Keeping your dog cool in hot weather
Here are some ideas on how to keep your dog cool during hot spells
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Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water, you can even put ice cubes in the bowl.
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A cooling mat helps keep your dog cool, they can be purchased from pet stores or online.
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Give them wet towels to lie on.
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When going for walks it’s better to do it during cooler parts of the day such as early morning or late afternoon. Avoid that midday sun whenever possible.
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Allow plenty of access to shady areas.
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A small paddling pool is a great idea for dogs, somewhere where they can splash around and have a little dip.
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Ask your groomer about clipping the belly, especially long haired dogs.
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Regular grooming, brushing helps remove any excess hair and also matts.
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You can use a damp cloth on paws when they get hot.
Never leave a dog in a car, under any circumstances, this can cause extreme distress and even death.
Protect your dog’s paws from hot surfaces, particularly sand and tarmac, they can really hurt your dog’s paws. Be careful when walking your dog on the pavement. A simple rule is if you can’t hold your hand on the tarmac for more than 5 seconds then it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.
Sun cream doesn’t apply just for people. Those little pink noses are cute at the best of times, which is why it’s important to protect the fair skinned pet with special sun cream to protect from sunburn.
It’s vital we try and keep our beloved pets cool in the heat as it can easily lead to heat stroke, here are a few symptoms:
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Heavy panting
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Glazed eyes
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A rapid pulse
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Vomiting or diarrhea
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Lack of coordination
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Loss of consciousness
If you think your dog may be suffering from heat stroke then always get veterinary advice/care. But there are some things you can do to help:
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Take them immediately to a cool, shaded area
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Apply towels soaked in cool water to their head, neck and chest
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Give them water
Never place a dog in ice cold water or put ice over them to cool them down as this can cause them to cool down too quickly and go into shock.