Summer in Houston can be brutal on your pet. Dogs are very susceptible to heatstroke, which can be very dangerous and can lead to serious medical conditions and even death. Dogs, unlike humans, only have sweat glands on their feet. When we need to cool down we perspire. When a dog needs to cool down, they only perspire from the pads of the feet.
The hotter it gets, the more we sweat. Dogs are already at a disadvantage because they have a fur coat and as the heat rises, it is impossible for sweat released from the pads to cool them down. Dogs have to rely on other means to beat the heat, especially in Houston. One key way that dogs cool down is through their tongues. Their tongues are amazing, the hotter they get, the larger the tongue gets. Their tongue expands so that they can use air flowing across the tongue to help cool them down. In addition, lapping up fresh water keeps the tongue cool. This is why it is so important to
have access to fresh water.
Panting is another method of cooling. As they pant they breathe out excess heat from their bodies.
Common sense is probably the most important thing in helping your pet beat the heat this summer. Firstly, you should always walk your pet during the cooler times of the day, early in the morning or later in the evening. Morning is probably best if you are walking on concrete, as the concrete will absorb the heat of the sun during the day and slowly dissipate the heat at night. Secondly, never, never, never leave your pet in a car for any period of time. A car’s interior temperature can increase dramatically in just a matter of minutes and since your pet’s cooling mechanisms are not as good as ours, they cannot tolerate the extreme heat. You never know when that “quick” errand can
take longer than expected and you have put your pet in danger. Thirdly, make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh water and an increased amount of fluid. For example, we recommend that pet owners in the summer should add canned food to their pet’s diet. The increased moisture from the canned food can help tremendously
Give them a cool treat.
There are many products on the market that are best served chilled or come frozen. Some of our favorites are;
- Yoghund and Nature’s Variety sweet spots – a frozen treat made from yogurt and looks like ice cream. Not only does this frozen treat cool them down, but it also has live cultures that are good for a healthy gut (kind of like an Activia for Pets).
- Fruit smoothie for dogs – “Cool Treats” A low fat treat, similar to popsicles, that solely has fruit and or peanut butter that you freeze. Not only does it taste good, but it is also low fat and protein free.
- Honest Kitchen Ice pups are made with chicken broth and lots of nutritious ingredients that can be made on an as needed basis. It comes in a dry powder. Just mix with water, put in an ice cube tray and serve.
- An outdoor doggie fountain. This is a unique product that is controlled by your pet. When your pet steps on it, it instantly spurts water up like a fountain. What I love about this product is that it allows for fresh water every time, rather than having a regular bowl of water outside than will attract bugs and dirt.
Keep it Kool (lol)
- Kool collars. The Kool Collar is the only fill with ice dog collar. It comes with a gel pack if you prefer not to use plain ice. This is an amazing product and I swear by it. I have a cocker spaniel that loves to go on walks, but after 10 minutes his tongue would almost hit the pavement. I started to use the Kool Collar and not only did his tongue not expand, he was full of energy. On the website, they explain it this way. “The melting ice runs down the front of the dog and not only offers a comfortable cool sensation, but also more importantly promotes evaporative cooling over
the very vascular chest area of the dog. The action of the water evaporating cools the blood and the core temperature of the dog”.
- A cool mat. Many pets will lay on tile in the summer time to cool down. At our house, we remove area rugs so that the dogs (and of course our cat Harold) can lay on the tile. Right now we are evaluating a new product that is coming on the market that doesn’t utilize water or gel, is non toxic and is activated by touch. It cools down when your pet lays on it. I’ll let you know next month how well it works.
Lastly, let’s look to Chinese theory on how to cool ourselves. Have you ever wondered why you like to have chicken soup when you are cold? You aren’t crazy. Chicken is considered a hot protein in Chinese theory so if you are feeling cold, it will warm you up. During the summer months, you may want to consider switching your pet’s diet away from hot proteins such as lamb, venison and chicken, to proteins that help cool you down such as rabbit, duck and fish proteins (beef is considered a neutral). I also recommend that everyone look at a product called “Athlete”, by
Herbsmith. Don’t be fooled by the name, it is not only for athletic dogs. Athlete comes in a tablet or powder form and helps your pet’s system remain hydrated and does not put such a huge strain on them during Houston’s hottest months (kind of like a doggie gatorade). Herbsmith was created by a holistic vet, Dr. Chris Bessent. She has vet formulations that help some very serious medical conditions and we carry everyday products that can make a big difference you your pet’s life for issues such as slight to severe restlessness or nervousness, joint pain or stiffness,
immunity and allergies.
Most of all enjoy being a pet parent and don’t be afraid to spend a lazy afternoon together.
Nadine Joli-Coeur is Mom of Dogs Callie, Lucky, Joey and Harold the cat. Natural Pawz has been recognized nationally and locally as a retail leader in natural pet care products. We are a local business to Houston with now 7 locations in and around the Houston area. Stop by for a visit (pets are welcome)
Voted Best Grooming Shop in Fort Bend County 2010 and Best Pet Supplies 2 years in a row!
