Warm Weather Tips for Dog Owners

by Franga Designs

Because of their furry coats, dogs feel the heat sooner than we do, and muscular dogs are probably even warmer as muscle mass produces heat. If you feel hot, your dog is probably even more uncomfortable. Heat stroke is very dangerous and can cause brain damage, so keep a close eye on your dog during warm weather. Dogs do not sweat but rather pant to eliminate body heat, so if your dog is panting, try to help him cool off by doing some or all of the following:

Let dogs in stay in the house whenever possible.
Tie a wet bandanna around your dog’s neck to help keep cool.
Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available at all times.
Drop an ice cube or two in his water to help cool him down.
Freeze large chunks of ice in plastic containers and give it to your dog to lick during the hot hours of the day.
Feed chilled food and snacks. Check out our suggestions for Good Hot Weather Snacks for Your Dog and feel free to try some of our Favorites Recipes.
If you dog has very long hair, you might consider clipping at least a little during the summer.
Try to keep your dog calm during hot hours. Save playtime for later in the afternoon or evening when the temperature has decreased.
If your dog is restless, give him a toy or treat such as a stuffed Kong Dog Toy to keep him occupied and relatively still.
Vomiting is a sign of heat stroke. Call or see your veterinarian if your dog is vomiting or even panting excessively.

Tags: dogs, Pet Care Articles, summer

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