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Cool dogs not Hot Dogs

rustythedog

Can you believe it’s summer already! With the temperature about to ramp up, no doubt we’ll be pulling out the chilly bins, jandals, sunscreen and caps but don’t forget to think about your furry family members. Here are some top tips on how to have the ‘coolest’ dog in town this summer.

The interior of a vehicle can reach temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius in a matter of minutes.

It is not recommended that you leave a dog in a vehicle. Dogs do not have as many sweat ducts as humans and therefore cannot regulate their temperature effectively.  This makes them more susceptible to exhaustion and dehydration. Dogs cool down mainly through their nose, mouth and paws and in hot conditions, moisture is constantly evaporating from their body.  Short-nosed breeds can become overheated in a matter of minutes.

If you do leave your dog in the car ensure that you take the following precautions;

  • Leave at least two windows slightly open, to allow you to get your fingers through but not your whole hand, allowing the air to circulate. Place a “Beware Of The Dog” sign on the window if you are concerned that someone might try and break in.
  • Ensure that the dog has plenty of clean fresh water.
  • Avoid exposure to the sun by parking in a shaded area (remember, as the day goes on the shade will move).
  • Minimise, as much as possible, the time the dog spends alone in the car. Although some dogs appear to enjoy a ride in the car, it is not good practice leaving a dog unattended in a vehicle. The dog has no way to escape any perceived threat which can be very stressful.
  • If you provide the dog with food, remember that food requires water to aid in digestion and will simply make the dog thirstier.

If you recognise that your dog is suffering from heat stress while walking along a hot surface like asphalt or on the sand, quickly lift the dog so that the paws are off the ground. Dogs can expel a lot of heat through their paws.

10 December 2018

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