The Dog Days of Summer are a time for lying around and moving slowly. We often enjoy a vacation and some slower activities during this time of year. Dogs NSW urges us to look out for our dogs and make sure that they can enjoy their summer days as much as we do. It is important to keep our dogs cool in the heat of the day.

Dogs can’t sweat at all, relying on panting to keep their body temperature down. They like to lie on the ground as flat as possible to avoid the heat. We can care for our dogs by helping them to stay cool with ready drinking water and giving them access to a fresh breeze.

The Dog Days of Summer regularly gives us 40 days of muggy, stagnant weather, which coincides with the appearance in the sky of Sirius, the Dog Star. The ancient Romans saw this very bright star as the cause of extra heat on earth and the consequent discomfort of dogs. “Dogs were important for the Romans, both in work and pleasure, and they were fanatical about looking after them”, says Dr Peter Higgins, Spokesperson and Veterinary Adviser to Dogs NSW. “They understood the problems of the heat of the day and ensured their dogs were kept cool and had plenty of water.” The ancient Romans were wrong about the reason for the extreme weather, but they were right about managing their welfare and staying out of the sun in the heat of the day.

Summer storms can be frightening for our

four-legged friends. In summertime, windows are open and sounds are more easily heard by everyone. Dogs get scared and can suffer from anxiety. Some dogs may pace back and forth, and may try to run away. Other dogs release the stress by digging holes! “Create a quiet place for your dog to feel safe and secure. You could try playing music which will calm your dog, and block out the outside noises at the same time,” suggests Dr Higgins. “It’s not just storms which frighten dogs, but fireworks also. Remember your dog this year and be sure that he is cared for when loud noises are likely. Summer is a busy time for vets.”

Dogs are natural swimmers – they are experts at the “dog paddle” – but they don’t always know how to escape from backyard swimming pools. Summer time means that dogs are attracted into backyard swimming pools, but can’t always get out. Dogs NSW recommends that you may have to teach your dog how to escape from the pool, or keep your backyard pool dog-proofed.

“Like humans, dogs need to be protected from the sun. It is important to slop on the sunscreen. If your dog is going to spend long periods in the sun, particularly if it is short-haired or has pink exposed skin, it will need some skin protection. Dogs can get sunburnt and also develop skin cancers,” says Dr Higgins.

Dog Days of Summer are an enjoyable time for the whole family. We can still learn from the ancient Romans and remember that extremes of heat and exposure to sun can be a problem for our furry friends.

Dog Days of Summer
MEDIA RELEASE
4 January 2011