Temperatures exceed thirty degrees Celsius, but not many people want to stay inside for days. And, to be honest, it often isn't much better inside. However, it's harder for our four-legged friends to bear the heat. How can we relieve them?
Before we look at how we can cool our dogs down, let's remember that it's best to avoid the heat. Go for walks in the morning and evening hours, leave as early as possible if you're taking a trip, take frequent breaks, stay in the shade as much as possible, and remember to make sure your dog is drinking enough. Close the curtains on windows where the sun is beating down, and give your dog access to the coolest room. This is usually the hallway, where tile floors are also helpful.
If you are taking a trip, it would be a shame to leave your pet at home, but think about him when planning the trip. Choose a route through the forest rather than a bare ridge. It also helps if your dog has the opportunity to take a swim, but then you should wait a bit so his fur doesn't steam up. You should also give the length of your route some thought. Due to more frequent breaks you may not manage to walk as much as on cooler days, or when you walk alone.
You mustn't forget that dogs' thermoregulation works differently than human thermoregulation. Dogs only have sweat glands on their paws, so they play a small role in thermoregulation. Their main task is to moisten their paw pads and improve their grip. A dog's circulatory system reacts to excessive heat by accelerating its pulse and expanding the tiny vessels on the surface of its body. This way heat is dissipated from the body to the surface. In summer a dog's fur has a thin undercoat, is airy and allows good airflow. This causes the heat to dissipate from the dog's body.
Evaporation is an important process, in which the dog's mouth plays a major role. The mouth and tongue are rich in blood flow, and as saliva evaporates with their accelerated breathing with their mouth open, it cools them down. Drinking enough water is therefore key for a dog's thermoregulation to prevent dehydration. Don't count on finding water to drink along the way, always carry a bottle for your dog and offer him water frequently. There are also various ionic drinks for dogs available on the market, which give your dog all the necessary substances.
So how can you cool your dog down? You have to do it gradually. If you were to shower your dog with icy water after a long walk, his body would suffer a dangerous shock and he could collapse. First cool your dog's paws, then move to the abdomen and groin, and you can also soak his head. The water should be lukewarm, not too cold. You should also not let your breathless dog jump into a cold lake. Let him catch his breath first and then wet his paws, and after a while let him go further and further into the water to allow the body time to respond to the temperature difference.
Cooling pads and vests are great helpers in heat, whether you're at home or on a trip. The market is dominated by gel pads; you can take them with you on the road, place them in your dog's bed and even use them in the car. You activate them with water, which they soak up and then cool the dog through its evaporation for several hours.
What tricks do you use to cool your dog?
Allegedly, fast is instinctively practised by both wolfs and wild dogs. This has led many people to that assumption, that our dog on the couch should, once in a while, be fasting as well. A wild animal surely knows what it is doing, nature is wise, you...
In this cycle, we will get to know interesting dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let us take a look what they have already achieved during our life together. We should find Hachiko in the dictionary next to the phrase...
Markéta is my long-time friend. We got to know each other through a shelter, from which I took my first dog and where I then started to help out. Under this association, Markéta runs a depository for cats in Prague, where I like to go when I have a bit...
Have you ever wondered how much movement is healthy for your dog and when it can be harmful? Or that not every movement is beneficial? Most dog owners never think about this. It’s said that the more you move, the better. But this is not always true.
As I mentioned in previous articles, I occasionally help out my friend Markéta, who runs a cat shelter. I had the opportunity to take part in several humane trappings for stray cats and would like to share the experience with you today.
Did you know that even your pet dog can suffer from depression? As with people, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental state of our dogs. How to recognize it and what to do about it?
In this cycle, we shall take a look at how cats and dogs are getting along in the world. Where people nurture and spoil them, or on the contrary they suffer and their situation is critical. Today I would like to introduce you to the cats of Greece,...
The approach of warm sunny days will surely entice many people to go for long walks. Many of us take our four-legged companions on vacation. It’s during these times that we should be careful about sunstroke, both for us and our dogs. How can we prevent...
Just like with people, being overweight can have a negative impact on a dog’s health. Preparing the right diet and amount of food to give them can sometimes be, however, like pure alchemy, and so your dog can start to become obese. If this is the case...
There seems to be more and more ticks year after year. Fortunately, the ways to protect our furry friends, whether dogs or cats, against these parasites are growing. Everyone can choose what product fits best for them and their four-legged companions.
Until recently skinny guinea pigs were relatively rare in our country. Word about them is quickly spreading, however, and they have become a sudden hit among breeders. What’s it like having these guinea pigs and what do they like to eat?
The kidneys perform one of the most important functions in the body - cleaning the blood. Due to their small intake of water, cats are more burdened than other animals and therefore suffer quite often from kidney problems the older they get.
