What would you feel like when you had forced the luxury of wearing a coat throughout the summer? You’d likely feel miserable and be a significant candidate for heat exhaustion or even worse. Imagine what your dog’s experience is like when they’re wearing the thickest coat in the sun during summer.
Giving your dog access to fresh and cool water throughout the day and a shaded space for the pet is crucial. If your dog is covered in a thick coat, keep up with regular grooming; you might want to consider cutting them for summer. It is also possible to use products such as a cooling bed, dog boots, and sunscreen to protect your dog against the scorching summer sun.
Of course, dogs need proper protection from dangerous extreme heat and sun. However, if you have an animal with a thick coat, you have to be more attentive to how to keep them cool. Most importantly, you’ll want to add a few other things to their grooming routine that you would not have to do with other dogs.
What is a double coat?
A double coat consists of a soft undercoat and a more rigid top coat. It can be found in many breeds that originate from colder climates. It’s any coat with 2 layers of fur, one being dense and short. It offers insulation from extreme cold and hot weather while the top layer shields it from dirt and moisture.
When you’re grooming dogs with two coats, Many people focus on cleaning the top coat but forget that the coat underneath demands our focus.
What can I do to help my dog?
Alter your routine and take shorter walks in cooler weather. Leave their ball at home, and do not encourage your dog to join in with the other canines to prevent excessive heat.
Take a bowl of water and stay away from car journeys. If you have to travel in a car, bring extra towels and water in case you have to cool your dog.
Don’t leave your dog in a vehicle even for a couple of minutes because the temperature inside could become extremely hot in a short time.
It is also possible to get your dog ready for the summer months by grooming. Anna Pollard, a groomer from The Dog House, Leicester, suggests frequent brushing to prevent knots. Dogs aren’t sweaty, allowing their coats to function and letting heat escape the body.
Signs That Your Dog is Overheated
Dogs can chill themselves out by sweating their pads, panting, and instinctively looking for cool spots to rest, like under the shade of a tree or on the cool floor.
Animals aren’t always capable of cooling themselves down.
Humans are the ones who must be aware of their pets’ symptoms of distress or discomfort.
Here are some indications that your dog is beginning to get too hot:
- Heavy panting
- An excessive thirst
- Glazed eyes
- Vomiting
- Stools that are loose and bloody
- Tongue/gums bright or dark red
- Staggering
- Instability or collapsing
- Heart rate elevation
- Seizure
IF YOU DO DECIDE A TRIM IS IN ORDER, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS:
Do not shave your double-layered coat.
Employ an expert. This service is less costly than repairing the burn or lesion caused by untrained clippers.
Dogs with one-layer coats, don’t cut the hair loss by more than one”. Any shorter length exposes your dog to sunburns, ingrown hairs, or cancer.
Make sure you get rid of any spots that have become matted, as they can be a home for parasites, insects, or even bacteria. However, prevention is the key. Regular brushing and proper care for dogs with long hair should be able to avoid extreme haircuts.
Summer Safety for Dogs
- Whatever coat your dog is wearing, it’s straightforward for the summer heat to cause damage to any breed. When temperatures get hotter, remember these safety guidelines in your mind:
- Your dog should be kept indoors in the heat in the morning. Keep outdoor exercise and play sessions for the early morning or late evening hours.
- Always ensure that people have easy access to fresh, cool water. Use a freezer bowl to keep the water chilled for several hours.
- You should ensure that you have a shaded area to rest in when they’re out.
- If you have a swimming pool, ensure your dog doesn’t have access to the pool without supervision. A thirsty and hot dog seeks water and relief wherever it is.
- Learn about the safety of swimming with dogs if you plan to take your dog to the water or the pool.
- Don’t assume your canine companion doesn’t need sunscreen. The dogs with lighter colorings are particularly susceptible to sunburn. So, if you’re going to be in the sun for a long time, you should use a safe doggy sunscreen.
- Do you enjoy the heat of hot pavement? It’s not the case for your dog. Buy some boots to guard your dog’s feet If you’re taking your pet on walks and the ground is hot.