Cool down your dog in the heat

Summer is here and the sun is shining from the sky. Welcome to the hottest days of the year, the so-called dog days. To help you cool down your dog in the heat, we've put together our top tips to beat the heat. But first, let's find out why we're talking about the dog days in the first place.

In Europe, the dog days are colloquially known as the hot days of summer, more specifically the period from 23 July to 23 August. The term Dog Days was originally associated with the heliacal rising of Sirius, although this is no longer the case today.

Attention: Your dog won't let the heat get to him!

It's a well-known "fun fact" that dogs don't sweat like humans do. Instead, they pant and only sweat over their paws. So while we start sweating at around 20 degrees and can still regulate our body temperature down well, dogs can't cool themselves down in higher temperatures and look for a shady spot. The dangerous thing is that your dog will still want to be by your side and will be full of energy even though it is far too warm. Physically very active working dogs in particular have a great thirst for action and don't realise they are exhausted until it's too late. That's why it's your job to give your dog enough breaks in the heat.

How to cool your dog down in the heat: Tips from Liebesgut

Summers are getting hotter and hotter and in the height of summer it regularly reaches over 30 degrees. As your dog can't cool down sufficiently on its own in such heat, your help is all the more important for your four-legged friend. Many tips that help people to cool down are also good for your dog, such as airing the house at night. However, we have a few more tips for your dog that are not quite so obvious.

Never leave your dog alone in the car when it's hot

Dogs should never be left in the car on hot days. It is also not enough to open the window a few centimetres. A car parked in the blazing sun can heat up to 60 - 100 degrees after just a few minutes. This can be life-threatening due to cardiovascular problems and heatstroke. If you take your dog with you on a summer holiday, make sure you take regular breaks and offer your dog water often.

Walks in cooler temperatures

You should make sure that your dog does not move too much or even overexert itself in hot weather. Breeds with thick undercoats or short muzzles in particular overheat quickly. It is better to move longer walks to the cooler morning or evening hours. If this is not possible, please use shady paths.

Use fewer tarmac paths

Shady forest and meadow paths are ideal, as such surfaces do not heat up as much as black tarmac. Also avoid letting your dog run alongside your bike in hot weather. This can lead to burns due to the hot tarmac. As a test, you can feel the temperature with the palm of your hand. If the tarmac is too hot for you, it is also too hot for your dog.

Take enough water with you

It is highly recommended that you take a water bottle and bowl with you. A balanced water balance in high temperatures is generally very important, which is why drinking water should be available at all times. For example, bottles or attachments that have a small bowl for your dog to drink from are fantastic. A thermos flask that keeps the water nice and cool in high temperatures is also a good investment. However, make sure that the water is not ice cold.

Intelligence games instead of dog sports

It's better to challenge your pet's grey matter when it's very hot. But be careful here too, because intelligence exercises can be very strenuous. The dose makes the poison.

Brush out undercoat

Regular brushing can make the hot season much easier for your dog. True to the motto: remove anything that doesn't pay rent and only warms unnecessarily.

Many dogs also like it if you soak their harness or collar in cool water before putting it on or if they can rest on a cooling mat.

Off into the cool water

If you have a dog bathing lake, river or garden with a paddling pool available, it's nothing like "splish splash", "let's take a bath!" If your dog likes water and enjoys swimming or playing, this is a good chance to cool off. It's also a lot of fun.

Dog ice cream helps dogs in the heat

Eating ice cream is a favourite refreshment on hot summer days. So why not for your dog too? With care and not too often, your darling is sure to enjoy a dog ice cream.

Here we have a recipe for homemade dog ice cream made from cottage cheese and liver sausage.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp granular cream cheese

1 small dash of oil

2 tbsp liver sausage

The ingredients listed are enough for two muffin tins. Mix the ingredients well, pour into the moulds and, if you like, insert a stick of chewy bone or dog spaghetti. It is best to put the moulds in the freezer overnight.

It doesn't matter whether you freeze the dog ice cream in muffin tins or yoghurt pots, for example: You should always make sure that the dog does not swallow too large pieces at once. It is advisable to feed the ice cream under supervision or to let your dog lick it out of the yoghurt pot. A filled Kong, on the other hand, can also be offered without supervision. Your dog will have to work harder to reach the cool refreshment and this reduces the risk of getting too much at once.

Recognising heatstroke in dogs

The German Kennel Club lists the following things that can indicate heatstroke in dogs. The first signs of overheating are

• Heavy panting over a longer period of time and tongue sticking out
• More salivation
• The inside of the ears is noticeably reddened
• Your dog stretches his neck
• Restlessness

If you do not act on these signs, the actual heat stroke will occur. The symptoms are

• Shallow and rapid breathing
• Palpitations
• Severe reddening of the mucous membranes and tongue
• Your dog becomes less reactive and apathetic
• Impaired balance
• Vomiting/bloody diarrhoea
  
  

Quick help is required for these signs. Take your dog into the shade and cool him down - but never use ice or ice-cold water, as this will constrict the blood vessels and put further strain on the circulation. Wet towels or lukewarm water are ideal. You should then see a vet as soon as possible.

Cooling down is important for your dog in the summer heat!

Heat can be just as dangerous for dogs as it is for humans, but as a general rule you can remember this: When you're hot, your dog needs to cool down too. But with enough water and a little care, your pet will be well looked after.

Our recommendations for your four-legged friend:

Tasting packs for dogs

BIO dog food