Fun in the Sun! by Sarah Wilkey

Dogs need daily exercise throughout the year regardless of the weather. One of my favourite sayings is ‘a dog’s needs don’t change with the weather’.

However, during the hot Summer months, a long walk is not always suitable and can carry risk. Dogs can suffer from heat stroke and blistered pads from the hot, hard ground.

Heat stroke in particular can be extremely serious and often fatal so it is important we look at ways of exercising our dogs without them overheating:

Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler.

Walk somewhere near water so your dog can cool down easily – the beach, lake or river and you can have a paddle too!

Take up swimming! There are at least 3 dog hydrotherapy pools in and around Sussex where you can take your dog(s) along for a fun swim. Sessions usually last half an hour and are great exercise and fun for your dog. You could even get a group of dogs to swim together so rally up your friends and have a nice day out!

Provide your dog with a paddling pool in the garden! This need be no more than a cheap, children’s paddling pool for your dog to lie in, play with his/her toys in, jump in, drink etc - but avoid the blow up ones as these have a tendency to pop!

Be aware of the games you play with your dog – high energy games such as ball throwing are not suitable when it is hot as the dog works too hard. A dog enjoying a game will not stop playing just because he/she is hot so it is up to you to keep a close eye on them.

Always carry water with you and offer it often. You can also wet their heads with it to keep them cool.

There are a few products available on the market that are designed to keep your dog cool - my favourite is a bandana with an ice pack in it! This attaches round your dog’s neck/collar and helps keep the neck and head cool.

Try to prevent your dog from sunbathing by doors and windows – these areas can get extremely hot and your dog will usually sleep in these areas for long periods of time.

Where possible keep long coated dogs a bit shorter. A professional dog groomer can help advise you on this.

A dog with heat stroke will show severe respiratory distress, have a very high temperature, salivate and froth around the mouth and have gums of a cherry colour.

If you suspect your dog has heat stroke you must act FAST. Soak some towels in cold water and place them on the dog, concentrating especially on their head. If possible, run a cold hose over them and seek immediate veterinary attention.

NEVER, EVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A CAR – a car’s temperature can double that of the outside environment even if you leave the windows open, leaving your dog literally to cook in an ‘oven’ – in just a few minutes your dog could be dead.

AS well as heat stroke, Summer also brings with it hazards such as:

ADDERS  - Adders are rife in the Summer and can be found in bushes and long grass. The risk is increased in the mornings as the adders bask in the sun to warm up. An adder bite is serious and should be treated as an emergency, particularly if the dog has been bitten on or near the face or neck or is a small breed. If you suspect your dog has been bitten, ALWAYS seek veterinary attention.

GRASS SEEDS – During the Summer months grass seeds can cause problems, particularly during July and August. They can work their way (often undetected) into any crevices on our dogs including their eyes, ears, feet and anal glands. They continue to work their way through the skin, causing discomfort and infection and often have to be removed under an anaesthetic. If you see your dog chewing at his/her feet or shaking their head, seek veterinary attention.

KENNEL COUGH – Kennel cough, despite its name, is not just a problem in kennels. It is a highly contagious, painful infectious bronchitis, presenting itself as a non productive cough, often accompanied by bringing up a white froth. The cough tends to be worse when the dog is pulling on a collar or excited.  Antibiotics and isolation are often neccessary. A Kennel Cough vaccine is available at Grove Lodge for only £19.99 or, combined with a yearly booster vaccination, is only an additional £10 and protection lasts up to 1 year.

BLISTERED PADS – running on hard, hot ground can make a dog very foot sore as blisters can form. To try to prevent this, walk your dog on grassy areas where possible. Ensure that you check your dog’s feet daily for any signs of blistering etc.

Although Summer has its risks, if you bear in mind the ideas and advice above there is no reason why you and your dog can’t enjoy the weather together in a safe, fun way - enjoy!