Care In Extreme Weather

From its snowfields to its deserts, Australia is a land of temperature extremes, so it pays to know how your dog can deal with that.

Dogs for all seasons

Just as we care for ourselves differently at differrent times of the year, we should also be sensitive to our dog's needs during colder and warmer weather conditions, or at particular times like festivals and celebrations.

Cold-weather care

• Well-nourished dogs are better prepared to withstand the rigours of winter, particularly if they are kept outdoors. Outdoor dogs normally need more food to generate enough energy to cope with the cold. Provide your pet with fresh water several times during the day. Electrically heated water bowls are available, but should still be monitored regularly.
   
• An outdoor dog's shelter should be insulated, elevated, protected from prevailing winds and watertight. The shelter should be small enough to preserve the dog's body heat.
   
• Dogs living primarily indoors may require less food to maintain a good body condition than dogs that spend a lot of time outside. Short-haired dogs, senior dogs and dogs with health problems may need the protective warmth of a dog jacket when they go outside.
   
• Once you’ve been out in the cold with your dog, take care to remove any packed snow or ice from between the toes of the paw pads and wipe the paws thoroughly, otherwise moisture can be trapped and cause sores.
   
• Because of its sweet taste, dogs are attracted to antifreeze and lap it up when it’s not properly disposed of. Antifreeze is highly toxic, so store it out of reach. If by any chance your pet does come into contact with the liquid, go straight to your vet.
   
• If you suspect that your dog has frostbite, do not rub any frozen tissue as that will cause additional tissue damage. Again, just go straight to your vet.

Warm-weather care

• As temperatures soar, dogs become more vulnerable to heat stress. Maintaining a comfortable environment for your dog is important, so provide plenty of cool, fresh water to help keep your dog cool throughout the summer.
   
• If you go on a journey, remember to take water along and also a towel. A wet towel is an effective way of cooling down your dog.
   
• Never leave your dog in the car. Confinement in a car or any other poorly ventilated enclosure can be fatal. One study reports that when the outside temperature is 26ºC, the inside of a car will reach 32ºC in five minutes and 43ºC in 25 minutes!
   
• Avoid exercising your dog too much during hot days or warm, humid nights. The best time to exercise is either early in the morning before sunrise, or late in the evening after the sun goes down.
   
• Exposed areas, such as the nose and ears, can be susceptible to sunburn, and dogs that have recently had their coats trimmed short are particularly vulnerable to burning as well as heat stress.
   
• Heatstroke can develop rapidly with exposure to high temperatures, humidity and poor ventilation. Symptoms include panting, a staring or anxious expression, failure to respond to commands, warm, dry skin, extremely high temperature, dehydration, rapid heartbeat and collapse. Puppies and geriatric dogs tend to be more susceptible to the condition, as do adult dogs that have recently moved from a cooler climate or that have an existing cardiovascular or respiratory condition. With any form of heat stress, prompt veterinary attention is important to deal with potential complications.

Festivals

Outdoor events and festivals can be a lot of fun for you and your dog, and many fairs and shows provide good facilities for dog owners. But do remember that busy, noisy events can also be unsettling for a dog, with so many colours, sights, sounds and other dogs competing for attention. So consider carefully if this is the right sort of environment for your dog.