How to Care for Dogs in Hot Weather.
As much as we love our dogs, they are part of the family and the best friend to our children. Unfortunately, this means we often unwisely put their safety at risk by insisting they accompany us everywhere during hot weather – including trips to the beach with children, shops, running or jogging, cycling or taking a drive – taking them everywhere that could put them at risk is simply something we do without thinking twice about!
Dogs don’t require suntan lotion or beach volleyball. Most of us enjoy an afternoon at the beach or park in hot sunny weather, but when exertion becomes intense we become hot, sweaty and lethargic even in shaded areas. While humans have access to shaded areas with cold drinks as often as desired for sweating it out; their dog counterparts don’t always enjoy such luxury; we often make the mistaken assumption that their dogs will still enjoy being outside without our presence because of being unable to sweat like we would do; dogs do not require either!
Unfortunately, we often take matters further by dragging our pets behind bicycles, taking them jogging, leaving them tied up on beaches or outside stores and cafes despite all warnings to do otherwise and getting them to run around and play with us. We think everything will be okay just because we brought water and a bowl, or occasionally let them jump in a lake or sea, but this is far from being the case.
Dogs don’t understand weather forecasts. Unfortunately, we often assume they have the reasoning skills to decide whether they will enjoy an outing in the heat without understanding its destination, duration or temperature. They rely on us not putting them in danger while eagerly going with the family adventures without understanding where we’re taking them or making sensible decisions for them.
If they understood what their dog was going through, they might offer them water in a bowl with a cool breeze and provide them with a comfy place to sleep while they go off and have fun without him/her”. On particularly hot days it may be more sensible for owners to take them for an early morning or no evening walk as even evening temperatures can reach dangerously hot levels – breaking their regular schedule is harmless but overexposure or heatstroke are real risks; any reckless ownership who allows this is reckless indeed.
Animals instinctively know how to stay cool during hot temperatures, finding the most comfortable spots where they can rest their bodies in the shade or breeze – whether it be cows or sheep laying under trees and bushes for shade, or cat napping comfortably on cool stones surface – much as humans do.