Warm Weather Tips:

Your pets have special needs during the summer when temperature and humidity are much higher. Dogs and cats wear a heavy fur coat and have limited ability to cool themselves. They have sweat glands only on their paws, so they cannot sweat to stay cool the way humans do. Dogs mostly pant to cool themselves and seek cool places to avoid the summer heat.

Guidelines to use in caring for your pets in hot weather include:

* If your pet is kept outdoors, make sure he has a shaded place and plenty of fresh water to drink. Your pet will need much more water in the summer to replenish what he loses by panting. Many dogs also enjoy swimming for exercise and to cool down.

* Never keep your pet in a car in direct sun on a summer day. Even with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside a car can soar to 160 degrees Fahrenheit or more within minutes. These conditions can kill a pet within 10 minutes or less. The Pacific Northwest is deceptive as many days in the Summer are overcast, however the UV rays will still heat up a car on an overcast day. Don't risk your dog's life by leaving them in your car.

* Keep your pets well-groomed. Clip long or matted coats short to help your pet stay cool, but remember that pets, like people, can get sunburned too and coats should not be TOO short. Keep their feet well trimmed to prevent them getting stuff caught between the toes, which could lead to your pet being crippled.

* Carefully go over your pet's body at least once a week to check for fleas, ear mites and tiny bumps or cuts. Bring your pet to the vet for a summer check-up and use a good flea and tick repellent recommended by your vet.

* Fleas need to be attacked on three fronts: on the pet, in the home and in the yard. We've had a mild winter, so the fleas will be much worse this year - only by persistence on your part will your pet have a flea-free Summer.

* With the hotter weather, families and their pets are outside more often, increasing the chances of a pet getting lost. Make sure your pets always wear proper identification.

* For the Fourth of July and the time around it there are many strange and loud sounds. If your dog is noise-sensitive, make sure that they have a safe place to be during the main fireworks. Inside in the innermost room (normally a bathroom) with a radio playing your dog will feel safest.

* If you like to run or do vigorous exercise with your dog, do so at cooler times of the day, early morning or evening. If you exercise during the hotter times of day, your dog will have much more difficulty cooling himself and could overheat quickly. He will often try to keep going to keep up with
you. You may not realize until his condition is severe that he has been seriously overheating.

* After running in the field examine your dog's feet for grass seeds, and check their eyes for grass seeds as well. If there are grass seeds in your dog's eyes, use a saline eyewash to remove the seeds.

* When you exercise your dog in the summer, stop and let him drink frequently. Make sure he is not overweight and is well conditioned for this activity before the hotter days of summer. You might even soak him with water before you exercise with him so he can stay cooler. This is especially important for long-haired or heavy-coated dogs. Dogs with very short hair have less difficulty keeping themselves cool. A dog's normal body temperature is 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If his rectal temperature starts to go above 105 degrees, he is approaching a danger zone of heat stroke. He will often be panting very hard, his gums may be very dark pink or even reddish, and he may feel quite hot to the touch. If he is in this condition, soak him with cool or cold water immediately and take him promptly to the nearest veterinarian. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate care.

Cold Weather Tips:

Wintertime can be a wonderful time to spend outdoors with your dog enjoying the snow, scenery and weather. But it is also a time to be careful and address your dog's additional cold weather needs.

Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Short-haired dogs may need a doggy sweater.

Don't leave your dog outside for extended periods. The wind chill factor will make the days colder than actual temperature readings indicate.

Watch out for frostbite if you live in an extreme weather area. Signs of frostbite include red or gray skin that may slough. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for care and treatment if you suspect your dog has frostbite.

Snow and ice are never a substitute for fresh water. Always provide fresh water for your dog.

A brisk walk during the cold weather is a great pick-me-up and may be a necessity to relieve cabin fever in some parts of the country. If your dog gets wet from the rain or snow, dry him off, and clean out the area in between the footpads. Rock salt can irritate the footpads, so be sure to rinse and dry paws after taking a walk.

Be extra careful if you walk your dog near frozen lakes or rivers. Your dog could slip and become trapped in the icy waters.

Antifreeze is a dangerous substance for your dog. It tastes sweet to your dog, who may lick up a spill, so clean up any antifreeze in the garage or driveway and keep containers out of reach. If your dog ingests any amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. Even small doses of antifreeze can be lethal.

Many dogs will naturally seek out a warm spot by the fire. Be sure to have an adequate fire screen in place, so sparks do not fly out and injure your dog. Portable heaters can severely burn your dog as well, so keep them out of your dog's reach.

For more information on education, please e-mail us at: education@irishsetterclubofseattle.com

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Public Education Corner ~ AKC Kids Corner ~ PRA Today ~ Orthopedic Foundation of America