Summertime is around the corner. This means that it’s finally time to have some great fun in the sun with your favorite pup! Before you head to the beach or the park with your dog, remember that dogs also need to be protected from the heat; whether you use a dog cooling vest or simply avoid the hottest parts of the day. As dog parents, we know how important it is to do everything that we can to prevent overheating and to be able to identify the signs of overheating in dogs immediately. Summer means being able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Keeping dogs healthy, comfortable, and happy is the best way to make the most out of summer together!
To learn more about how to keep dogs cool in summer, here are 10 tips and tricks you can use to keep dogs cool and safe from overheating.
Monitor Your Pup – Know the Signs of Overheating
To avoid overheating, it’s important to know what signs to look out for. A dog might start excessively drooling or panting and become lethargic. In more serious cases, a dog might vomit, collapse, or experience a seizure so learning how to identify, prevent and protect are the key ways to keeping dogs happy and healthy when it’s hot.
Dogs, especially those with thick fur, can overheat at any time of the year, but all dogs can struggle to cool themselves down during the sweltering summer months and can be susceptible to overheating.
Helpful Hint: Pups with flat faces like pugs and bulldogs are especially prone to heatstroke because they don’t pant as efficiently as our longer-snout friends. Puppies, seniors, and pleasantly plump dogs are also at higher risk, so pay special attention to these types of dogs.
If a dog shows any early signs of overheating, a simple solution is to move them to a shady or air conditioned area and provide them water while they rest. In 10 minutes, the panting should cease as the dog cools down.
