Everyone’s starting to feel the heat. If you’re annoyed at how easy it is to break a sweat these days, imagine how your dogs feel! Just like you, dogs can suffer from heat stroke, severe dehydration and sunburns. It’s even trickier for your pooch to keep cool since they can only maintain a safe body temperature by drinking water, sweating through the pads of their feet and by panting.Here are some great ways to help keep your dogs cool as a cucumber in the hot summer months ahead:
- Never leave your furry friends in the car.
If you’re going on a trip, consider leaving your pets at home and hiring a pet sitter. It doesn’t matter if you cracked a window open or if the temperature “isn’t that hot”. It seems safe for the moment but know that temperatures sharply rise in a matter of minutes. Even a mild summer day can cause temperatures in the car to escalate rapidly. Heat stroke is a very serious concern for your family members, furry or not!
- Limit your exercise schedule.
It’s essential to keep your dog active and fit throughout the year, but pet parents need to take extra caution during summer months. As much as possible, you should limit outdoor exercises to early in the morning or late at night. The cooler weather will help your pet cope better. If you can’t squeeze a regular walk in your schedule, it’s always a good idea to go with a reliable dog walker!
- Hydrate!
On hot and humid days, dogs need to consume three times the amount of water that they usually drink. Keep them hydrated by placing more water bowls around your home.
- Consider your dog’s coat.
Hairless dogs tend to suffer from a higher body temperature just so they can control their heat. Pay attention to the tell-tale signs that they’re running too hot. If they’re slowing down or searching for a shade to take shelter in, get them safe and cool quickly.
