We know how overwhelming summer days can be when temperatures do not drop below 30 degrees. If you have a bad time then, imagine how our furry friends suffer when the heat shoots up. Therefore, you need to know how to keep a dog cool inside the house.
The first thing they need a cool environment. And no, we don’t mean them to be in ac 24×7. You can keep pets cool without ac too. With some measure, this is easily achievable.
These tips we are going to give you are endorsed by veterinarians. And, as you will see, they are not very different from the ones we should follow ourselves.
The Normal Body Temperature of Dog
The dog has a body temperature of 380-390, but it rises rapidly due to excess heat or humidity. Because dogs don’t sweat as we do. They don’t perspire to regulate their temperature, but they pant, and that regulation process is slower.
Most of the dogs, especially bulldogs and other older dogs, suffer the most. Stress, difficulty in breathing, and panting- are some of the symptoms.
Due to ignorance, comfort, or neglect, the owners do not always take into account that the dog is not like them. It cannot cool down as quickly, and that the heat affects it greatly. Hence, they often take him out for a walk, play or run in extreme temperatures. Or they do not worry about keeping dog cool outside or even inside in the sun on hot days.
So, here are some thought-out ways to keep dogs cool in hot weather.
How to Keep a Dog Cool inside the House: Useful Tips
Water Always Available
Never forget access to water. It may seem like a silly recommendation, but during the summer, our four-legged friend drinks a lot more. We may not notice the empty bowl. For this reason, it is good to always be vigilant and pour fresh water whenever we can.
In the event that there are more people in the house, it is necessary to take turns. Each people can watch to ensure that the bowl is always full. In addition, if the dog moves between the house and the garden, it is good to fill several bowls of water. So, he can access it wherever he is.
Outdoor Bath
This is advice that applies to those with large spaces such as gardens and terraces. A hot dog is a dog that has reached the limit of being able to tolerate heat. To prevent this from happening, it is also good to prepare a place where it can get wet.
A small paddling pool or container filled with water for the dog to enter and keep cool is fine. If you want, you can also turn the “refresh” into a game, making it chase the sprinkler jet.
Shaded Areas, Cool Kennels
Another very important thing, both for dogs that are outdoors and indoors, is to create shaded areas. Even in the largest and brightest rooms, it is necessary to create a small space where our friend is cool, away from the heat.
Yes, to the air conditioning, leave it on during the day when the dog is alone. And yes, above all, to fresh kennels: getting him his own house is a great idea. To make it even more comfortable, you can fill it with damp cloths.
Cooling Mat
Speaking of cooling mats, not everyone knows what they are. They are the best way to cool down a dog.
These are pads that start to cool as soon as doggy sits on them. They work without electricity or without cooling them in the freezer. The use of this type of pad allows you to avoid sunstroke in the dog without too much effort.
Buying the cooling Mat is an excellent move in view of the summer. Being light and foldable, you can also take it on vacation. You can also put it in the car, in order to make the journey more comfortable.
But let’s remember never to leave the dog in the parked car. It is dangerous because the heat inside the car can rise rapidly and kill him. We will talk about that later in this article.
Walking with awareness
If we want to prevent Fido from becoming a hot dog, it is good to take conscious walks. This means avoiding the hottest hours (from 11.30 to 15.30) and favoring the early morning or evening when it’s cooler.
For safety, it is good to always carry a bottle of water with us: bathe the dog and make him drink if necessary. In addition, it is better to choose cool, shady places and avoid sidewalks, which heat up quickly. Better to opt for gardens with lots of fresh grass.
Refreshing Morsels
Finally, to cool off dog, it is good to offer him fresh treats, little by little. Giving him too many frozen things could, in fact, cause him a thermal shock. On the hottest days, we can directly give an ice cube to the pet. He will lick it and consume it slowly.
There are ice creams made especially for dogs. But if we want to make something at home, we can make fresh homemade snacks. Just make cubes with frozen chicken or beef broth. Alternatively, we can take doggy’s favorite croquettes and blend them with a little water. Then put them in the refrigerator for a few hours.
How to Keep Dogs Cool without AC?
If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, there are a few tricks to keep your dog cool in the heat:
- Lower the blinds and close the doors.
- Avoid sources of heat.
- Use fans.
- Use water.
- Use dog house cooler.
- Try to get the fresh wind to circulate.
- Use cooling pads.
- Make his sleeping place with cotton fabric.
How to Keep Dog Cool in Car?
With the summer holidays come trips and excursions by car with the dog. However, joining the car and heat can be a very dangerous combination for the dog. If certain precautions are not taken, he can even die. It is inside vehicles in summer where dangerous heat strokes that affect the animal are most common. To avoid this situation, follow out tips:
Precautions for Short Stays of the Dog in the Vehicle
If you have no choice but to leave the dog in the car for a few minutes, what to do then? Make sure to park the vehicle in an area where it is safe to remain in the shade, such as under a porch.
It is also important to leave all four windows open and have a container of water in the car. And during long car trips, he requires rest stops, at least every two hours or every 200 kilometers. These breaks are suitable to offer the dog the opportunity to walk and drink plenty of freshwater.
In this way, we will ensure that the animal travels hydrated, more relaxed. And, above all, we will avoid dangerous heat strokes in the car.
Summer Risks for Dogs: Stings and Allergic Reactions
Along with the heat, insects, ticks, and fleas, caterpillars and spikes proliferate different “bites.” They can have serious consequences on the health of our dog.
Caterpillars and spikes
For them, our only possible precaution will be to avoid walks in areas where the dog can come into contact. If it does, we must go to the vet to give the dog an antihistamine. And then proceed to clean the contact area.
Ticks and Fleas
Except for a too intense exposure, with the use of collars and pipettes, we will prevent our dog. These collars can save him from flea and tick bites. If we are going for a walk or vacation in wooded or rural areas, we will increase the application of pipettes.
We must also check the fur of our pet in search of these dangerous guests after each walk through risk areas.
Insects
The bites most feared by dog owners are those of two mosquitoes. On the one hand, the sandfly mosquito is responsible for Leishmaniasis. And on the other, there is the filariasis mosquito.
To prevent bites, we must avoid walks at sunset and apply the use of pipettes, collars, and specific repellants. But they must be recommended by our veterinarian.
What Should I Do If My Dog Suffers From Heat Stroke?
Adult dogs and some brachycephalic breeds suffer a lot from heatstroke. The best thing is that when the temperatures are very high, they stay at home. It is also not recommended that they exercise, as this could seriously worsen their health.
If you are in open spaces, try to cool your dog. You can let it go to a fountain or a water mirror. You can also wet it with a hose. If you decide on this option, do it in the evening, when the sun’s rays are not at their greatest splendor.
Try to feed your dog a healthy diet rich in nutrients. It is best to feed him when the hot hours have passed.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Dogs
Exposing a dog for a long time in a place where it is very hot can be very harmful to the animal. When a dog or cat suffers from heatstroke, it usually shows the following symptoms:
- He doesn’t want to move.
- Breathing is very fast.
- Vomiting and shaking
- He’s dizzy and wobbly.
- His heart rate increases.
In more extreme cases, heatstroke can cause bleeding and even death.
If you notice that your dog is panting too much and is very weak, take him to the vet. As first aid, you can try wetting his body a little. For this, you can use some wet towels and pass them through the belly, chest, or back.
Take some cool water and moisten your mouth a little. Grab an ice cube or alcohol and rub it on the back of his neck. Massage her legs and limbs to improve her circulation. When you notice that his breathing has improved, quickly take him to your vet. The specialist will know what the best treatment for your dog is.
Final Thought
The hot season is one of the most pleasant times of the year. However, high temperatures can pose serious health hazards. During these months, dogs, like humans, are often very exposed to different types of risks. In the case of pets, if certain precautions are not taken, they can suffer heatstroke. That is why in this article, we tried to share some tips on how to keep a dog cool inside the house.
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