Labrador retrievers love to spend a lot of time outside, even when the heat starts to rise. As the temperature goes up in the summer months, it is critical for dog owners to know how to prevent heat stroke for the sake of their Labrador retriever health. Your dog isn’t going to be able to tell you when he isn’t feeling well. As his owner, you need to make sure you know how to protect him and determine when he is having problems.
Limit Outside Time
Even if your Labrador retriever wants to run and play outside, it is important to limit the amount of time he spends outside when the temperatures are high. The higher the temperatures are outside, the less time he should spend there. Make sure you bring him in periodically to allow him to rest in the coolness of your home. Spending time in the shade or inside a structure that doesn’t have air conditioning, such as a dog house, isn’t enough to battle the heat during the middle of the summer.
Provide Plenty of Water
Whether your dog is outside or inside, it is critical to his Labrador retriever health to have access to plenty of cool, fresh water. If your dog is outside, make sure you keep a bowl of cool water in a shady spot where he can take a drink whenever he needs one. When you bring him inside, give him a bowl of cool water fresh out of the tap as soon as he gets inside.
Watch His Behavior
Watching your Labrador retriever for signs of heat stroke is essential to make sure you keep your Labrador retriever health in tip-top shape. Some of the common signs of heat stroke in your Labrador include weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and difficulty breathing. If your dog exhibits any of these signs, it is important to get him to the vet as soon as possible. At this point, he may need medical assistance you can’t offer.
Summers can get quite hot. When you think about the coat a Labrador wears throughout the year, you will see he is susceptible to heat stroke. Learning how to prevent the development of heat stroke in your Labrador, as well as what to look for, will allow you to protect his Labrador retriever health. Your dog can’t speak for himself when he is uncomfortable or feeling well so it is up to you to figure it out.
