Does your dog have enough water and shade?

Question

Right now, temperatures are rising and it is extremely hot, please make sure your dog has enough water and shade.

What Climbing Temperatures Mean for Dogs
The “dog days” of summer pose a particularly dangerous threat to “backyard” dogs: heatstroke. Many people know about the danger of leaving dogs inside cars during the warm summer months, when temperatures can climb to well above 100°F in just a matter of minutes.

But for backyard dogs chained outside and deprived of water, shade, and ventilation, the threat of death has nothing to do with cars—even though they might be tethered to an old jalopy. Baking in the summer sun in a barren yard—day after day, week after week—takes its toll and kills many of these animals.
Beating the Heat
Beating the summer’s oppressive heat is extra tough for dogs, because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads. Heatstroke can occur quickly and can result in brain damage or a gruesome death that’s often preceded by panic and seizures.

If you know of a backyard dog in your community, why not do what you can to make his or her life a little better? The following are some simple tips for helping backyard dogs in warm weather:

Let the owners of these forgotten animals know that a dog’s needs for water and shade are especially urgent during the summer months.
Ask them to give their dogs fresh water twice a day, or offer to do so for them.
Urge them to let their dogs inside during heat waves, much like some owners do during spells of bitter-cold weather during the winter.
If your dog isn’t allowed to be a part of your family, why not change that, starting today, by keeping him or her inside with the rest of your loved ones, at least while the weather is dangerous?
Signs of Overheating and How to Respond
Watch all dogs for symptoms of heatstroke, such as restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, and lack of coordination. If a dog shows any of these symptoms, get him or her into the shade immediately and call animal control or the police (if the dog is not your companion) or your veterinarian (if the dog is your companion). Lower the animal’s body temperature gradually by providing water to drink; applying a cold towel or ice pack to the dog’s head, neck, and chest; or immersing the dog in lukewarm (not cold) water.

There are countless other ways that you can improve the life of an “outside” dog—these dogs truly need every friend that they can get.

Answer 1

great info thanks, I'm gonna copy it and send it out to my office and family... you're right, we often neglect our pets but they are a member of the family and should be treated with love and compassion.

Answer 2

good advice...I hope people use it. Also, a quick way to cool down a dog in an emergency...drench the dog in rubbing alcohol rather than water...it evaporates more quickly...cooling them down more quickly. We used this methods for some heat stroked dogs back when I used to work as a vet-tech.

Answer 3

Nice info! I got my puppy (an inside dog) a sprinkler for outdoors (kiddie pools were sold out, but were my original choice) and a fan for indoors that she can lie in front of. I have also been putting ice cubes in her water dish, which she fishes out and plays with.

Answer 4

so what is the question umm sick details though i can't stand thinking of animals in pain! but my dog is an inside dog and beloved by all in the family but like just plant a tree for it and a dog house and those auto matic waterer things worth it totally but umm very sick details i feel sick right now thinking of animals in pain jeez uhh umm *barf*..... so like start a petition or somthing

Answer 5

My babies are spoiled little things, they stay in the house with me under the A/C.
I have a new litter in the bedroom in a playpen.
Now if only everyone will follow your advice.

Answer 6

good advice! i am not affiliated with this site in any way, but JB Legacy sells these neet little cards that you can put on people's windshields when they leave their animal in a hot car. very thought provoking. yahoo search them to see!

Answer 7

my dogs spend most of the time wiht us inside we love our dogs very much

Answer 8

Great idea posting this on here to remind people. Thank you!

Answer 9

Thank you. I just hope that those who need to read this are.

Answer 10

Thanks for the info. I'm sure there are people out there who neglect their dogs everyday.