The summer heat in Australia can often be extreme, so we need to ensure our furry friends are kept cool and comfortable. Here’s how you can ensure your dog is safe during the warm summer months.
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Our beloved companions require our help to be kept comfortable when the temperature is rising over summer. It’s extremely important to prioritise the welfare of our dogs when the mercury is rising, and we need to consider the steps we can take to keep our dogs comfortable at all times, especially if we are taking them to various outdoor activities over the summer months.
Staying hydrated is important for both humans and dogs alike. Ensure your dog has access to fresh, cool water at all times. Dogs can double their water intake in high temperatures and humidity, so ensure you keep your dog’s water bowl continuously topped up. If your dog is not a big drinker, you can pop some ice cubes or slices of apple in their water so they have have fun bobbing for treats, and receiving fluid intake at the same time.
Providing your dog with a cool, shady area to rest is crucial. When outdoors, ensure your dog has access to proper shade – whether is be an undercover deck or gazebo, a canopy, sun umbrellas, or even a large shady tree. If using portable shade make sure it is safely secured.
Equally as important is airflow, especially if travelling with your dog during the summer months. Nowadays you can purchase rechargeable, battery operated fans that you can attach to your dog’s crate, pen or anything solid such as your patio. Some fans even feature a cooling mist function which may find you competing with your dog for prime position in front of the refreshing mist! Don’t forget the spare batteries if travelling with such handy gadgets.
Other handy inventions that can be useful during the warm summer are cooling coats, cooling collars, or cooling mats. You can also wet a towel or freeze it for a quick and easy DIY cooling mat. Most dogs also enjoy a good play underneath the garden hose. Better yet, fill up a kiddy pool with water and have fun splashing away with your dog. It goes without saying that you should never leave your pets unsupervised in a pool, even shallow ones.
Some dogs with white or pink noses may require a doggy sunscreen to protect their sensitive skin from sunburn. There are various dog safe sunscreens on the market that will suit your fur baby. Simply rub it over their noses, tips of ears, and anywhere they are lacking in fur to protect them from the sun.
It is also important to keep your dogs well-groomed. Most double coated breeds have self-insulating fur, so do not shave or clip double coated dogs unless advised to do so by a veterinarian. However ensure you give them a good brush and deshedding often to help remove the dead undercoat, so that their fur works in the best way nature intended. Some single coated dogs may require clipping or regular visits to their groomer to keep their coat short in preparation for the warmer months.
Pavements, concrete, and bitumen can easily burn paw pads in the searing summer heat. Always be aware of the temperature and never walk your dog during the hottest part of the day. It is best to walk early in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun’s heat has had a chance to fade. Remember, if the ground is too hot for you to walk outside barefoot, then it will also be too hot for your dog! You can also test the ground temperature by placing the back of your hand on the concrete – if it is too warm for you to place your hand there for 5 seconds then it is far too hot for your dog. It is also important to avoid vigorous exercise for your dog during high temperature days.
You should never leave your dog unsupervised without adequate water, shade, cooling and ventilation – and never leave your dog in a parked car on warm days. The temperature inside a car can rise very rapidly, within a matter of minutes, and could have dire and life-threathening consequences for your dog.
Heat Stroke in Dogs
Dogs are prone to heat stress/heat stroke, especially overweight dogs or brachycephalic breeds. Dogs are unable to sweat like humans do, so their only way of regulating their body temperature is by panting. Generally speaking, if a dog’s body temperature exceeds 39.4°C, it is suffering from heat stroke or hyperthermia. The condition becomes life-threatening with potential organ failure as soon as the body temperature reaches between 41°C to 42°C .
Therefore it’s crucial that you are aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion in your dog. Any of these signs could indicate heat stroke – your dog does not have to demonstrate all of these symptoms:
- Elevated body temperature
- Fatigue, lethargy and disorientation
- Excessive panting
- Elevated heart rate
- Excessive drooling or salivating
- Vomiting
- Dry or sticky gums
- Gums in an abnormal colour
- Seizures or your dog has collapsed
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, seek veterinary treatment immediately. Heat stroke is an immediate medical emergency. Your dog’s body temperature must be safely brought down in a controlled manner. Pour cool (not cold!) water over the dog’s body, or apply wet, cool cloths to the dog’s paws, stomach, and armpits, ensuring that you replace the cloths often to avoid heat retention. Do not use ice or cold water to avoid shock. Allow your dog to drink water if they are willing. Ensure there is plenty of ventilation and cool air flow across the dog until you can reach the vet.
Summer is a great season to spend outdoors with your dog, and now that you know what precautions to take to ensure your dog is kept comfortable, you can enjoy summer with your best friend by your side!
At WeatherBeeta, we’re here to help you create amazing memories with your four legged friends! Check out our great range of products for dogs, horses and yourself . Our friendly team is here to provide assistance and recommendations with our products. Call 03 9845 0600 between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or contact us online.
