We all know it is important to keep pets cool when the temperatures get hot, but most people don’t know exactly the best way to do this. They assume dogs are like people, and will need the same things we do. This is only partially correct. A cooler environment is important, and so is plenty of water. But humans and dogs have very different cooling mechanisms.
Dogs cool themselves by panting, not sweating! Panting cools their internal organs, and helps to regulate their body temperature from the inside out. They do sweat a little, but only through the pads on their feet. So plenty of fresh, tepid or cool (not cold) water is very important for your dog in hot weather since they lose a lot of moisture through their mouths when they pant. Also, you should know that this method of cooling is more efficient than the human form of sweating to stay cool, so if you are comfortable, your dog probably is, too.
While black coats in the sun soak up the heat, light colored coats are actually good at reflecting the sun’s ray. s All coats protect the dog’s skin from the harmful effects of the sun. So don’t think shaving your dog is the best way to keep it cool! You could be complicating things by introducing sunburn on top of the heat. Keep your dark-coated dogs in the shade as much as possible, and leave enough coat on your light-coated dogs to block the sun’s rays.
Remember that your 4-legged best friend is not a furry human, and the things that work for people are not always right for your dog or cat.
Always seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your dog has heat exhaustion. Time is critical – the quicker you get your pet to the vet, the more likeley he is to make a full recovery.
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