How to take care of your dog in summer and prevent it from getting heatstroke

Summer is almost here and it must be painful to think about our dogs being covered in fur if we creep up on them as the temperatures rise. Royal Canin veterinarian Gemma Baciero explains how the heat affects them, what we can do to help them cope and what signs we should be wary of.

What precautions should we take to protect our dogs from the heat? Does it affect them as much as it does us? At first glance, your hair must look terrible in 40 degree Celsius heat right?

Dogs are sensitive to heat and high temperatures can have different effects on them. From mild effects, such as lower activity levels, to more serious ones, such as dehydration or even heat stroke. To avoid these negative consequences, it is important that they always have access to fresh water for drinking (even at night), a cool corner where they can take shelter, and never leave them in enclosed spaces with high temperatures, such as in cars (even with the windows open). It is also important to adjust your walking habits, avoid going out during midday and the hottest hours, carry water and always seek shade.

How should we adjust their diet?

High temperatures may make the dog less hungry than usual, but in principle this may be normal. We can always consult your veterinarian and we do not have to change his diet unless he tells us otherwise. If the loss of appetite is very pronounced or lasts too long, we can choose to mix or combine the dry food with another equally balanced wet food, which is very palatable and also increases the water intake. It is also very important to always clean the feeder afterwards and keep the remaining wet product in the refrigerator. We should avoid sudden changes in food, as this may cause digestive disturbances. If we travel to a holiday destination, it is ideal to always carry the pet’s usual food and adjust the portion size to the pet’s activity.

Should we be especially concerned about them drinking?

It is important to make sure they always have access to fresh water, whether during the day, at night or when walking and playing. This way your dog will always have access to water. Puppies and older children are more sensitive to dehydration and may be more likely to “forget to drink water”, so you have to be more vigilant with them. If we plan to go on a car trip in the summer, it is also very important to stay hydrated, but it is best to avoid drinking water in the hours before the trip to avoid dizziness. It is best to give them small amounts of food when you stop.

What changes should we make to their daily routines?

One of the main changes in their daily routine is the adjustment of walking. We must avoid the hottest times, so the longest walks should be done first and last in the day, leaving the center time for quick outings to our convenience. And always look for shade and access to water. We can also adjust the level of activity depending on the time of day and the destination where we are in the summer.

Can their hair be cut?

The ideal approach is to consult a specialist, as this depends on the type of hair a particular animal has. It is important to remember that hair has a protective function for the skin and if we overshave we may achieve the opposite of what we want, as it can cause sunburn.

Do we wet them?

There is no need to increase the frequency of bathing in the summer, no more than 1 time a month or when necessary. What we can do to cool them down is to wet them with a hose or let them immerse in water. It is better not to leave them wet for a long time, because too much moisture can damage the skin. On the other hand, you must also be careful when swimming at the beach. No doubt they love sea water, but it is important to pay attention to sea currents and prevent them from drinking sea water (directly or when swimming), because this can cause digestive disorders or even severe poisoning. After bathing, they should be rinsed with fresh water, because sea salt can irritate the skin.

What do we do with his hoof? Can it burn with the heat of asphalt? How do we take care of them?

In addition to taking normal care when the temperatures are very high (cutting nails, checking for nails, etc.), you must also consider that the soil can also get very hot if the sun is directly hitting it, which can cause burns on the pads. Another reason to avoid midday walks is that if you do go for a walk, seek out more shaded areas and reduce exposure to direct sunlight.

Heavy breathing, loss of appetite…what signs should we be alert to and visit the vet?

One of the things we must watch out for is the possibility of heat stroke. Heat stroke is a sudden increase in body temperature above 42 degrees, and it can also affect our pets. To avoid this, the most important thing is to be careful in extremely hot conditions, such as in a car near the sun or during strenuous exercise in high temperatures. Some symptoms include increased salivation, muscle tremors, loss of strength and apathy, accelerated breathing or bluish gums. If these symptoms occur, it is imperative to see a veterinarian urgently.

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