During the Dubai summers, most people go into hibernation where outdoor activity stretches as far as getting from your air-conditioned house to your air-conditioned car, to your air-conditioned office and back again. Our four-legged friends still need to go outside, several times a day.
If you have a hard time in the summer, imagine how it must feel under a fur coat!
Here are a few tips on how to cope with the heat:
Walk your dogs early in the morning or once the sun has gone down. Not only is the air cooler, but the ground will be too. Hot cement can be very painful on your dogs’ feet – and blacktop can be even worse. Dont encourage chase or fetch games.
Make sure your pets have plenty of water at all times – and make sure water bowls cannot be tipped over easily. If your dog must stay outside for whatever reason, install an auto water dispenser. Also, make sure any dogs that stay outside have a way to get out of the sun. You can also give an ice cube to lick.
If you take your dog walking, hiking, or running, don’t overwork him as this can cause heatstroke. If your dog shows signs of heat stroke get into air conditioning as soon as possible. Some of the signs include uncontrollable panting, increased salivation, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, or confusion. If your dog does overheat, put cool (not cold) water on him to try to cool him down, and then get him to your veterinarian.
Never leave your dog in a parked car unattended. If you wouldn’t sit in a car without air conditioning, don’t make your dog do it either. Leaving the windows open a little isn’t enough, and don’t be fooled into thinking you can leave the a/c running while you go run errands. If it goes off, your dog can die. It only takes a few minutes for the inside of the car to heat up.
- If you have a shaggy dog or a long haired cat you might want to consider getting them a hair cut. Never mind what they look like, it will grow back, but in the meantime he will feel much cooler.
- If you enjoy airconditioning so does your dog. If you have a cooled space share it with your pooch.
- Dogs sweat from their tongues so never muzzle the mouth in the summer. If you have to muzzle be sure to release as quickly as possible.
