Keep Your Dog Hydrated While Having Fun

You can tell when your exercise or fun activity is getting to be too much for you: you sweat. Some of us sweat quite a bit while others not too much. We all know ways to cool ourselves off.

Do you know how to keep your dog cool? Can you tell when exhaustion is setting in?

Your dog does not have sweat glands like we do. He does have some in the pads of his feet but they aren't as efficient as our own system. Your dog pants when he's hot; not because he sweats through his tongue but he doesn't have sweat glands there. He pants to get air to his lungs which serve to cool him off, much the way our skin's sweating works.

Be sure that wherever you go with your dog that you have plenty of cold water and a container for him to drink from. There are numerous commercial ones on the market but it's easy to pack a foldable bowl (available at most pet stores) and a container of water.

Try to ensure that your excursion includes shady areas where your dog can catch his breath.

However, should your dog become lethargic during his exercise time with you, vomits, collapses, or his tongue becomes very red, your dog is in distress. Time to stop everything and get your dog to a vet. It is possible for your dog to have seizures or even go into a coma.

Watch for warning signs, plan your activity with your dog in mind, and enjoy!