Keeping your pets cool during hot summer months is highly important and crucial to their overall health and wellness. Because our dogs and outdoor cats love being in the outdoors and being active, it is much easier for them to overwork themselves and overheat without them knowing. Making sure as a pet parent that you are being proactive and taking the proper steps to hydrate and look after your dog’s temperature will make the summer more fun for everyone! See below for signs, symptoms, and cooling tips to try with your dog this summer.
Signs of a heatstroke in dogs, things to look for:
- Raised temperature (101.5° is normal)
- Rapid breathing and panting
- Excess salivation and thickened saliva
- Fatigue
- Muscle tremors
- Staggering
Signs of dehydration in dogs, things to look for:
- Sunken eyes
- Lethargy
- Dry mouth
- Frothy + foaming mouth
Cooling tips:
- Place an ice pack or wet towel to lay on
- Add ice cubes to their water dish
- Keep a wading pool in your backyard, with shallow, cool water.
- Always provide a cool shaded area by stringing up a tarp, cloth, or use a Pet Gazebo!
- Bring a collapsible water dish on your walks.
- Replace a portion of their regular diet with canned food to help hydrate them.
- Avoid walking on hot pavement and considerbooties to insulate their toes and paw pads.
- Early morning or evening playtimes, exercise, and walks are best.
- Give your dog some homemade frozen treats
