Summer Care Tips for Dogs

Did you know that on average, a dog’s body temperature runs around 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit?

You could imagine how excessive heat can quickly have an effect on them with a naturally higher body temperature. All breeds of dogs (and almost every mammal, including humans!) have something called the arrector pili muscle that controls the hair follicle. It allows a dog’s coat to lift away from the skin and tuck in tightly to the skin for thermoregulation.

All breeds benefit from being fully combed out, and some need de-shedding. Why is that?

Sunday the Schnauzer after her ready-for-summer haircut

For dogs that shed, it is important to keep them re-moisturized and to pull out the dead coat. For non-shedding type breeds, re-moisturizing and removal of mats and tangles is most important.

This maintenance allows both coat types to function properly for temperature regulation.

Some breeds are more prone to overheating, particularly if they are brachycephalic. Brachycephalic breeds are any dog that has a “smashed” face or shorter in the nose — and sometimes their nose doesn’t need to be visibly short to be considered “brachy” (like an English Mastiff or Chihuahua, for example).

Trixie is ready to cool off after catching some rays

The simple act of planning ahead and being prepared could mean avoiding a traumatic experience with your furbaby.

• Try to avoid walking your dog in the hottest parts of the day and save the longer walks for early morning or after the sun has gone down.
• Never leave your dog in the car on warm days, as the temperatures inside the car increase rapidly.
• Make sure your pet always has access to cool drinking water, and keep a shady area available to them, even when out on walks.

It is important to know what to do if your dog starts to experience signs of overheating. If possible, immediately get them into a cooler environment, like an air-conditioned home or shaded area.

Signs of pet heat stroke or overheating are:

• Excessive panting and drooling;
• Increased heart rate and rapid breathing;
• Acting more lethargic or disoriented;
• Vomiting or diarrhea; and/or
• Fully collapsing.

If your dog is experiencing signs of overheating, help them to safely regulate their temperature by:

• Splashing regular tap-cold water onto them slowly until they start to cool down;
• Using a fan to direct airflow onto them;
• Lying them on top of a cold, wet towel — don’t place towels directly on your dog, as this traps body heat and can warm them up even more;
• Having water nearby for when they can drink again; and
• Staying calm yourself to help lower their heart rate.

Just like us humans, your dog can get sunburnt without taking precautions. Sunburns can happen fast and will frequently occur on the tips of his ears, the less hairy places on his head and muzzle, around his eyes, the bridge of his nose, and even on his belly and undersides from the sun reflecting up onto him.

Many dogs love to sunbathe, and all dogs instinctively know when to get out of the sun, so it is important to always have a place of shade for them to run to. If you’re taking your dog on a family outing at the beach or a picnic, consider bringing a covered kennel or a big beach umbrella they can run under if they need to.

The signs of sunburn can vary from pet to pet, but you’re mostly watching out for red or pink skin that can be sore or sensitive to the touch, cracked or dry tips of their ears, rashes or sores, and even hair loss in the burned areas.

If the burn is severe enough or your pet is in pain, you may need to seek emergency veterinary care. A doctor can prescribe medicated lotions and/or creams, some of which even include pain relief.

Hot, walkable surfaces pose another risk of pain to your pooch. A dog’s paw pads can burn in as little as one minute, and it is very painful. It is not normal for your dog to have cracks in their paw pads. This can be a sign of being burned (but could also be other health issues, too).

Dogs will chew on their feet, lick their paws, limp, and potentially even cry or vocalize their pain. If your dog suddenly stops in the middle of a walk, it is a good idea to check their feet immediately and get them to a grassy or dirt surface.

Paw pad burns happen in varying degrees, so please contact your vet if your dog has displayed any signs of pain or discomfort after a hot walk.

Here in Washington state, we have a particularly nasty weed called Foxtails, which can cause potentially life-threatening infections if they are not found and removed from your pet quickly.

Cheatgrass is another plant that functions similarly to Foxtails in that the barbed seeds burrow deeper once they penetrate the skin. Knowing what these plants look like is critical, as they are very common all over the Pacific Northwest.

Foxtails and Cheatgrass: Know what to look out for

Another thing to watch for in yards and grassy areas is sap or pitch from trees that can stick onto your dog’s feet or skin and give them irritation as well. We always recommend using coconut oil to gently remove any sap that we are not able to shave out during a groom. Sometimes, the sap needs to be left alone until the hair grows out long enough for a clipper blade to safely glide underneath.

Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are at an all-time high in the summer, too. The best flea/tick/worm preventatives are always found at the veterinarian. Speak with your vet about the best plan to prevent your dog from suffering from insect-borne diseases.

Be wary of walking your dog through tall grass, and ALWAYS check them over at home for ticks (while checking for foxtails, too!). Ticks like to hide between a dog’s toes, along lip lines, and especially on their ears, but we have seen ticks on every part of dogs’ bodies. Without intervention, ticks can lead to Lyme disease and tick paralysis, among other long-lasting issues.

When your dog is well-groomed, you’ll be able to find pests or bug bites more easily.