Tag Archives: weather

Pets

Burned Dog Paws: What To Do

BURNED DOG PAWS: Walking on extremely hot surfaces can result in severe burns to a dog’s paws.

BURNED DOG PAWS

Asphalt is particularly damaging, softening under the heat of the sun and becoming like molten lava under your dog’s feet. Stepping in hot liquids or chemicals can burn the paws, resulting in severe injury and intense pain. Burned dog paws pose a serious threat to dog owners and cause significant distress for their four-legged friends.

How to Spot Burned Paw Pads

Signs of burned dog paws include limping, abnormal gait and attempts to stop walking altogether. Dogs may lick or chew their paw pads to soothe their feet. You should check for darkening of the skin on the paws and for any damage, such as cracks and tears. Examine the paws and surrounding area for blistering, peeling and redness.

How to Treat Burned Paws

Treat burned dog paws by applying a cold compress or immersing your dog’s feet in cold water for ten minutes. Gently cleanse the area to remove impurities that may be lodged in the paw pads. Carefully pat the feet dry and apply an antibiotic ointment. Be aware that signs of increased distress or infection may indicate the need for medical attention.

Preventing Burned Paw Pads

A great way to prevent burned dog paws is to walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening after the pavement has cooled off. Walking on grassy or shaded areas poses little threat of burns to your dog’s feet, since grass tends to remain cooler throughout the day.

Before walking your dog, perform the five-second test by placing the back of your hand on the ground. If you are not able to hold your hand in place for at least five seconds, the surface is too hot for your dog to walk on. Dog booties, made specifically for walking on hot pavement, are a great way to ward off burned dog paws. Choose booties made of mesh, which enhances air circulation and keeps your pooch comfortable even in the most intense summer heat.

BURNED DOG PAWS

Conclusion

The days of summer can be a great time to venture outdoors. By following these tips and remaining alert to your pet’s distress signals, you and your four-legged friend are sure to enjoy a healthy, happy and pain-free season.

To purchase our products click here.

Jump to top

Pets

Long Haired Dogs In Hot Weather

How to Make Your  Dog Comfortable in Hot Weather

When hot weather arrives, it can be particularly stressful for long haired dogs. Dogs do not have sweat glands like people. They only have a limited amount of sweat glands located in their paws. However, these few glands do little to help relieve heat exhaustion on very hot days. Panting can help relieve some of the effects of heat, but panting is not always effective either.

Long Haired Dogs: The Danger of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

As temperatures reach 85 and beyond, your long haired dogs could be in real danger of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion occurs when your dog’s body temperature rises above its normal temperature of about 101 to 102 degrees. Temperatures above 102 degrees should be taken seriously. If this happens without intervention, heat stroke can develop leading to organ damage, heart failure, and death.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Since heat stoke is often fatal, it is essential for you to recognize the symptoms of both heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Early signs of heat exhaustion can be subtle, and at times, intervention often occurs when it is too late. But when you know what to look for, you can save your long haired dogs. Take note of the following symptoms, and if your furry friends display any of them, you will need to seek veterinary attention right away.

  • Excessive Panting and Drooling
  • Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
  • Bright Red or Bluish Gray Gums and/or Tongue
  • Lack of Coordination/Dizziness
  • Glazed Eyes
  • Rapid Heart Rate
  • Lethargy or Loss of Consciousness

Tips for Preventing Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke In Long Haired Dogs

The best way to avoid heat stroke in long haired dogs is to prevent heat exhaustion in the first place. There are many ways you can keep your long haired pup cool, and the following tips are among the best. Take heed of these valuable tips, and you can be sure that your dog will be comfortable in hot weather.

  • Keep Plenty of Water Handy for Your Dog
  • Bring Your Dog Indoors During Hot Weather
  • Never Leave Your Pup in a Hot Car
  • Trim But Never Shave Your Dog’s Hair (Dogs can get sunburnt too)
  • Walk Your Dog Early in the Morning or Late in the Evening When it is Cooler
  • If Your Dog Must Go Outdoors in Hot Weather, Make Sure Shade is Available

Knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion in long haired dogs is essential to avoiding heat stroke. However, the best way to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke is to prevent them in the first place. You can easily accomplish this by following the valuable tips outlined above.

Overheated Dog Don’t Panic Be Proactive

 

Pets

Overheated Dog Don’t Panic Be Proactive

Overheated dog: Dogs are man’s (and woman’s) best friend for sure which often means that we think they can do everything that we do. Unfortunately, this is not the case when it comes to tolerating the heat. In the summer months especially, it is important to be aware of the heat that your pup is exposed to and the risk it can pose to their health.

Overheated Dog and Heat Strokes 

How do you know if your dog is having a heat stroke?
If your dog is having a heat stroke, they will be panting and displaying other signs of discomfort. It is important to note that the dog won’t just be panting as they normally would, they will be doing so dramatically and showing other distress signs as well.

 Cooling Down An Overheated Dog?

So, your dog is overheated and you are panicked and trying to help them. The best thing to do is to get them out of the hot environment immediately, no matter the cost. This could mean cutting your trip to the beach a little short, but it is essential to your dog’s health. If your dog is unconscious, it is incredibly important to make sure that no water gets in the dog’s nose while you are going through these steps.

It may be tempting to give your dog a traditional medication like aspirin but professionals advise against doing this as it can lead to other problems down the road.

What Is The Fastest Way To Cool Down An Overheated dog?

If you can, you should get your dog to a bathtub and run a cool (NOT freezing cold) shower over them, focusing on the head and neck areas. This is the fastest way to lower the body temperature.

If you can’t get your pup inside, a garden hose and some kind of bowl/pool to catch the water in will work the same.

You can also try methods such as applying cold presses to the dog’s neck after the bath. A few other little things to try include rubbing the pup’s legs to increase circulation and letting them indulge in as much cold water as they want. Professionals suggest adding a pinch of salt to their water as this will help replace minerals lost during the time when the dog was overheated.

Preventive Measures

Luckily for dog owners, there are preventative measures that we can take to ensure that our pup does not get overheated. These include being aware of your pup’s physical state at all times as well as carrying plenty of water for your dog at all times and wearing a cooling cape.  Don’t take your dog along for your adventure if you know that the temperatures will make the dog uncomfortable and/or there is not a lot of shade. overheated dog

Is Your Pet Safe On A Hot Summer Day

To check out our products for dogs click here.

Pets

Dogs Sun Tanning Can They Get A Tan

Dogs Sun Tanning:Soaking up the sun on a gorgeous day is delightful for many of us, including our beautiful canine friends.

Can A Dog Get a Sun Tan

The Sunshine “D” Factor

Absorbing some healthy vitamin D into our pores is always a good thing for strong bones and muscles, but applying sunscreen is also the best way to prevent sunburn and the damage that can develop from the powerful UVA/UVB rays.

Who doesn’t enjoy the radiant, golden glow you get after a little time in the sun, but did you ever consider how the rays might affect your dog?

Hot Diggity Tan Lines

Just because your pet naturally wears a furry coat, he or she can still develop a suntan. That’s right; dogs sun bathing is not out of the question.

You and I may have a hard time noticing our pooches’ tan lines, but like us, dogs are also born with certain skin cells (melanocytes) that produce the natural pigment of melanin.

When exposed to direct sunlight, these melanocytes will produce enhanced levels of pigment.

A dog’s fur is a protective barrier of sorts, but exposed areas like the nose tip, ear tips and belly (underside area) have thinner fur or hairlessness. So those parts of your pooch can show a burn or tan, depending on how long the animal is out in the sun.

Sunscreen Made Fido-Style

Veterinarians recommend owners of dogs sun bathing to be mindful of their pets’ sensitivity to the strong rays and apply sunscreen. This routine is especially key for dogs with light-colored or white fur and those that might be hairless or with a thinner coat.

Yes, there is actually dog sunscreen to provide excellent protection for dogs sun tanning. Do not use your human sunscreen to apply on your pet because these formulas often contain an ingredient called zinc oxide. That inorganic compound is toxic to animals.

Dogs Sun Tanning Right Way

Dogs are very much like their human friends and can develop skin cancer when exposed to excessive sun. Dogs sun tanning is healthy for these amazing four-legged creatures when it’s properly done and precautions are taken. Allowing your pet to have access to shade is also important. Don’t forget to consider your pet’s safety.

Let’s face it; you and I enjoy soaking up the rays, and having our dogs sun tanning right beside us makes it that more special.

For more information on dogs and the sun click here.

For information on overheated dogs click here

For information on long haired dogs click here

For information on burned paws click here.

 

Four Legged Friend Fido

To purchase our products click here:

 

Pets

Freezing Dogs: Deadly Winter Weather

Freezing Dogs:  If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death. To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s health, please heed the following advice from our experts: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®

 Freezing Dogs

  • Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside,
  • Remove any snow balls from between his foot pads.
  • Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter
  • Trim long-haired dogs  to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals.
  • For a short haired  freezing dogsdog , consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.
  • Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws.
  • After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
  • Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells.
  •  Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin.
  • If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
  • Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents.
  •  Booties provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation.
  • Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
  • Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
  •  Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories.
  • Making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less dry.
  • Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts.
  • Dressing your pet in heating garment
  • Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside.
Pets

Is Your Pet Safe On A Hot Summer Day

Pet Safety In Very Hot Temperatures

Pet safety is very important during the summer months. Hot temperatures can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for pets and people. It’s difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results.

Pet Safety Tips From The Humane Society:

Pet Safety Tip #1  Learn how to help a pet left inside a hot car:  

Never leave your pets in a parked car, not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die.

Pet Safety 2 Watch the humidity:

“It’s important to remember that it’s not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet,” says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. “Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.”

Taking a dog’s temperature will quickly tell you if there is a serious problem. Dogs’ temperatures should not be allowed to get over 104 degrees. If your dog’s temperature does, follow the instructions for treating heat stroke.

Pet Safety #3 Limit exercise on hot days: 

Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

Pet Safety Tip #4 Don’t rely on a fan:

 Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. (Dogs, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet.) And fans don’t cool off pets as effectively as they do people.

Pet Safety Tip #5 Provide ample shade and water:

 Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don’t obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse.

Pet Safety Tip #6 Cool your pet inside and out: 

Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs. (You can use peanut butter or another favorite food.) And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you.

Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat (such as the Keep Cool Mat). Soak these products in cool water, and they’ll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesn’t find baths stressful, see if she enjoys a cooling soak.

Pet Safety Tip #7 Watch for signs of heatstroke: 

Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.

Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.

How to treat a pet suffering from heatstroke: Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over her. Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take her directly to a veterinarian.

Pet Safety Tip #8 Prepare for power outages: 

Before a summer storm takes out the power in your home, create a disaster plan to keep your pets safe from heat stroke and other temperature-related trouble.

Dogs sun bathing the right way.

Cooling Garments links:

Humane Society

To purchase our products click here.

Freezing Dogs: Deadly Winter Weather