Summer is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, for us and for our pets. But if you’re not careful, it can also be a dangerous time for your dog. Here are some ways to prevent seasonal inconveniences and help your dog fight the heat.
Refresh your dog
Summer is the perfect season to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged friend, however you must follow some recommendations to be able to practice any type of activity without running into major problems. In this regard, a very important point to keep in mind is that, unlike humans, dogs and cats do not sweat as effectively.
For this reason, pay due attention to so-called “heat stroke”: to avoid them make sure that your dog always has shade and water available during the walk. And remember: if you own a brachycephalic dog like Bulldogs , the focus will need to be more, because it bears much less heat.
There are some signs that allow you to understand if the dog is suffering from too much heat. Among them: excessive panting, red tongue, instability, vomiting, diarrhea with traces of blood. If you are unsure whether your dog has suffered from heat stroke, first try to cool him down by wetting him with fresh water. If he loves being in the water you can get him a paddling pool: he will undoubtedly appreciate it very much. Do not hesitate to consult your vet right away if you notice symptoms of heatstroke in your dog. An untimely intervention could be even fatal.
Avoid hot surfaces
Pets are accommodating and never complain. While these are noble qualities, they also cause problems, especially if your dog likes to run around for hours under the summer heat hood. Running on concrete, asphalt or sand can be a problem, as these surfaces tend to overheat and burn your pet’s paw pads. To avoid this, it is best to exercise with your dog early in the morning or in the evening to prevent the pads from overheating or burning.
Never leave your dog in the car
Avoid leaving your dog in a parked car when the temperature is very hot. Why risk his life? Better to leave it at home, safe, where it can access shade and fresh water. Remember that animals are more vulnerable to heat stroke than people.
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, provide him with a kennel where he can relax, cool off and recover.
Shear the dog
During the summer months, if your dog belongs to a longhaired breed, such as the English Sheepdog, Collie or Afghan Hound, trim his fur so he can feel cool and comfortable.
A healthy diet
Feeding your dog healthily during the summer is very important. Enrich their diet with some vegetables, such as carrots. The latter, which are a real delight for the dog, will also serve as a toy.
Another summer vegetable that cannot miss in the dog’s diet are frozen green beans: for them they are like candy. Another food you can serve them is the banana spread with peanut butter : obviously this recipe will drive them crazy, but don’t abuse it too much, one portion per week will be enough.
Dogs also love yogurt, preferably unsweetened. For dogs, whole yogurt without sugar or added flavorings will be ideal . You can enrich them by putting some croquettes on top. Faced with this proposal, undoubtedly very refreshing, your little friend will not resist.
Finally, many dogs like to suck on the ice cube. You can then prepare meat or chicken flavored cubes. To do this, prepare the broth, let it cool, pour the mixture into the ice containers and leave for a few hours in the freezer to freeze.
