We have been experiencing an unusual hot spurt here in Washington State as pretty much of the whole nation has been witnessing. I’ve been very worried when I take Charley Waffle out to play, even though it is usually in the morning when it is somewhat cool. I try to remember that being outside for her is as if I had on a thick turtleneck (eeww…can’t stand the turtleneck) sweater so I am always mindful when we start off with my sweatpants and a hoodie (y?) and I start to have beads of sweat gathering on my forehead and my hair that she is getting heated. I don’t take off my sweatshirt because she can’t take off her coat of hair, and furthermore, she can not sweat. It just gives me quick reminder of how she is feeling and what degree her internal thermometer might be at.

Let me see you sweat

Not all pet owners know that dogs do not sweat. They do not have sweat glands like humans, which help us sweat and cool down. Dogs sweat through panting heavily, which causes condensation where they can get some moisture into their little hot bods. So it is important when seeing a dog pant that they are not panting out of control, such as heavy, heavy panting, flopping on the ground, and breathing very hard. That poor dog is over-heated.

When I’ve brought Charley in from a work-out there are times she will be panting uncontrollably like I said above. Even when I am cautious I need to keep in mind that because she is an Australian Shepherd cyborg she has limitlessness energy and won’t necessarily stop playing when over-heated. I have to be over- diligent with her because of her breed. She is a working dog, and I don’t know what she quite thinks when she is chasing a ball and playing soccer and keeps wanting more. Maybe I’m thinking she thinks she is herding that dang ball and when she is done she’ll put the ball in a corner and tell it to stay. Wrong. She’ll go and pick it back up and toss it back out to begin all over. Watch out for the overheat, especially in over energetic/athletic dogs!

Bottle is good

I always have water for her, and I do not have one of those fancy bowls that pop and and are used for your dog to carry around with you. I found out in between the seams it would start growing these mold rings, no matter how good I would clean it out. So I tend to just bring a bottle of water, flip her Kong floppy flying disc over and use it as a water bowl. Or I just give her water right out of the bottle. When I find she doesn’t want to drink but yet is panting heavily I will take some of the water and put some under her belly and chin, and rub some in between her ears. It helps to cool a hot dog down to rub some cold water in those places.

Ice Ice Baby

I wrote this because I was watching the news and it said that some people say it is bad to give your dogs ice cubes. I was particularly paying attention to the segment because I am guilty of putting ice cubes in her water bowl when she/me are hot and also using them to rub gently all over her hairy body to mellow her breathing out. I was waiting for a big NO-NO but found out it is OK to give your dogs ice cubes and cold water. It does help them cool off. HOWEVER it is not good to give your dog too much water when they are exceedingly hot! Just like humans it can cause some major issues such as seizures and breakdown of internal organs. Don’t drown your dog with water, just let them drink at their own pace.

Hot Pads! Make me Sweat!

I did find out that dogs do have one sweat gland on their body, and that is the pads of their feet. But speaking of their pads on their feet, how hot is too hot for your dog to walk on the sidewalk?

I always pay attention to Charley and her heat-o-mamotor but because she is so ready to please and ready to go I’ve never been able to determine when the sidewalk is too hot for her. Thankfully I did find out that if it is 80 degrees outside it is still OK for their little paw pads to walk on sidewalks. A good measuring tool is to put your palm of your hand on the cement and if you have to jerk your hand up before 10 seconds it is way too hot for your dog to be walking on that surface. Hot pads are good for some things like hot pots, just not for your pooch.

Watch your dog for over-panting and lethargy when it is hot outside. Not everybody has air conditioning but if possible get your dog somewhere cool, such as taking a drive in an air conditioned car, or in our instance we go for a nice train or bus ride where our city keeps it air-conditioned so much so I have to put on a sweatshirt at the end of the line! Lucky dogs we are.