With hotter weather becoming more and more prevalent, here are some tips on keeping it cool for your pet buddies.Above all, never leave your dog in a hot car. Make home-made frozen treats, in moderation. Go for a swim, and keep your buddy hydrated. Offering a cold towel goes a long way and staying on top of grooming is a great way of keeping cool.
If your dog is double-coated, you may be tempted to cut back all that fur to help them stay cool. But shaving your double-coated dog can cause overheating. The second-layer guard hairs that keep your dog warm in winter, also protect them from the heat in summer. The fur provides an insulating effect and helps air circulate closer to the skin. It also protects your dog from sunburn.
So rather than break out the clippers, brush your dog regularly to remove mats and tangles to help improve air circulation to the skin. This will also help thin the undercoat but leave the protective guard hairs intact.
Stay cool, stay safe!
Supplied by The Vet House Team at Umgeni Veterinary Clinic.