Beat the heat

While most of us are probably loving this temperature turnaround here in Calgary, you can bet some of our pooches aren’t going to be as enthusiastic. Summer heat for our furry friends can be rough. If you have a dog who is either elderly or very young, a snub-nosed breed (think pugs, bulldogs, Frenchies, etc.), or a long-hair/double coated breed, your dog is at higher risk for over-heating.

Since dogs have much more limited means to cool themselves than people do, it’s important to be aware of your dogs condition in the heat. Panting is your dogs best way to release heat, but excessive panting, especially when combined with stringy, sticky drool, is an indication your dog is overheating.

 So how do we keep our doggos cool? Well, we’ve put together a few tips for you. Keep in mind these are general hot-day tips. If you are trying to cool down a dangerously overheated dog, you’ll want to seek vet attention. You can check out our blog on recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat stroke/overheating, and some emergency measures you can take here. Please keep in mind this is not intended to override any advice your vet gives you, but is based off of the standard pet first aid guidelines.

1.       Always ensure your pup has access to shade. If you have an open backyard with no trees, consider creating a covered (but not enclosed) shelter where your dog can escape from the direct sunlight.

2.       Ensure your dog has access to water. Much like people, dogs can become dehydrated, as well as suffer from heat stroke. Check out our blog on signs and symptoms of overheating for more information.

3.       Consider getting a pet cooling mat (basically a giant ice pack), which will help keep your dogs body temperature down. This is especially helpful for those dogs noted above at higher risk for overheating. It is not recommended to cover your dog, even will cool or wet products, since their bodies cool much differently than ours and you run the risk of insulating the heat instead of allowing it to disperse.

4.       Do NOT shave double-coated dogs. While this might seem like the best idea to help them release heat, it will in fact cause more harm than good. Just as their fur will insulate them from the cold in the winter, double-coated dogs will also be insulated from some of the heat in the summer. Shaving their coat strips them of their natural protection, and exposes their skin which is unused to being open to the air and sun. Shaving your double-coated dog can also change the way their hair grows, which leads to other complications. Regular grooming (with a knowledgeable and experienced groomer) to keep their coat healthy, along with our other tips, is the best way to make your double-coated dog comfortable during the warmer months.

5.       Put out a sprinkler! This is likely to be great fun for you and your pooch, and a good way for them to keep cool while playing.

6.       Give your pooch a cool, wet towel to lie on. Remember, you don’t want to cover your dog as you’ll simply be insulating them. Having a cool surface to lie on will help your dog keep cool much more efficiently.

7.       Keep outdoor exercise limited to early morning and later evening hours if you can. Always check the pavement before you take your dog out. If it’s too hot to hold your hand on for a few seconds, it’s too hot for your dogs paws.

8.       Give your dog ice cubes or frozen treats. Frozen cutes of soup broth (the no sodium kind) are a great treat for your pup on a hot day.

9.       If you have the space (and don’t mind the mess), get a kiddie pool for your pooch! Check out this awesome idea for a multi-use pool/fireplace for your yard.

And we hope it goes without saying, but never, ever, EVER, leave your dog alone in the car. The only exception is if you can leave your air conditioning on for them, but even still it’s debatable. And certainly not just with the windows down, not even for five minutes, because you never know what could happen. If you get delayed for any reason (a medical emergency for example), your dog could be left alone, and there’s no way for it to save itself. It’s just not worth the risk.

So, play safe, be aware, and beat the heat this summer!