Summer is in full swing. The sun is shining, the air is heavy, and the temperature is rising rapidly. Unfortunately, our furry friends face many health risks during this season.

As man’s best friend, we can’t let our pets we treat as family be unwell this summer. Continue reading to keep your dogs healthy in the heat!

Do Not Dehydrate Your Dog

In the summer, it's important to have plenty of water on hand to keep dogs cool. Carrying a portable, collapsible water bowl and cold water bottles is among the simplest ways to keep your dog cool and hydrated. Water should be given to your dog every hour. Get him or her into the shade and give more water immediately if he starts to pant excessively.

Take It Easy Outside

Even though your dog might think it's a great idea to play fetch in the sun for hours, try to moderate your dog's exercise routine on hot summer days.

Dogs with a lot of energy and those who enjoy playing have a hard time deciding when enough is enough. They depend on you to make wise decisions for them. Try bringing the fun inside. Hide-and-seek with treats or fetch with a soft toy is an excellent way for your dog to burn off energy in a cool setting.

Give Your Dog a Splash

Allowing your dog to swim or engage in other water play activities is one way to keep him cool during outdoor gatherings. Always check the gathering location ahead of time to see if your dog has access to water. Additionally, it's a good idea to bring some old towels so you can dry your dog off after a game.

Temporarily Don’t Use the Dog House

Because they restrict airflow and trap heat inside, dog houses are not safe in hot weather. When you can, keep your pet inside if they are outside, and make sure they have access to plenty of water and shade. To keep your dog cool while they are outside, you can put ice in their water bowl if the weather is particularly hot.

Dogs Should Never Be Left Inside a Parked Car

Not for even a minute. Not even with the air conditioner turned on, and the car is running. On a hot day, the temperature inside a car can quickly increase to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for instance, a car with the windows slightly open can reach 102 degrees in less than 10 minutes. The temperature will rise to 120 degrees after 30 minutes. Your pet could pass away or sustain fatal organ damage.

Short-Nosed Dogs Require Extra Caution

When it's hot outside, brachycephalic breeds are also known as short-nosed or snub-nosed. Dogs such as Bulldogs, Pekingese, and Pugs—are more likely to experience breathing problems. Brachycephalic breeds can't pant as effectively due to their distinctive facial structure, which means they can't cool off as effectively. They are more likely to suffer from heat exhaustion and other heat-related complications.

Get Ready for Power Outages

To prevent your pets from suffering from heat stroke and other temperature-related issues, create emergency plans before a summer storm strikes the power in your home.

Kennel Service for Pets During Your Vacation

While it might be alluring to leave your dog at home and have someone come by to check on them periodically, doing so in the summer can be extremely risky. Even leaving your dog with friends or family could be dangerous if the dog sitters are unaware of heat exhaustion. In addition to providing your pet with lots of attention, boarding facilities can keep them cool and secure during the hottest months.

Be Aware of Your Dog’s Medical History

Remember that keeping your dog cool is even more important if they are older or suffer from illnesses like heart disease, obesity, or breathing issues.

Be Alert for Heat Stroke Symptoms

When your dog is unable to expel extra heat, heat stroke happens. Typically identified by a body temperature of 106 degrees or higher.

Watch for these common signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

• Fever. Your dog may be feverish if their nose is hot and dry rather than wet and cool. An abnormal body temperature is greater than 103°F.
• Dehydration. Dehydration symptoms include a dry nose, evident fatigue, and sunken eyes.
• Excessive panting or breathing issues. Your dog may be overheating if they are hyperventilating or panting continuously. Due to their ineffective panting, dogs with flat faces like pugs are more prone to heat exhaustion.
• Extreme drooling. Watch out for excessive amounts of drool or unusually thick or sticky drool.
• Absence of urine. Your pet may be overheated or dehydrated if they have trouble passing urine.
• Unusual gum color. Your dog may be dehydrated if their gums appear different from usual.
• Weakness or sluggishness. Overheated dogs may nap more frequently than usual or have trouble getting up or moving around.
• Rapid heartbeat. Placing your hand on your dog's chest close to the front elbow joint is the simplest way to check their pulse. They may be overheated if their pulse appears elevated. 
• Muscle tremors. Regardless of the weather, if your dog is shaking or shivering, it could be due to heat exhaustion.
• Dizziness. Your dog may be dizzy from dehydration or heat exhaustion if they appear to have trouble walking straight or keep bumping into furniture.
• Nausea or diarrhea. A stool that is unusually soft or contains blood is a major sign of heat exhaustion.

How to manage your pet if they are experiencing heat exhaustion:

1. Bring your dog immediately to a cooler location—preferably inside.

2. Wet them thoroughly with cool water to lower their body temperature. Use warm water only! Although it goes against logic, cooling down too quickly can be just as harmful as heat exhaustion. Use warm water instead of cool for puppies.

3. More cool water should be applied to their paws and ears. This lowers the fever.

4. To dry off, place them in front of a fan. Check your pet's temperature frequently if you have a thermometer for animals on hand. Remove the fan and stop applying water once their temperature reaches 103 degrees.

5. Give them small amounts of lukewarm or cool water to drink as they continue to cool down. Again, no ice or cold water.

6. As soon as you can, give your veterinarian a call. Even if your dog appears to be getting better. They might need to be checked for shock, dehydration, kidney failure, and other potential heat exhaustion complications. The best course of action will be suggested by your veterinarian.

Conclusion

With a little extra care and attention, summer can be a ton of fun for both you and your pets. Let's keep our furry friends safe and healthy!