Greyhounds in Summer
⚠️ Please keep in mind hot temperatures can be a DANGER to your greyt friend. Greyhounds are extremely susceptible to heat stress and heat stroke. They do not have a lot of body fat and just one thin layer of fur so they lack the insulation to heat that other breeds have 👀.
🚨 PREVENTION IS THE BEST TREATMENT!🚨
Below are some tips to help beat the heat and keep your grey safe, happy and healthy!
😎 Avoid taking your grey out in the midday sun. Early morning and late evening walks will be cooler and more enjoyable for your furry friend. If you can't get out when it's cooler then SKIP the walk!
No dog has ever died from missing a walk but dogs have died from a walk in the heat.
Be wary of your greyhound when the weather is very hot!
😎 Hot surfaces like sand and tarmac can hurt your doggos paw pads. If these surfaces are hot to the touch they are too hot for your pupsters paws.
😎 If you have a busy doggo you can hide treats in shaded areas. It will keep this busy and encourage them into the shade.
😎 Ensure your pal has access to fresh cool drinking water 💧.
😎 Frozen treats! YUM! Frozen Likki mats, Kongs or assorted treats made in ice cube trays and pupsicles will keep your pooch lovely and cool 🧊.
😎 Encourage your grey to stay in shaded areas and away from direct sunlight 🏖.
😎 If you have a stubborn sun worshipper that insists on being in the sun provide a damp towel for them to lie on or fill a hot water bottle with cold water. Remember these items will heat up in the sun so will have to be monitored and refreshed every so often 👍.
😎 If you have a paddling pool fill that baby up! You can put some treats in the pool that will encourage your grey to get wet 🏊♂️.
😎 Just like you, your best friend can get a sun burn if not protected. Especially those bald thighs and tummies. Make sure you are using a dog friendly sun cream.
⚠️ Be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stroke:
Heavy panting, glazed eyes, excessive salivation, vomiting or diarrhoea, a rapid pulse, lack of coordination, loss of consciousness. If you think your dog has heat stroke you must act fast! Remove them from the hot area to somewhere cooler. Do not place them directly into cold water or give them too much to drink as they can go into shock. Instead apply towels soaked in cool water to their head, neck and chest and groin. Keep in mind towels will warm up quickly ( in 2 to 3 minutes) in the heat so they must be removed, soaked in cool water again and reapplied. Try and get them to drink small amount of cool (not cold) water. If you have a fan turn it on at a low temperature to keep the towels cool. Contact your vet immediately for advice.
😎 Stay safe and have fun! If you have any tips to keep your grey cool we would love to hear them 😊.
