Intense heat can reduce your appetite and the desire to move, but it can also have more serious consequences, such as the dreaded heat stroke. In this article you will find some tips to protect your dog from the summer heat.
1. Keep him hydrated
Leave fresh and clean water available 24 hours a day and periodically check that there is water in the drinker and that the drinker is not in full sun: in summer it is easier for the water to evaporate or simply heat up and the dog stops drinking because.
You can also place more drinkers at home, especially near where the dog rests. In this way, even if the dog did not want to move, he would always have a drinking fountain nearby. Water is not important only at home: do not forget to take water and a portable drinker when you go for walks, go on a hike or take a car trip with your dog.
2. Make homemade ice cream
Try putting an ice cube in the drinker. Ice is not harmful to dogs and if the water is too cold for the dog, leaving another drinker without cubes at his disposal will allow him to choose the water he prefers. With the ice, you can also prepare homemade toys.
To do this, you only need an ice cream mold or a plastic container, a little water, and a few grains of feed. The feed is mixed with the water and when the water has frozen, the block of ice is removed, it is passed under the water so that the tongue does not get caught, and it is given to the dog. Of course, for this type of game, the idea is to have an outdoor space, such as a terrace: this homemade toy is usually very popular with dogs, but it will have to be cleaned after each play session.
3. Protect it from the sun
It is very important that the dog has a cool place protected from the sun to rest, especially in the warmest hours of the day. This applies whether he lives indoors or just outside.
4. Refresh the environment
Using a fan or air conditioning can be a good measure to lower the room temperature.
5. Get it wet
Wetting him, especially on the head and trunk, can help lower the dog’s temperature. Dogs do not sweat like people and the water they get wet, evaporates, causes an effect similar to sweat. Putting a dog pool in the garden is also a good option for the dog to cool off.
6. Adapt your bed
In summer many dogs prefer to rest on the ground. It could be the result of a bed that is too warm and is not suitable for the summer heat. On the other hand, in the market you can find many beds that favor the dispersion of heat, such as beds raised from the ground or those that are made of a breathable material. There are also cooling mats that help the dog maintain body temperature. The important thing is that when using the mats, the dog always has the possibility to choose where to rest.
7. Cut her hair
It’s not about shaving it, but if your dog has long hair, trimming it especially on the belly can be another measure to help you control the temperature. When cutting the hair, the important thing is to leave about 2-3 centimeters in length since the hair partly protects from heat and sunburn.
8. Brush it
Whether or not its hair has been cut, frequent brushing is highly advisable to promote shedding and remove the undercoat, that is, the finest and woolly hair on the coat that serves to provide warmth in winter.
9. Do not do physical activities in the hottest moments
It is important to take the dog for a walk at times when it is less hot and to avoid intense exercise. 10. Feed when it’s cooler: When your dog is less hungry due to the heat, it can be fed in the cooler hours of the day, such as first thing in the morning or at night.
