When the heat of summer arrives, warnings about staying healthy are abundant.  Don’t exercise during the heat of the day. Drink plenty of water.  Dress in lighter colored clothing. However, we also need to attend to the health of our pets.

While all animals are affected by the heat of summer, this article focuses on dogs.  Often people forget that heat affects our canine companions and don’t take the necessary precautions to keep them healthy.  I spoke with Dr. Keith Niesenbaum of Crawford Dog and Cat Hospital and Dr. Andrew Kaplan of City Veterinary Care for advice on caring for our dogs.

During hot weather, people frequently are reminded to stay hydrated.  The same is true for all animals.  According to Dr. Kaplan, dogs need 30cc of water for each pound they weigh. (As an example, an 8 pound dog would need 1 cup of water each day.)  However, he stated, “Dogs don’t drink evenly.  You should leave a full bowl, so they can drink as much as needed.”  He also noted that if a dog has a disease (diagnosed or not), he may need more water.

Not only do you need to leave water for your dog, but you need to consider how you will leave that water.  Dr. Niesenbaum pointed out, “If the dog is small and the bowl can’t be tipped, then a single bowl is fine.  If the dog is large or the bowl is prone to being dumped, then multiple bowls are preferable.”

Other general tips the veterinarians had to share might seem like common sense but should be noted.  “If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog,” said Dr. Niesenbaum.  So, don’t take your dog for a run or start a game of fetch when the temperatures are soaring.  Also, leaving a dog in a penned yard is fine as long as there is a shaded area and the dog has access to water.  Dogs shouldn’t be left in cars, as the interior temperature rises quickly.

Some dogs have more difficulty with heat than others.  Dogs with “pushed-in faces”, such as bulldogs or pugs, are categorized as brachycephalic.  What this means is that because of their pushed-in noses, they have one third of the space in their throat and their airflow is diminished.  Dr. Kaplan stated that you should pay more attention to these dogs on hot days because “with their throats being narrow, it is harder for them to breathe.  The more humid the day, the tissue gets more swollen, and their breathe gets worse.”  He also noted that older dogs may develop laryngeal paralysis, which again makes breathing difficult and is worse with heat and humidity.

Remember, if you are feeling hot, so is your dog.  And while you can get yourself an ice cold cup of water and turn on the AC, your dog needs you to insure that he is kept comfortable.  In tomorrow’s article, you will learn some ways to keep your dog cool and entertained during hot weather.