The Eukanuba Adult
Dog Guide.

Just because he's no longer a puppy does not mean his
owner cannot learn a few new tricks.

Protecting Your Dog from the Weather

Most dogs can be described as tolerant. They put up with our bad taste in music. They withstand our kids tugging on their ears. Many even grudgingly accept our beloved Siamese cats. They are so loyal, the majority will sit in a steamy car or a frigid garage without complaint. The later request, however, is simply inhumane. Many pets die each year because they're exposed to the elements. Oftentimes, the owners of these pets aren't awful people — they're simply not cognizant of the threat. But if you own a dog, you need to put yourself "in his paws" and recognize the dangers. You are the caretaker of a domestic animal, and by adopting him you have taken on the responsibility of considering his needs, no matter how busy you are. Consider the following:

The Importance of Four Seasons of Shade

In general, we're against the concept of "outside" dogs. Even if you run a working sheep ranch or race Huskies competitively, we believe all animals have a right to take refuge in a safe shelter. This doesn't mean Zeus has to sleep in bed with you, but he at least needs to have a climate-controlled laundry room to call his own. And when he's outside, he's got to have a place where he can escape from heat, chill, precipitation and predators. (We know one Pug named Mike who lived in a suburban town in Texas and was carried away by a coyote. There was no happy ending.) If you've got huge shade trees bordering your backyard that your dog can crawl under, you're lucky. But many of us live on an open landscape where the foliage provides little protection. Consider purchasing a climate-controlled dog shelter.

Surviving Summer

Many of us think that dogs can tough out the summer months, but the reality is that they're susceptible to overheating just like people. When on their own, canines are smart enough to seek a cool place to lie down. Sometimes, however, we interfere and force them into conditions they can't handle. A few things to think about:

  • Let him lie on the grass. It is far cooler than a paved dog run or driveway, which conduct heat.
  • Keep his fur long. It insulates him.
  • Provide a baby pool for him to loll in and add ice cubes for extra fun.
  • Leave them at home when you jog. Though dogs pant to stay cool, they'll have a difficult time cooling off if the air is warm.
  • Forget the car trips. Even with the windows cracked, the interior or a car can quickly reach 130 degrees in less than 30 minutes.
  • Always provide fresh water.
Treating Overheating

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Abnormally rapid breathing
  • Tremors
  • Muscle weakness
  • Vomiting
  • Fainting

To revive him, wet him down with cool (not cold) water and place him in breeze. Once he's given a bit of time to recuperate, take him immediately to the vet.

Weathering Winter

The ideal place for your dog during a deep freeze is with you, beside a roaring hearth. But if you don't have such accommodations (or don't allow your pet to come into the living room with you), you should at least have a warm, dry place in the house allocated just for him. If you absolutely must keep your pet outdoors, make sure his shelter has insulation for warmth and that his water remains liquid. No matter where he resides, take special care to check his paws for ice balls and cuts; wipe his paws dry with a cloth after he has walked on salt or chemical snow removers.

Treating Frostbite

Frostbite is caused by exposure to extremely cold weather. The symptoms, which don't develop until 48 hours after exposure, include pain and swelling. If the blood flow is entirely interrupted to the extremity, the tissue will turn black and fall off. To treat suspected frostbite:

  • Place your pet in a bath of warm (never hot) water. (Test the water's temperature by dipping your elbow into it—a much more accurate analysis than using your hand.)
  • Hug him to you so that your body heat can warm him.
  • Never rub him, as this could damage tissue.
  • Take your pet to the vet immediately if he is severely chilled or unresponsive.
Beware of Hazards in the Winter Garage

Because some people keep their dogs in the garage during the year's harshest months, we need to note two other typical dangers. Before locking your pet in your garage, take note:

  • Licking up only a few teaspoons of antifreeze — which tastes sweet to a pet — can kill a dog. Be sure to check your car to make sure the radiator isn't leaking.
  • Never leave your pet in the garage while you start the car, as carbon monoxide (which escapes from the tailpipe) can kill him.

Fortunes have been made on the manufacturing of dog sunglasses, dog coats and dog snow boots. And if you yourself are a fashion hound, by all means, enjoy. But most of us find we can instead cloak ourselves in knowledge and that's enough to keep our beloved dogs safe — even in the harshest of conditions.

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