Wow it is hot!
As Brits we do like to comment on the weather! But let's think about how we can help our dogs!
Keeping cool is tough for us, but how do we do this for our dogs? That should be the question we ask in this weather. We need to think carefully about this. So shaving our dogs seems like a good idea - but don't! Dogs coats are designed to help them regulate their temperature! Double coated dogs particularly should NOT be shaved unless for a medical reason. Their coats are designed to help with temperature regulation and if we interfere with this they can't do this! I know that we thing that they must be struggling in a fur coat, but remember they don't sweat through their skin, and if they aren't sweating through their skin the heat won't escape if they are shaved! Dogs are designed differently to humans and we need to remember this. Their coats are designed to adjust to temperatures!
Heat waves seem to be the new normal for us in UK so we need to come up with strategies for keeping our pooches cool. Number 1 - DO NOT WALK YOUR DOG! Dogs don't die from missing a walk, but they DO from being walked in hot weather. Number 2 - I know this one is obvious but DO NOT leave your dog in the car! There is no excuse for it. Even with windows cranked it is still too hot for your dog! It can kill, and it is a painful and awful way to die for your dog. If you do see a dog in car the temptation is to break a window and get the dog out, but before you do that please dial 999 and report this, they will advise you what to do!
Some dogs love lying in the sun but try to avoid letting your dog do this, they aren't like us and cannot judge when it is too hot. A paddling pool is a lovely thing, as is hosing down your dog but if you do these things then do it in the shade and then bring your dog into a cool area and do not let them lay in the sun.
The beach, river, canal or stream seems like a good idea in the hot weather too, but before you do this please stop and think! Going to water sources in peak times of the day can be dangerous and should be avoided. Going very early or very late when temperatures have dropped or not risen high is fine, but going in the day is a very dangerous idea. Your dog will be running around and seeming to love life, but it is dangerous for your dog. They don't have the same understanding of us that it is too hot and they don't think about how they will feel afterwards! So avoid water sources during the heat and only go very early or very late.
Keeping rooms cool is important so a fan or air con unit is ideal, keep curtains closed and keep the door to the room closed. The cool air will circulate in the room and lower the temperature. If you leave the door open to cool, air escapes into the rest of your home and doesn't keep the room cool. But remember to keep a supply of fresh, cool water in the room so your dog can keep hydrated! You can put some ice in front of your fan to help reduce the temperature.
One of my favourite things to do in the summer is to make pupsicles for my guys. Warning - you may need to eat a LOT of ice cream to do this! Take a plastic container which you don't mind getting trashed (Ice cream tubs and butter tubs work well), make some weak gravy and allow to cool. Pour into the container and add your pups favourite things - treats, kibble, cheese, ham, bacon etc. Pop in the freezer and wait. Once it is frozen you can take your pupsicle and your pup outside to a shady area and let them enjoy. I find this is a great evening activity and my guys really enjoy an evening outside with a pupsicle, while I have an ice cream and relax.
You can make your own cool mats by wetting towels and freezing them. Pop the towel in a cool area and let your dogs cool down on them, but do keep an eye on these as you don't want them to end up getting too hot and not helping. I also fill ziplock bags with water and freeze them to make a reverse hot water bottle to help keep cool.
A common misconception is giving your dog ice cubes is dangerous. If your dog is suffering from heat stroke DO NOT give them ice cubes, BUT, if your dog is not suffering from this then ice cubes are fine. They can be in the water or as a cool treat. If your dog is suffering from heat stroke GO TO THE VETS! Time is critical with this!
Frozen carrots, bananas, etc can be a nice cool treat for your dog too. Just think dog safe foods that can be frozen! The aim is to keep them cool.
Remember that dogs are built differently to us. They don't sweat in the same way and have different coping strategies to keep cool. Please also remember that if your dog is struggling and showing signs of heat stroke you MUST go to the vets. Do not go on Facebook and ask for advice. Do not waste precious time! Your vet is the only person who should be treating your dog and giving you advice about how to treat heat stroke!
Stay cool guys!