If the climate in your area is gets hot and sticky on those long summer days, you may find yourself longing for cooler days, and your kitty will most likely agree with this. Let your dog chill out indoors during heat waves. Large breeds are al… Now for the outdoors. When the temperature heats up, some dogs rejoice, while others seek out cool, shady spots where they can rest. Your dog’s size: Smaller dogs get cold faster—they have a greater ratio of surface area of skin through which to lose heat to volume of “insides” in which to keep heat. 6 Dog Feeding Tips For Hot Days: Follow your dog´s appetite level and decrease his or her daily portion accordingly. Surprisingly, dogs’ reaction to the heat has nothing to do with the idiom “dog days of summer”—that expression comes from the “dog star,” Sirius. Dogs with shorter hair and little or no undercoat will especially notice the cold more quickly than dogs with longer hair or undercoats. Also listed above, changes in barometric pressure and extreme hot or cold weather can also cause your dog to become physically stressed, which can in turn trigger a seizure. Cats And Hot Weather. There are plenty of ways to ensure your old friend is as comfortable as possible in the cold, though—keep him warm, keep him moving (within reason), and give him an orthopedic dog bed to support his joints. Some dogs, just like people, become cranky and unwilling to go for walks or to do any exercise when the temperature is high. Just as with the cold weather safety chart, there are a few caveats with the warm weather safety chart, too. To foster outdoor winter adventures, take guidance from the Norwegian phrase ‘there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes.’ With cozy, head-to-toe outerwear on hand for yourself, and a warm dog jacket and boots for your dog, frosty weather won’t interfere with walks and games of catch outside. For the most part, most dogs are able to adapt naturally to a warm climate. He also probably enjoys winter snuggles under a blanket after returning from invigorating walks as much as you do. Learn your dog’s particular sensitivities to various weather conditions, and you’ll be prepared to embrace the changing days with your best friend 24/7/365. Choose grass where possible, or, if you walk your dog on searing city pavement, you might need to help protect his feet. However, precious little research has been done with dogs and cats in this area. According to a 2012 survey by The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, a veterinary charity in the United Kingdom, about 40 percent of dog owners noticed a marked downturn in their dog’s mood in the wintertime. The breeds listed will especially be able to acclimate to the hot and dry weather. Papillon. I live in southern California. This perception is expressed by the heat index. Most dogs won’t drink hot water no matter how thirsty they are. Heat exhaustion in dogs can occur when the body temperature becomes elevated above the normal temperature. They have been kept by royalty since at least the 1500s, and likely date even earlier than that. One of the oldest toy spaniel breeds is the Papillon. Any kind of stress to your dog is a potential seizure trigger. Launder your pet’s bedding often. Increased exercise burns through calories and glucose. Photo: E.N.K. One of the most dangerous things to do in extreme heat is to leave a pet inside a parked vehicle. My dachshund/chihuahua mix just recently started wanting to go outside during the night. Since 1856. If you have an animal that appears heat stressed you should contact your local Vet Clinic or Animal Emergency Centre ASAP. Our long hair loves being outside to rest on the deck during the warm months, but he is very, very cranky now that he is inside because of winter weather. The same may true for our pets. 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