When it's hot, we usually want to go out and enjoy the sun as much as possible. Of course you'll want to take your dog on your summer adventures, but you should know that dogs don't respond the same way we do to heat. Dogs may also have problems cooling down after exposure to temperatures above 28°C. This article will teach you how to tell if your dog is overheating, how to cool it down, and how to keep your dog safe and comfortable all summer long.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Symptoms of Heat and Dehydration
Step 1. Notice if your dog is panting, drooling, or producing thick, sticky saliva
These are all signs that your dog is overheating, and if you don't take action, your dog will have heatstroke (a medical emergency when the body can't regulate its temperature). If you notice your dog is experiencing these symptoms, refrigerate them immediately. Even if you think your dog is just hot and hasn't overheated, it's best to call your vet and ask for their opinion.
More severe overheating conditions can cause diarrhea, vomiting (sometimes accompanied by blood), heart attack, coma, cardiac arrest and death
Step 2. Check the suppleness of your dog's skin to see if he is dehydrated
Gently pull the skin behind your dog's neck. If your dog is hydrated, his skin will immediately return to its normal position. If the skin remains stretched or wrinkled, your dog may be dehydrated.
The more time it takes for the skin to return to its original position, the more severe the dehydration will be. Take your dog to the vet so he can be treated with IV fluids
Step 3. Check your dog's gums to see if he's hydrated
Lift your dog's lips and press the gums with your fingers until they are white. A healthy dog's gums will immediately turn pink when you lift your finger. If his gums remain white or take a long time to return to their normal color, your dog may be dehydrated.
If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, give him water immediately (if he doesn't want to drink, try wet his tongue or take him to the vet immediately). Untreated dehydration can lead to organ failure and death
Step 4. Watch your dog's movements
If he shows signs of fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or weakness, he is likely overheated and needs medical attention. If your dog faints or has an attack, take him to the vet immediately. Call ahead so they can prepare to treat your dog as soon as possible.
Fatigue is one of the early symptoms of overheating. Don't drag your dog or ignore him if he starts lying down or always goes to the shade. Give him drinking water and take him to a cool place
Step 5. Check his temperature
Dogs naturally have higher body temperatures than humans, and if your dog's temperature is higher than 40°C, he is overheating and you should start cooling him down as soon as possible and call the vet for a checkup.
- Check her rectal temperature every 5 minutes to monitor her progress.
- Once his body temperature reaches 39.4°C, stop all attempts to cool his body. Dry and blanket your dog so he doesn't lose any more heat.
Step 6. Consider whether your dog needs medical treatment
Dehydration and overheating can be fatal for dogs. Watch your dog's behavior and check for signs that indicate severe overheating or dehydration. If in doubt, call your veterinarian or a veterinary emergency department and describe your dog's symptoms. They may ask you to keep an eye on their health or take them for treatment.
Method 2 of 3: Cooling Your Dog
Step 1. Provide your dog with fresh, cool water
Make sure the drinking bowl is clean and not in the hot sun all day because bacteria can grow in the bowl if you don't wash it and replace the contents with fresh water. Don't force your dog to drink or put water in his mouth, even if he doesn't want to drink, because water will get into his lungs and your dog will choke.
- If your dog won't drink, try moistening his tongue with water. You can use your hands or squeeze a wet cloth against his tongue.
- Do not give ice water or ice cubes if you think your dog is overheating. This can cause his body temperature to drop too quickly and shock his system.
Step 2. Remove your dog from the heat
Get him into the room as quickly as possible. If you are outdoors and can pick up your dog, take him back to the car or home. If there is a pool or stream nearby, allow your dog to stand nearby to cool off before returning. At the very least, take your dog to the shade.
- Take your dog somewhere that has air conditioning or a fan that you can point at him.
- Once she's removed from the heat, check her symptoms and call the vet. Maybe he should be given emergency treatment.
Step 3. Cool down your dog by placing a cool, wet towel around his neck, under his front paws (under the armpits) and between his hind legs (between the groin)
These towels should be cool, not cold. Do not give ice cubes, you have to lower the body temperature slowly. If you lower his body temperature too quickly or too low, the condition is as dangerous as overheating.
- If you don't have a towel, you can cool your dog by pouring room temperature water over him.
- Wet the earlobe and paw pads. Sweat glands in dogs are usually located on their paws, and cooling them can help lower body temperature.
- You can also try steam cooling by rubbing your dog's paws and groin with isopropyl alcohol. Steam cooling works on the same principle as sweating, the evaporated alcohol will also carry heat away from your dog's body.
Method 3 of 3: Prevent Overheating
Step 1. Place your dog in a cool and safe place
Your dog should be indoors (and near the air conditioner or in front of a fan) as often as possible during very hot days and should not be left outdoors in the hot sun. If he's often outdoors, make sure he has some shade and plenty of fresh water to drink.
- The car is never a safe place for a dog on a warm day, even if it's not hot, in the shade or only briefly left with the windows open. The temperature inside a stationary car can rise rapidly to as much as 60°C.
- A garage, a beach without a shelter, or a room exposed to the sun's heat are also not great places for your dog on a hot day.
- Shady areas, with trees, ponds or shallow streams are safe places to take your dog for a walk on hot days. Make sure he drinks plenty of water and watch for signs of fatigue or overheating.
- Provide your dog with plenty of bathing water when he is outdoors. Fill a tub with cold water and let your dog cool the paw pads by sitting, standing or sometimes lying in the water.
Step 2. Don't move your dog too much
Especially if your dog is old or of short-snout breed (such as the Pug, bulldog, Pekingese and Boston Terrier), too much activity on a hot day can overheat your dog. Don't run or walk with your dog on a hot day. If you are doing outdoor activities, pay attention when your dog starts looking for shade and lies down. It's his way of telling you "it's too hot, let's get out of here."
- Sometimes dogs don't know their limits, especially field dogs who love to run, hunt and play. Dogs can force themselves to faint and their lives are in danger. It is your responsibility to watch for symptoms of overheating or postpone hunting to cooler days.
- Short-snouted dogs are inefficient at cooling their own bodies because they cannot breathe through their mouths as well as other breeds. Mouth breathing is a dog's primary way of cooling himself. Even normal activities on a hot day can be too tiring for this breed of dog.
Step 3. Take your dog for a walk in the coolest conditions
Early morning and late afternoon or evening are the best times to walk your dog, taking him outside in the hot sun is tantamount to looking for trouble. In addition to sunburn and hot air, hot asphalt, pavement, or sand can also burn your dog's sensitive paw pads and cause blisters. If the streets are too hot for you to walk barefoot, then it is too hot for your dog.
- If you take your dog for a walk before or after sunset, you can give him enough exercise to keep him from getting bored or being destructive during the day.
- Try to walk your dog on the grass or you can also walk your dog on the sidewalk and grass alternately so that the paws are not hot.
Step 4. Provide your dog with cool accessories
A cooling vest or neckband can prevent your dog from overheating on hot days. Some accessories use cooling packs attached to the side, others just need to be immersed in water to dissipate heat from your dog's body. Use a coolant that reflects light and is light.
It's also a good idea to provide her with a cooling pad or raised bed so she has a comfortable place to rest if she gets too warm. These items are usually very portable and have a variety of cooling methods, from gel pads, steam cooling, water cooling to built-in appliances, you have many options to suit your space and lifestyle
Step 5. Trim your dog's hair, but don't shave it
Even if you imagine your poor dog suffering under his coat at 38°C, your dog's coat actually provides protection and helps regulate his body temperature. Dog fur serves to cool the body in the summer, and warm the body in the winter.
- If your dog has long coat, cut it short during the summer.
- Make sure the bristles are clean and brushed neatly, so that air circulation flows better.
- Your dog's coat also protects his body from UV rays and protects his skin from sunburn or skin cancer.
Step 6. Make sure your dog is drinking enough water and provide frozen food
It's important to keep your dog well hydrated so he doesn't overheat. If he is dehydrated and his tongue is dry, his way of cooling himself (mouth breathing) will be ineffective. If you're out with a field dog on a hot day, make sure he's drinking water at least every hour, or more often.
