A scoop of ice cream by the pool: Helping your dog survive the heat
Temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius and more are no joke for dogs. Spending the whole day lying on the cool bathroom floor is usually not an option for them, as at some point, nature will call them outside.
So what can be done to ease their suffering? Marie Nitzschner, a behavioural scientist, and Nadia Wattad, a dog trainer with the German Animal Welfare League, have some tips.
Take your dog for a walk when it is cooler and avoid the midday heat. Go for longer walks early in the morning or late in the evening. If you have to go out more often, keep your walks short.
Avoid asphalt if possible. Roads and pavements can become very hot in the sun. Put your hand on the ground to check how hot it is.
Cycling in 30 degrees can be strenuous and is not a good idea with a dog in tow. Getting a dog to chase a ball to exhaustion is also not advisable. Walks at a moderate pace (and ideally with breaks for swimming) are sufficient exercise for your four-legged friend on hot days.
Check whether your dog is resilient to heat. Some dogs suffer more than others in hot weather. Pugs or the French bulldogs, for instance, are particularly sensitive to heat due to their physique; owners should definitely not let them out of their sight.
Severe panting or restlessness are the first signs that a dog is too hot. Now's the time to act quickly. "Get the animal out of the heat; put wet towels on the limbs to cool it down," Wattad advises.
Always have water at hand and make sure that your dog drinks enough. Take a bowl or a water bottle with you when you head outdoors.
Give your pet the opportunity to cool down, whether in a dog pool or at the nearest lake or pond. Check whether dogs are allowed before letting them take a dip.
Treat your dog to a scoop of (special) ice cream. To make ice cream that's suitable for dogs, Nitzschner recommends mixing a banana and natural yoghurt or oatmeal, baby food and cottage cheese. Freeze the mixture in a small container and serve it in a bowl as a snack. Ice cubes are not suitable for dogs because they could choke on them.
Never leave a dog alone in the car, not even with the windows rolled down. "An open sunroof or window will not cool them sufficiently under any circumstances. The vehicle can become a deadly trap in minutes," warns Wattad. "The temperature inside a car rises quickly to 50 degrees or more even in cloudy or muggy weather without direct sunlight."
If your dog shows symptoms of heat stroke, consult a vet immediately. Signs of life-threatening circulatory problems include very red or very pale mucous membranes, shallow breathing, slowed reactions and apathetic behaviour. Other urgent warning signs are loss of balance, vomiting and unconsciousness.
