Article Title: Keep Your Dog Safe In Hot Weather
Author: Miss Debra Rae
Reading this article could save your dog's life. Summertime
brings longer days, warmer temperatures and a need for safety.
Whether you live in the far north, the deep south, the coast or
the desert, the more you know about hot weather dog safety, the
better.
For example, at temperatures of 50, 60 or even 70 degrees
Fahrenheit (depending on humidity levels) leaving your dog in
the car can turn into a fatality. Dog heat stroke happens fast.
Many places have laws about leaving an animal unattended in a
vehicle and the places that don't, should.
Think about it! If it's 70 degrees, humidity is moderate
(heat index is 80-85 degrees) but all the car windows are rolled
up with a 1-3" opening, the car is in the direct sun, or even
the shade, and you're leaving your dog in the car for more than
5 minutes. Could this be a problem? Maybe it's 80 or 90 degrees
Fahrenheit (heat index of nearly 100 degrees) and you leave your
dog in the car.
Take a moment and ask yourself, is this safe? Ask yourself if
you would be safe left in the conditions you plan to leave your
dog in. Would a baby be safe? If your answer is no, then your
dog won't be safe either. Would a police officer, animal
control officer, or veterinarian scold you or possibly ticket
you for leaving your dog? If the answer is yes, then don't do
it.
If you have any doubt about your dog's safety, listen to that
and act accordingly. In the spring & summer months, dog heat
exhaustion/heat stroke is the main concern. Believe me,
watching a dog succumb due to heat exhaustion/stroke is heart
breaking. They refuse water & food, are lethargic, breath
rapidly, can't get up, are disoriented, vomit continually, have
uncontrollable diarrhea, and slowly die.
To protect your dog from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, read
the following:
*Don't leave you dog in the car unless you plan to leave the
air conditioner running.
*Don't let your dog run in the middle of the day. Let your dog
go for it in the early morning or at night when it's cooler.
*Keep in mind if you live in a highly humid/tropical climate,
when it's 90 degrees and humidity is high, the heat index is
typically over 100 degrees. Exercise your dog when humidity and
the heat index is very low.
*Take stock if your dog has dark colored fur. They will get
hot faster (black absorbs heat where white repels it).
*Be especially careful with short snouted dogs like pugs,
bulldogs, mastiffs and shih tzu's. These breeds overheat much
faster and are highly susceptible to dog heat stroke.
*Provide shade for your dog. Buy a tarp or a sheet and put it
up if necessary. It's a lot cheaper than a vet bill.
*Always have fresh, clean water available for your dog. Dogs
need hydration just like humans. Have a large plastic dish
(metal gets hot) & leave your garden hose slightly running into
the dish. A vet bill can be much higher than a water bill.
*No! An ice cold beer is not the answer on a hot summer day
for your dog! Alcohol is poison for your dog. Give your dog
lots of cold, clean water.
*Please don't tether your dog outside when it's hot. Dogs
easily get the tether wrapped around various objects and end up
in the sun. This is a recipe for dog heat stroke.
*Remember your dog doesn't wear shoes and asphalt, concrete,
etc. get very hot in the summer sun. Burnt puppy pads are very
painful and can become a serious issue quickly. Imagine walking
barefoot on asphalt in the summer. Ouch! Walk your dog when
it's cooler outside and preferably in shaded areas.
*When you're out & about with your dog, don't let your dog
drink from stagnant water sources. These often have bacteria &
mold that will make your dog very sick. Take along a water
bottle and be the example by training your dog to drink while
you're pouring.
*Never, ever leave your dog unsupervised around a swimming
pool. They can easily drown. If you have a pool, train your dog
where the stairs are located so they know how to get out. Just
like children, keep an eye on your dog, at all times, when
they're in the pool area.
Immediately call your veterinarian or animal emergency center
if any of the following occur with regard to your dog:
*Rapid breathing with an increased heart rate.
*Your dog has discolored gums--Dogs with heat stroke have dull
gray or pink gums instead of the normal red-pink color.
*Your dog is disoriented-
environment.
*Your dog isn't listening or obeying commands, seems lost or
scared.
*Your dog has a wild or panicked expression.
If you suspect your dog may have heat stroke, first call your
veterinarian or animal emergency center. Secondly, to help
bring your dogs temperature down, do the following:
*Gently place a cool wash cloth on the unhaired belly area.
Keep rinsing the cloth with fresh cool water and applying until
your dog is calmer (this should only take about 5 minutes).
This is not a substitute for getting your dog to the
veterinarian or animal emergency center. Get them checked out.
It could save their life.
With the temperatures rising all over, be aware & make
adjustments when necessary to take the very best care of your
dog. If you have questions or concerns, talk with your
veterinarian or veterinary technician.
Your dog relies on you to care for them. Do a good job. The
rewards are priceless.
About The Author: Miss Rae has been around animals here entire
life. She writes continually about them and how they enrich our
lives. For more dog information written by Miss Rae, visit
http://www.goodpoop
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