You dog suffers from the heat : my advice

It's summer time ! It's warm, and for some it is even a scorching weather.

Let's be honest : yes, it's warm in summer ; nevertheless, distinguishing between some summer warmness and a heat wave is what keeps away your dog feeling discomfort, even a emergency visit to your veterinarian.

The behaviors

Facing a heatwave, your dog is likely to :

➤ refuse to go out

➤ drink more

➤ be with no energy

➤ be irritable

➤ walk little or with difficulty

➤ get tired quickly

➤ pant more than usual

➤ insist on walking in the shade

➤ drool (more)

➤ refuse or tolerate not well being hugged

➤ hyperventilate

➤ obey with an increased latency, oven does not obey

My advice so your dog does not suffer (too much) from the heat

Hydrating

See to fill the water bowl of your dog in regularly. Adding some ice cubes will keep it cooler.

Nova gets hydrated by drinking during her session.

If your dog must wear a muzzle, I highly recommend it for a short-term duration. The important thing is that he can pant to regulate his internal temperature, as well as drink through it.

If your dog shows he has issues to get hydrated, a (needle-less) syringe is an alternative to prompt him to quench his thirst.

You can also put some toys or treats in the bottom of his bowl so that he gets hydrated by grabbing them.

Medication

Some treatments heighten the intolerance to heat ; some see their effects diminished because of the heat.

I advise you to contact your veterinarian in case of doubt. Stopping any treatment without your veterinarian's advice is risky.

Walking out

Urqui gets cooler by swimming in a river.

Focus your outings on the cooler hours of the day (early morning or late evening). If you don't tolerate "accidents" at home and/or don't have a garden, so your dog doesn't have to hold it for hours and hours, go out for a few minutes just so that he can relieve himself.

Opt more for the places that are as « cool » as possible and « sheltered » (forest, grass).

If your dog likes taking a dip, a river presents fewer potential risks than a stagnant pond in terms of bacteria (though I recommend you be careful).

Keep him cool

A damp towel or one that has been put in the refrigerator or even the freezer on him or against him.

A licking mat on which you spread pâté, compote, puree (carrots, cooked sweet potato), fish rillettes, then place it in the freezer to offer your dog an “ice cream”.

A fan placed not far from him, but not directly on him.

A mini-pool in which you put water or ice cubes. If you don't have the space for this, but have a bathtub and your dog is comfortable in it, it will serve as a "pool".

Rest

Taiko gets some rest in one of the coolest places.

Because of heat, your dog's body is put under stress. Depending on their physiognomy, the tolerance may vary between a Pug and a Saluki, or between a Samoyed and a Chihuahua. Depending on their age, a healthy adult will overcome it more easily than a senior.

If you have training sessions to practice, I recommend doing them during cooler hours. Whether physical and/or mental, these sessions can be demanding for your dog, whose body's priority is to maintain a balance made fragile by the heat. By reducing their duration compared to usual, you allow your dog to better tolerate the training and adapt more easily, while acquiring the learning.

⚠️ The first thing to doLa première chose à faire : take care of yourself as well !

Human beings are just as sensitive to heat. Even though we can also notice disparities, you won't be able to help your dog if you are yourself suffering from some discomfort.