How to keep dogs cool in the hot summer

Keeping your dog cool is something you need to keep in mind when the ambient temperature rises, especially with the climate in the north of our country in the summer is often hot. Dogs cannot sweat, as humans do, to cool themselves, they have to pant to escape steam. If the air around them is too hot (because it is in a car parked in hot weather), they will quickly suffer from thermal shock.

Dog in the car

Many people think that their dog will be fine if they leave the window open, but even with open windows, the car can quickly become hot enough to cause heat stroke, brain damage, and even dead. Your pet can be expensive for even a few minutes in the car. And you should never let your dog ride on a pickup truck, which is especially dangerous in hot weather, because truck seats are often dark, very hot. Please leave your pet at home in hot weather.

Stroke in dogs

Signs of heat stroke include restless gasping when the animal is resting, increasing pain, a dark red to almost purple tongue, weakness, excessive salivation, vomiting and difficulty breathing. If you suspect a dog or cat is suffering from a heat stroke, take it to a cooler environment immediately and apply cold water to the belly, ears and foot pads to keep the dog cool. Do not pour ice on the whole animal, submerge it in a tub of cold water, or cover it in a cold and wet blanket. When it's stable, take it to the vet as quickly as possible, even if it seems to be cooled and his temperature seems normal. Everything that can happen inside is not as clear as it is outside.

Take your dog for a walk in the hot weather

If you take your dog for a walk, remember that the asphalt can be very hot in the summer. In fact, it may be hot enough to burn the dog's pads, causing it pain for days. You may just want to take a short walk early in the morning or later in the evening, when the temperature is lower. Before walking the dog, check the ground with a bare hand or foot. If you can't hold your hands (or feet) on the ground for more than three seconds, it's probably too hot to walk with your furry buddy. Aged or overweight dogs, with thick or hairy coats (such as bulldogs, Boston hounds and pugs) are particularly at risk of overheating. On the walk, bring water for both you and your pet, or a foldable bowl if there's water on your route.

Provide water for the dog at all times

Providing your dog with water is always important in keeping your dog cool, but it is especially important in hot weather. If your dog stays indoors all day, make sure you provide cool, shady water. Most dogs will not drink hot water no matter how thirsty they may be.
If your dog is outdoors during the day, make sure his water bowl is easy to drink. The water bowl can be tilted by the dog trying to find a cool place to lie down. If necessary, buy a bowl of casting water. Also, make sure you have a cool shady spot for the dog.

Consider seasonal grooming

Grooming all dogs, even dogs with short coats, helps keep them comfortable as the seasons change. A groomed natural coat provides protection from sunburn and acts as cooling insulation. Shaving your dog's fur will take away that protection. If you trim your dog's hair in the summer, it may need protection from the sun, so consult your veterinarian about whether your pet needs sunscreen. Dogs with very little hair or baldness may need sunscreen, just like the Nordic dogs are susceptible to immune diseases in hot weather. We need to protect our pets from inclement weather. If it's too hot for us to be comfortable in the car, in the yard or on the walk, it's even hotter for our furry friends.