Summertime is here, the heat is upon us and you may be planning vacations, day trips and weekend getaways with your dogs. Help your dog this summer by educating yourself and becoming aware of your dog’s surroundings and by using preventative measures to ensure your dog’s safety.

Dogs cool off by panting, exchanging warmer air from the body for the cooler air outside. But when air temperature is close to body temperature, cooling by panting is not an efficient process. Because dogs do not sweat (except to a minor degree through their foot pads), they do not tolerate high temperatures as well as we do.

Exercising in hot, humid weather, even just a walk, increases panting and loss of body fluid begins. Short nosed breeds such as Boxers, Pugs, Bulldogs, and Pekinese can overheat more quickly because they cannot exchange air as efficiently. Leaving a dog in a car, even with the windows rolled down can be fatal. The temperature inside a car can increase quickly on warm days as well as overcast days due to the concentration of UV rays penetrating the car’s windows. If you choose to leave your dog outside at home, make sure that the dog has plenty of cool fresh water to drink and plenty of shade, even available when the sun changes position.

When you are out and about with your dog at the park, on long walks or even just spending the day at your child’s weekend sport, can be hard on your dog. When you are walking on hot sand, concrete or asphalt, your dog’s feet can blister too.

Be aware of your dog’s behaviour and know what is abnormal for your dog.

Some signs to recognise as your dog is starting to become overheated include, whining, fidgeting, and as they pant the tongue extends much further than normal and may be scooped at the end like a big spoon with slimy drool at the tip.

If you are concerned that your dog may have symptoms of heatstroke contact your vet for advice immediately.

For further information about heat stroke / exhaustion, possible symptoms, causes, methods of prevention, and breeds at risk please contact your veterinarian. 

Here at DogCulture we stock some fabulous products to reduce the potential of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in your dog. When at home or out and about in the car make sure you have your Road Refresher non spill water bowl so that your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times. Your dog won’t be able to tip it over so you won’t need to worry about whether he has water when you’re not there. On those hot humid days, ensure your dog stays cool and prevents overheating by using your Cool Coat, they are lightweight, comfortable and easy to activate by simply immersing in water and using evaporative cooling.

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