Cool Down Your Dog in 3 Minutes with These Easy Tips

Jun 20, 21 • Canine Care - Malory Knezha

COOL DOWN YOUR DOG IN 3 MINUTES WITH THESE EASY STEPS!

A country that is all summer all year around may sound just about perfect to the person who lives in a temperate country with a dreary winter. However, there is more to a summer than just crazy mad heat. Throw in humidity into the equation and one would have one hell of a sticky situation, pun intended. If you feel like dying from the heat, imagine how your furkid would feel.

While there are little to no statistics showing how many dogs suffer, or worse, die, every year from heat exposure since majority of such cases are likely to go unreported; it is likely that hundreds of pets suffer this slow, agonizing and unnecessary fate in the summer. As their human owners, it does fall on us to take time to think on how to best keep them from heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

A dog's capacity of heat tolerance depends on several factors, such as its breed and physiology. Double coated breeds like huskies, are naturally born with the ability to handle extreme cold, as opposed to breeds that are smooth or single coated that would fare well in warmer climates. Dogs do not fare with heat in the same way like humans, and are definitely lesser resilient to high temperatures. Other than their paw pads, dogs do not have any other perspiration avenues. Most of a dog's ability for heat regulation comes from respiration, ala panting.

They do not perspire anywhere other than their paw pads. Most of a dogs’ natural ability to regulate heat comes from respiration (panting). A dog's normal resting temperature rides between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 38.1 to 39.2 degrees Celsius. Once the temperature rises to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 40.6 degrees Celsius, your furkid will begin to experience the effects of heatstroke. At 106 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 41.1 degrees Celsius, and above, irreversible damage to the kidney, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain could become a possibility. If the temperature is not brought down, your furkid could possibly experience a seizure and fall into a state of comatose. It is therefore important to know what the symptoms of heatstroke are to best prevent this situation from happening.

Symptoms of Heatstroke

excessive panting
hyperventilation
dry and pale gums
increased salivation
rapid, erratic pulse
weakness
confusion
vomitting
diarrhea
possible rectal bleeding

Quick Fix Cool Tips:

Get OUT of the HEAT and IN to an area with plenty of SHADE
Apply cool (not ice cold) water to your dog's paw pads, inner thighs and stomach. DO NOT SUBMERGE the dog in water. Instead, use running water. Submerging your dog could bring the temperature down too quickly, leading to the possibility of a cardiac arrest and bloat.
Do not cover the dog with a wet towel or blanket. Air flow is necessary to help evaporate the water placed on the dog to help it cool down. If possible, sit with your dog in an air conditioned room or space.
Keep your dog moving.
Hydrate your dog by letting it drink water in small amounts. Do not let your dog gulp water down as this could lead to vomiting and bloat.
Get your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible to check out for any damage to the kidneys and liver.

It is often heard that "prevention is better than cure". This is indeed the best remedy and solution for heatstroke. Make it a point to check the weather forecast before taking your dog out. There are breeds, such as the brachycephalic “smushed faced” dogs, which have very poor tolerance to any form of heat, so be sure to know your dog's breed, and the ideal climate it is able to be in comfortably. It is also important to note that there are certain dogs that are more prone to heat stroke, such as the older dogs, young puppies, sick dogs, dogs with chronic health conditions, dogs not acclimated to warm weather, over exercised dogs, dogs that have been left exposed awhile in hot weather.

In the hot summer days, it is a better idea to take your dog out very early in the morning before the heat kicks up, or later in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Another thing to consider in the heat is the ground surface you are walking your dog on. Blacktop asphalt gets very hot very quickly compared to other surfaces and could hurt your dog and damage its paw pads. Do a quick assessment of the ground by placing your wrist against the ground and holding it there for a few seconds. If the temperature is too hot for your wrists, it is most definitely too hot for your dog.

Things to Note:

NEVER leave your dog in the car. Cars will get very hot very fast even in the shade. Leaving your furkid in a hot car is essentially like throwing it into a giant oven.
Consider purchasing dog boots for those scalding pavements. Do remember that dogs do perspire through their paw pads, so dog boots can get pretty swampy. Neoprene boots breathe, and may possibly be more comfortable in the heat over the rubber soled ones, though they are not as durable.
PLENTY of FRESH WATER and SHADE.
Consider purchasing a cooling vest and/or mat for your dog.
Soak a bandana in water and freeze it. When out for walks, put the bandana on your dog to help it stay cool.
Apply cool water to your dog's chest, belly, throat, and head during walks to help bring his temperature down.
Make popsicles using broth and treats in silicon molds.
Consider purchasing a small kiddie pool for your dog to play in. Encourage your shy furkid to use the pool by tossing balls and toys into the pool to play with.

Summer can be lots of fun for everyone as long as you remember to KEEP COOL!

"Cool Down Your Dog in 3 Minutes with These Easy Tips" curated and sourced from Canine Care is written by :

Malory Knezha
Dog Trainer, Former Real Member Service Specialist

Other Sources from the author includes;

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This blog first appeared on the Canine Care website, where this article "Cool Down Your Dog in 3 Minutes with These Easy Tips!" was curated and sourced from.

Original source: https://canine.care/activities/cool-down-your-dog-in-3-minutes-with-these-tips by author Malory Knezha, Dog Trainer, Former Real Member Service Specialist.

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Disclaimer:

JJ E-Homez Holistic Pet has curated and reproduced this article in good faith, which may contain an element of consumer opinion, but cannot be held responsible for any information inaccuracies in it or any use assumed from this information by the reader. JJ E-Homez Holistic Pet welcomes positive recommendations for holistic healthcare products, but does not necessarily endorse the author’s opinion. We acknowledge each animal is an individual and may react differently to the highlighted product/s, and that there may also be other similar effective products available.

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COOL DOWN YOUR DOG IN 3 MINUTES WITH THESE EASY STEPS!