Here are some ideas of how to help your dog coping with the extreme summer heat.
Water is king.
As you will know, dogs don't sweat like humans. The purpose of sweating is to be cooled down as the sweat evaporates from our surface skin. Dogs get rid of heat by evaporating out through their lungs and mouth.... hence they pant. A hot dog will be getting rid of a lot of water by panting in a hot and dry atmosphere. Once they have panted themselves dry they are in trouble and can over-heat. So always remember to allow your dog access to fresh water. They also sweat a little bit through their paws, but that does not require a lot of water.
Resting in a cool place.
Here at Tuffies we make the absolute best dog beds you can possibly buy, but we are totally realistic and there are actually times when a cool floor is better than a dog bed. If you have a cool stone floor your dog should be allowed to sleep on it to cool down. As long as you give him the choice. The ideal sleeping situation for him would be to have a cold floor and in the same room, a Tuffies dog bed. We would recommend the Wipe Clean Mattress bed for his comfort. Dogs will typically lie on the floor till they feel sufficiently cool and then swap over to the mattress bed. Giving him this choice he can look after his temperature and his support and comfort as only he knows.
Raised Beds.
Although Tuffies do not manufacture trampoline type beds, these can be useful in a heat wave. Four legs and a mesh across the top is like a trampoline. It will be the coolest type of dog bed in scorching heat. But be very aware of Raised Beds as the temperatures drop in the autumn. If you have ever tried to sleep on a trampoline you will know what a detrimental and sneaking cold can chill you to the bones. These trampoline beds are absolutely not for any other time than heat waves. During cooler weather your dog will absolutely need a supportive and insulating mattress bed or a nest bed with sides to keep completely healthy and comfortable.
Car Journeys.
If you travel with your dog in hot weather be very aware of the temperature where the dog sits. It can be easy to miss the fact that your dog is sitting in the boot with a burning sun beaming down on him. If you are travelling with the sun behind you this can happen. A form of shade can make all the difference, but also the colour of the dog bed. A black dog bed could add to the heat situation. A Travel Tuffie with a lighter colour cover would help.
Walks.
If you can possibly walk your dog in the early morning or late night you can help him cope with the heat. Walking near water where he would be allowed to swim is another good way to help him. The blue-green algae is, however, something to be very aware of, so check for that. Stagnant waters can be dangerous in the heat if the algae is allowed to take hold.
If it is super hot you actually don't necessarily need to walk your dog. If he can have a small garden walk he won't need more. The heat is exhausting in itself....
