Dogs in hot weather
Dogs in hot weather can really suffer. They don't sweat like us, they pant, and they often don't have the sense to think, 'You know what? I think I'll go and cool down under that bench rather than sit in this blazing sun for another hour.'
This is where you need to keep an eye on them and show your dog that you know best.
Remember dogs with darker coats will absorb the heat more, and overweight dogs will also be at more risk of dehydration.
Signs of dehydration include excessive panting, lethargy and bloodshot eyes.
Keep your dogs cool with the following tips:
If possible exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night. You can also ease up on them a bit when it's hot - leave the five mile hike for when the weather's a bit cooler.
Offer clean, fresh water to drink. A collapsible water container is a good idea to have in the car or even a non-spill container. For outside, consider a weighted bowl so it's not so easy to knock over.
Here's Georgie enjoying a much needed drink after a walk.
Pet Planet currently have these K9 Quenchers that avoid dehydration. Just open the pack and add the K9 Quencher mix to your dog's water bowl. Available in 3 mouth-watering flavours.
Water can also be poured down the chest area - the belly is a good place for water to reach when it's hot - and on their paws. All very welcome for dogs in hot weather.
You'll often see dogs digging when it's hot (I know our Retriever does). They're just trying to create a cool den to escape to and it's perfectly natural. So as long as it's not in your garden, I say let them do it.
If it's very hot and your dog is walking on concrete, tarmac or asphalt, be aware of temperatures under their paws. You can buy dog booties for this very purpose which attach with velcro and protect paws from extremes of temperature including severe cold. This may be something we British will have to consider in years to come. I must admit, I've seen them on pictures of dogs but didn't realise they actually served a very important purpose. Sorry for my ignorance, but I just thought the owners must be Jimmy Choo fans!
Spending the afternoon in a sunny garden is one of life's pleasures. Why not set up a doggy paddling pool and let them cool down that way - preferably place it in the shade.
The belly area is particularly responsive to the cooling down process. Forget about biscuits on a hot day - how about treating your dog with a wet towel to lie on. This will really help a dog to cool down.
And finally it does no harm to issue a reminder about leaving your dog in the car. Even when the window's open, it's dangerous. Dogs in hot weather can die in over-heated cars and it doen't take long for this to happen. If you see a dog looking uncomfortable in a locked car on a hot day, you can call the police.
Please think twice before you pop into that shop and leave your dog in the car.
Let's finish with our English Springer Spaniel friend cooling down on a warm Spring day - bliss.
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