Sultry weather and summer heat can be enemies of our dogs' health. The rules and practical tips, all the information you need for a happy summer with your pet.
Sultry weather and summer heat are already heralding what looks set to be a scorching summer. This poses a problem for our animal friends too, innocent victims of climate change caused by humans. For the wellbeing of our dogs, we must bear in mind some important rules for health and wellbeing during the summer season.
"Heat, especially when it comes on suddenly, can often cause a state of discomfort in our four-legged companions," explains Dr Maria Mayer, veterinary surgeon and homoeopath. "During periods of sultry weather, it is possible to supplement our friend's bowl with stimulating herbs, including alfalfa and rosemary."
Read also: Summer: tips for the perfect diet for dogs and cats
"Alfalfa or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) – Mayer continues – is a plant rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals that can be added dry to a meal and will have a tonic effect. Another excellent tonic is rosemary, a simple shrub with wonderful properties, which can be added in the form of a decoction directly to the bowl. To prepare it, we can use approximately 4 grams of fresh plant per 250 cc of water, left to boil for 5 minutes. The rosemary decoction can be administered by adding it directly to the meal once a day (10 cc per 5 kilograms of the dog's body weight)."
Rosemary helps the dog – especially older ones – to regain vitality, while at the same time cleansing the liver. Two wonderful effects in one.
Especially in the height of summer, digestive problems are always lurking for our canine friends. In summer it is important to divide the daily ration into two separate meals. This way the dog will be able to digest more easily and, in the event of trips or short journeys, its gastrointestinal tract will not be subjected to excessive stress.
Bear in mind, too, that in summer a dog needs lighter food, whilst still receiving the essential nutrients that are indispensable to it. The warm weather can, however, cause a decrease in food intake in the animal, which need not be cause for concern if it lasts only a short time and the dog is in good physical condition.
In such cases, if the food is home-prepared, do not forget to include the right supplementation of trace elements and vitamins (there are excellent products on the market for this purpose). If the food is pre-packaged, on the other hand, there is no need for supplementation: both dry and wet food contain all the essential factors for the health of our four-legged friend.
Avoid, however, titbits and treats between meals, which in great heat could hinder normal digestive functions.
"Meals should be served in the early hours of the morning and in the evening," explains Dr Michela Galgano, veterinary surgeon, "when the temperature is milder. It is important to remember that any uneaten food must be removed immediately and kept cool – preferably in the fridge – so that it does not spoil."
At this time of year, ailments such as diarrhoea are always a risk. "In the event of repeated and copious bouts, we must bear in mind that our dog is losing water, sodium and potassium," explains Dr Laura Cutullo, veterinary surgeon and flower therapy expert.
"Dehydration must be compensated by giving the animal plenty of water, or better still a broth made with vegetables, a small amount of meat and a little rice. The broth should be given at room temperature," Cutullo continues, "several times a day and without any solid pieces. To counteract the intestinal absorption of toxins, activated charcoal can be used; it is available in powder or tablet form and is extremely useful as a first-aid measure in cases of suspected poisoning, as it absorbs drugs, irritants and poisons. It should be used for a maximum of four or five days, though often just one day is sufficient, as it also reduces the absorption of nutrients. The tablets can be crushed into powder. Carob powder is excellent for soothing the intestinal wall: the dose ranges from ½ to 4 teaspoons three times a day, depending on the size of the animal."
During the warm season, "seasonal ailments" are always lurking and can catch our dog off guard. Sporadic coughing and even repeated sneezing should not cause particular concern. At this time of year, in fact, minor chills caused by temperature fluctuations or pseudo-allergic reactions triggered by the inhalation of dust or seasonal pollen are common. Persistent coughing, on the other hand, which appears mainly at rest in an older dog, must be carefully assessed by a vet: it could be a cardiac problem that needs to be identified as soon as possible!
Also common at this time of year are ailments caused by travel. These usually manifest as vomiting and diarrhoea and are sometimes accompanied by loss of appetite. Isolated, sporadic vomiting should not be a cause for concern either. Dogs are perfectly capable of regulating their own gastrointestinal system and often vomit simply to "rid themselves" of an excessive burden. Particularly greedy dogs may display this kind of behaviour in summer, which is often transient and tends to resolve on its own.
With the summer heat, there is more time for sporting activities with our four-legged friends. Sprains and minor injuries caused by increased physical activity are therefore more likely at this time of year. Dogs that jump frequently and perhaps "dive" to catch a lizard or another insect, those engaged in competitions (agility or other sports, for example), and four-legged companions that join their owners on hikes in the mountains or countryside, – are more often exposed to these kinds of risks.
What should you do, then? Simply try to keep the dog at rest to prevent the problem from worsening, and then seek the help of a vet if the issue has not resolved within twenty-four hours.
It is important to discuss heatstroke, a condition that can often prove fatal in summer. Never leave a dog or other animals shut inside a car in summer in direct sunlight or without adequate ventilation.
Should you notice an animal locked inside a car, it is important to watch for symptoms of heatstroke (breathing difficulties, generalised exhaustion). In a statement issued by the Ente nazionale protezione animali (Enpa), the organisation recalls that in such cases immediate action can save the animal's life. If the car owner cannot be located, the emergency services must be called immediately. Until they arrive, it is important to create shade by placing, for example, some newspapers over the windscreen and, should the windows not be completely closed, to pour water inside to wet the animal or allow it to drink. In extreme cases, members of the public have broken a car window to rescue the animal and spare it from certain death.
In such circumstances, Enpa states that, given the overriding importance of saving the animal's life, the organisation offers legal support.
If the dog is travelling by car, don't forget to put on the air conditioning or open a window to ensure good ventilation. In any case, if hyperthermia occurs (the skin is hot to the touch, the animal is staggering or having difficulty breathing), it is necessary to lower its temperature by wetting it with cool water and applying ice packs to the inner thigh: these are the square containers filled with frozen water used to keep portable cool boxes at a low temperature, covered with a bag or some fabric to avoid injuring the animal's skin. In hot weather, it is best not to subject dogs to excessive exertion. Walks during the hottest hours of the day should be avoided at all costs: in addition to heatstroke, the animal can burn its paws on the scorching tarmac. It is advisable to carry a small bottle of water and a bowl so the dog can drink if needed.
Dogs are also susceptible to sunburn. You can protect them by applying a high-factor sun cream to white extremities and the tips of the ears before taking them outside.