Summer is the time to enjoy beaches, picnics and outdoor sports with your four-legged family members, but high temperatures can put dogs at risk.
Dogs are susceptible to heat stroke because they cannot cool themselves as effectively as humans. Here are some canine cooling tips:
- Always have cool water available to drink, and always carry a water bottle or a collapsible bowl that you can fill at local water fountains, public washrooms or cafes.
- Keep a water bowl filled in your car as you never know when you'll get delayed in summer road construction. Non-spill water bowls are perfect for car and boat travel.
- Make dog-friendly frozen treats with popsicle molds or ice cube trays using diluted chicken or beef broth or canine electrolyte replacements.
- Offer canine electrolyte replacement to help prevent dehydration, heat stress and physical exertion. Electrolyte replacement can also be used to prevent dehydration resulting from a situation that increases drooling or heavy panting such as car travel and holidays.
- Take your dog swimming, hose him down, mist with water or provide hours of fun with a plastic wading pool or lawn sprinkler for your dog to chill out in.
- Provide a cool sleeping area. If you crate your dog, put the crate in the coldest part of the house, usually bathroom or basement.
- Limit sun exposure to avoid overheating, sunburn and skin cancer, especially dogs with short, white hair and pink skin. The tips of the ears, the nose, inner legs and abdomen are areas most at risk. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a canine-specific sunscreen since human sunscreen may cause drooling, diarrhea or increased thirst if ingested.
- Keep long hair well groomed to allow maximum air flow. Special grooming tools are available to remove your dog's thick, insulating undercoat, but don't shave the coat right off as the hair provides sun protection.
- Never leave your dog in the car on a warm day as temperatures can sore to more than 100° F within a few minutes regardless if the windows are open an inch or two or the car is parked in the shade. When in doubt, leave your dog at home.
- Know the signs of heat stroke, which are heavy panting, profuse sweating from paw pads, thick saliva, dry mouth, gums redder than normal, high body temperatures (above 105 °F), weakness and serious signs - nausea, diarrhea, breathing problems, seizures and collapse. If heat stroke is suspected, immediately lower the dog's body temperature by spraying with tepid to cool water (not cold or ice water as it constricts blood vessels and slows the cooling process), covering with towels soaked in cool water and placing the dog in front of a fan. Follow up with a veterinarian is essential as there may be internal organ damage.
For more information on Dogsafe courses, see www. dogsafe.ca.
