Pets

How to cool a dog down in summer heat

cool a dog in summer

Every summer, people in the media hear and read about dogs who suffer a heat stroke and collapse or die miserably. In most cases, the heat stroke of the dog can be attributed to misconduct and carelessness of the dog owner. When dog and heat meet, so there is much to consider. Here’s how to avoid a heat stroke and how to cool a dog down properly in the heat.

Why dogs overheat faster

How does a dog “sweat”?

To understand why dogs overheat faster than humans, you need to know that dogs do not sweat like humans do. Humans regulate their body temperature through sweating. This is not possible for a dog. The skin of the dog has no significant sweat glands. Only the underside of the paws is equipped with a small number of sweat glands.

Dogs regulate their temperature mainly by panting. The air, which the dog takes over the nasopharynx, cools the dog down over the multiply folded nasal mucosa. At temperatures above twenty degrees, this cooling system works only partially. The dog can not pant the required cold air against his mucous membranes to effectively lower the temperature so you need to cool a dog down.

Moist, humid air makes the problem worse. To prevent overheating in dogs, cool a dog down. You need to know how to cool your four-legged friend, and what you need to do to keep his environment comfortable during the heat.

Signs of overheating in the dog

Heavy panting, shortness of breath and apathy can be signs of overheating in dogs. Combined with excitement, weakness, and a strong heartbeat, these signs lead to a circulatory collapse without cooling.

If the dog starts to stumble and the mucous membranes are intensely reddened, you must cool the dog and in the worst case, see the veterinarian immediately.

To keep those things from happening, there are several behavioral tips that will help you avoid overheating and show you how to properly cool a dog down in the heat. If the overheating has occurred, you will learn how to cool a dog down properly in the heat to prevent damage to health.

The best tips to cool a dog down

Dog and heat in the home

Many dog ​​owners are forced to leave their dog at home during the day when it comes to work and shopping. To prevent overheating of dogs in these cases, you should make sure that the heat in the home is largely minimized to cool a dog down.

You can achieve this by simple behavioral measures. Ensure adequate ventilation of the apartment and dark windows through roller blinds and curtains. 

In top floor apartments, there is often a heat build-up. A mobile air conditioning and fans help.

Dogs like to lie down on cool surfaces with their outstretched body if it gets too warm. If your apartment is equipped with carpets, the dog is missing the opportunity to look for a cold area. There are also cooling pads for pets, which can cool a dog down.

Nutrition and drinking to cool a dog down.

Dogs eat less during the heat than usual. If you are the owner of a dog that is eaten away and constantly on the lookout for food, you have to reduce the amount of meals. It may be healthier to spread the four-legged friends’ meals over several small portions a day.

The need for water increases in the warm months in humans and dogs. Provide enough fresh water to prevent overheating in dogs and cool a dog down. 
The water should be changed several times a day. Ice cubes are often picked up by dogs in the warm season and keep the water fresh.

A small ice ball is allowed. You should avoid chocolate and cocoa. These ingredients are poisonous. Just freeze a yogurt or some quark. You get a sugar-free, healthy and cooling snack that your dog likes to take off.

The dog in the garden and on the balcony

If your dog stays in the garden a lot, shady places are mandatory to prevent overheating in dogs and cool a dog down.

Note that the kennel is not a good place to stay for your dog if temperatures rise. Similar to the car, the temperatures in the kennel rise quickly. There is no exchange of warm to cold air and the dog may suffer a heat stroke.

There are dogs who love to get the necessary cooling in the water. 
If you do not have a pond in your garden where the dog can jump in, offer a paddling pool where the dog can cool off. A small paddling pool also fits on the balcony. There are special dog pools. For some dogs but also a converted sand shell costs.

A parasol protects the dog on the balcony from strong sunlight and heat and helps cool a dog down.

The walks

In order to break away, the dog must regularly outside the door. Long walks, which should give the dog movement, must be laid in the cooler morning hours and evening hours. In order to avoid overheating in dogs, you must always take water to these walks.

Exuberant romping and playing during these trips lead to a rise in body temperature. If you are not traveling with your dog near a body of water or in a cool forest, minimize these game phases. 
If you have played extensively in the shade on the way, the dog can cool off by giving him the opportunity to go into a stream or a pond.

If your dog avoids the water, you can cool a dog down by using damp cloths.

The ground in hot weather

Asphalt and sand get hot from the heat. There is a risk that your dog burns his paws. Before starting the walk, check the temperature of the soil. If the ground on your hands is too hot for you, it is guaranteed to run for your dog.

For small dogs, hot road surfaces and hot sand are an additional source of overheating in dogs. They are literally “lowered” and get the full charge of temperature on their abdomen. The heat coming from below additionally heats the little dog.

Dog and heat: sunscreen

Even dogs can get sunburn, which favors skin cancer. Especially dogs with many white coat pigments and pink skin are at risk. So cream your dog. Frequently affected areas are bridge of the nose and ears. There are special sun creams for dogs. Alternatively, a sunscreen for toddlers can be used. Make sure that the cream contains no perfume or other additives.

Sporting activities

Jogging with a dog in hot weather

Active dogs and dog owners love to go jogging and cycling with their dog, among other things. At temperatures of 20 degrees you should renounce this leisure pleasure. The body temperature rises sharply. If you have exhausted yourself on a warm day in the morning, it is important that you cool a dog down properly in the heat.

Cool swimming for the dog

As an alternative to jogging and cycling, both of you can go swimming. It will cool a dog down in the heat and you can have fun together.

The bathing rules apply to swimming for both of you. Do not go swimming with the dog immediately after eating.

  • For waters that you do not know, you should keep an eye on the dangers. 
  • Waters can hide currents, invisible obstacles and dangers. So do not let the dog jump into an unknown body of water from a great height.
  • If you do not know if your dog is coming back to you in the water, use a towline. 
  • Feel your four-legged in the water well, the dog can cool off and enjoy. 
  • If you travel with your dog to a beach, you should first give him enough water before you cool it down properly in the heat. You prevent him from taking in tons of salt water and vomiting it through vomiting and diarrhea.
  • After cooling in salt water, the dog must be washed with fresh water and freed from the sand. Salt and sand cause itching and dry out the skin.
  • The water hose is a good way for water-loving dogs, so you cool the dog properly in heat. You start with the runs and work your way up to the rest of your body.
  • If the dog is averse to water, it is slowly accustomed to the hose or use wipes so that the dog can cool down, for example cold-damped towels.

Dog training in the heat

Everyone knows that it is difficult to concentrate at high temperatures. The dog is no different. Make him up and work on his obedience, avoid the hours of the great heat. For one thing, your dog will not enjoy the work and avoid obedience, on the other hand it can lead to overheating in dogs, if he has to do too much at high temperatures.

Dangerous trap – the ride in the car!

The danger

A car quickly becomes an oven that overheats in dogs in no time. If driving can not be avoided, special attention is paid here. You can prepare your dog for the drive and cool a dog down by taking various measures.

air conditioner

If you have air conditioning, turn it on. What helps you to survive the temperatures also helps to cool a dog down. Avoid setting the air conditioner to the highest level immediately, but slowly get used to the temperature change.

Missing in your vehicle, the air conditioning, drive with slightly open windows. The dog should not be in the passage. The dog box must be air permeable and must not be delivered with luggage. 
With damp towels that you put over the body, you support the possibility that the dog can cool down.

cooling mats

Cooling mats in the vehicle, help cool a dog down. But beware: Do not leave the cooling mat in direct sunlight. Many cooling mats heat up as a result.

If you cool a dog down properly before driving in heat and give him the opportunity to go swimming, you’ll make the journey easier.

In the heat, driving with the car should be as short as possible. Sufficient cold water must be taken, so that you cool the dog properly in the heat. 
Take breaks more often and give the dog the opportunity to slowly move in the air. Moistened his coat with water and regularly offer him liquid for drinking.

Never leave your dog alone in the car if it’s hot outside. Even with the window open, the car is too warm. Even at temperatures of 20 degrees, the car can become a heat trap!

First aid in case of overheating

If you cool your dog properly in the heat, you prevent damage to your health. If the dog is overheated despite all caution, it is important to let the dog cool down.

As a first measure, the dog must be immediately placed in a cool area and in a cool place. 
The temperature must be lowered slowly. The towels are lukewarm at the beginning and gradually get colder.

The catch is moistened with water. Dogs with overheating suffer from lack of water. The water must be replaced by an infusion. The walk to the vet is mandatory in severe cases.

Conclusion dog and heat

As a mindful dog owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your dog cools properly in the heat. With a few rules of behavior, it’s no problem to make your four-legged friends feel comfortable and safe in the hot months.

Avoid dishes and muzzles that restrict the body and reduce panting. Provide sufficient water and avoid the hot times of the day for activities. If you cool your dog properly in the heat, he will come through the summer healthy.