It’s that time of the year again here in Northern Ireland where we get a few scorching days then back to the usual. Although the good weather may be fleeting it’s important to keep our doggies safe in this heat so here’s my top tips for beating the summer heat!
Be very careful and considerate with the following dogs that are prone to struggling more in this type of weather;
- Young puppies
- Elderly dogs
- Brachycephalic dogs – flat faced dogs such as pugs etc
- Thick coated dogs
Keeping them cool
- Do not shave a double coated dog – make sure to brush regularly to get rid of dead coat
- Cooling products such as cooling mats, cooling vests/harnesses, and bandannas soaked in water are great to help keep dogs cool – DIY options such as damp towels are also a good option
- Give your dog some cooling treats – some ideas for frozen goodies are;
- frozen kongs
- homemade ice treats using low sodium broth, yoghurt, peanut butter, coconut oil, fish oil etc.
- frozzys instead of human ice cream as it’s healthier for them
- frozen fruits like berries, watermelon, banana
- Always have water on outings, when at the beach make sure to provide lots of fresh water to help prevent them from drinking the salt water as it will dehydrate them
- Ice cubes can be put into their water bowl to keep water cool and refresh the supply as it melts
Protection from the sun
- Special dog sun cream should be used on dogs with short or sparse hair such as dogs with short white hair and exposed pink skin
- If you must absolutely walk your dog on pavement then use booties or pad wax to protect their feet
- Walk in shaded areas or if you’re hanging out in the sun bring a pop up tent or a wind break that can provide shade for the dog to escape the direct sun
Avoid heat exhaustion
- Walk early in the morning and later in the evening- avoid midday when the sun is strongest
- Be careful when playing fetch or anything high energy as dogs can easily overdo it when they are having fun
- Avoid any forced jogging or running on leash – let the dog decide when enough is enough
- If there are any bodies of water nearby let them have a dip before or during their walk so the dampness will keep them cool
Take care travelling
- Goes without saying do not leave a dog unattended in a car
- Make sure to cool down the car with the AC 5-10 minutes before letting the dog into the car as we know how stiflingly hot cars can get by just sitting in the sun
- Use a non spill travel bowl to make sure they have access to water while travelling or provide a frozen kong to cool them down
- Provide a cooling mat or dampened towel that they can choose to lie on if it gets too hot
- If putting down the window in the car make sure the dog is secured and can’t jump out, also considering using a mesh window guard to prevent injuries to your dog if it likes to stick it’s head out the window, as debris from the road can get kicked up into their face
Do you have any top tips for beating the summer heat? We usually play a lot of fun games, mental stimulation and training inside when it’s too hot for outings.
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