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 Welcome to the very first issue of Mighty Mutts!

Today is all about keeping your dog hydrated and cool during hot weather. Our curated article from Chewy will help you spot signs of dehydration and stress (and what to do about it). Then, Pablo will introduce himself and talk about ways he loves to keep cool. He’s also got a fun fact to share!

Our ask the expert section talks about the do’s and don’ts about garden hoses.

Don’t hesitate to send questions, pics and provide feedback about what you’d like to see in future issues. Feel free to pass along this email If you know anyone who may be interested.

Enjoy!

 Keeping Your Dog Hydrated, Cool and Healthy this Summer

With the hot hazy days of summer in full swings, it's important to note that our furry friends need extra attention and hydration. Just as you wouldn't walk out the door without a water bottle in hand, far be it for Fido to have nothing to drink while on a walk or a car ride (if you even want to venture out that is!)

ALWAYS make sure your dog has water at the ready, whether inside or out. Going for a stroll downtown? Luckily, many businesses leave water dishes outside; but you shouldn't rely on those. Here are some ways to make sure your dog stays healthy and hydrated even on the hottest days:

·         The most obvious - make sure you have a water bowl filled so your dog has access to cold water at all times. Multi-level home? put a bowl on each floor. Also, make sure there is a water dish outside. (Pablo prefers rain barrel water to tap water, the fuss-pot). You can add ice cubes to the water dish so it's nice and cold and refreshing. Check the bowls frequently to make sure water is always fresh and cold

·         Make some hydrating treats: there are tons of recipes online, but it can be as easy as filling some water and fruit into ice cube trays. One to two treats a day are perfect.

·         Add water to dry pet food

·         Ice cream: Most dogs LOVE ice cream! A small cone or a scoop of vanilla on a paper plate will give your dog a refreshing treat.

·         Cooling vest: Available online and in pet stores, these are great for those really hot and humid days.

·         Avoid hot surfaces: Save the walks on pavement for either early morning or later in the evening

·         Turn on the a/c (or at least a fan) when you’re indoors.

·         Got a backyard? Let them landscape - roll around in the dirt, let them dig.. they may even find an old bone or better yet, an oil well!

Spotting Dehydration Signs

This article comes from our friends at Chewy.com – a great article on how to spot dehydration signs and what to do about them. To read the full article click here:

https://www.chewy.com/education/dog/health-and-wellness/dehydration-in-dogs

It’s generally easy for pet parents to know when we’re thirsty but recognizing that our dogs are feeling dehydrated requires paying a bit more attention to a dog’s body and behavior—and specifically looking for common signs of dehydration.

Here are some of the easier-to-spot symptoms of dehydration in dogs, according to Dr. Albert Ahn, DVM, a strategic advisor for MYOS, a senior pet healthcare company in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey:

·         Panting: Panting more than normal can be a sign of dehydration. Rapid breathing or excessive panting in dogs is a sign of possible heatstroke.

·         Lethargy: If you notice your dog is low on energy, next look at their eyes.

·         Sunken eyes: The presence of sunken eyes when your dog is also lethargic can be a warning sign they’re dehydrated.

·         Loss of appetite

·         Dry nose: Consider this in conjunction with excessive panting, especially if your dog isn’t engaging in strenuous physical exercise. A dry nose and excessive panting occurring together can point to dehydration.

·         Thick saliva: Normal saliva in dogs should be thin and watery.

·         Tacky gums: Your dog’s gums should be slippery and wet when they’re well-hydrated. The gums can become tacky when a dog is dehydrated.

·         GI upset, such as diarrhea, constipation or vomiting.

Pablo’s “Paw”nderings

Hello my furry friends!!! Summer is here and I've been loving sitting out on the patio with my hoomans, soaking up the sunshine and watching all the birds, squirrels, chipmunks and even the odd bunny.

Oh, I was so busy thinking about the lazy dog days of summer that I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Pablo and I am 5 years old. I'm a purebred Rottweiler, but mom calls me 120 pounds of 'doufas'. I don't really understand what she means, though.

When I'm outside, my hoomans make sure my water dish is always full. I LOVE the rain barrel water; sometimes I trick my hoomans by pretending I need to go outside to pee, but I actually just want a drink from my outside water dish, instead of drinking the tap water that's inside (don't tell them, I don't think they've caught on yet).

I guess that's it for now, stay cool and enjoy these sunshiny days!

Pablo’s Fun Fact

Everyone knows that us dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell! Scientists say that our sense of smell is 1000 times stronger than a hooman’s! But did you know that the slits on the side of our noses allow us to breathe in and out simultaneously? When we exhale those slits help us breathe in new air. This lets us breathe and smell at the same time.  That’s why we can smell bacon cooking from a mile away!

Ask the Expert

A: Well.. Yes.. and No. A hose that’s been lying in the sun all day can heat the water inside and burn your dog’s skin. So run the hose for a few minutes to make sure the water is cool. If it’s really hot and sunny outside, your dog will still overheat, and a hose may not be the best option. A quick hose down, or run through the sprinkler will be fine, but watch for signs of heat exhaustion (excessive panting, vomiting, lethargy) and use your best judgement.