Ask the Vet | How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer

Ready for a summertime game of catch with your favorite four-legged friend? Not so fast. If you’re feeling the heat, you can bet your dog is, too. And for him, overheating can be dangerous. Follow these tips to keep him cool during the dog days of summer.
“Heatstroke is by far the greatest concern,” as most veterinarians agree. A Hebrew University study found that 50% of dogs with heatstroke won’t survive the initial 3 days post the episode.
Also known as hyperthermia, heatstroke happens when a dog’s body temperature rises above the average 41 degrees C, and can’t be controlled by normal cooling processes, like panting. Warning signs include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and, at the worst, confusion and seizures. Here’s how to keep your dog cool and healthy all summer long (and even get in a few games of outdoor catch).

Follow his lead. The No. 1 sign that a dog’s core temperature is getting too high is fatigue. If you’re out for a hike with your dog on a hot day and he’s searching for every shady spot to lie down in, turn around and carry him home. If you’re worried that he’s overheated, you can use a rectal thermometer to check his temperature when you get home.

Don’t let the temperature fool you. Dogs can get too hot in weather as low as 28 degrees C. Add in humidity and exercise and it could be a recipe for disaster. If you can’t comfortably sit outside for an extended period of time, then don’t let your dog do it, either.

Change your walking time. Dogs still need activity in the summer, but it’s best to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Try going early in the morning or late at night after the sun has set.

Don’t give your dog a haircut. You may be tempted to shave your pup’s thick hair in an effort to cool him off for the summer, but it could do more harm than good. A dog’s coat provides a buffer to help him regulate his body temperature. A trim won’t help him handle the heat.

Don’t use ice. If your dog shows signs of heatstroke, wet him down with room temperature water and put him in front of a fan. Your first instinct might be to pack ice packs around him or cool him off as quickly as possible, but the cold causes his blood vessels to constrict, and when they constrict they can’t get rid of heat. Call your vet and take your dog in right away for treatment. by Dr Ruan Du Toit Bester

Hope this helps
Till next week
Dr Ruan

Ask the Vet: Royal Veterinary Centre
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