If you're hot, they are too: How to keep your dog cool this summer

With much of Newfoundland and parts of Labrador under a heat warning, it's not only humans facing the hot temperatures — our furry friends are fighting it too.

The Kenmount Road Animal Hospital runs a doggy daycare program that serves over 30 dogs at a time. High temperatures coming earlier this year means keeping pups cool is paramount.

"If we're finding we're too warm, they are definitely finding it too hot," doggy daycare manager Danielle Peddigrew Walsh told CBC News.

"It's definitely warmer than expected. Normally we don't get the hot, concerning weather until August," said Peddigrew Walsh.

Peddigrew Walsh said the daycare uses a variety of methods to keep their dogs from getting too hot. With their AC system running non-stop, the dogs spend most of the day inside, making use of their indoor runs. Frozen "pup-sicles" are also a hit. 

"It's an ice box in there constantly," said Peddigrew Walsh. 

When the dogs are outside, the daycare uses pools and ice games to keep the animals stimulated while battling the heat. 

They have to make sure their staff stay safe too.

"We want to just make sure everybody's staying nice and cool," said Peddigrew Walsh.

Hot dog? Here are the signs

Peddigrew Walsh warned that flat-faced dogs — like bulldogs, French bulldogs and shih tzus — are at a higher risk of overheating in the summer time.

She also listed off the signs to look out for dogs that are too hot. 

"The big one you're going to notice is when they're panting, their panting will change," said Peddigrew Walsh. "The shape of their tongue will be kind of exaggerated. They won't be able to keep their tongue back in their mouth."

You can also figure out how hot your dog is by feeling them.

"You'll notice especially with the darker dogs, they'll get really hot to the touch really fast," she added. 

No AC, no problem

While the doggy daycare has air conditioning, this isn't the case for many homes.

However, there are plenty of ways to keep your pooch cool, and entertained, without it. 

"I'm a big fan of filling up, like, a doggy baby pool type thing, putting treats in it. Ice cubes is another fun one. You can freeze all sorts of things," said Peddigrew Walsh.

As for walks, she said to avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day, in the late afternoon.

"Don't walk your dogs in the middle of the day during the hottest hours if you're really wanting to get your dog out for some exercise. Really early morning or late in the evening is your best bet right now."

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