Staying Cool in the Sun

Posted byhoundbizPosted inCompassion, Love, Military Families, Military Spouses, Mindfulness, Pet First Aid and CPR, SummerTags:, , , , , , , , ,

I was teaching CPR/FA to CYS employees on Friday and we discussed the impact of heat related illnesses on people.

Heat stroke is fatal.

The progression from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to heat stroke can be mitigated if certain measures are taken at the earliest signs and symptoms.

There are things you can do to help reduce your chances of getting heat stroke from staying hydrated to drinking beverages with carbohydrates and electrolytes. Even relaxing in a shady spot or going indoors to cool off is key.

This got me thinking about your dogs.

Dogs can also suffer from heat stroke and the impact of this heat related disease is even more fatal for them.

Why?

It takes only a slight temperature difference to raise their body temperature and they can die within 15 minutes of their bodies getting too hot.

Dogs’ bodies are unable to efficiently cool themselves like people can through sweating.

What can you do help your dog stay comfortable during the summer?

  1. Walk during early morning or evening times. These are the cooler parts of the day.
  2. Give access to water 24hrs a day. Your dogs staying hydrated is so necessary!
  3. Get a kiddie pool and fill with cool water. Your dogs may love taking a dip in the pool. In the cooler months, you can turn the kiddie pool into a digging pit!
  4. Giving your dogs an elevated bed like a Kuranda bed https://kuranda.com/ will help with keeping air circulating, placing near a fan can help create a nice resting place for your dog.
  5. Giving your dog frozen snacks like a frozen Kong stuffed with safe to eat berries like blueberries can help your dog cool off too!

Published by houndbiz

Katherine Porter is a force free, reward based dog behavior advisor and consultant serving clients and their companion dogs worldwide. Her calm and gentle approach in coaching clients in effectively communicating what they want to their dog blends her MSW background into her dog training and behavior practice. Katherine was a behavior consultant for Heeling Hounds after graduation. She opened Four Paws and You Dog Training LLC when the military relocated her family to Fort Sill, OK in 2015. During this time, she volunteered with Rainbow Bridge Can Wait where she provided post adoption consultations to new pet parents. She also developed and implemented tailored behavior modification plans for highly reactive dogs residing at the shelter. She also provided educational programs to military children through interactive workshops at the Fort Sill School Age Center. In 2017, Katherine relocated Four Paws and You Dog Training LLC to Germany. She served the Armed Forces communities in Bavaria. She continued coaching and advising her clients in addressing their companion dog’s fearful and reactive behavioral issues. Katherine takes a Do No Harm approach first and foremost in providing behavioral plans. She is committed in serving clients with gentle and modern science approaches in modifying behavioral concerns such as reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety and fear based responses. Katherine is a member of the Pet Professional Guild. She is focused on integrating a holistic and modern approach in addressing her client’s pet companion reactive behavior issues.

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