When temperatures rise and the sun is hot, it is necessary that, as caregivers, we keep in mind the basic tips for caring for a dog in summer, since there are important aspects that we must take into account to avoid scares as serious as heat stroke. In this article on our site we will see how to take care of our dog during the warmer months, the measures to take and the recommendations to make this period a moment of enjoyment for both of us. Keep reading and discover with us how to take care of a dog in summer
Dog care in summer: deworming
If it is recommended to follow a deworming routine throughout the year, this importance is even more accentuated when we are in the hot season, since it will coincide with the proliferation of parasites such as fleas, ticks or mosquitoes. Therefore, within the advice to take care of our dog in summer, we cannot miss, as a first point, visit our veterinarian so that he establishes, if we do not already have it, a deworming calendaradapted to our dog and to the most frequent parasites in the area. In the market we will find products such as pipettes, sprays, necklaces or pills that will make our task easier, each of them with different purposes.
In general, there are antiparasitics for internal deworming, for external deworming and for both deworming, these being more recommended because they cover two needs through a single product. As for the frequency of use, it will depend on both the product chosen and the place where the animal resides. However, especially during the summer, it is advisable to opt for the double monthly deworming to avoid both external and internal infestations as much as possible. In some situations it may even be necessary to increase the frequency of deworming but, in any case, it will be the specialist who will indicate the guidelines to follow. So, don't hesitate, go to your trusted vet and deworm your pet to protect it.
How to cool down a dog in summer?
During the heat our dog can never lack water. We must make sure that he always has a drinker with fresh water at his disposal, so we must clean it and change it frequently. If we are going to be away for a long time, it is a good idea to leave several containers with water so that, if we are late, it is not left without it. We will also have to check that he does not tip his pot. In the market we will find a good selection of containers for this use.
On the other hand, if we go out with our dog we have to make sure that he is going to be able to drink and we must offer him water. We can get hold of a portable drinking fountain or locate a source where the dog can drink. Regarding food, we may notice that you eat less. If we offer you freshly cooked food, we must eliminate the leftovers before they spoil due to the heat or attract insects.
Water has other uses and can help us keep the dog cool in summer, such as bathing (not with cold water), which we can do conventionally in the bathtub or, if we have space, a good basin can become a pool where our dog can soak to his liking. Of course, we must bear in mind that some antiparasitic products do not advise bathing the dog either before or after applying them, so it is possible that we should wait a couple of days after administration. Likewise, we cannot bathe the dog just before so that the washing does not interfere with the protective effect of the product. Wetting a towel or spraying water can also refresh it. As a last piece of advice to take care of a dog in summer, ice can become a good toy, as well as homemade ice cream for dogs.
How to protect a dog from the heat? - Fresh environment
Whether our dog lives indoors or outdoors, he must have a cool and shady placeto be able to protect himself of heat. At home, opening the windows, using the air conditioning or fans, lowering the blinds or drawing the curtains are going to be essential elements to take care of a dog in summer.
If you have access or live abroad, we have to make sure that you have a shelter or shelter where you can shelter. We must never leave it tied up It would be recommended that during the mosquito feeding times they have the possibility of being in a closed place to avoid bites that could transmit diseases such as filariasis, correctly known in the veterinary field as dirofilariosis, or leishmaniasis.
Can you cut a dog's hair in summer?
As advice to take care of our dogs in summer we must pay attention to the coat. Not all types of fur should be cut, so if we are thinking of shaving our dog, we should first consult our canine groomer or veterinarian if it is pertinent, since the hair also offers protection and prevents burns. See the article "Is it good to cut dogs' hair in summer?" to find out when it should be cut.
The frequent brushing, on the other hand, will help remove dead hair and thus facilitate shedding. If we walk through wooded areas where spikes, splinters, thorns or even ticks may adhere to the mantle, it is a good idea that as soon as we get home we check it, looking for any of these elements. The sooner we remove the ticks, always carefully so as not to leave our heads inside, the lower the risk that they can transmit the diseases in which they act as vectors.
When to walk the dog in summer?
To know how to take care of a dog in summer it is essential to review leisure time and exercise. During the hot season we must avoid walking our dog during the hours of greatest sunshine We must also restrict exercise, because he may not realize that he is suffocating, even endangering their he alth. If we notice that he does not want to walk, we should not force him, but rather wait for cooler hours, such as first in the morning or at nightWe must realize that, without wearing shoes, it might be annoying to walk on a very hot floor. A good trick to check if the asph alt is in the right conditions or not to take the dog for a walk in summer is to place the palm of our hand on it and wait five seconds; if we notice that he burns, we already have the answer
Tips for traveling with dogs or doing activities
Whether we are thinking of going on vacation with dogs or looking for plans and activities with them, it is important, first, to know the character of the animal and its needs If we live near a beach where access is allowed for dogs, it can be a good destination, especially if you like water. Otherwise, we must not force him and, therefore, we must look for a more appropriate place for him, such as the mountain. Likewise, we must remember that whenever we travel with our dog in the car we must carry it in the back seat with its safety harness or, if applicable, inside a carrier. It is convenient to make stops in order to walk and refresh the dog Regarding the use of other means of transport, we must consult their specific conditions.
If, on the other hand, we decide to leave our dog in a residence, the best advice for taking care of our dog in the summer is going to be to gather all the information from one or several of these establishments, especially looking for opinions of other users to make sure that our dog stays in the best hands and with all the guarantees.
Signs of heat in dogs
Despite taking into account the advice to take care of a dog in summer and protect it from the heat, it is possible that high temperatures affect it without realizing it and, therefore, we must learnhow to know if a dog is hot In general, the most common are the following:
- Heavy breathing.
- Excessive panting.
- Inactivity.
- Muscle cramps.
- Dry snout.
- Increase in body temperature.
- Heart rate increased.
- Salivation.
- Dizziness and staggering.
Now that you know the most common symptoms of heat in dogs, if you see any of them in your furry companion, don't hesitate and go to the vet immediately.
Summer veterinary emergencies
Unfortunately, every summer news arrives of dogs that are rescued from inside a car or even found dead. Closed vehicles reach high temperatures in a short time and that is the cause of the urgency characteristic of summer: the coup of heat If you don't act quickly, which means going to a veterinarian, the damage that occurs throughout the body leads to death. Therefore, the most important advice for caring for a dog in summer is to never leave it inside a car, not even for a few minutes.
Finally, if we go on vacation it is recommended that we have on hand the telephone number of a veterinarian in the destination area and that we include in our usual first-aid kit, if we do not already have it, an instrument to remove ticks and some product with an immediate deworming effect, such as sprays or fast-acting tablets.
