In the hot summer months, especially in urban areas, pets in general and dogs in particular are heavily affected by the weather. You can refer to the tips below to save your dog from heat stroke and other health problems and help him stay healthy during the hot summer.
Always keep your dog in cool, shaded areas or inside a fanned or air-conditioned home. This is extremely necessary if you have a thick-haired dog that comes from a cold country such as Samoyed, Alaskan, German Shepherd.
– Trim the dog's coat, only trim the long hair areas under the belly, on the paw cushions, and around the ears and eyes to make the dog more comfortable. Never ever shave off the dog's hair because of the hot weather.
– Keep the dog always clean, let him take worm medicine, apply tick and parasite killers, parasites regularly, and keep the dog's sleeping environment clean, cool, free of mosquitoes and fleas.
Always keep an eye on your dog to spot any signs of heat stroke or exhaustion and provide first aid.
Do not leave your dog in the garage or inside the car because it is very hot and asphyxiating.
– Refrain from taking your dog out during the period from noon to 4 pm.
– Always have clean water available for your dog to drink at any time. You can prepare more cool drinks for your dog to drink. Such drinks are both cooling and very good for the liver and kidneys. Note that dogs can have a cool drink that humans consume, but absolutely no sugar or salt should be added.
– Feed your dog with food that is thinner but contains more fiber such as sweet potato, carrot, and pumpkin. When he skips meals, you can give him meat or bone broth as a replacement. In addition, it is recommended to change the meal time when the weather turns hot. Your dog should be fed early in the morning and in the evening when the weather is cooler and your dog has more appetite.
When your dog goes outside, keep him away from hot surfaces such as asphalt and cement floors. If you must take him outside in the middle of the day, protect him by providing cover against the sunlight and applying children's sunscreen. This is especially important for short-nosed, thin-skinned breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs.