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Summer is an exciting time of the year for most people. With lots of sunshine and outdoor activities, who wouldn’t enjoy spending time with their loved ones outdoors in the summer months? However, the extremely hot and humid temperature is very dangerous for dogs. Some people engage in all sorts of outdoor summer activities with their dogs, forgetting that these animals don’t have the same natural cooling ability as them.

Dogs can’t regulate their body temperature by sweating through their skin as we do. They have fur all over their skin that significantly reduces the amount of cooling they get when they sweat. Secondly, they have fewer sweat glands than humans. Their two main sweat glands include merocrine and apocrine glands.

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Merocrine glands

Merocrine glands are located in the paw pads, while apocrine glands can be found all over a dog’s body. When it’s hot and sunny, merocrine glands help dogs to produce small amounts of sweat through their pads. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, produce pheromones that dogs use to identify each other and make friends instead of producing sweat to help them stay cool.

Heatstroke is a medical condition that occurs when a dog is unable to expel his own body heat, leading to a rise in internal body temperature beyond the normal and healthy range. Read on to learn the causes, symptoms, risk factors, prevention tips, and what to do when your dog is affected.

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How Exactly Do Dogs Cool Off?

Unfortunately, the small amounts of sweat that dogs produce through their footpads aren’t sufficient to expel their excess body heat. So, how exactly do these pets regulate their body temperature? Mainly through panting, but they can also cool off through vasodilation.

You’ve probably seen your pooch multiple times breathing moderately with his mouth wide open and his tongue hanging outside. This is what’s called panting. When your dog pants, the hot air from his lungs is exchanged with the cool air from outside. This accelerates the evaporation of water from his tongue, upper respiratory tract, and the inside of his mouth. As the water evaporates, it regulates his body temperature, thereby helping him to cool down.

Dogs can also stay cool through vasodilation, but this is a secondary method. Vasodilation simply means the dilation or expansion of the blood vessels. When the temperature is high, a dog’s blood vessels, mostly those in his ears and face dilate and carry warm blood close to the skin surface. This process causes the blood to cool off before it goes back to the heart.

Understanding Heat Stroke And Heat Exhaustion

Most animals, including human beings, are at risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion when exposed to extremely high temperatures. However, dogs are more vulnerable to these conditions. Sure, they have a natural ability to cool off through panting and vasodilation, but these methods alone aren’t enough to protect them from heatstroke and heat exhaustion.

Heatstroke (also known as hyperthermia) is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when a dog is unable to expel his own body heat, leading to a rise in internal body temperature beyond the normal and healthy range. When your dog’s body temperature reaches above 106° Fahrenheit, it can result in serious damage to his body organs (like the brain), or even death if he’s not attended to promptly by the vet.

This is a condition that can be avoided if you pay close attention to your pooch when spending time outside in the sun, and act fast to save his life when you see the warning signs.

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Three Common Causes Of Heat Stroke In Dogs

There are several possible causes of heatstroke in dogs, but we’ll look at the three main ones below:

#1 Leaving Your Dog In A Car Without Proper Ventilation

Cars are literally death traps for dogs when the windows are all rolled up. This is why experts advise dog owners not to leave their pets in the car without sufficient ventilation. Even when the car is parked in a shaded area, the temperature inside can reach up to 90° Fahrenheit or higher when the outside temperature is only 78° Fahrenheit.

It’s even worse when you park your car in the sun, as the indoor temperature can rise up to 160° Fahrenheit within a few minutes. Leaving your dog in such a car increases his body temperature considerably, increasing his risk of suffering from heatstroke.

#2 Spending Time Outside In The Sun Without Water Or Shade

This is another common cause of heatstroke in dogs. Leaving your furry friend outside in the hot sun either sleeping or playing without access to drinking water or shade isn’t advisable at all. The same applies to exercise with him when the sun is high and hot.

#3 Exposure To Heat From A Hair Dryer For An Extended Period

Your pooch is also at risk of getting heatstroke if he’s exposed to the heat coming from a hairdryer for an extended period of time. So, you might want to keep him away from you every time you’re drying your hair.

Dogs That Have A Higher Risk Of Getting Heat Stroke

Though all dogs can experience heat stroke, the following groups are particularly at a higher risk:

• Short-nosed dogs – These dogs have restricted airways and poor panting mechanisms, which makes them more vulnerable to heatstroke even in moderate heat. Examples include bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, Boston terriers, and Shih Tzu.
• Dogs that originated from cold climates like Newfoundland, Alaskan Malamute, Keeshond, Siberian Husky, and Saint Bernard also have a more difficult time adjusting to high temperatures.
• Senior and overweight dogs – These two groups of dogs are also more sensitive to hot weather, and have a harder time regulating their body temperature.

Symptoms Of Heat Exhaustion And Heat Stroke In Dogs

Heat exhaustion is very common in dogs. It happens when your dog’s body temperature is between 104° and 106° Fahrenheit. A dog suffering from heat exhaustion will try to cool himself by panting. Some of the early signs of heat exhaustion you should look out for are rapid breathing, increased panting, fatigue, staggering, bright red gums and tongue, and inability to follow commands.

When your canine companion is unable to release excess body heat, and his body temperature rises beyond 106° Fahrenheit, he can develop heatstroke very quickly. Here are the most common signs of heatstroke in dogs:

• Elevated body temperature (temperature above 106° Fahrenheit)
• Excessive panting
• Dizziness
• Dark red gums
• Bleeding from the nose
• Shaking
• Thick sticky saliva
• Bloody diarrhea and vomiting
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness

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What To Do If Your Dog Shows Signs Of Heat Stroke

If your dog is showing any of the above symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, you need to take action immediately by bringing him to the closest veterinary clinic. If you have someone else with you at that time, let him or her drive the car to the clinic while you attempt to lower your canine companion’s body temperature. Here’s a 7-step guide on how to do it safely:

1. The first step is to move your dog from the hot and humid place into a cool area with lots of shade and free air circulation.
2. Next, provide him with small amounts of cool water to drink. However, be careful not to force the water into his mouth or let him drink too much water as this might trigger vomiting.
3. Take his rectal body temperature and continue rechecking every five minutes to avoid overcooling.
4. Start cooling your pet’s body using cool water. Dip either clean towels or washcloths in the cool water, squeeze them a little bit, and place them on different parts of his body i.e. the armpits, head, and abdomen. If the towels warm up, replace them with cool ones as needed. You can also use a fan to aid the cooling process.
5. Be careful not to cover your dog’s entire body with wet washcloths and towels as this can cause the body heat to be trapped inside. Also, avoid giving him extremely cold water to drink or using ice to cool his body, as they can cause over-cooling (hypothermia).
6. Stop cooling once his temperature reads 103.9°F. The body will continue cooling on its own from this point.
7. When you arrive at the clinic, make sure the vet examines your dog as soon as possible. Even if he seems to be doing fine, it’s still necessary to have him checked properly. If there are internal damages caused by the heatstroke, the vet will prescribe the best treatment plan to help your dog get well.

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Preventing Heat Stroke In Dogs

Despite heat stroke being a life-threatening health condition, there are several things you can do to protect your dog from getting it in the first place. Here are some useful tips worth trying:

#1 Never Leave Your Dog Locked In A Car Without Proper Ventilation

If you have a habit of riding with your dog while running errands, always remember to turn on your A/C before leaving him in the parked car. This is mainly because a car’s internal temperature can rise to dangerous levels very quickly when the windows are all rolled up, and there’s no proper ventilation. Such an environment is neither safe nor comfortable for your dog.

On the same note, letting your dog travel in the back of your truck in the hot sun isn’t advisable either. If the surface of the truck feels too hot and uncomfortable when you sit on it with your bare butt or stand on it with your bare feet, then your dog will probably feel the same way. Therefore, if you have to travel with him, let him sit on a surface that doesn’t absorb heat, or better yet, leave him at home.

#2 Provide Lots Of Cool Drinking Water

Another simple way of keeping heat stroke at bay is by making sure that your dog has access to lots of clean and fresh drinking water. Store the water in a shady location to ensure it remains cool at all times.

If you plan to go to the park or somewhere else outdoors, carry lots of drinking water to keep you and your dog hydrated. Frozen dog treats such as frozen dog popsicles and ice cream can also help your pet stay cool during summer.

#3 Provide Shelter From The Sun

Prolonged exposure to the hot sun leads to sunburns, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. It’s, therefore, a good idea to prepare a cool, shady shelter for your pooch where he can relax after sunbathing and playing outdoors.

You’re probably wondering why you can’t just use a doggie sunscreen to protect your pet from the harmful effects of the sun. Well, sunscreen is good, but it doesn’t provide protection against heatstroke. The same thing applies to shade from trees.

It’s better to provide your dog with an actual structure with sufficient shade. This can be a dog house, a cooling dog bed, an open-air canopy, or your home. Just make sure that whatever you choose for your dog is spacious, cool, and well-ventilated.

#4 Exercise Your Dog Very Early In The Morning Or Late In The Evening

Lastly, it’s never a good idea to go for exercise when it’s hot and sunny. The pavements will most likely be too hot for your dog to walk on, but most importantly, such hot temperatures increase your pet’s risk of getting heatstroke. So, consider engaging in outdoor exercises with your dog very early in the morning or late in the evening. Don’t forget to carry lots of drinking water and take breaks under a shade as needed.

Final Thoughts

As you enjoy the warm summer weather, don’t forget to keep a close eye on your dog while you’re outdoors. Remember that prevention is the best way to keep your pet safe from heatstroke. But if your dog is exhibiting signs of heatstroke, make the necessary adjustments to lower his body temperature gradually, and then take him to the vet for a proper checkup.

Shivering, trembling, or shaking is a common behavior in dogs. They do so for several reasons, some good, others bad. For instance, your dog will shiver and shake after walking in the rain, or after taking a bath to remove the excess water from his fur. Let’s look at other possible reasons behind shivering and shaking in dogs and what you can do to fix the problem:

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Cold

As you may already know, staying out in freezing weather conditions for a long period of time can cause shivering/shaking as well as hypothermia in your dog. Dogs have a natural instinct to protect themselves from extremely cold temperatures by shaking off the excess water in their fur.

Solution – Keep your dog warm during cold weather conditions with dog sweaters and coats. Dog booties are also essential to provide protection to your pet’s paws. But most importantly, limit the time he spends outside in the cold.

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Drying Off

Dogs, as well as other animals, have excellent shaking abilities. They’ve perfected their shaking skills to the point where they can comfortably shake off up to 70% of the water in their fur. This helps them to dry off faster. That’s why you’ll see your pooch shaking after taking a bath, swimming, or after being rained on.

Solution – There’s actually nothing wrong with your dog shaking off excess water after getting wet. Just make sure you remove all the things near him that you don’t want to get wet.

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Pain or Sickness

Just like human beings, dogs also shake and shiver when they are sick or in pain. Some of the diseases that cause trembling in dogs include nausea, kidney disease, seizures, distemper, Addison’s disease, inflammatory brain diseases as well as poisoning.

Solution – Take your dog to the vet immediately if you suspect that his shivering is due to sickness or pain.

Excitement

Excitement can also cause your canine friend to shiver and tremble. This often happens while you’re displaying affection physically i.e. during cuddling. It’s completely healthy and normal for dogs to shake while excited. It’s their way of spending their excess energy.

Solution – There’s no solution required for this problem, but if the shaking bothers you, discourage the behavior by ignoring him when he’s hyperactive. Reward only calm behavior.

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Stress and Anxiety

Dogs also shake and tremble due to anxiety and stress. This may happen when they hear fireworks, whistles, bells, horns, and beeping alarms. In addition, trips to the vet, riding in a car, or experiencing negative experiences for a long period of time can also cause your pet to develop anxiety and stress. When this happens, he may start engaging in destructive behaviors like chewing your favorite shoe as a coping mechanism.

Solution – Training may help to alleviate anxiety in most dogs, but if this doesn’t work, ask your vet for medications that can help.

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Old Age

Lastly, old age can induce shaking in senior dogs, especially in their legs. However, shaking can also be a sign of discomfort and pain in their joints, so don’t always assume your pet’s trembling is due to old age.

Solution – If you push your senior dog too far during exercise, it could cause joint pains, which results in trembling. So, adjust his exercise routine according to suit his current physical capability. You should also consider taking your pet to the vet for further checkup. After diagnosis, your vet will recommend the most appropriate therapy or treatment to help alleviate the pain.

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Conclusion

In general, shaking, shivering, or trembling in dogs should not be ignored. You never know if a medical problem is behind the shaking. So, your best bet is to contact your vet immediately for help or advice if you’re unsure of the exact cause of your pet’s behavior.

As dog’s age, they become less active than they used to be during their younger years. But despite this setback, senior dogs still have lots of unconditional love, loyalty, companionship, and personality to give us. In addition, senior dogs suffer from fewer behavioral problems, require less exercise, and are already potty trained. All these reasons make them more adaptable than younger dogs. It’s, therefore, unfortunate to see these dogs being overlooked at shelters and rescues in favor of the energetic, bouncy puppies.

If it’s your first time fostering or adopting a senior dog, remember that dogs in their golden ages have special needs. Knowing these needs will go along way in helping you care for them properly. Here are some useful tips to help you get started.

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Take Your Senior Dog To The Vet At Least Twice A Year

People with younger dogs usually take their pets to the vet once a year for a general medical checkup. However, since older dogs tend to suffer more from more medical problems, it’s in their best interest to be checked more regularly by the vet. This means that you should step up your appointments to two or three times per year.

These appointments include routine checks, dental care, additional blood tests, and other exams. This can help to catch health issues often encountered by seniors early before they become impossible to treat.

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Rule Out Underlying Medical Problems If Your Dog Is Suffering From Behavioral Problems

As we’ve already mentioned in the introduction, one of the advantages of adopting senior dogs is that they’re less likely to suffer from behavioral issues associated with younger dogs. These issues can be anything from excessive chewing, non-stop barking to digging. However, this doesn’t mean seniors don’t experience behavioral issues.

So, before you discipline your aging pet for suddenly chewing your shoes or barking non-stop, you should first take him to the vet to be properly checked. It could be an early sign of an underlying medical problem. Catching the problem early and treating it professionally will make a huge difference in his overall health and life.

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Watch What a Senior Dog Eats Closely

Aging comes with its fair share of problems for our beloved dogs. One of them is dental problems which may make it difficult for your senior dog to chew that kibble that he loves so much. Because of this, you should keep a close eye on him while he eats. If you notice that he’s having trouble chewing, you should consider switching to different foods that he can eat easily.

The problem with digestion is also common among seniors. But luckily, there are foods specifically designed for them, which are made with ingredients that are much easier to digest. Some foods for seniors even have supplements that greatly help to improve symptoms associated with old age.

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Monitor a Senior Dogs Physical Activity Closely

Mental stimulation and physical exercises are good for all dogs. In seniors, for instance, regular exercise helps to prevent them from becoming overweight and keeps them mobile for longer. However, your senior canine companion may not be able to handle long and rigorous exercises that he used to do in his younger years. So, the key is to do short, gentle exercises regularly. Be careful not to push your dog too far as this might lead to injuries and joint problems.

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Prevent Internal and External Parasites

Just like humans, and dogs have a weaker immune system. This means that they have a greater risk of getting diseases caused by internal and external parasites like worms, ticks, fleas among others. So speak to your vet about how you can prevent these parasites safely.

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You should also consider making adjustments in your home to keep your aging dog safe. For instance, if he’s having trouble climbing the stairs because of joint problems, you should keep his toys, bed, food, and water downstairs. Also, monitor his time outdoors whenever you can. This is important because seniors are more susceptible to temperature changes and less capable of warding off potential threats.

Your pet may also suffer from hearing loss, inability to walk, blindness, and other disabilities due to old age. If this happens, ask your vet about the special adjustments you should make in your home to ease his experience.

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Embrace Every Day

Lastly, you should enjoy your senior dog’s companionship one day at a time. Go for walks, cuddle up while watching TV, and just enjoy life with him. Stop worrying about what will happen when he dies or gets sick. Appreciate every moment you have with your pet and live in the moment.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to take better care of your senior dog from now on.

Dog grooming isn’t a canine luxury but a requirement. Booking your dog regularly for professional grooming doesn’t just make them smell and look good but it’s also valuable for their health. Additionally, it doesn’t have to break your bank.

Dogs become more than just pets. They’re part of the family. After all, they’re called fur babies for a reason. They snuggle up to you at night, play fetch in the yard or dog park, keep you company on walks, and are always happy when you come home. It’s only natural that you want to keep your furry friend safe and happy. That’s why regular dog grooming should be a part of your dog’s routine.

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Regular dog grooming does more than help your dog look and smell his finest. Thorough grooming provides numerous health and wellness benefits to your furry friend.

Dog grooming has numerous benefits that go beyond a clean coat. Grooming is vital to your pup’s health and wellness and provides many benefits for his overall quality of life. In the blog post below, you’ll find a list of five reasons you should regularly groom your dog.

Health Check

Your vet performs a thorough check of your dog’s vitals when you take him in for his annual exam or routine vaccinations, but your pup’s overall health should be evaluated between vet visits. You can perform these evaluations easily through regular dog grooming. During a routine bath or brushing, you or your regular groomer can easily detect any new lumps or bumps on your dog’s skin. Anyone familiar with your dog’s body will also notice any spot changes that could signal a health concern. By finding these abnormalities, and detecting any potential disease early, you give your pup the best chance of a successful recovery from his ailments.

Prevent Ear Infections

Dog’s, especially those with long coats, are at risk for ear infections. Your dog’s ears should be cleaned frequently, and the hair inside his ear should be plucked often. Hair is plucked by gently pulling or tweezing the hair inside the dog’s ear. The reason dogs with long hair should have their hair plucked is because, by removing the hair, you keep it from blocking the canal, which allows more air to circulate and helps prevent moisture build-up and infections. By keeping the inside of your dog’s ears clean, you keep him safe from ear infections, ear mites, and general discomfort.

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Improve Dental Health

You make brushing your pearly whites a regular part of your schedule, and you should do the same for your furry friend. Your dog’s dental health can greatly affect his overall well-being. Neglecting to clean your dog’s teeth can lead to periodontal disease, a condition that results in bleeding gums, bad breath, and ultimately tooth loss. Poor oral hygiene is also said to play a part in diabetes and heart disease among dogs. Keeping your pup’s teeth clean and healthy between vet visits will save your dog a lot of pain and help you avoid costly procedures later down the road.

Protect Feet and Joints

Too often, dog owners overlook nail trimming. Long nails aren’t as obvious as scruffy hair or ‘dog smell.’ Still, your dog’s nails should never be passed over when you’re grooming your furry friend. Long nails make it uncomfortable for your dog to walk and often force him to change his gait or walk on the sides of his feet. This is dangerous because, not only is it painful for your dog, but it can cause the bones in his legs to become deformed, and it can lead to the development of arthritis. Dog’s often make trimming their nails a challenge, as they will likely pull and struggle against you. Still, no matter how difficult it is, you should never skip the procedure. It’s vitally important to your pup’s health and comfort that his nails remain at a natural length.

Eliminate Discomfort

Without regular dog grooming, some dog breeds experience matts. Matted hair is extremely uncomfortable for your dog because it constantly pulls at your dog’s skin. Matts can also lead to painful sores developing on your dog’s skin. Grooming is the only way to rid your dog of matts, and regular grooming can prevent them altogether.

Dog grooming can also be very relaxing; nail trimming aside. To you, brushing your pup’s fur is a task, but to him, it might feel like a massage. Regular brushing also helps bring your pup’s natural oils to the surface. These oils help keep his skin and coat healthy. If your dog suffers from itchy, dry skin, oatmeal shampoo can help relieve the irritation and adds much-needed moisture.

Conclusion

Dog grooming should become a regular part of your dog’s schedule, just like going on walks or visiting the vet. Your dog might be nervous at first, but over time he will adjust. To help normalize grooming procedures, perform certain grooming rituals daily. The routine will ease your dog’s fears and help him to relax more each time.