Despite the extreme heat this past weekend, we were able to keep all of our campers safe and comfortable. We thought it would be a good idea to talk about how to keep your beloved friend safe during the dog days of summer since we still have a lot of summer ahead of us . Here are some of our favourite ways to beat the heat!- Maintain Your Cool
While many dogs like running free in the vast outdoors, as we do at camp, your pooch may prefer to stay indoors where it is cooler when it is hot and humid. When possible, limit your time outside to bathroom breaks and maintain your home at a reasonable temperature. If your dog must be outside for an extended period of time, make sure they are in a shady area.
- Hydration is essential.
It is critical that your dog has constant access to fresh water. However, you should not offer your dog ice water or extremely cold water. Cooling down too quickly might lead to additional health issues and is even deadly. Water can go into the lungs and/or induce choking if you force your dog to drink.
- Schedule alterations
Even though it’s hot outside, dogs need to get some exercise. The optimum time to walk/run is early in the morning or later in the evening when the weather is cooler. Even if you can endure the heat while working up a sweat, your dog might not. Dogs have a higher core body temperature than humans and are unable to sweat as well as humans. It is our responsibility to take care and make wise decisions for our pets.
- Defend Their Paws
Walking on hot pavement, especially blacktop, can cause your dog’s paw pads to become burned. Place the back of your hand on the pavement to inspect the ground before allowing them to walk on it. It’s probably too hot for your dog to walk on if you can’t safely hold it there for 5 seconds or longer.
- Safe travels
If you’re going on a trip with Fido, make sure to have enough of water. If you break down and need to wait outside your vehicle, a portable fan and some mats/blankets are also helpful to have on hand. Most essential, even if the windows are cracked, NEVER leave your dog alone in the car. Vehicles heat up quickly, especially in hot weather, and this can result in heat stroke, dehydration, or even death.
- Splish Splash
While many dogs enjoy swimming, you should never leave them alone in the pool. Not every dog is capable of swimming. It’s also crucial to thoroughly rinse your dog after swimming in a pool to remove chlorine and other chemicals that could hurt their skin. Also, do not allow them to sip pool water!
- Our Furry Friend
While a lovely summer haircut is definitely in order, don’t clip your dog’s coat too short. The coat of a dog protects against sunburn and also acts as a heat shield. It’s enough to leave an inch of hair/fur on your dog to keep him comfy.
Warning Signs
If your pup experiences any of the following symptoms, get them out of the sun/heat immediately. If their condition does not improve and you are unable to cool them down, take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Sluggishness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive panting/drooling
- Increased heart rate
- Loss of balance