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, sweating only from their paws and panting to reduce their body temperature. Dogsafe canine first aid instructors urge families with dogs to remember these canine cooling tips:
1. Always have cool water available to drink and don’t assume that water-filled creeks will be available along a forest dog walk or downtown stores will have canine water dishes. Always carry a water bottle or a collapsible bowl that you may fill at local water fountains, public washrooms or cafes. If your hands are full, your dog can wear a lightweight backpack to carry his own supplies.
2. 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.
3. Make dog-friendly frozen treats with popsicle molds or ice cube trays and using diluted chicken or beef broth or canine electrolyte replacements. You may also soak rope toys in the liquid and freeze, fill up any hollow dog toys such as a Kong (plug the bottom hole with a piece of carrot) or make a slushy by crushing ice and adding a meat-flavored liquid.
4. 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. Electrolyte replacements are used to replenish fluids, minerals and glucose at optimal absorption rates, think Gatorade for canines.
5. 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. Always supervise your dog and use a canine life jacket for safe, deep water fun.
6. Provide a cool sleeping area. If you crate your dog, put the crate in the coldest part of the house, usually bathroom or basement, clip on a crate fan to circulate the air and remove the blankets which retain body heat. Cushioned water-filled mats specifically designed for canine cooling are also helpful.
7. 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. If your dog does experience minor sunburn, seen as red skin and hair loss, flush the area with cool water to reduce skin temperature, relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
8. 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.
9. NEVER leave your dog in the car on a warm day as temperatures can sore to over a 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. (Dogs in Hot Cars: Understanding Heat Stroke and the Law)
10. 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 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.
PRINTER-FRIENDLY PDF VERSION
Enjoy the warm weather, and hey, why not join us for a DOGSAFE canine first aid course? Check out all our courses, find your closest instructor or register for distance education (available across Canada and United States).
Join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
© 2012 Michelle Sevigny. DOGSAFE Canine First Aid. www.dogsafe.ca. Reprint permission granted with full copyright intact.
Photo by wanderingone
1. Always have cool water available to drink and don’t assume that water-filled creeks will be available along a forest dog walk or downtown stores will have canine water dishes. Always carry a water bottle or a collapsible bowl that you may fill at local water fountains, public washrooms or cafes. If your hands are full, your dog can wear a lightweight backpack to carry his own supplies.
2. 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.
3. Make dog-friendly frozen treats with popsicle molds or ice cube trays and using diluted chicken or beef broth or canine electrolyte replacements. You may also soak rope toys in the liquid and freeze, fill up any hollow dog toys such as a Kong (plug the bottom hole with a piece of carrot) or make a slushy by crushing ice and adding a meat-flavored liquid.
4. 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. Electrolyte replacements are used to replenish fluids, minerals and glucose at optimal absorption rates, think Gatorade for canines.
5. 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. Always supervise your dog and use a canine life jacket for safe, deep water fun.
6. Provide a cool sleeping area. If you crate your dog, put the crate in the coldest part of the house, usually bathroom or basement, clip on a crate fan to circulate the air and remove the blankets which retain body heat. Cushioned water-filled mats specifically designed for canine cooling are also helpful.
7. 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. If your dog does experience minor sunburn, seen as red skin and hair loss, flush the area with cool water to reduce skin temperature, relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
8. 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.
9. NEVER leave your dog in the car on a warm day as temperatures can sore to over a 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. (Dogs in Hot Cars: Understanding Heat Stroke and the Law)
10. 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 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.
PRINTER-FRIENDLY PDF VERSION
Enjoy the warm weather, and hey, why not join us for a DOGSAFE canine first aid course? Check out all our courses, find your closest instructor or register for distance education (available across Canada and United States).
Join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
© 2012 Michelle Sevigny. DOGSAFE Canine First Aid. www.dogsafe.ca. Reprint permission granted with full copyright intact.
Photo by wanderingone
