Keeping Your Dog Cool In Summer
Dogs don’t sweat when they get hot. Instead, they pant, but this isn’t effective when the air is about the same as their body temperature. Panting can only help to reduce a dog’s body temperature. Heat stroke has occurred after a puppy’s body temperature exceeds 104 degrees.
Countless dogs suffer from heat stroke every year, but it is no laughing matter. A few cases may cause death in as little as 20 minutes without medical attention, although heat stroke can take hours until it becomes deadly.
Keeping your pet cool and healthy through the summer also can help expand your dogs’ life. Thus, it is very important to learn how to keep your pet cool once the temperature starts rising.
Understand How Dogs Cool Down
Dogs cool down primarily through panting as stated before. Unfortunately this isn’t the ideal way of cooling down. Panting functions when air moves before going into the dog’s body, over the saliva on the pet’s tongue cooling it. If the temperature outside is warmer than the dog’s normal body temperature, it is not very likely will have the ability to do a lot to cool your dog down.
There’s another mechanism that helps dogs cool down. According to Dr. Wimple in the Angel Veterinary Clinic in Texas, dogs possess an involuntary response to warmth wherein the blood vessels in the head, ears, feet and face constrict, restricting the blood flow to those areas and therefore cooling them.
Lots of Shade
Make certain to protect them if your dog remains outside from the warmth of the sun by offering loads of shade. The shade moves as the sun moves across the sky, meaning that there might be no (shade) during midday when the sun hits its peak. Hence, you should be certain that a shade is for your dog throughout the day or just looking at top rated houses for dogs.
Fresh Water Supply
Drinking water is a means for dogs to cool themselves ensure that your dog has adequate water supply.
It is not enough though to simply provide a large bowlful of water. A water bowl may get hot. Look at getting a water bowl with a hose attachment that retains and also replenishes water.
Dogs may turn over their water bowls leaving them without water throughout the day. This could be a situation that is really dangerous. Make sure to get your dog a water bowl that is not easy to turn over.
Reduce Fatty Foods
Fats maintain dogs insulated during the colder months. However, in dogs do not need the insulation so it is best to feed them low fat dog foods to maintain healthy and then lean during the summer. Dogs that are lean will feel cooler and lighter without the layers of fat. Nevertheless, before changing your pet’s diet, you need to consult with your vet first.