Have you ever heard of that expression? It generally means hot, sultry days of summer. Now that it is June, those days aren’t far away. Well, let’s zoom in on that title to truly consider the dog days of summer, meaning our dogs during hot spells. Those are very dangerous times for our pets and can even be traumatic or deadly.
We have numerous ways to cool down. Our pets are really at our mercy. We need to provide a consistent supply of water. They enjoy ice either as a treat on their own, or added to their water. Feeding your dog healthy pet food and treats made from high-quality ingredients should be a priority in their overall health.
When outside, make sure there is a shaded area close by.
Be mindful of shade that prevents air flow such as a doghouse. In hot temperatures, that becomes very dangerous. On their own, dogs can only cool down by panting. It actually expands moisture from their lungs. If there is high humidity, then even their panting is no longer able to cool them down and body temperatures can quickly skyrocket. Their paws may perspire, but not enough for any cooling effect.
Dangerous temperature conditions exist in cars. Running into a store for a quick moment can easily be longer and minutes can be the difference between life and death. A parked car has a greenhouse effect. Temperatures quickly rise to dangerous levels within minutes. Cracked windows really don’t have an impact on those conditions. Within ten minutes a car at 85 degrees will rise to 102 degrees. Not much longer and it becomes 120 degrees. These high temperatures literally begin cooking your dog from the inside out.
With hot conditions, their blood thickens. This creates great stress on the heart and blood clots are possible. The brain, intestinal and liver cells are highly active and are at the greatest risk for heat trauma. There is the risk for irreversible organ damage or death. And damage can still occur hours or days after experiencing time in a hot car.
If you observe an animal left alone in a car on summer days, for the sake of its life, phone a humane society or the police. Make note of the car model, color, license plates and time. Also, inform the manager of the nearby store. An emergency announcement can be made. Staying near the car until help arrives helps the animal to stay calmer. When it comes to running a quick errand, leave your pet at home, or have someone come along, taking the dog out of the car and providing water. Moments matter.
healthydogma 
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