The sun is tingling on your skin, it smells like sunscreen and fruity strawberry ice cream – who doesn’t love those beautiful summer days by the lake. But how are our dogs doing in the heat? Unlike us, dogs cannot sweat properly and hot days in particular are a real problem for four-legged friends. We have put together information, tips and tricks for you on how you and your furry friends can get through the hot summer.
How do dogs actually sweat?
Dogs own exclusively at the Paw sweat glands. However, in hot temperatures or under high stress, these are not sufficient to cool down the body. To do this, they use a sophisticated cooling system over the nose. When the dog pants, moisture is evaporated via the multi-folded surface of the nasal conchae. This gives them a cooling effect that is essential for survival.
feel-good temperature
When it comes to dogs, it always depends a bit on breed and size. It is therefore difficult to speak in principle of limit values. However, dogs don’t need it particularly warm to feel good Range will be 7 to 18 degrees estimated. If the temperatures rise above 20 degrees, it becomes uncomfortable for some dogs and from around 24 degrees it can be life-threatening for some. Important: These values only apply to healthy dogs. Tip: Observe your dog very closely, make sure he doesn’t overestimate himself and prefer to slow down. This is how you can find out your dog’s comfort level.
Signs of overheating in dogs
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition caused by a severe overheating of the body can arise. The result is usually a multiple organ failure, which can lead to the death of the animals. Overheating occurs when the dog is exposed to direct sunlight for too long or has to do too much physically. Your own regulation by panting is hardly enough at temperatures above 28 degrees. You can recognize a heat stroke by persistent, strong panting, possibly increased salivation, the skin inside the ears are very red and hot, the neck is often stretched out and the tongue hangs out far, the dog becomes restless, nervous and some even panic.
If the dog is not quickly taken out of the situation and cooled down, it becomes dangerous. If the breathing becomes faster and shallower, the mucous membranes and the tongue are bright red, the animal is apathetic and possibly staggering, then it is high time to grab the fur nose and go to a vet. In such a case, the body temperature is over 40 degrees and vomiting and diarrhea can occur.
Additional heat risk factors for dogs
There are a few factors that can cause them to overheat faster when it’s hot. As with humans, dogs also endure overweight very high temperatures only with difficulty. Also be careful with puppies and seniors. Just like with us humans, dogs are affected high humidity OK, on days like this just slow down.
Dogs with short muzzles, such as the pug, French bulldog or Cavalier King Charles, are also at risk. It can already become critical at spring-like temperatures. Through the so-called Brachycephaly translates as short-headedness, these breeds get too little air in normal everyday life. The problem: The nasal conchae of short-headed dogs are compressed, which means that natural ventilation does not work.
Importantly, brachycephaly is a condition that worsens with age. Unfortunately, if a young pug doesn’t have that many problems, that doesn’t mean that it will be the same in a year’s time. In addition, there are usually dog personalities in the brachycephalic bodies that want to frolic and run across meadows. Especially with young dogs, it often happens that they overdo it. Here you are asked as the owner: make sure that your furry friends are not too out of breath and tell them to rest on hot days.
Dogs should drink a lot
your dog should permanent access to fresh water to have. Remember to change the water regularly throughout the day. You should keep an eye on the drinking of the dogs. For dogs that get wet food, it is a good idea to mix a splash of water into the food. Dry food can usually be soaked. You can also spice up the water itself. An ice cube in the bowl cools the water and is fun for many dogs. You can also mix chicken broth into the water or dip fruit. Try to make the water interesting.
Feed in small amounts
Many dogs eat less on hot days, this is absolutely normal, since the digestive tract needs energy for the food intake, which the animals prefer to put into cooling the body. Try your fur noses rather several small meals offer, if you want more yourself, then a second helping is of course possible. Just like us, the dogs also like to enjoy small snacks. For example, a piece of watermelon or chilled cucumber is ideal for hot days. Frozen yoghurt is also popular as ice cream or on a lick mat. Wet food can also be distributed on a licking mat and served frozen or chilled.
Caution: Before you give your dogs some of your vegetables, fruit or snack plates, find out exactly which foods dogs are allowed to eat. The trend with the frozen grapes is tasty for us, but not for the four-legged friends. Due to the oxalic acid it contains, it can lead to kidney failure in dogs.
Summer grooming for dogs
When it comes to grooming, many disagree. Basically, however, care should be taken to ensure that the coat is not too long and thick in summer. However, too short is also not good, as otherwise the skin no longer has any protection from the sun. Especially long-haired dogs should be brushed regularly, so that it thins out a little and allows cool air to reach the skin. Some dog breeds are shorn several times a year, so a summer haircut is definitely an advantage – your trusted dog hairdresser will surely know what to do.
Excursions with dogs
Basically, on hot days: drive down a gear and uses the cooler off-peak times. Especially in the morning it is usually still cool from the night, in the evening the heat of the day can build up quite a bit. In any case, avoid the midday heat, because small pee breaks in the fresh air are enough for your dog.
In general, you will notice that your furry friends like to lie down on a cool surface and simply doze – that is completely normal. If you have planned an excursion, then try to take it easy, give your four-legged friend breaks in the shade, have enough water and make sure to walk on paths that don’t get too hot from the sun. At 30 degrees, asphalt can sometimes heat up to 60 degrees, which can result in severe burns on the balls of the foot.
You should avoid high-speed games in the blazing heat. But what is always gladly taken by many dogs is one Cool off in the lake or river, but it is also enough to dip your paw in a stream. It helps some dogs if you repeatedly walk them before and during the walk wet. There are also cooling vests on the market, but these can lead to heat build-up. You should also be careful with wet T-shirts – but they can provide relief for a short time.
Always have it on longer trips or at the sea bandages included. On the paths and on the beach there are always shards and bottle caps that your darlings can kick their paws. If that’s the case, clean the area up with fresh water, bandage it up and take it to the vet.
It’s fun at home too
Instead of the cuddly woolen blanket, you can simply relax on the berths Hand towel lay them, they are soft but not that warm. There is also one for at home cooling mat but please make sure that the gel is not toxic if the four-legged friend gnaws a hole in it. In general, however, the dogs should not lie permanently on the mats. As an alternative to the mat, many dogs also like to lie on a wet towel or simply on the cool bathroom or kitchen tiles.
Spread quietly in every room water bowls, also on the balcony and in the garden. If you have enough space outside, you can also have one dog pool get, so nothing more than a scratch-resistant paddling pool. Throw in some treats or fruit and the deep diving can begin.
If your four-legged friends still want to be occupied in the house, then give it a try Hidden Objects. Hide treats around the room and let your dog use his nose to destroy them quickly and effectively. If your dog can’t go a day without going for a run, you can start a chilly morning with one stimulus rod to play. These are ready to buy. If you have a horse, just grab your whip, tie his favorite dummy to the ribbon and off you go. For many, ten minutes is enough. But please make sure that it doesn’t get too much. In midsummer, the morning hours are already very warm.
Other Summer Dangers
In summer, not only the heat per se is a danger for the four-legged friends. There are also traps lurking in the lake, on the meadows and especially in the car, some of which can be deadly.
blue-green algae
In summer, your dogs should generally not drink from lakes. Because the danger of blue-green algae cannot be ignored. Most of the affected lakes are marked, but prefer not to take any risks. If the dog ingests blue-green algae, symptoms such as vomiting, yellowing of the mucous membranes as well as apathy and loss of appetite occur. Always take enough water with you and offer it regularly to your dog. Tip: Sometimes they’re more likely to drink it if you dump it in your palm.
awns
As beautiful as the swinging barley fields and tall grasses look, they can be dangerous for the dogs. They often have sharp points and fine barbs that extend into the Can poke noses, paws and ears. Sometimes they are also inhaled. In the worst case, they have to be surgically removed. If the awns bore into the dog, swelling and inflammation occur. If an awn has burrowed into your dog’s skin, please go straight to the vet, who can remove it professionally. Typical signs are limping when walking, constant shaking of the ears or sneezing.
Drive
Actually, almost everyone knows it, but it happens again and again that dogs are left alone in the car when the temperature is high. Even at an outside temperature of 20 degrees, it can be deadly for the dog after an hour. At 30 degrees, just 30 minutes are enough to reach a life-threatening inside temperature of 46 degrees. In summer, your dogs should not be left in closed cars.
salt water
When bathing in the sea you should make sure that your dog don’t drink salt water, as this can lead to diarrhea or vomiting. After bathing in the sea, the dog should be given a shower as the salt water is not good for the skin.
Sources used: anicura.de, vdh.de, planet-wissen.de, ndr.de, gogetplan.com