Prevent heat stroke in dogs: dog-friendly summer activities

We bet there’s no dog that doesn’t like summer activities. It’s the time when they can enjoy swimming, going to a picnic, and playing lots of fetch with their owners. However, as a dog owner, you also need to recognize and prevent your furry friend from heat stroke. It’s true that dog’s fur helps them stay warm in winter, however, they would rather escape it during summer. That’s why we decided to represent you with the best dog-friendly summer activities and tips on how to keep him or her cool and hydrated in summer.

What are the most common symptoms of heat stroke in dogs?

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to spot the signs of heat stroke in dogs. It includes panting, drooling, reddened gums, dry nose,  inability to walk due to a dog’s feeling weak, and loss of coordination. Of course, it also includes the increasing of your pet’s internal temperature that shouldn’t exceed 106 degrees.

What dog breeds are on a higher risk to suffer from overheating in summer?

It’s true that all dog breeds can suffer from heat stroke, however, brachycephalic breeds are on higher risk. Due to their shortened nostrils and soft palate that is usually elongated, breeds such as French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston terriers require special care during summer.

How can you keep your dog cool in summer?

1. It might sound like a cliché but it’s important to provide your furry friend with plenty of fresh water. Wherever you go, it’s advisable to take a travel bottle of water for your pooch.
2. Another tip is to take care of his paws. Dogs paw pads act sensitive to hot and cold pavements and can easily get burned in not stay protected. Finding the best dog boots might sound challenging, so that’s why our advice is to choose those with the anti-slippery sole. In case you can’t find the mesh and anti-slippery boots, dog socks can present another option.
3. Avoidance of feeding your pooch with commercial treats that are usually rich in additives and artificial colors. Choose only fresh fruits and veggies for your dog’s snacks.
4. Provide a dog with a natural shadow during summer. Since your pooch needs to go potty a few times during a day, it’s advisable to have a stroll under shadows of trees.
5. In case your dog spends most of the time in a yard during summer, it’s advisable to splash his fur with water during the hottest part of the day. Of course, we also advise you to consider putting a dog inside the house in order to escape heat exhaustion.
6. In case you were thinking that dogs can’t get burnt, you are wrong! Dogs can actually burn not only their paws but also their noses due to sun exposing. Therefore, it’s highly important to take care of their noses and put sunscreen for protection and Flora4Pet natural dog dry nose & skin healing oil with marigold and chamomile for everyday care.
7. Unfortunately, many dog owners are not aware of the fact that leaving a dog in a car can turn out to be fatal to their dogs. Even in case you’ve left an opened window on your car, the temperature goes double from the air temperature.
8. Buying a self-cooling pad can also help your dog to maintain his normal body temperature. They are filled with gell that works best if placed out of direct sunlight.
9. Going swimming presents another great and fun dog-friendly summer activity. However, in case you own a brachycephalic breed, it’s important to put on them life swimming jackets since they are not good swimmers at all. Due to their short and compact bodies, they sink like rocks.

What fruit can dogs eat in the summer?

Fruits present not only a healthier option for your pooch but also help them to prevent heat stroke. It’s true that they are low in calories, however, it’s also important to control the intake of sugar.

Some of the best summer fruits that your dog can eat are watermelon, cantaloupe, apples, pears, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, and bananas. These fruits are also high in fiber, antioxidants, and different vitamins, so they’ll also leave a beneficial effect on your furry friend’s digestive system as well. The recommended daily amount of fruit is 5 %-10%  of your dog’s diet.