Every Floridian knows our summers are HOT. So naturally, we find ways to cool ourselves down and also want to know what options there are to cool down our furry friends. Goldens have a thick fur coat which they need to help them regulate their temperature; however, they can still overheat. Below we will explore some ways to help our goldies cool down during the summertime so they can enjoy this time of year with us.
Ensure your golden baby has access to fresh cold water at all times. Encourage and remind them to drink water to maintain their hydration.
Provide your pup with a shady spot to cool down in. They need a way to escape the sun rays just as much as we do. Try to find a big tree, covered pavilion or bring an umbrella for them to seek refuge under.
Do not let your golden walk on hot pavements. Temperatures up to 68˚F are safe for your golden’s feet (Wendy, 2022). A good rule of thumb is if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pups paws to walk on. Hot surfaces can easily burn your dog’s paw pads. So plan your walks for cooler times of the day like early morning or late evening. Try to stick to shaded and grassy pathways to avoid asphalt as much as possible (Wendy, 2022). You could also purchase dog booties for their paws to make sure their feet stay protected at all times of the day.
To add onto the last tip, try to plan their exercise and outside time in general during cooler hours. It can be dangerous for your golden to romp around outside during the heat of midday (between 11am-2pm) which is typically the hottest time. Also, limit the overall duration and intensity of their outside activities to avoid overexertion and heatstroke. Taking your golden for a swim is perfect because they can experience a low-impact and fun exercise while staying cool.
Invest in products that help cool your dog down such as cooling mats or even wet towels. A cooling vest or wet bandana can also help lower their temperature. You could also setup a kiddie pool, splash pad, or sprinkler to offer a fun and refreshing experience. Frozen dog treats and toys are a fun alternative to keeping your goldie cool.
Never leave your dog in your car. You cannot leave a baby in a car and it’s the same for our pets. A car heats up rapidly to temperatures higher than 100 degrees Farenheit even if the windows are cracked (Wendy, 2022). They can easily get heatstroke and/or suffocate and die within minutes (Wendy, 2022).
Maintenance of your golden’s coat can also cool them down during the summer months. Removing excess fur by brushing can increase airflow through their coat. While you may think shaving your golden will help them stay cool, it actually does the opposite. It is very important that you do not shave your golden because their coats provide them with protection and insulation from hot and cold temperatures. Shaving their coat exposes them to overheating, skin cancer, and sunburn (L.V., 2021).
According to Wendy (2022), 90˚F is the highest temperature dogs can tolerate if they have plenty of water, shade, and air circulation. Therefore, look for signs of your golden overheating when it is 90 degrees and above which are: heavy breathing, panting, increased heart rate, increased salivation, and drooling. More serious symptoms to watch for are: physical weakness, stupor, and collapse. Severe overheating occurs when their body temperature hits over 104°F. When a dog’s temperature gets to this level, they can have seizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. Use a thermometer to check their temperature and if you suspect heat stroke, take them to an emergency vet right away. If your golden is overweight, older, or has heart or lung disease, be extra cautious about having them out in the heat since they are very suseptible to heatstroke.
Keeping your golden cool during the summer months is crucial for them to be safe and comfortable. We hope you found these tips to be helpful. Please comment below if you have any other summer safety tips!
References
Wendy. (2022, October 13). Taking care of dogs in hot weather – Summer dog safety tips. Totally Goldens. https://www.totallygoldens.com/about-us/
L.V. (2021, September 28). Will shaving my double-coated dog really keep him cool?! The Neighborhood Groomer. https://www.theneighborhoodgroomer.com/post/will-shaving-my-dog-really-keep-him-cool
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