Summer is a triple threat for greyhounds. They spend more time out of the safety of the house, the summer heat breeds more doggie dangers, and their relaxing owners become less vigilant.
Excessive panting is most commonly caused by exposure to high temperatures. Do not overlook the secondary causes, though: humidity, inadequate air circulation, and emotional stress from fireworks, thunderstorms, or separation anxiety. Internal illness from parasites is also more likely in the summer.
It’s natural for your dog to pant more in the warmer weather – That’s how he cools his body, so you don’t want him to stop, nor should you worry. Let’s take a look at when panting is a problem, along with other summer dangers you must prepare for, in order to keep your pet safe and happy.
In a hurry? Scroll to the bottom of the article, under Resources, and enjoy the companion video for this article, full of greyhound sweeties, all dressed up for America’s Birthday!
Is my Greyhound Dehydrated? How to Tell
The danger with excessive panting is that the dog is expelling a lot of moisture from his body with every breath, like the haze you see when you breathe on a mirror. That can add up quickly; and the next thing you know, the dog is dehydrated. This, in turn, creates stress on every organ of your pup’s body. In a true vicious circle, the stress on his organs makes him feel emotionally stressed, as well; which makes him pant even more.
For my full article on panting, click here.
I give more in-depth information about keeping your best buddy hydrated in this article.
Is my Greyhound Sunburned? How to Prevent
Greyhounds can get sunburned, especially the light-colored pups and those who have very thin coats. Bald thighs and bellies can also be susceptible to over-exposure. My Lily is a very enthusiastic sun-worshipper. She loves to lay out on our deck on sunny days (notice I don’t say “hot, sunny day;” Lily wants to be out there any time it’s not freezing). For full information on sun safety, read this article.
My Greyhound Swims – Is he Safe at the Pool?
When you have an in-ground pool and greyhounds, you must always be vigilant. Just like with children, always know where your greyhound is, every minute, for as long as your pool is open.
Your hound may be a good swimmer; but animals and people tend to be stunned when they fall in. That sets them up for drowning, which can easily occur before they can regain their senses.
When a creature falls into the pool, whether it’s a child or an animal, it has three things in common: it’s sudden, silent, and there’s a good chance that it may not resurface alive, if you don’t intervene- Fast. I’ve pulled enough critters and kids out of my pool to know.
Even though I recommend products and have affiliate links, I will not recommend to you any pool alarms, fences, or anything else to “help” keep your pet safe. Products like those create more risk, by lulling one into a false sense of security. I have tried them all, and seen them all fail.
When your pool is closed for the season, keeping a high-quality locking cover on it will give you some relief from the vigil. This is where I do have a product I can heartily recommend (and I am not an affiliate of this company – They’ve already given me enough, by saving multiple dogs and kids).
When we bought a home with a pool, the first thing we did was replace the flimsy cover with a Loop-Loc cover (linked below). Every dog and kid I ever had ran over this cover – We had some wet shoes and paws, but no one ever got hurt. Many dogs have been tragically lost, when they slipped under the pool cover. It happens silently, and more easily than you’d think. The owner figures the dog ran away, until summer comes and they open the pool. No dog deserves to die that way, and no family should ever need to make such a horrible find.
My Greyhound is Afraid of Fireworks and Thunderstorms
I group these two hazards together, because they both create the same problem – Greyhounds, and many dogs, tend to hate them. How much they hate them varies from one dog to another. My other greyhounds had no problem with the booming sounds, until they became elderly. Lily, on the other hand, has always hated them. She is so sensitive to these sounds, that she gets upset, even when the noise is far in the distance.
We’ve been very successful in using a pheromone spray to calm her down when a storm is due. If you’re away from home a lot, you may prefer the diffuser, as it just plugs into the wall and dispenses itself.
After you click the link, there should also be a link for the Adaptil Collar, a third option. The collar is good to have if fear makes your dog restless and hard to keep in one place long enough for the pheromones to work their magic.
Are Pesticides Hazardous for Dogs?
The great concern involving pesticide exposure is cancer. It is not uncommon for some breeds to be more susceptible to cancer than others. The type most common to greyhounds is bone cancer.
The AKC has reported, by the way, that terriers are especially affected by bladder cancer; dominating the list, with half of the most at-risk breeds and 38% of those potentially at-risk.
Cleaning off your pup’s paws after being outside can reduce this risk. I like the Paw Plunger for doing this. It’s faster and a lot less messy than trying to use an old container.
Is Standing Water Safe for Dogs to Drink?
As cute as it can look to see a happy-go-lucky dog slurping out of a puddle or pond on a hot day, please work hard to discourage this dangerous behavior. Standing water is a breeder of diseases that can be harmful, or even immediately fatal, to your dog. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Blue-Green Algae
Never allow your dog near any water that has residue floating on the surface. Algae crops up the fastest in hot weather; which is exactly when your dog is the most eager to slurp up water from a pond where he is swimming. Even when leashed, your dog can be quick to snatch a drink from the edge, which is exactly where the algae concentrates the most.
Lepto
According to Drs. Michelle Evason and Jason Stull,
“Leptospira can survive in the environment for many months. The bacteria are frequently found in wet environments and stagnant water sources (e.g. lakes, ponds, rivers and puddles). Outbreaks and increased risk of disease can occur after heavy rains or flooding.”
VCA Hospitals
They go on to say that Lepto is highly contagious; so if your dog contracts this disease, which can be fatal, your other pets can be in jeopardy, as well. People can contract it, too.
Giardia
This is another disease that can be transmitted from your dog to you. It is extra dangerous in the summer, because it breeds best in humid conditions.
This is merely a small sample of the danger that lurks in standing water. When we hear the phrase “standing water,” we automatically think of the outdoors; but similar troubles can lurk indoors, too. Read on!
How to Keep your Dog’s Drinking Water Safe
I used to get a really nasty bellyache once in a while. I thought it was a virus, or maybe something wrong with me that would flare up.
The simple cure? I stopped drinking out of any cup that has been sitting, unrefrigerated. I got rid of the water cup on my nightstand, the cup by the sink that I kept drinking out of (ironically, to stay hydrated), the water bottle in my car, etc..
My point is that the same bacteria that gives me a bellyache is no better for our dogs. If your pup seems to have more diarrhea in the summer, the solution could be as close as his waterbowl. Funny, it looks clean…
During the warm weather, exchange your dog’s water bowl for a fresh one, filled with cold, fresh water, every 2-3 hours. For extra safety, add some ice – Bacteria breeds more easily in warmer water.
On the go, forget those plastic bottles of water from the store, or giving your dog a drink from your cup. Your safest choice is a good vaccuum bottle. I like the S’well water bottle, because it comes in a cute 9 oz. size, just right for your dog; or you can get it in a larger size. I bring a plastic container (and a spare) to pour it into for easy doggie drinking, and put them in the dishwasher when I get home.
How to Keep your Dog Safe from Insect Bites
Keep up with your greyhound’s regular parasite meds in the summer. Personally, I tend to skip the coldest months; but many people go all twelve months on heartworm and flea/tick prevention.
Even when your pets are on regular parasite prevention, give them a quick tick-check whenever they come back into the house. A good flashlight makes the job go quickly. Don’t forget all paws and ears. I was suprised by a very sneaky tick on Lily, just the other day. She spied a bunny in the yard, and when her ears perked up, there was the tick, lurking in the fold of her ear!
The below graph shows you the ten worst states for ticks, by cases of (human) Lyme disease. Don’t be complacent, though, if your state is not listed here – Ticks live in all fifty states, and carry many diseases.
Resources for Further Exploration
Enjoy the companion video I created to go with this article, starring a gallery of patriotic greyhound cuties!
The American Kennel Club, on which breeds have the worst genes for bladder cancer? Find out here.
Read the full warning about blue-green algae.
Being informed about Lepto is the best way to avoid it.
