Everyday Wellness in Brecksville: The Dog Days of Summer Aren't a Dog's Favorite

These are the dog days of summer, which might sound like a time of celebration for our canine friends, but what a cruel misnomer! My dog is miserable. His lovely, head-to-toe fur coat, which serves him well for what seems like nine months of winter each year, must be sweltering right about now. He’s not enjoying this weather one bit.

I recently spoke with Cliffette Thacker, the animal warden for the . She emphatically said that her number one concern for dogs in the summer is to make sure they’re not left inside parked cars. She also said that I'd be surprised by how often she sees it.

According to the National Weather Service, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can very quickly become dangerous for both humans and pets, and that leaving the windows cracked open does not help significantly. 

According to a press release from The Humane Society, pets can suffer irreversible organ damage or die in a hot car. The release says that on an 85 degree day, the temperature inside a car with slightly opened windows can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes and, after 30 minutes, it can reach a whopping 120 degrees. 

The release also has plenty of information and tips for how to keep your pets cool during the heat of summer, including:

• Don't leave pets in parked cars. 
• Shade and water must be provided.
• Limit exercise and walk your dog in the early morning or evening hours.
• Be aware that asphalt can burn pets' paws, so walk on grass if possible.

The release also says that your dog can get heatstroke if exposed to extreme temperatures. Some symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, lethargy and lack of coordination. If your pet has symptoms of heatstroke, gradually lower their body temperature and contact your veterinarian.

So maybe instead of dragging my dog out for his walk today, I’ll take him out to celebrate the dog days by driving through the park with the windows down. We'll let our tongues hang out in the breeze. Then we'll come home and drink lots of water in the shade.