Whew! We are having a horrid heat wave in New England. Here are a few tips to keep your dogs cool. Remember.. we are wearing fur so it is way hotter for us than you!
Stay Cool!
Quan Yin

Seven Tips to Cool off a Hot Dog

1. PLEASE! Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car in the summer, even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. A car temperature can rise to 150F or more in just a few minutes. This is the number one cause of canine heat stroke.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water handy for your pets. Carry a bottle of water and a bowl for your dog when walking him or her on a hot day. Add SmartWater to your dog’s bowl which has electrolytes and can help prevent dehydration.

3. Be on the look-out for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include rapid breathing, a dazed look, very hot skin and twitching muscles. Wrap your pet in a cool, but NOT cold, wet towel. Get them to the vet as soon as possible as heatstroke can be fatal.

4. Be careful not to exercise dogs during the hottest part of the day. Also don’t worry if they are eating less on hot days as it is a normal canine reaction to heat.

5. Put a kiddie pool for dogs to cool off and play in on those hot summer days. They are inexpensive and can be found at most stores like Target.

6. Try to keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, in a room with air conditioning or circulating fans if possible.

7. Short haired dogs or those who have just been shaved are prone to sunburn just like us. Especially early in the summer, try to limit your dog’s exposure to the sun.

Another heat wave has graced us this week. Temps made it over 100 degrees and it is way too hot for all of us who wear fur coats full time… especially black fur!

After watching several other dogs playing this weekend, i discovered a most delightful way to cool down ….. I just go have a seat in the water over at Derby Wharf. At first i was scared of the waves, but after sitting in the cold water they no longer seemed spooky. I have not tried to swim yet. (Of course Beta-chic is terrified i may swim across the channel to Marblehead if she lets me off the leash. She also has an annoying habit of hosing me down when we come home while mumbling something about stinky water and salt.) Humans do make such a fuss over the funniest things sometimes. I hope that she lets me off the leash soon just so i can try to swim and make her scream “Quan Yin come back!”

News is that Hurricane Earl is heading up the coast soon. I can only hope he passes us by. I am terrified of flooding and fire trucks. Perhaps it has something to do with being abandoned in the floods this year. It will be 3 months this weekend that i was transported up from TN. I do hope that the pet humans throw a surprise party with plenty of organic chicken and apple sausage for me.

Stay cool. Until my next post .. happy tails,
Quan Yin

Happy first day of summer! My pet humans bought me a kiddie pool. I am not sure if i love it yet. I think they are more excited about it than i am… especially the woman. (She also bought a thing called a frisbee which confuses me.)

Today it is really hot out, so i may consider amusing them and just sit in the pool. Maybe it will feel good. …then again i am certian i heard the word B-a-t-h. I think those cats could use a bath. Now that would be fun to watch.

It is terribly hot so i may give in…and i just love when they say “Awwwwwwwwww..isn’t she so cute” Humans are so funny.

Here are some tips to keep your dog cool this summer.

1. PLEASE! Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car in the summer, even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. A car temperature can rise to 150F or more in just a few minutes. This is the number one cause of canine heat stroke.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water handy for your pets. Carry a bottle of water and a bowl for your dog when walking him or her on a hot day.

3. Be on the look-out for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include rapid breathing, a dazed look, very hot skin and twitching muscles. Wrap your pet in a cool, but NOT cold, wet towel. Get them to the vet as soon as possible as heatstroke can be fatal.

4. Be careful not to exercise dogs during the hottest part of the day. Also don’t worry if they are eating less on hot days as it is a normal canine reaction to heat.

5. Putting out a kiddie pool for dogs to cool off and play in on those hot summer days. They are inexpensive and can be found at places like Target, K-Mart, etc.

6. Try to keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, in a room with air conditioning or circulating fans if possible.

7. Short haired dogs or those who have just been shaved are prone to sunburn just like us. Especially early in the summer, try to limit your dog’s exposure to the sun.

Enjoy the summer
Quan Yin
PR Dog of Four Paws Acupuncture