Protect your dog from heatstroke
Sun, heat, heat wave… Many of us liked to bask in the sun… And for your dog: how is it going? Is he afraid of the sun and the heat?
Does your dog suffer from the heat? Let's see together how to help him cool down a bit. Refreshing mat, swimming, homemade ice cream, wet towel... We'll go over everything that works to prevent your dog from heatstroke. Beware of overheating which could be fatal to it...
In summer, on vacation, in a tent, in the car, on the beach… temperatures can rise very quickly: be careful. High heat and dogs do not mix.
What is heat stroke?
When we are hot, we sweat! It's not very pleasant, it doesn't always smell good and it's a little sticky, but it's a hell of a protection against heatstroke because once you're sweating, the slightest draft refreshes you instantly. Smart!
Did you know that your dog does not know him or very little? His only cooling system is panting; the fact that he sticks out his tongue to capture a bit of freshness. The hotter your dog is, the faster his breathing rate will try to cool him down. If he is in a very hot environment (in full sun on the sand of the beach, in a car in full sun, in a tent in the sun….) he will have great difficulty cooling his body and that is where that the heatstroke occurs.
Heat stroke is an “overheating” of the dog which can be fatal very very quickly. The symptoms of this overheating are easily spotted:
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a very, very quick gasp,
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strong salivation or foam,
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the animal can be very agitated,
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dejection and/or prostration,
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the lips, nose or gums turn blue because there is not enough oxygen in the blood,
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blood vessels dilate to evacuate heat and this leads to cerebral edema; the animal begins to have motor disorders and a decrease in alertness
If not taken care of in time, these symptoms can result in the dog's death within minutes. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, get him to a cool place very quickly and call your veterinarian immediately.
The reflex not to have? Douse your dog with ice cold water. The cooling of the animal must be gradual otherwise there is a real risk of thermal shock. You have to start with water at room temperature and gradually get colder. Above all, present water to drink to your animal. Whatever the condition of the animal, go immediately to your veterinarian. It's a veterinary emergency!
Cooling mat for dogs
To avoid heatstroke, I adopted for the cooling mat; finally my dog more exactly! It's super convenient. I can carry it everywhere: in the car, at home, on vacation...
I tested two different ones: the Aqua CoolKeeper mat and Tropic cooling mattress from Trixie. The first is a carpet that must be wet to make it “work”, the second does not need water.
Le Aqua CoolKeeper mat activates with water. My first thought was to say to myself: "Damn, it's going to get water everywhere... and Musher will surely get wet... oh oh, this system, it smells like a mess."
I took the mat out of the packaging and read the instructions. The carpet must be immersed for 45min max until it is at least 1cm thick.
What's the point? It's used to activate the HydroQuartz crystals. They swell with water and produce coolness. I watched the carpet and took it out of its bath well before the 45min indicated. I wrung it lightly and laid it on a towel for a few seconds on each side. I ran my hand over it, not a drop and no wet feeling. Unbelievable. Once the water is absorbed by the crystals, the mat gives a cooling effect but does not wet the surface on which it is placed nor the dog!
Musher was a little hesitant to lay down on it. When she walks on the carpet, it makes the same “splotch splotch” noise as when she walks in slush… After a few quick back and forths to test the waters and reassure herself, she found her place there. We tested the maxi size and unless she lays down well rolled up in a ball, she sticks out but that allows her to have a good part of her body cool all the same. Suddenly, the carpet follows us in the car. When I can “reload” it before. It's ideal to bring it a bit of freshness… In this regard, I also installed a non-opaque black film on my rear window because Musher travels in my trunk. It reduces the heat effect of the sun.
I also tested the Tropic cooling mattress from Trixie. No water for this one. L'refreshing effect is activated by bodily contact. It is enough for the dog to lie down on it so that it gets “on the way”. It refreshes for a few hours. It can be reused with a short period without contact, the freshness effect will be there again. Just take it out of its box, place it on the ground, in the trunk of the car or in your dog's kennel and off you go. Very convenient.
Let's get to the comparison! Not easy to get Musher's opinion so I tested them too, in my office chair and on my sofa 😉
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on the aesthetic side, I have a preference for the water green mattress of at Trixie even if the Aqua CoolKeeper is much less messy.
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practical side, the Trixie Tropic mattress is easier to use. No need for water and no waiting time to activate the freshness effect. Both can be transported anywhere easily. Note that once the HydroQuartz crystals are active, the Aqua CoolKeeper mat can be used for several days without having to go through a water bath…
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efficiency side, I must admit that I sat on each of them for 1 hour. I felt the effect immediately and then I got used to it. Both are worth it. I have to say that the “splotch splotch” sound of the Aqua CoolKeeper is a bit strange.
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Musher has both available to him in the house. It goes more easily on the Trixie Tropic mattress. And when she's not lying there, I'm stealing from her.
Drink a lot and eat ice cream
Another trick to refresh your dog is to provide him with fresh water at will. He will be able to hydrate well.
Muher is a foodie so I came up with a special summer recipe that she loooooves! I fill a mug with water and slip in 2-3 treats. I put everything in the freezer. After a few hours, it forms a dog ice cream all that remains is to unmold. She knows the word “ice cream” and rushes in front of the freezer when I say this magic word. Hehe. I don't recommend giving human ice cream to your dog. As a reminder, chocolate can be deadly for a dog. Plus, they're often loaded with sugar, which isn't healthy for your pooch. Neither for you, but that's another topic...
I discovered new games this year and Musher has already adopted them. These are games in the shape of bones to fill with water and place in the freezer. Musher loves them. She spends long minutes chewing them. It keeps him busy and thanks to the pins on the toys, it cleans his teeth! As they are frozen, the freshness effect is guaranteed. I tested bone refreshing Trixie. Just dip it in a bowl so that it fills with water and place it in the freezer.
Another simple trick: I bought a “pschitt pschitt” which I fill with water and regularly spray Musher with it… Mainly under the paws and under the belly. It brings it a bit of freshness when it exceeds 28 degrees at home. And she loves lying in front of the fan too. By wetting it slightly, it accentuates the freshness effect.
Refresh your dog on a walk
Musher is black and we live near Montpellier. We therefore necessarily adapt our walks in the summer to avoid the risk of heat stroke.
The first instinct is to avoid walks during the hottest hours. And then before each ride, Musher goes through the water jet box. As she does not sweat, I wet her to bring her a little freshness. On very hot days, I choose a walk with a water point so I know she can cool off by going for a swim. I also choose routes that I know are well shaded. No question of walking in the middle of the dodger in the middle of the vines where there is not a tree under which to find a little shade...
I never leave without my backpack with her bowl and enough water for her and for me. I made the mistake once of leaving with a mini bottle and without a bowl. I was so scared for her that it taught me a lesson.
I also tested a cooling vest. It's about Jet-Stream cooling vest from Ruffwear. Its fabric reduces the impact of the sun with a UPF 50+ protection index. To activate its refreshing effect, it must be wet in a large basin. Once in place on the dog, the effect is rather stunning. It must be re-wet regularly during the ride. So remember to take enough water to be able to wet it. Thanks to this vest, we can do more summer things together. I put it on during the car ride. When I pass my hand between her and the vest, it's always cooler. I have adopted this accessory for a few summers already!
It is light gray so as not to attract the sun, but it gets dirty quickly as a result. But even if aesthetically I'm far from convinced, efficiency side nothing to say. Be careful, for long-haired dogs, I don't know if it will work as well. I couldn't test it. If you don't dry it well between each use, it doesn't smell very good anymore but that's quite normal... On the other hand, it goes in the washing machine 🙂
Soon I will test ita cooling jacket from Aqua CoolKeeper : case to follow 🙂
Here I have shared all my tips to bring a little freshness to your dog this summer. The best is still to choose a nautical activity like paddling with your dog, canyoning with your dog or even canoeing with your dog : 100% fresh activities.
Be vigilant, heat stroke happens very quickly and it is a real veterinary emergency. Never leave your dog in your car, even for a few minutes while racing. It's super dangerous. And if you see a dog locked in a car, the best reflex is to call the police or the local gendarmerie. If you open the vehicle yourself to get the animal out, the owner of the damaged car can turn against you. If the gendarmes are slow to arrive and because every minute counts in this case, have several witnesses assist you who can testify to your good faith and your good deed.
Enjoy your summer. Don't forget to post some nice photos of your vacation with your dog with the #emmenetonchien or #wouafementbien