:
During the period from 12:00 to 16:00 hours it is recommended that dogs stay indoors protected from the heat and sun.
Also, if you are at the beach, it is recommended to stay in the shade and have plenty of fresh water available, or even come home.
During this period naps are better than walks. Leave exercises or games outside for when it’s less hot.
Keep in mind that heat stroke can be fatal to your pet as it can cause burns to the foot pads, nose or skin.
When the nicest days start, your pet will likely lose fur. If not, we recommend that you do not cut it close to the skin as this can be very dangerous. Of course, because that way your dog won’t have any protection from the sun.
Avoid clipping in certain breeds, such as chow chow, german shepherd, labrador or border collie. These dogs have two layers of fur, which change with the time of year. What you can do is brush them daily to remove dirt and dead hair.
Did you know that leaving your dog in the car is like condemning him to a horrible death? Even if it’s only five minutes to make a purchase, during that time the animal suffers a lot and can even die.
Do not do this at any time of year, let alone in summer, as the car becomes an ‘oven’ without oxygen in two minutes.
It is preferable that you leave him tied to the door of the store or have someone look after him in the car with the windows open.
Even at home, the dog can feel very thirsty and need to refresh several times a day. Before leaving work, or when getting out of bed, change the water in the container. Also, if you are going to be gone for many hours, add an additional drinker.
There are other ways to refresh your pet, such as getting your head, belly, and legs wet a few times a day, making homemade ice cream, or buying one recommended by your veterinarian, as well as keeping the room ventilated.
Prevent the sun and heat from entering through the windows. Also allow access to cooler areas of the house: bathroom, kitchen and laundry.
Be careful with the air conditioner and fan as both can cause illness due to the abrupt temperature change after turning it on or off.
The veterinarian can tell you which portion is suitable depending on the breed, size or age of the animal. A Great Dane is not the same as a poodle, which is more than obvious, but you should also keep in mind that when it’s hot, your pet should eat less.
In summer, dogs prefer to sleep on the floor as it is cooler than the bed, mattress or any other surface.
On the market you can find pillows that disperse heat, raised beds or cooling mats.
In summer, insects proliferate and attack our pets. In addition to using repellents at home to keep out mosquitoes, consult your veterinarian for a specific treatment to protect your pet…especially if you have a garden with lots of plants!
Finally, it is very important to avoid heat stroke in summer. In the face of the first symptoms – excessive salivation, fatigue, tachycardia, dry nose – do not hesitate to take him to the vet to treat him.
