Summer Cavapoo Care – Tips To Keeping Cool
I love summer.
Nothing beats basking in the sun and soaking in the warmth until you feel the heat going right down to your bones.
I also love to spend time outside with my dogs so for me summer is the best season of the year.
The thing is though, our Cavapoos may not share the same feelings when it comes to the summer heat.
It can be tough to see your pet suffering in the heat and panting excessively. So, when summer hits, don’t forget to offer them ways to cope with the heat and make sure you know all about summer Cavapoo care.
How Dogs Naturally Cool Down When They Get Hot
Let’s start with some general information.
They have to control their body temperature by panting and releasing heat from the pads of their paws and their noses.
Cavapoos, with their long hair and curly coats, are even more prone to feeling the heat.
So, they need to rely on other sources of cooling to stay comfortable when it’s hot outside.
Let’s have a look at some options that you can consider for summer Cavapoo care.
How to Keep Your Cavapoo Cool
Stay Inside
I recommend that you and your dog stay inside with the air conditioning on during the hottest times of the day.
This will help protect both of you from extreme heat exposure.
If you do not have air conditioners then open all the windows and have some fans running.
Make sure one of the fans is pointed towards where your Cavapoo is lying.
If you want to go for a walk, go out early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler and take some water with you.
Be careful about walking on asphalt. Test how hot it is by putting your hand flat on the surface. If it is too hot for your hand then it is too hot for your dog to walk on.
Rather stick to walking on grass so as not to burn your dog’s paws.
Use Outside Shade
If you or your dog is feeling like you need fresh air then find some shade or make shade outside.
Do not allow your Cavapoo to lie in direct sun.
A large shady tree will do the trick.
If your garden does not have any trees then a patio umbrella or portable sunshade will do.
Be careful with doghouses.
They do provide shelter but they do not have a lot of air flowing through them so they tend to retain heat.
Don’t leave your Cavapoo outside for too long and make sure that there is always fresh water available.
Paddling Pool
Most dogs love to swim and Cavapoos are no exception.
Place a paddling pool in the shade and fill it to the stomach level of your dog.
Encourage them to splash around by throwing plastic toys into the water.
Always supervise your dog during this activity to make sure they stay safe.
Wet Towels
Soak a few towels in cool water (not cold), wring out some of the water, and let your dog lie on one or two.
Take another wet towel and drape it over their body.
Cooling mat or bed
A cooling bed with water or gel can help your dog stay cool which will provide some additional relief.
The gel cooling mat, as the name indicates, has a gel inside it that keeps your dog cool and is activated by pressure when your dog sits on the mat.
When your dog starts moving, the gel recharges and cools down again.
The other type of mat is a cold water pad.
Cool water absorbs the heat from your dog’s body.
Some dogs take a while to get used to using it so don’t worry if they seem to ignore it.
They will soon learn to love it.
Position the mat or bed in a cool area and away from direct sunlight.
Garden Sprinkler
I remember as a child, my Dad put the garden sprinkler on for us to play in when it was very hot.
You can do the same for your Cavapoo.
Just try and make sure you set it up in a shaded area to avoid them exerting themselves in the heat.
If you have children, let them play in the sprinkler with your Cavapoo so everyone can join in the fun.
Cool treats
A fun solution to help your pup chill from the inside is to make some popsicles that have yummy treats in them or fill a chew toy with water and freeze it.
Take a normal ice cube tray.
Place a few treats like cubed carrots, bananas, or blueberries in the containers and fill them with some bone broth, yogurt, or water.
Freeze and serve when needed.
Short summer haircut
I do give my dogs a summer cut and I do believe that this helps them greatly.
A lot of people are against cutting their dogs’ hair so short but I have seen the difference before they are cut and after.
Before the cut, they are panting all the time.
After the cut, they stop panting but it is a personal choice whether to do it or not.
Veterinarian visit
With your dog spending more time outside because of the heat, there is more chance of them coming into contact with an animal that has rabies so your dog needs to be up to date on their vaccinations.
Fleas are also a problem in summer as well as mosquitoes that carry heartworm.
Your Cavapoo should be on regular heartworm treatment and have meds available to deal with fleas and ticks.
Never Ever Leave Your Dog In The Car
On a mild day with a temperature of around 70 °F, the inside of your car can reach 113 °F in just 30 minutes.
Dogs can get heat exhaustion when their body temperature reaches 103 degrees.
Opening a window slightly and leaving your car in a shady area is not going to be good enough.
The fact is that cars conduct and attract heat so even in a shady area, the temperature in your car will soar.
Even if you are going to be quick, you might be unexpectedly delayed with disastrous results.
Heatstroke kills and is just not worth the risk.
It is illegal in some States to leave a dog alone in a car under certain circumstances.
If you need to go shopping rather leave your dog at home where they will be cool and be safe.
Keep An Eye Out For Overheating
If your Cavapoo exhibits any of the following symptoms then they could be showing signs of heatstroke.
Wrap your dog in a wet towel and immediately rush them to the Vet.
- High temperature (101.5° is normal)
- Heavy panting and rapid breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Extreme weakness
- Trembling
- Staggering
Final Thoughts
There are numerous ways to make sure your dog stays cool during the hot season.
Preparation is key as well as keeping a close eye on your Cavapoo to make sure they do not overheat.
Enjoy your summer!
