It’s A Dog’s Life—

August — Dog Days

By Mary Jane Anderson

The phrase “dog days” came from ancient Romans to describe a period of about 40 days of the hottest season of the year. Originally, dog days were the time of the year that Sirius, the Dog Star, rose just before the sun. Although the timing has changed through the centuries, the expression still applies to the hottest season of the year. The heat is most oppressive and plagued with disease and discomfort.

Beware of the hazards your dog must face with these hot, sultry dog days. As the temperature rises to 90–100 degrees and high humidity, life becomes very uncomfortable. People have their favorite solutions for bearing the summer heat, but a dog coping with the heat is a far more serious problem.

The combination of heat and exercise can dehydrate an animal very quickly. Plenty of cool, fresh water should always be in easy access. Sometimes, with your help, a dog can devise a simply way to cool himself off. Did you ever see a dog on a hot day when given a pail of cool water, immediately put his head into it or dump it and sit in the wet grass? My Hans loved the garden hose; he would drink the water and let it splash over his head and neck, besides splashing in the puddles. Dogs standing in water cool the blood flowing through the pads of their paws.

 Most dogs naturally enjoy a trip to the river or lake, which could refresh their spirits as well as keep their body temperature low. If you take your dog for a swim in salt water, however, be sure you rinse it off with fresh water, since salt water has a drying effect upon the skin that can produce itching, peeling, and cracking.

When a dog becomes seriously overheated, its natural cooling system area breaks down. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke become a common occurrence during the summer. Signs include rapid panting, hot skin, muscular twitches, a dazed look, as well as agitated or irregular behavior. If your dog displays any or all of these symptoms, immediately douse him with cool water but not extremely cold water, which could put him into shock, and then contact your veterinarian. Keep your dog indoors or in a shady spot throughout the middle of the day. Too much exposure to the sun can also cause sunburn to a dog’s skin.

Watch what your dog eats in the hot weather. Don’t leave the dog food out; within a couple of hours, wet food becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, and you will run the risk of bacterial infection. Also, the danger of accidental poisoning is highest in the summer when homeowners bring out pesticides and other toxins to repel insects. The best thing to do if you suspect your pet has eaten a poisonous substance is to immediately get in touch with your veterinarian.

Close contact with your dog is provided by grooming It gives you an opportunity to check your dog for fleas, ticks, and lice, which is a constant battle in the warm and hot weather. “Hot spots” are more common in the summer months. Anything that makes the dog scratch, fleas in particular, may result in red, moist areas appearing overnight. If not recognized and treated properly, a serious skin problem may develop. Grooming regularly maintains a healthy skin and coat besides making your dog more comfortable.

At this time of the year, dogs are outside more and in contact with other dogs directly or indirectly. There are those owners that take their dogs to shows, parks, and beaches when their dogs are not in top-notch physical conditions. These dogs spread diseases and parasites — internal and external. To be on the safe side, make sure your dog is well protected with up-to-date shots and free of worms. Your dog will be safe and also not spread something to another dog.

Remember, your dog relies on you to keep him cool comfortable, and safe this summer.