Canine communications with Julia Collins

Parlez Vous POOCH?!

Blogger and qualified ‘Dog Listener’ Julia Collins explains how we can help our hounds to keep their cool in hot weather.

Until recently, I believed that dogs were only able to lose heat through their pads, ears and, of course, by panting. I now know that dogs do possess sweat glands, both Eccrine, which open directly onto the skin in the pads and nose – and Apocrine, found at the base of hair follicles. So, dogs do sweat, it’s just harder to see under their coat!

As the ambient temperature rises, heat loss by convection alone will not keep your dog cool, and as it approaches his skin temperature – approx 38 degrees – sweating will occur. But over 75% of heat loss must take place by panting, and this percentage rises as heat increases. Obese, infirm and older dogs should not be allowed to pant for long, because the process puts considerable strain on the heart and respiratory system. Keep them cool, or cool them quickly, when they begin to pant. Before the summer arrives, it’s a good plan to clip your dog, if suitable. A thinner coat allows more efficient heat loss by convection.

When you leave your dog at home, make sure it has access to really cool areas – nice cold tiles perhaps, or an area without sunshine pouring in. It’s easy to leave your house in the morning, only for the day to develop into a hot one and the indoor temperature soars in your absence. Make it a habit to draw the curtains or blinds. Do this before the heat ramps up, as a preventative measure, rather than shutting the sun out of an already hot room.

Obviously, you must make sure that clean, cool water is always available. During the summer, maybe move the bowl to a shady corner rather than letting it sit in the sun all day. Walk early in the morning or in the evening, once the heat has subsided. The cool morning air is delicious and your dog will really thank you for getting up early!

Taking your dog out in the car also needs careful consideration. It’s all very well having the windows open, but if your poor dog is wedged in the back with sun streaming through the glass onto him – well – would you feel comfortable, mile after mile?!

Always make sure your dog is completely cool before feeding him. Never feed a dog that’s panting from exertion of any kind. Finally, make sure your dog is comfortable overnight. Our homes can warm up like storage heaters and feel very hot once doors and windows are closed.

Parlez Vous POOCH?! articles are also available on the Oracle, an audio information magazine for visually impaired listeners, which is part of Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspapers. To access all the Talking Newspaper recordings, go to

www.watn.org.uk

Julia Collins @walksoflifessuffolk www.walksoflife.co.uk