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| Get Set for Summer |
As
the weather warms up we must make sure that our furry friends are
happy, healthy and not suffering from the heat.
Drink
Make sure that your dog has a fresh bowl of water always available
to them. They will drink more in the hot weather so you will need
to check and re-fill it on a regular basis. You could even try adding
cooling ice cubes to their drinking water.
Feeding
Often your dog will seem less interested in food during the hot
summer months. This is quite acceptable. We do it too, so try not
to worry. Don’t forget that your dog is probably doing less
energetic running around or playing, so it should all equal out.
Treats
A great idea for a fun and cool summer treat for your dog is ice
cubes. Or why not stuff a Kong and freeze it for a lasting summer
treat.
Dehydration
Given a regular supply of water to drink, your dog should not dehydrate.
However, it can happen. One sign of dehydration is loss of skin
elasticity. If you think your dog might be dehydrated, do this simple
check. When the skin along the back is picked up into a fold, it
should spring back into place. In dehydration, the skin stays up
in a ridge. Another sign is dryness of the mouth. Late signs of
dehydration are sunken eyes and circulatory collapse.
If your dog is dehydrated or very thirsty, do not let them gulp
down excessive amounts of water at once as they are likely to bring
it back up. Give your dog an electrolyte mixed in water, which will
be more effective than plain water at replenishing the body. To
hydrate slowly, give your dog ice to lick rather than letting them
take large gulps of water.
If you and your dog are travelling, having a day out or
going on holiday, consider taking some bottles of tap water or the
dogs usual drinking water from home. Dogs often don't like to drink
strange tasting water.
Walks
In the hot summer months it makes sense to walk your dog during
the cooler part of the day. Walks in the morning or evening are
much more comfortable and sensible for your dog than walks in the
hot afternoon sun.
Always take water and a bowl with you on walks and offer it to your
dog every 30 minutes or so. This will keep them hydrated and also
guard against them dashing off to slurp from an alternative water
source.
If your dog is normally very active on walks, playing fetch or running
around, try to calm this down by playing less energetic games.
Watch out for summer picnickers. If your dog is prone to dashing
off for a lick of someone else’s ice-cream then keep a tighter
rein on them and don’t allow them to cause a nuisance to other
people during the walk. A picnicker has every right to be angry
if your dog tramples their yummy spread.
The Car
If you take your dog out in the car then bear in mind that it is
hotter in the back than it is for you up in the front. Keep a careful
eye on your dog and if the car is very hot or you will need to leave
them in the car then don’t take them with you.
Never leave your dog in the car on a warm day. Leaving the window
open a few inches for them, parking in the shade, or leaving them
a bowl of water in the car is NOT adequate. A dog left in a car
on a hot or even warm day can suffer heat stress and ultimately
fatal heat stroke within just 10 minutes.
The temperature inside the car might not seem excessive when you
first stop but the temperature inside a stationary car can rapidly
increase to double the outside temperature - phew. This can happen
very quickly, within six to ten minutes.
If you come across a dog that has been left in the car on
a warm day, call the RSPCA or the Police. They will be able
to take appropriate action, if necessary breaking into the
car to release the dog.
D for Dog launched a campaign to raise awareness of the
dangers of leaving dogs in parked cars on warm days. See
our Parked Cars Cook
Dogs campaign for more information about dehydration,
heatstroke and what to do if a dog is left in a parked car. |
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Conservatories
This is similar to leaving your dog in the car on a hot day. Never
leave your dog in the conservatory when you go out. The same applies
to greenhouses and any area that is likely to heat up in the summer
sun.
Shade
Always make sure that your dog has access to a shady area, whether
it is indoors or out. You can be prosecuted for cruelty to animals
if you leave your dog without adequate shade and adequate water.
Heatstroke
Always bear in mind that your dog has a fur coat on that is designed
to trap heat. Also, they cannot sweat to cool down and have to rely
on panting to regulate their body temperature.
Be particularly aware of vulnerable dogs such as short-nosed breeds,
overweight dogs, youngsters and older dogs. These will all feel
the heat more.
Learn to recognise the signs of heatstroke:
1) At first the dog will pant more than usual, become agitated and
may sound uncomfortable or distressed.
2) Panting will become excessive and difficult and drooling may
also start.
3) The dog will struggle to breathe and may appear glassy eyed and
have dark red gums.
4) Body temperature has risen to a point where cell death in the
brain results in seizures, coma and ultimately death. In these later
stages, even with intensive veterinary care, your pet will probably
die.
Stop heatstroke in its tracks in the early stages by cooling your
dog down immediately. If your dog gets too hot then start by putting
them in the coolest place you can find. Gently cover them with a
cold wet tea towel or one that has been placed in the freezer, to
instantly cool them down. If you are out and about with your dog
on a hot day, take some wet cold towels with you in a cool bag.
But remember that prevention is better than cure. Don’t put
your dog in situations where heatstroke is likely to occur.
Did
you know your pet is probably hot all year round - even
in winter? Made with Soothsoft Technology, the Canine
Cooler creates a cool, comfortable place for your beloved
pet to lay down. Helps ease joint pains for your older pet
and keeps younger active pets cool.
Canine Cooler incorporates Memory Foam comfort, molds to
pressure points and is Vet recommended. |
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Sun
burn
Dogs love to sit in the sun but don't let them bake themselves.
If necessary, restrict access to sunny areas and provide plenty
of accessible shady places for them to relax.
Pets with light or white coats or exposed skin can get sun burnt.
Use a sun block on exposed areas and on the tips of ears, forehead
and nose or any area you feel could burn.
In the Garden
Everyone likes to spend time in the garden during the summer months.
But make sure that your garden is safe for your dog. The gardening
season has many dangers for pets, with pellets, pesticides and other
chemicals more likely to be in use. Before purchasing any chemicals
for your garden and plants, read the labels carefully to make sure
they are safe for pets. Even then, try to restrict access to areas
of your garden where sprays, pellets and chemicals have been used.
Better still, why not research more organic, friendly methods of
dealing with garden pests, or indeed pests in the home.
Most dog owners do now know about the dangers of giving
chocolate to dogs (see Chocolate
is Poisonous to Dogs) but don't forget that the same principal
also applies to your garden mulch. Make sure you choose a safe,
non-cocoa mulch.
The garden shed is another potential summer hazzard. Make sure your
dog cannot gain access. As you are likely to be going in and out
of the shed more often during the summer, make sure you have placed
dangerous products out of reach of your pet. For example, anti-freeze
is highly toxic yet cats and dogs are attracted to its sweet taste.
Make sure your dog is kept at a safe distance from barbecue
cooking and also make sure your dog is safely indoors when you mow
the lawn. Finally in garden hazzards, it is worth checking that
your dog cannot gain access to pools or garden ponds, or make sure
they can at least get out again if they do fall in.
Many common household and garden plants and flowers can also be
toxic to dogs, causing anything from skin irritations to severe
poisoning and death. To find out more, visit our Poisonous
to Dogs - Toxic Plants and Flowers article.
Coat
Imagine wearing a fur coat all summer. This is what your dog has
to do. Consider getting them clipped short for the summer months
so that they are more comfortable. If a short cut is not the answer
then make sure your dog's coat is regularly groomed to remove any
tangles, avoid matting of the coat and remove dead hair.
Ticks and Fleas
The warm weather brings out undesirable pests such as fleas, ticks
and mites. Make sure you have a flea and tick procedure, whether
you use natural remedies or off-the-shelf drops, collars and sprays.
Find your preferred method and use it.
If your dog picks up a tick from walking in long grass or wooded
areas, removal must be done correctly. Read our Tick
Removal advice.
The Tick
Twister O'Tom Hook is widely regarded to be the best
and safest way to remove ticks without leaving the mouthparts
of the tick planted in the skin. No use of chemicals. Quick
and painless without squeezing the tick, thus reducing the
risk of infection. This unique and ingenious tick removal
device that acts to prevent the increased risk of infection.
Extracts the tick in less than five seconds. No compression
of the ticks body or risk of leaving its mouthparts still
attached, both may lead to the transfer of disease such
as Babesia and Lyme disease. |
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Grass Seeds
Walks in long grass can give your dog more than a tick to worry
about. Grass seeds can easily get caught in your dog’s paws,
eyes or ears. After each walk check your dog’s feet for things
stuck between the pads. If they have a foreign body in the eye it
is likely to water and if it is in their ear they will probably
shake their head a lot. These are delicate areas so your vet is
the best person to deal with this kind of foreign body removal.
Wasp and Bee Stings
Most dogs love things that move fast and a bee or wasp is unfortunately
seen by many dogs as being fun to chase and try to catch. If you
see your dog chasing or attempting to play with a bee or wasp, distract
and stop them.
If your dog does get stung then generally it is not an emergency
situation and there are a number of things you can do. With a bee
sting, remove the sting first with tweezers, taking care not to
squeeze the poison sack, and then bathe the area in bicarbonate
of soda (one desertspoon of bicarbonate of soda to one pint of water).
With wasp stings there is no sting to remove so simply bathe the
area, this time in malt vinegar or lemon juice. Bicarbonate of soda
helps to neutralize the acid in a bee string as opposed to wasp
stings, which are alkaline.
If your dog gets stung near the mouth or neck then medical attention
may be required. Animals, like humans, can also be allergic or become
allergic to stings. Watch out for any allergic reaction in your
pet.
Hot and Bothered
We can all feel a bit grumpy and agitated in the heat. Your dog
is likely to feel this way too. Some dogs can be as irritable and
bad-tempered as some humans when made uncomfortable by heat. Take
this into account when you interact with your dog. Even the most
docile dog can get hot and bothered. Let your dog be and don’t
allow children to poke or tease them, not that they should ever
be allowed to do so anyway. Allow your dog some time away from all
the excitement and activity that summer and the school holidays
can bring.
Fun
It is summer so have some fun. On a hot day, water fun is often
a welcome distraction and also a great way to cool down. Try your
dog with the hose pipe for some fun and games. Take care with this.
If your dog is anxious about the hose pipe then don’t force
the issue. An alternative is a paddling pool. A hard plastic pool
will suffer claws better than an inflatable. Bob some toys or treats
in the water to gently coax your dog in. Once dogs get the hang
of water they soon learn that is it fun and that it helps them to
cool down.
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Photo
of Suka - Used with the kind permission of Rose Gallagher |
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| ©
D for Dog www.dfordog.co.uk |
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