As the summer season approaches, dog owners should remember that the summer heat is dangerous not only for us humans, but also for our four-legged friends. Regulation of body temperature in dogs is made more difficult by hair, especially in long-haired dog breeds and dogs with a thicker undercoat, so dogs are particularly at risk of overheating, which can cause not only health problems, but in severe cases – even death.
About how to protect your pet from overheating, and what cooling ones zoo goods can be bought in Dino Zoo stores, says Dino Zoo expert, cynologist Tatjana Bodricka!
Prevention of overheating: what owners need to know
To reduce the risk of overheating a dog, it is important to follow a number of important general dog welfare rules.
- Never leave your pet in the car! Not even for a short while or with the windows open. In the summer, the air temperature inside the car can reach a life-threatening level within 40-60 minutes. Especially on a hot summer day – even faster. If you see a pet left in a car in a supermarket parking lot, don’t be indifferent and report it to the store guards immediately!
- If the dog spends most of its time in the backyard, always provide the animal with access to cool water and shadier areas of the yard throughout the day. When planning the location of the dog house, consider in advance whether it will be in direct sunlight in the summer. Dog kennels should be located in a shaded area.
- On hot summer days, avoid walks and do not expose your pet to intense physical activities between 12:00 and 16:00. However, if a walk is still necessary, choose a shady route, preferably going for a walk in the forest. Do not forget that when going for a walk you should always take both water and a water container with you.
- Cool your dog down by setting up a cooling pool in the yard, or give your dog a cool (not freezing cold) shower a few times a day. If there is no such possibility, you can cool down the animal by moistening its coat with a cool compress.
- Buy cooling zoo products available in a wide range – cooling mat, cooling toys or automatic waterer.
- Pets of the brachiocephalic dog breed, or dogs with compressed muzzles (for example, pugs, American, French and English bulldogs, Pekingese, boxers, Shih Tzu, griffons, etc.) should be especially protected from overheating, because these breeds have difficulty breathing, which is especially dangerous in the summer season. Puppies, senior dogs, dogs with excess weight and chronic health problems, as well as pregnant bitches, should also be taken care of.
What are the signs that a dog is overheated?
Signs of overheating may include rapid, heavy breathing, panting, dry or sticky gums, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and apathy, disorientation and slowed reactions, and in severe cases, convulsions and unconsciousness. If the owner observes any of the following signs, it is important to immediately:
- move the pet to cool indoor spaces;
- offer cool water to the dog, if the animal does not want to drink – drink it with a pipette;
- moisten the dog’s hair with cool water, but in no case do not immerse it in cold water, as this can cause shock to the animal;
- if possible, install a fan in the room;
- immediately contact a veterinarian and, if necessary, go to a veterinary clinic.
What cooling zoo products are available at dinozoo.lv?
1. Cold mats for dogs
One of the most popular categories of zoo goods in the summer is cold mats for dogs. Cooling mats are filled with cooling gel and, depending on the model, keep the cooling functions up to several hours. A wide variety of shapes and sizes is available at Dinozoo.lv, so every owner will find the most suitable mat for their pet. Most of the mats do not require special cooling – to regain their original cooling functions, they just need to be left unused for a short time. The cold mat can also be used when laying in a dog house, a car or an animal’s bed.
2. Cooling toys for dogs
The Dinozoo.lv range also includes cooling toys of various shapes. The principle of their operation is simple: before use, depending on the model, it must be filled with water or immediately placed in the freezer. After a couple of hours, you can offer the toy to your pet, who will appreciate such a thing very much in hot weather. On the other hand, various floating and water toys will be great entertainment for the dog in hot weather and will stimulate the animal to cool off in a pool specially designed for dogs.
3. Pools and watering holes or fountains for dogs
Also popular are cooling zoo items such as pools for dogs and special fountains or watering holes for dogs. The dog pools available at dinozoo.lv are made of safe and durable PVC material, equipped with a non-slip base and are easy to assemble for more convenient transportation.
The automatic waterer or fountain will provide cool, fresh water for dogs throughout the day. The continuous stream of water will attract the animal’s attention and stimulate the dog to drink regularly, thus preventing the risk of dehydration and overheating.
Enjoy the summer with your pet and buy everything you need at dinozoo.lv!
Buy zoo goods that will help reduce the risk of overheating, as well as other zoo goods for dogs in a wide range and at always favorable prices at dinozoo.lv or in Dino Zoo stores throughout Latvia! If you want to shop even more advantageously, take a look at the current stock offers in the section Promotional Products.
*The article was made in cooperation with Dino Zoo
