Now that hot weather is here, it is time to ensure that your puppies remain comfortably cool. Summertime can mean trips to the beaches and parks as well as picnics with your pet. While most pets love summer too, you also need to be a responsible pet owner and use these important tips to keep them cool and healthy.
Provide plenty of water
Make sure that your pets have access to plenty of fresh drinking (preferably distilled) water at all times. A dog’s drinking capacity tends to double up in summer months. So always keep clean, cool water for your puppy in an accessible area. Make sure you wash the drinking bowls from time to time to prevent bacteria contamination.
Do not clip their fur/hair
Many pet parents clip their dog’s hair in summer. This does nothing to keep your pet cool. In fact; Mother Nature has provided your pet with the extra hair to protect him from the excess heat, dust, flies etc. In preparation for summer heat, your puppy is naturally equipped to discard the undercoat which will conserve his body heat and also regulate the temperature. When you clip your pet’s fur in summer, you end up making him more uncomfortable.
Avoid too much exercise
If you plan to exercise your pet in summers, make sure it is during the cooler hours of the day. Ensure he has a shady spot to rest in when he needs to. Early morning or late evening is the best time to play with your puppy to prevent him from getting too hot.
Never leave puppy in the car unattended
Do not ever leave your pet in a car for long as it can lead to overheating and the temperature inside the vehicle can easily go above 100 degrees. Even with the window open, the car can get very hot. So just avoid leaving your pet inside the car for more than 10 minutes. It is bad news.
Watch out for signs of heat stroke
Keep an eye out for signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion such as lethargy, panting, red gums and tongue, rapid breathing, excess drooling etc.
Ice cubes
This is an easy way to keep puppy entertained as well as cool. Place a few ice cubes in a bowl and watch your puppy have a great time playing and sucking on them. You can also freeze some water or chicken broth and give them to your pet. This will ensure that he gets water and avoids dehydration.
Use climate control
You yourself don’t want to be in a house that is 100 degrees with 98% humidity and neither does your pet. If you plan to leave your puppy indoors, keep him in an air-conditioned room. To keep your dog cool inside the kennel, use a fan. If not, you can place the kennel or crate inside the garage since these areas are a lot cooler than the rest of the house.
Provide a splash pool
This is a great way to keep a dog cool outside. Most dogs love swimming and splashing about and they are born swimmers. However, take care to wipe them dry completely afterwards and also ensure there is no moisture in their ears.
Protect them from sunburn
Dogs can get sun-burnt on the nose. To avoid that, mix up a few drops of Lavender oil and Olive oil and massage it on their nose. Even if your pet licks it off, it won’t be harmful.
Watch out for signs of overheating
Overheating can be very dangerous to dogs-it can cause serious damage to their brain and other organs. If he is panting excessively, take steps to cool a dog down quickly. Give him some distilled water mixed with salt and place a few drops of the solution on his tongue every few minutes. If your dog is showing signs of lethargy, red, swollen gums or seems to get worse, seek help of your vet immediately.
Vacations
Taking your pet along on vacation can be great fun. If you plan to drive, make sure he gets adequate rest stops and potty breaks.
Use these tips to keep your dog cool inside and outside the house.
