When someone mentions the “dog days of summer,” they’re talking about the sweltering, sticky days that make you want to become one with your air conditioner. This sweaty saga typically unfolds in July and August in the Northern Hemisphere and it’s hard to escape for these two warmer months of the year.
It’s a time when our dogs are happiest wading in cool water, hanging out in the A/C or plopped down in front of a fan. You might wonder why these days are named after the creatures they seem to make the most uncomfortable.
Our Greek and Roman ancestors noticed these scorchers popped up when Sirius, the “Dog Star” in the constellation Canis Major, rose up high in the sky just before dawn. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, is associated with heat, drought, thunderstorms, lethargy, and yes, even bad luck! The Romans believed seeing this brilliant star rising so near the sun intensified summer heat.
Based on ancient calendars, the Dog Days are July 3 to August 11. But today, “dog days” have become an amusing way of saying “it’s so hot and humid, I might melt,” no matter when they strike in midsummer! It’s a time when dogs (and people!) just want to lie in the shade and take it easy. It’s also a time when the phrase “hot dogs” takes on new meaning. Pets, just like humans, are susceptible to heat illness—make sure to keep your animals hydrated!
Advice from the National Weather Service Animal Response team suggests:
- A healthy dog should drink between ½ and 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day under normal conditions. Pets need more water on hot and humid days and your pet’s age, hair type, level of activity, medical history and any prior history of a prior heat related illness may dictate that your pet needs more water than the average dog.
- When it comes to diet, reducing a pet’s food intake on warmer days can help the pet cope with the heat, especially reducing the intake of grain based foods that can cause a metabolic spike in body temperature.
- Don’t fall for the common misconception that giving your pet a buzz cut in the summer is a good idea. That may not be best for your pet. A dog’s coat acts as insulation, keeping the dog warm in the winter and cool in the summer by blocking the heat of the sun from reaching the skin. The several layers of the dog’s coat keep the heat out and air circulating. If you remove the natural cooling process the dog will have a harder time coping with the heat.
- And of course, check with a veterinarian or professional groomer to find out what’s best for your pet.
For more information on how Pyrs can cope with the heat visit https://nationalpyr.org/coping-with-climate-change. If your dog is afraid of thunder storms, this article https://nationalpyr.org/thunderstruck may be helpful.
