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Cooling down your dog in summer: useful and safe tips
June 14, 2024
During the hottest months of the year, especially during heat alerts, our four-legged friends often find it difficult to regulate their body temperature on their own. The most common risk is suffering from heat stroke (heat hyperpyrexia), a condition that, if not recognized immediately, can cause great discomfort to your animal. Below we give you some useful tips on how to best cope with hot days and cool down your dog in the right and stress-free way.
How do you know if your dog is suffering from the heat?
With the arrival of summer, the nightmare of scorching heat returns for our faithful friends. Depending on the breed, age, size and general health, the innate ability to regulate body temperature can decrease, which can lead to quite serious consequences.
The types that suffer most from the heat are the brachycephalic ones, which are characterized by a broad head and a short muzzle, which makes boxers, bulldogs, Pekingese and pugs more prone to respiratory and eye problems. Older animals and those with heart disease are also sensitive to heat. Learning to recognize an overheated and suffering dog can save his life. Heat stroke is usually manifested by:
reddened or bluish tongue
excessive panting
Weakness and drowsiness
Vomit
Diarrhea
Seizures (although rare)
Body temperature above 40°
Unrest
accelerated heartbeat
excessive salivation
Tremble
reddened mucous membranes
If you see one or more of these symptoms, don't waste any time and take your dog to a trusted veterinarian or the nearest animal clinic immediately. Ask a family member or friend to help you load the dog into the car. In the meantime, try to reduce the temperature gradually by taking simple measures that will provide immediate relief. If no one else can drive the vehicle, ask a trusted person to carry out the measures to cool the dog down.
Take the dog to the shaded area of the vehicle. Give him fresh and clean water to avoid dehydration. Wet the fur with fresh water using only your hands or a clean towel. Although it may seem like a good idea at the moment, avoid ice and never place one or more wet towels on the fur to cool the dog, as this will cause excessive moisture buildup in the dog's body.
While driving to the animal clinic or veterinarian, remember to roll down the windows or, better yet, turn on the air conditioning without directing the airflow directly at your four-legged friend.
Even if you feel the dog is recovering, have the veterinarian perform a general examination to make sure he has not suffered any harm.
Temperature in dogs: How to monitor and keep it ideal
An increase in body temperature is one of the typical symptoms of heat stroke. It can vary depending on the dog's age, breed and any previous illnesses. A healthy large dog can have values between 37.5°C and 39°C, while in an adult small pet they can be between 37.8°C and 38.5°C (between 34.4°C and 36.1°C in puppies). If the temperature is above 40°C, it is better to consult your trusted veterinarian.
Be careful, however, because in some cases a dog can reach record temperatures without having a fever or health problems. This happens, for example, after intense physical activity outdoors.
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, start monitoring the dog's temperature: rectal temperature measurement is much more reliable. Use a pediatric thermometer (one with a soft tip, to be precise).
Although they are state-of-the-art, infrared thermometers or thermal chips are not very accurate. If you do not have a suitable measuring instrument available, you can check the dog's temperature by touching its ears, nose and observing its behavior.
Snout Warm or Cold in Dogs: Health Indicators You Should Know
The dog's truffle houses the sense of smell, the organ that allows the animal to perceive its surroundings. However, to function properly, it must remain moist and allow odor particles to adhere better to the surface. This same organ also helps regulate body temperature, especially during intense play or physical activity.
As a general rule, a cold and wet nose is a sign of good health. A warm and dry nose, on the other hand, could be a cause for concern. This can be caused by: severe dehydration, abnormal secretion, clotted blood, sunburn or heat stroke. However, we emphasize that a warm nose in dogs does not always indicate a possible illness, but can also depend on:
a temperature change during the day
Dehydration after playing or physical activity
lack of lubrication during nap
the age
stress
a warm and dry environment.
So you will understand that a warm nose alone is not enough to judge the real state of health of your four-legged friend and whether he is suffering from extreme heat or possibly hyperthermia (heat stroke). You must keep an eye on your dog's behavior and any unusual symptoms and report them immediately to your trusted veterinarian who can advise you on what to do.
Do you notice cracks and irritations on the truffle? The cause could be a natural predisposition to dryness or a low tolerance to high temperatures and humid weather, typical of summer in recent decades. In both cases, take care of your dog's nose by regularly applying WellWoof Nasal Balm by RedMoringa.
Made in Italy, the product meets the highest quality standards and not only provides deep moisture but also forms a kind of protective shield that protects your pet's sensitive skin from damage.
The 100% natural composition makes the cream unique and perfect for any season (even in winter to counteract cracks and irritations). The formula is safe, odorless, non-toxic and consists only of high-quality vegan ingredients:
Moringa oil. Known for its high content of antioxidants, proteins, minerals and fatty acids, it has anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. It forms a barrier that prevents moisture loss and protects the truffle from external aggressions.
Almond and sunflower oil. The antioxidants and fatty acids present in large quantities help to nourish the skin deeply, keeping it soft and elastic for a long time.
Shea butter. Known for its soothing and emollient properties, it repairs dry and damaged skin and protects it from external weather influences.
Tocopherol and Calendula. Known for their soothing and moisturizing properties, both extracts effectively reduce redness caused by irritation, promote rapid healing of the skin and prevent the formation of future cracks.
For best results, take a small amount of the product, warm it between your fingers and massage it gently onto your faithful friend's truffle. Apply the balm up to 2-3 times a day. Also ideal for cats.
Simple methods to lower your dog’s temperature in hot weather
The heat doesn't just affect us humans, but also our beloved and faithful four-legged friends. To make the summer more bearable for them and avoid emergencies with sad outcomes, it's enough to take a few simple steps to cool down the dog. Some of them you may already know, others less, but in any case both will benefit:
Never leave your dog in the car, especially during the most critical hours of the day and in the sun. It doesn't matter if the break lasts just a few minutes, if you've parked in the shade or if you've partially opened the windows. In fact, in summer temperatures can rise suddenly and turn the interior into a kind of sauna, potentially fatal for the animal.
Limit physical activity during the hottest months. Avoid long walks and runs outdoors during the times marked as particularly hot. Preferably go for walks early in the morning and in the evening, when the sun is not yet high and cannot cause damage.
Always have fresh and clean drinking water available, even when you are on the move, to prevent possible dehydration. Take a water bottle or a foldable bowl with you.
If you notice a loss of appetite, don't panic right away. In summer, many dogs start to eat less and sleep more.
Avoid excessive sun exposure. Without proper protection, your dog could suffer from sunburn, sun dermatitis, rashes, skin cancer and eye damage, not to mention the extremely dangerous heat stroke.
In case of excessive heat, you can buy or prepare special tasty ice creams for your four-legged friend. These should be based on chicken broth without the addition of salt and various spices, or on fruits, preferably bananas, as they are a natural source of potassium and energy. The mineral is known to be useful in preventing symptoms such as fatigue and weakness.