Dog Days of Summer: Keeping it Cool and Playing it Safe!

The phrase “dog days of summer” has historical origins, but today, we generally use the phrase to refer to the hottest, and often most humid period of the summer season.

As the summer sun shines bright and temperatures rise, it’s important to ensure our furry friends stay safe and comfortable. Dogs can suffer from the same sort of illnesses as humans, and they rely on us to protect them from the seasonal hazards. From preventing heatstroke to monitoring water play and consumption, here are some essential tips to help your dog enjoy a happy and healthy summer.

Keeping it Cool and Playing it Safe!

Just like humans animals can suffer from heat illness too. Dogs are more susceptible to heat illness because they can’t regulate their body temperature as well as humans. There are many ways we can prevent this by avoiding extreme heat, provide shade and water, never leave dogs unattended in vehicles, walk your dog on cool surfaces to avoid burning their paws on pavement, and using cooling products like mats, vests, or bandannas that are designed to keep dogs cool. It is also important to be aware of sensitivities in short nose dogs like Bulldogs and Pugs, age and health, and dogs with thick coats that are more vulnerable to heat. A lesser known condition to be aware of while trying to keep your dogs cool is water intoxication.

Heat Exhaustion

Early signs of heat exhaustion are panting,excessive drooling, increased heart rate, lethargy, and weakness. More advanced signs are vomiting and diarrhea, confusion or disorientation, seizures, tremors or convulsions, the sudden inability to move or unconsciousness.

Immediate Treatment
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat illness, immediate action is required!

Move to a Cooler Area
Get your dog out of the heat and into a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area.

Cool Your Dog Down
Use cool (not cold) water to wet your dog’s body. Focus on the head, neck, and chest. You can also use wet towels or place your dog in a cool (not ice-cold) bath.

Hydrate
Offer small amounts of cool water to drink.

Monitor Temperature
A dog’s normal temperature is between 100.5°F and 102.5°F. If the temperature is above 104°F, it is
an emergency.

Seek Veterinary Care
Even if your dog seems to recover, it’s crucial to have them evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Heatstroke can cause internal damage not immediately apparent.

Water Intoxication

Water intoxication, also known as water toxicity, is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in dogs when they ingest excessive amounts of water in a short period. This can lead to an imbalance in electrolytes, particularly sodium, resulting in serious health issues.

Causes and Symptoms

Water intoxication typically occurs when a dog consumes an excessive amount of water quickly. This can happen in various scenarios like playing in water, where your dog can inadvertently ingest large amounts of water. Over indulging in water consumption after exercise. Compulsively drinking water due to behavioral issues or certain medical conditions.

A lot of the early symptoms are similar to heat illness, but additional symptoms may include bloating where the abdomen may appear distended due to excess water intake, pale gums, excessive drooling, dilated pupils or glazed eyes, or in severe cases coma and death if not treated promptly.

We can still keep cool and play safe in the summer months with supervision and awareness, and by using preventative measures to keep our dogs safe. Limit water play with frequent breaks, play in shallow water where the risk is lower. Offer small amounts of water during and after play to help with hydration without excessively drinking.