Hot dog!

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/08/2011 (5501 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Summer is here, and hot days are now the norm.

Dogs have a few special needs during summer to keep them healthy and happy.

Here are a few reminders:

Although a dog’s footpads are tough, they are not impervious to heat.

Take care to walk your dog early in the morning or evening, so as not to expose it to excessively hot pavement. Alternatively, walk on a cooler surface, such as grass.

If you notice your dog alternately picking up one paw, then another, its feet are burning — get it to a cooler area immediately.

Another extremely hot surface is the truck bed.

Even with a moving vehicle, the metal bed can heat up quickly, leaving a dog with no way to avoid scorching its footpads.

A safer alternative is to contain your dog in the cab or in a crate, or leave it at home, where it can be comfortable. Never, of course, leave your dog unattended in a vehicle during the summer months — not even for a few minutes.

If your dog spends time out in the yard, make sure there is adequate shade available at all times of the day. Place water buckets in shaded areas and add ice to them. Little relief comes to a hot dog drinking hot water.

If your dog usually drinks directly from the spigot, check it during the heat of the day to see if cool water is still available. Water often heats up in the pipe, and your dog may avoid drinking from the spigot, thus becoming dehydrated and overheated.

If possible, purchase a children’s swimming pool and fill it daily with cool, clean water for your dog to soak in if it chooses. You also can freeze litre bottles of water and add them to the pool, keeping things cool and giving your dog a nice cold “toy” to chew on if it wishes.

Keep your dog’s coat in good condition by regularly brushing and removing dead coat and mats. Longer coats actually provide some insulation from the heat, so don’t assume shaving the coat off will be of benefit. Dogs do sunburn when their normally covered skin is exposed.

Dogs often eat less when it is hot out. Processing and digesting food requires energy, which heats the body, so dogs will often skip meals during the summer. Offer a little less food, and adjust feeding times to the cooler early mornings and later evenings.

Short-muzzled breeds such as the pug, bulldog and boxer have more difficulty keeping cool than other dogs. These breeds should be kept indoors during the day. Having plenty of cool water available, perhaps even an occasional spray-down, and air-conditioning access are musts.

Summer is the time for fun activities and family play. Make sure your furry family member has a safe, comfortable and fun summer, too!

 

— McClatchy Newspapers

 

 

 

 

Charlene Adam’s column will return next week.