How to cool a dog in summer with no risk

Why is it important to cool a dog in summer

A dog's body temperature ranges between 38 and 39 degrees, so the heat usually affects them quite a bit. And, although not all of them suffer from it in the same way, because factors such as breed, size and age also have an impact, it is important to cool a dog in summer to avoid heat stroke.

To cool him down at home follow these easy tips:

• Always keep the feeder filled with clean, fresh water.
• Place their bed in the coolest place in the house.
• Wet their belly with cool water.
• Avoid feed and switch to a raw or natural homemade cooked diet, which provides them with greater hydration.
• On very hot days, turn on the air conditioning in the room where the dog is resting.

Signs that your dog is suffering from heat stroke

Knowing when your dog is suffering from heat stroke is simple, since the symptoms are evident:

• Constant and quite loud panting, accompanied by excessive salivation.
• Very red or bluish gums.
• Disorientation.
• Loss of balance, shaking, signs of weakness, or not wanting to get up.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea for no apparent reason.

If you notice these symptoms in your dog, it is important to see a vet urgently. As an emergency measure, you can wet their belly, neck, armpits and pads with lukewarm water, place them in a cool place and offer them some water without forcing them to drink. Even if they improve, the vet needs to carry out an examination on the animal to avoid possible after effects.

Cold, homemade treats to help cool your dog

A great solution to cool dogs in summer is to offer them homemade snacks, which, in addition to refreshing them, are healthy and they love them .

Here are several ideas:

• Ice cream treat. Grab some popsicle or muffin moulds of any size you want, fill them with natural kefir and add some of their favourite treats. Put them in the freezer... and that's it.
• Bone broth jelly. Make a bone broth (you will find the recipe in issue 136 of Entrenosotros). Take some individual moulds of the size you want, Fill them with the bone broth and put them in the fridge. When they cool, you'll have some bone-broth jelly treats to make them want to lick your paws.
• Frozen toy. Grab your favourite interactive toy and fill it with its treats as you usually do, but this time, add cream cheese, pâté, kefir or natural yogurt. Put it in the freezer and, when it is nice and cold, start playing!

What is the best time to take your dog our for  a walk in summer

To protect the dog from the heat, you should avoid going outside in the middle of the day, when temperatures are higher.

Here are some tips for safe walks with your dog in summer:

• Change the time for the walks: leave earlier in the morning, between 6 am and 7 am, and take the afternoon walk when the sun goes down, after 8 pm.
• Go to cool places such as forests, green areas and if possible, where there are places to bathe, such as a river or a pet-friendly beach.
• Always carry fresh water and a portable flask.
• If your dog is young and active, regulate play and activity times by making several stops for rest.
• Wet their belly before going for a walk.