Keeping Dogs Cool in the Heat!
This week most of America’s Northeast will be dealing with a heatwave. Temps could go above 100 degrees and that means it’s important for humans AND their furry friends to stay safe and cool when outside. Especially if your pet was bred for cooler areas of the world.
A FURRY WORLD
Dogs with thicker coats or black fur can be more susceptible to overheating compared to dogs with shorter fur. But it’s important to remember even if a dog has short fur, they can still overheat in the right conditions and even get a sunburn!
Another common misconception is that shaving your dog can make them cooler. And while I’m sure your groomer doesn’t want me to say this, shaving your golden’s coat isn’t necessarily helping them in the summer months. In face it could be doing more damage than good. That’s because a dog’s fur acts a lot like our arm hairs; allowing heat to escape while keeping the cool air close to their skin to aid in the cooling process. Just for the sake of transparency, this is often a hotly contested fact, but just remember - there’s no groomer to shave a wolf’s fur in the wild once it’s over 80… Nature always has a plan.
RIDESHARE
This shouldn’t be a fact that needs restating, but unfortunately IT DOES! Leaving your dog in a car without proper ventilation can be literally deadly! Even for a short amount of time. Temps inside a close car without A/C or ventilation can jump 20 degrees in minutes. Earlier this year Maine’s state comfort dog was found dead in his handler’s official vehicle on a day when it was over 80 degrees. The handle left the car unattended, but running with the A/C on. However, because the handle left with the key fob on them, the car eventually shut off because of a default setting.
Obviously this story is beyond tragic. The only thing anyone can hope to gain from it, is being aware that even though you have the best intention for your pet, something could still go wrong. So be aware of your car’s setting, leave windows down the right amount, and only bring your pet with you when you have no other choice.
TIMING
Knowing when to take your pet into the heat is incredibly important during extreme temps. So think ahead and plan your outdoor times appropriately.
Keep an eye on your weather apps, the hourly forecast can help you plan your day to minimize you and your pet’s risk of heatstroke.
Noon is rarely the hottest part of the day. It’s typically between 1 and 4. That’s because the sun heats up the ground all morning, then that heat radiates back up off the ground.
COOL IT!
So instead of dumping water on your dog’s back to cool them. Try wetting down the areas marked above: chest, belly, and paws mainly. Flooding their back with water might seem like a good idea, but in truth what happens is that water is then warmed up by the sun and contributes to your dog’s temperature instead of decreases it. If you’re in a space with access to cool water, consider soaking a towel and laying it down for them to lay on! Or having a kiddie pool filled with fresh cool water so they can swim or lay down in it.
It’s also important that your dog does not drink TOO much water TOO fast. This can cause bloating and cause air to enter their stomachs. If your dog is drinking uncontrollably, pull the water away from them long enough that they can breath, then allow them to have more. Continue until they seem hydrated.
The American Kennel Club advises a dog drink an ounce of water per pound of body weight on an average day. If you’re swimming take note that your dog could (and most likely will) choose to drink the water they’re swimming in. And if you’re at the beach, that means salt water which will lead to some pretty loose stool pretty rapidly. Too much salt water is not great for your friend, but in most cases, that ends up just being a mess and not life-threatening to your pet. Try to carry freshwater with you and a portable bowl for your pet.
There’s lots to say about keeping yourself and your pet safe in extreme temps, some of what I have in this post is sourced from the AKC’s site which you can find HERE and from Steve Del Savio at Pack Leader Dogs, you can find his site HERE. The video he made on overheating can be found on TikTok HERE.
No matter what, please please make sure you and your pet are staying safe in the heat this summer. And remember, prevention is the best way to keep your furry friend safe! Take water with you for them and always think ahead about where you’ll be and when you’ll be there.
