Summer affects not just humans; our furry companions have just as much trouble in dealing with the heat. You might find your dog hanging around in the room with air conditioning or finding the cold patch on the floor to take a nap in. They may even chill out in front of your air cooler, their fur blowing in the wind as they enjoy the breeze. While these are simple things they do to stay cool, it is also important to make some changes to their diet and lifestyle. Experts discuss easy ways to keep your dogs cool in summer.
How to care for dogs in summer: Dietary changes
1. Make sure they are hydrated: Insufficient access to clean drinking water can lead to dehydration in dogs. Besides, dogs lose water from their bodies by panting — an occurrence that becomes more frequent in summer. “Always make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water throughout the day, especially during hot weather. You can even add ice cubes to their water bowl to keep it cool,” says Pallav Gupta, canine and feline nutritionist and founder of Pet Care Solutions, Bangalore.
2. Feed cooling treats: As the temperature rises, it is crucial to include cooling foods in your dog’s diet. Gupta suggests, “Add treats like watermelon, cucumbers, and berries, which have high water content to your dog’s diet to keep them hydrated in summer.” He adds that pet parents can also freeze broth or diluted fruit juice in ice cube trays and give them to pets as a treat. Frozen yogurt or dog-safe fruits blended into a smoothie and frozen in molds can also be provided as cold, refreshing snacks.
3. Choose the right protein sources: In summer, your dog could have a hard time digesting foods with high-fat content. Hence, it is better to stick to lean meats like chicken, turkey and fish. “Fish like salmon and sardines are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to their skin and coat,” says Gupta. He recommends avoiding fatty cuts of meat and greasy foods as these can be harder for dogs to digest. Especially in warmer weather, it can lead to gastrointestinal issues.
4. Avoid foods that can cause dehydration: “Excess sodium can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in dogs, especially in summer,” cautions Gupta. If you are feeding your pet packaged dog food, pay close attention to the ingredients and avoid those that contain excess sodium.
How to keep dogs cool when you’re outside
1. Stick to shaded areas: Do not expose your dogs to extreme heat. If you want to take them outdoors, choose cooler areas with plenty of shade.
2. Do not leave them in parked cars: Leaving a dog in a hot car is inadvisable. Your dog could have a heatstroke from being left alone in a hot car for as little as 10 minutes.
3. Time their walks to avoid the heat: Walk your dogs early in the morning or after sunset during summer. This is to prevent their paws from burning on the hot ground. You can place your palm on the ground to check if it’s too hot for your pet to walk. If you cannot keep your palm on the ground for more than a few seconds, it is likely to scorch your furry friend’s paws.
4. Make sure they have frequent breaks while exercising: Watch out for any signs of discomfort while exercising your dog in the summer. Ideally, exercise sessions should take part in the cooler part of the day to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
5. Opt for swimming as a fun summer exercise: “Swimming is an excellent exercise for dogs during summer,” says Dr N Khalander, veterinary assistant surgeon, government of Tamil Nadu. However, before introducing their pooches to this form of workout, pet parents should make sure that their dogs are interested. Some breeds of long-haired dogs, for example, may have an aversion to water. Further, he cautions pet parents against taking their dogs swimming immediately after a heavy workout as their basal temperature rises. “When they come in contact with cold water before cooling down, it leads to the constriction of tiny blood vessels, which can cause shock and even be fatal,” he explains.
Summer care tips: How to keep your dog cool?
• Grooming: Trimming your dog’s coat in summer is a great way to help them tolerate the heat. “However, the amount of hair to be trimmed depends on whether they have single or double coats,” says Dr Khalander. Single-coated dogs can be trimmed short but should not be completely shaved. Complete loss of hair makes them susceptible to sunburns, bug bites and other infections. Dogs with double coats should also be trimmed, but we advise against shaving them completely unless there is a valid medical reason. Shaving double-coated dogs makes them feel the heat more, leading to discomfort and possibly redness and injuries caused by persistent itching. Instead, they should be brushed and combed regularly to maintain coat health.
• Indoor temperature: While not all dogs need air-conditioned spaces to stay cool, maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature is essential. In summer, your dog’s space should have ample ventilation. You can leave the fan running or have a cooler facing their preferred napping spots so they can stay cool.
Summer illnesses: When to rush to a vet?
Your dog could be afflicted by issues due to the summer heat. Gupta shares, “Extreme dehydration, when your dog shows signs such as sunken eyes, dry gums, lethargy, reduced urination or loss of skin elasticity is a concern. In such cases, they require intravenous fluids and proper treatment.”
He adds that heat exhaustion and heat stroke, too, can affect dogs in summer. The former occurs when dogs are exposed to high temperatures and humidity for extended periods. “Symptoms include heavy panting, weakness, rapid breathing, vomiting and collapsing,” he explains. “On the other hand, excessive panting, drooling, rapid heartbeat, weakness, collapse or seizures could signify a heat stroke. In such cases, it is essential to lower their body temperature immediately using cool water. Seek veterinary help right away.”
Takeaways
- In summer, dogs need some extra care to handle the rising temperatures. Simple dietary changes like sufficient hydration and cooling treats can help.
- While stepping out with your dog in summer, avoid the peak sunshine hours and heavy exercises to prevent your pooch from overheating. You can also introduce swimming as an exercise during this season.
- If your dog shows signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke, rush them to a vet.
