How to cool your dog in summer
In summer, the thermometer often shows temperatures well above 30 degrees. Even though this is, of course, an invitation to go for a swim in an outdoor pool or lake, the heat is definitely associated with some risks.
This applies not only to people, but also to dogs, for whom excessively high temperatures can quickly become a serious danger.
You can find out why this is so in the following. We will also explain what you, as the owner, need to be aware of in summer and how best to cool your dog down.
Why the heat is so dangerous for your dog
When you get warm, you start to sweat. Although this does not necessarily make the heat more pleasant, it usually at least ensures that your body does not overheat.
Unlike you, however, your dog only has a few sweat glands on his paws and nose. If he is too warm, he will start panting. This is far less effective than sweating, however.
Apart from this, the coat causes additional problems in summer, especially with long-haired dog breeds. In the worst case, it can even lead to life-threatening heatstroke. To avoid this, you should always give your dog opportunities to cool down during the warm months of the year.
How you can cool your dog down
As soon as summer temperatures are above 28 degrees Celsius, your dog's panting is no longer enough to keep his body temperature constant. To avoid potential problems such as heat stroke, your dog needs your support.
The following things will give your dog the necessary cooling:
- A stable paddling pool filled with water
- Trips to lakes or streams where your dog can bathe
- A wet T-shirt, which your quadruped will be put on while walking
- A refreshing shower with the garden hose
Physical effort should be avoided in summer
If it is particularly hot in summer, you should keep your walks together a little shorter and, if possible, shift them to the cooler morning and evening hours.
Apart from this, we recommend that you reduce major physical exertion, such as dog sports. Otherwise your dog's body can easily overheat in summer.
Flat-faced dog breeds such as the Pug and the French Bulldog are particularly vulnerable in this respect. In principle, however, the combination of physical exertion and heat poses a risk to any dog.
A place to lie down in the shade will help your dog cool down
In summer, make sure that your dog does not lie down in the blazing sun and instead provide him with a shady place to lie down.
Ideally, this should be a cool surface such as tiles or a stone floor. Alternatively, a place in a meadow under a parasol or a tree is also an option.
How to cool your dog from the inside
In summer it is particularly important that your dog always has enough fresh water in his drinking bowl. You can also cool your four-legged friend down with a homemade dog ice cream or a Kong with some dog treats that you have previously placed in the freezer.
Apart from this, it is advisable in summer to keep the portions a little smaller and thus divide the food over more meals. This makes it easier for your dog to digest.
A summery hairstyle provides cooling
For dog breeds with long coats it may be useful to thin out and shorten the dense coat a little in summer. You should also brush your quadruped regularly so that a little more air can get to his skin.
This will help your dog to cool down and cope with the high temperatures more easily.
Car trips in summer with dog
In summer, the interior of a car can easily heat up to more than 50 degrees in direct sunlight. We therefore recommend that you avoid longer car journeys with your dog in summer if possible. Open windows do provide a little cooling during the journey. However, they very quickly lead to eye infections in dogs.
In addition, you should never leave your dog in a parked car in summer. The temperatures inside the car can become life-threatening after a short time.
Our recommendation for a strong immune system in summer
High temperatures can put your dog under enormous strain and weaken his immune system. This makes your four-legged friend susceptible to infections, such as summer flu.
We therefore recommend that you supplement your dog's summer diet with Bellfor Immun. This natural food supplement with ingredients such as insect protein from the larvae of black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) and propolis can gently help to strengthen your dog's immune system and reduce its susceptibility to infections.
Our conclusion on the subject of cooling down your dog
As you can see, the heat in summer is not only unpleasant for your dog, but sometimes even a serious risk to his health. To prevent life-threatening heat stroke, you should therefore cool your dog down regularly and avoid excessive exertion and long journeys by car if possible.
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