Keep your furry friend cool this Summer
It’s summer time and it’s time for
activities like hiking, swimming or spending afternoons out in the park for
outdoor time in the sun. With the beginning of summer weather, pet owners need
to get their pets ready for the hot weather months ahead. We forget that our
pets have different needs in the heat of summer than we do. Summer also brings
unique risks to your dog's health that you should keep in mind throughout the season. By following a
few summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy
the months of sun and fun.
According to Dr. KG Umesh, Waltham Scientific
Communication Manager, Mars India, “Dogs
can’t perspire efficiently like us and can
only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess
heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves
along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it
is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters. However, by following a few summers pet
safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the months of
sun and fun to the fullest.”
Some
tips to take care of your dogs in the hot summer month:
Never
leave your pet in the car: When traveling by car in
the summer, never leave your dog unattended. Heatstroke and death can occur
within minutes of being exposed to warm temperatures. Make sure the crate is
well ventilated; put a sunshade on your car windows; bring along fresh water
and a bowl and a tarp or tent so you can set up a shady spot when you stop.
Also if you see other animal in a parked car during the summer, alert the
management of the shopping mall or grocery store. And, if the owner does not
return promptly, call local animal control or the police
Water, water everywhere: Whether you're indoors or
out, both you and your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the
summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it's full. If
you and your furry friend venture forth for the afternoon, bring plenty of
water for both of you
Feeding:
Dogs tend to eat less in summer
but they end up spending more energy in an effort to lower their body
temperatures. A lot of pet owners tend to feed home-made diets like curds and
rice during the summers, but it is very important to note that this food
contains more water (70-80%) and does not have adequate levels of energy,
vitamins, minerals, etc.
·
A
well-balanced nutritionally complete and energy dense diet like Pedigree dry
food, which also contains some natural antioxidants and confers some
protection against the effects of heat stress to the pet
·
It is also
important to feed pets during the cooler part of the day and increase frequency
of feeding to ensure that total recommended quantity of pet food is fed to your
pet
Say no to tangles: Keeping your pet well groomed
will help their hair do what it was designed to do: protect them from the sun
and insulate her from the heat. Furry dog breeds should be well clipped during this season as the
thick coat makes them feel hotter. It also makes it a home for bacteria and
parasites
Keep
their bed cool: Remove
cushiony bedding from your dog's crate or bed. They may be more comfortable
lying on the cooler bottom rather than on blankets or fleece
Make sure your pet doesn't Overexert:
Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy
weight, which helps them body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat.
Save exercise sessions for
early morning or after the sun goes down. Your dog will appreciate the cooler
temperatures—and so will you! Check the ground during walks. Blacktop can get
scorching hot for your dog's pads. Touch the surface yourself—if it's too hot
for you, it's probably too hot for your dog as well
Put a lid
on it: This is
that time of the year when dogs are tempted to drink cold water from toilet
bowls. So keep the lid down and try to avoid chemical cleaners and fresheners
that stay in the bowl
Bring them inside: Animals shouldn't be left outside unsupervised
on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon,
and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much
as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on
her and bring her in when you can
Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical
emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, you must act quickly and
calmly. If you see that your dog is
panting heavily, salivating or foaming, these may be the first signs of a
heat-related problem. The hallmark of
heat-stroke is severe central nervous system (brain) disturbance and is often
associated with multi-organ dysfunction. Get your dog to a cool location,
provide small drinks of cold water, and, if he doesn't improve within a few
minutes, contact your veterinarian
Dr.
Umesh further adds, “Dogs
may spend more energy in an effort to lower the body temperature during periods
of increased panting. The energy requirement increases with the rise in
temperatures and therefore, it is important that they eat more during summer
and if, their intake has reduced then they should be compensated by feeding
energy dense or nutritional balanced pet food”
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