Let your furry friends have fun this summer!
As the temperature rises, it’s officially the dog days of summer and your four-legged companion can’t wait to spend quality time with you. Well, Summer is the best time to have fun with your fur baby but hot weather can also make your pet uncomfortable. The normal body temperature for a dog is typically between 99.5°F-101.5°F and when it goes above 101.5 F, chances are that your pup may get hyperthermia. This is why vets always advise keeping your pets hydrated during summers. Pet parents should also know all the overheating symptoms for their pets which includes excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart, and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, etc. Some serious symptoms may also include seizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
For all your beach-day fun, when you want to soak up the sun with your furry pal, it’s important to prepare in advance. Here are some of the mistakes that dog owners make without even realizing it:
Not knowing the dog breeds which don’t do well in hot weather
The weather has a direct effect on your pet’s mood and that's why as the temperature rises, some dogs rejoice, while others seek out cool places for rest. Though all dogs are susceptible to hot weather conditions, certain breeds are less heat tolerant than others. Brachycephalic breeds, such as Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, etc. have difficulty breathing in extreme heat and like to stay in air-conditioned rooms. So, if you own a breed like these, you may experience that your dog is not much active in summer and doesn't like playing.
Leaving your dog alone in the car or pool area
The cabin temperature of closed vehicles in direct sunlight can quickly rise to a level that may harm pets. Leaving your furry friend alone in a parked car can be a major life risk. They can get heat stroke or brain damage which may also kill them in just 15 minutes. Or, leaving your pets unsupervised around a pool that contains chlorine and other chemicals may bring a problem for them. The dog’s eyes, ears, and nose are sensitive and more susceptible to the effects of chlorine, which can irritate the eyes of your pup.
Not taking your pet for a stroll
Just like humans, pets also need daily outdoor walks for their mental, physical and social health. We all know that a fun morning walk has its great benefits but taking your pet on a walk can also help in strengthening its relationship with the owner. To keep your pets healthy, active, energized, and social, it’s good to take them out for short morning and evening walks.
Pets also get sunburns
Light-colored dogs or dogs with white fur are more susceptible to sunburns. Your dog may have skin irritation or red rashes if it’s overexposed to the sun which may cause great discomfort, skin ache, and distress to them.
Do’s of taking care of your pup during summers
- Give them a shady place to sit, and place a fan or cooler near them
- Give frozen treats to your furry pals such as ice cream, frozen broth popsicles, chilled cucumbers, or frozen food toys to keep them cool
- Provide them with wet, cool towels to lie on, or sponge cold water on their feet, abdomen, and under their legs
- Give lots of juicy, sumptuous superfoods to your furry friend such as watermelons, cucumbers, oranges, pineapple, spinach, mangoes, bananas, etc.
- Apply sunscreen to your pets before taking them out in the sun
Don'ts of taking care of your pup during summers
- Don’t let your pets linger on asphalt, sand, or other hot surfaces because it quickly heat up their bodies
- Don’t force your pet to go out if it’s extremely hot outside
- Make sure you take them for regular vet checkups to prevent dehydration
- Do not over-exercise your pets and keep their walk time minimum
- Don’t shave your pets, rather trim their long hair and this will prevent your darling dogs from overheating
Inputs by Mr Faisal Islam, co-founder, Carry My Pet
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