But what you might not know is, you can prevent your dog from overheating by using a groundbreaking new method of cooling them down all the way to 9°F below ambient temperature — even in the harshest conditions. Discover a simple little trick that could change the dog heat safety game!
Dive into the Head Dunk
The hot summer temperatures have everyone searching for ways to stay cool–including pet owners who want to ensure the heat does not harm their pets.
However, a recent study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) may have found an answer- voluntary head dunking.
The quickest way to cool dogs down after exercise meanwhile is by training the animals to voluntarily dunk their heads in water, a study has revealed. The U.S. researchers at Allegheny Health Network’s Cool Pet Program found they were able establish better control over canine body temperature via the regular prompting of dogs to plunge their muzzles under water prior to being exposed to hot weather.
In addition to being more effective at cooling dogs, this new strategy prevents the post exercise temperature spikes after physical exertion that can result in heat stroke.
“Prior to this data, we did not have an appreciation of how cooling happens in the dog,” said Dr. Cynthia M. Otto, who is vet at the University Of Penn and who runs their working dog center as its director. In heat stress, blood flow to the head ends at nose, tongue and ears is more. The tissues of the head are cooled; this serves to cool the whole body rapidly with minimal water.
The trick to head-bobbing is positive-reinforcement training — training dogs by giving them a reward for dipping their heads in the water while retrieving a toy or some food, he said. Gently introduce the dog to this and as he becomes okay with it, gradually increase the water level until his head is completely underwater.
Pet owners can teach their dogs to use dog presses which helps it to cool, as well as clear debris from noses and eyes, so this is useful for a variety of first-aid needs.
Science of The Solution- Fitbark gade Helping Dogs to keep them Cool!!!
Between the methods tested, they determined that voluntary head-dunking was both more efficient and faster.
The results show this approach can be especially useful when access to large water volumes is limited, as head-dunk cooling requires only a small amount of water for fast and effective cooling.
”In addition, training the dog to be part of the cooling process may not only improve safety but also can enhance the human animal bond,” Dr. Otto added
Overheating is a dangerous problem for dogs and pet owners alike, particularly during the summer when we all want to bring our dogs along on outdoor adventures. Research highlights ‘Cool first, transport second’ advice for dogs with heat strokeOwners should start the cooling process themselves prior to veterinary treatment A recently published research article shows that owners should initiate cooling of their dog at home before any contact with a vet is made if they believe there may be a risk of heat stroke.
According to the tests, only a voluntary head dunk method was able to arrest life-threatening post-exercise temperature surges and it cooled dogs faster than all the other methods. This makes it the ultimate game-changer for dog owners and handlers who wish to provide protection for their pets.
Owners should note that if it’s hot for a person out, it’s likely even worse for their lucky dogs. The danger zone for most pets begins around 85 degrees, but it can vary depending on a variety of factors such as a pet’s size, age, weight or pre-existing medical conditions and activity level.
Pet owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms seen with heat stress or even heat stroke – excessive panting, drooling, lethargy and even vomiting or diarrhea. It is very important for the owner to respond to these symptoms with cooling and treatments from a veterinarian.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study found that the voluntary head dunk dogs demonstrated during the girl scout day camp water break offers a low cost, simple and highly pragmatic solution to addressing an alarmingly rising risk for heat related illnesses among our dogs. Through equipping pet guardians with this versatile first-aid tool, we can better ensure that our furry companions have a way to enjoy the outdoors even in some of the hottest of conditions. This research, published in BJS, comes as a vital resource demonstrating that the dog owners of Britain can maintain cooler heads during rising temperatures as we journey on into the remainder of Summer.
