It's that time of the year again when the sun's shining bright and doing what it does best, making everything swelter. With the mercury hitting the roof, it is a nightmare stepping out at 12 in the noon. Everyone's feeling the heat and is looking for a brief holiday to a cooler place to get some respite and have fun. Amongst all these entities are dogs, too. Dogs are considered to fall ill and get sick as the degrees rise. So there are some general precautions that dog-parents need to take care of so that their dachshunds are comfortable when the temperature starts to roar.
1. Heat stroke
A very commonly known fact about dachshunds is that they are extremely prone to heat stroke and it can be very dangerous and even fatal for them. In situations when the temperature is above 45 degrees, try avoiding leaving your doxie in the vicinity of the car when you go 'just a minute' to the store. When locked in the car under extreme heat, the interiors of the vehicle heat up even more causing severe heat stroke to your pet. Heat stroke can also cause a blood problem where the blood of dogs coagulates in their veins and arteries and can even lead to death. So try avoiding even going out for walks with your pooch when the sun's at it's brightest.
2. Jogging
Dachshunds have a nice, lush and soft coat on their bodies. In winters, it's just the perfect company to them but in summers, it's just a bane. There is no surface area to sweat off to cool their bodies down. So, what can be done for your dog is not to take them out in early mornings when it's very much humid and warm and dense air; rather take them out in the evening when the soil starts to cool, and the air becomes a little cool as the sun sets down. This will keep their bodies cool and also keep them, and you fit.
3. Pet's housing
If you house your pet out your front door, right onto the porch; re-consider your choices. No problem in putting them out, but just make sure that they have ample shade to rest under, fresh supply of water for them at all times. However, it's very much recommended that in the peak summers, you make your pet comfortable inside the house so that your kiddie doesn't fall sick due to heat stroke.
4. Water safety
People plan holidays to cooler areas in the country to get respite from the excessive heat, at least for a few days. Families who have pets don't like leaving them home when they head out for holidays. Beaches, riversides, lake-houses are even more fun when you have a dog to play ball with. However, not all dogs are comfortable in water. There are many conditions that the dog-parent might not know about, like heart problems and this can be fatal if your dog tries to swim in water. Keep your dog away from such situations and keep life jackets handy.
5. Summer travel
Summer holidays are meant to traverse the countryside and taking your doxie along does them good, makes a change of the environment too.
However, just keep the contact numbers of local veterinary clinics handy, in case emergency arrives.
We wish you a happy summer with your poochie!