So how do we know if a dog is hot? And how can we prevent heatstroke in dogs?
Dogs don't have as many organs for dissipating heat as humans, and with Hong Kong's weather getting hotter every year, it's crucial to pay close attention to preventing heatstroke in dogs.
As everyone knows, dogs have thick fur, and when summer arrives, they are bound to feel very hot.
How do dogs cool down?
In fact, all dogs are afraid of the heat in summer, because a dog's body temperature is about 2 degrees higher than a human's, and most dogs have a lot of fur.
Dogs have a lot of fur and no sweat glands on their skin; they can only dissipate heat through their paw pads and tongue.
This time, Petsthing will focus on dog heatstroke and list 7 ways to help dogs cool down and prevent heatstroke. Owners in need are welcome to read the article in detail to make daily life more comfortable for their furry friends.
Table of Contents: Keeping Your Dog Cool in Summer
1. Six Signs Your Dog is Overheating
Before we start helping our dogs cool down, we should first understand the situations and signs that indicate a dog is feeling very hot. We will list the 6 most obvious and common situations.
1.1 Dog Drinks Continuously
When the weather is hot and dogs sweat constantly, their water intake will increase.
If a dog doesn't usually like to drink water but suddenly starts drinking frequently for a period, it's one of the signs that they feel the weather is too hot.
1.2 Dog Sticking Out Tongue / Panting
Dogs don't usually stick out their tongues or rest with their mouths open often. If a dog is too hot, it will open its mouth and stick out its tongue to increase heat dissipation. When you notice your dog doing this, you need to cool it down immediately.
Under normal circumstances, a dog panting is just to dissipate heat, so there's no need to worry too much. However, if there are unusual noises when breathing, or if the dog has a fever, you should check for heatstroke.
If heatstroke occurs, you need to cool them down immediately and then take them to the vet as soon as possible.
1.3 Dog Exposes Belly
If a dog is very hot, it will definitely not want to move around much. It might lie on the ground and expose its belly.
This action, in addition to being a sign of trust in you, could also mean the dog is feeling hot and is doing this to cool down.
1.4 Hiding in Shady Areas
If a dog is feeling very hot, it will reduce its activity level or become unwilling to exercise, spending all day hiding in shady places, such as under tables or in air-conditioned rooms, which make them feel cooler.
Summer Cooling Products for Pets
1.5 Dog Drools
Although drooling is normal for many dogs, in summer, most dogs will stick out their tongues to dissipate heat, causing saliva to drip, which leads to drooling.
However, you should also observe if the amount of drool is significantly more than usual. If so, you need to consider if the dog has already suffered heatstroke.
1.6 Dog Has No Appetite / Loss of Appetite
It's not just us who lose our appetite in hot weather; dogs also dislike eating in high temperatures.
Also, dogs often become irritable in high temperatures, which affects their appetite.
If you find that your dog suddenly doesn't like to eat, it might be because they are too hot. You should move their food bowl to a cooler place.
2. Seven Summer Dog Care Tips
Now that we've discussed the physical signs of a dog feeling hot, let's list 7 ways to help your dog cool down and prevent heatstroke:
2.1 Turn on Air Conditioner / Fan
Most people know that dogs are very sensitive to heat, so in summer, it's important to provide adequate cooling for your dog. You can turn on a fan or air conditioning if necessary.
However, the air conditioning temperature should not be too low; it's best to keep it above 23 degrees Celsius. Also, avoid letting your dog lie directly under the air conditioning after bathing.
Remember, don't let your dog lie directly on the floor, as this can easily cause them to catch a cold. You can provide a mat for them to lie on.
2.2 Provide Ample Water
Ensure your dog has ample fresh and clean water available at all times. Remember to change it daily.
If your dog doesn't like to drink water, you can put some treats in the water so that when they want a treat, they'll also drink some water.
Drinking plenty of water is extremely important. Remember to always place your dog's water bowl or dispenser in a cool place and change the water frequently. Avoid placing the water near a west-facing window, as it could turn into hot water.
If you're out and about, always carry some cool water with you and offer it to your dog periodically.
Dog Water Dispenser
2.3 Change Walk Times to Early Morning or Evening
Although it's hot, dogs still need to burn off energy, so try not to take them out during the day or in direct sunlight.
The temperature is usually cooler before 9 AM, so try to walk your dog before then if possible. Otherwise, wait until the temperature drops in the evening.
2.4 Let Your Dog Play in Water - It's Cooling and Fun!
Dogs also want to play in the summer, but if it's too hot to go out during the day, we recommend setting up an inflatable pool at home for your dog to play in, or visiting a pet swimming pool.
2.5 Switch to a Pet Cooling Mat
Besides cool tile floors, we suggest providing your dog with a cooling mat that helps dissipate heat.
These mats contain gel-like material or water, making them soft and comfortable. They are an ideal cool and comfortable choice for older dogs who shouldn't sleep on hard floors.
Summer Cooling Pet Products
2.6 Never Leave Your Dog Alone in a Car
Dog owners with cars should not leave their dogs alone in the vehicle, as the temperature inside a car can get very high in summer, and heat is difficult to dissipate.
Even with a small crack in the window, it's not safe, as this can easily lead to heatstroke in pets. By the time you return, your dog might be unconscious, and it could be too late to save them.
2.7 Clean and Trim Dog Hair
In summer, it's important to clean your dog's fur promptly to help with heat dissipation. Trim the ear hair of long-eared dogs to prevent mite infestation.
It's best to bathe and groom your dog weekly to prevent skin diseases.
Do not expose your dog directly to the sun after bathing; dry them first.
When trimming their fur, avoid cutting it too short, as an appropriate length of fur can block UV rays.
3. Summary
Hong Kong's long summer has just begun, and your dog might be feeling a bit "overwhelmed" by the heat.
To combat the high summer temperatures, besides turning on the air conditioning, there are other ways to prevent your dog from getting heatstroke! To keep your dog from "lying around" due to the heat in summer, everyone should focus on the 7 key points mentioned above to prevent heatstroke and keep them cool!
The comfortable state for dogs is actually similar to that of humans – neither too hot nor too cold. We wish everyone and their dogs a happy and fulfilling summer vacation!
