Dogs don’t use their skin to perspire, like humans, because of their insulating coat. Their coat keeps them both cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather. Dogs do have sweat glands, located in the pads of their feet and in their ear canals, but sweating plays a minor role in regulating body temperature. When the temperature is very hot and especially when it is humid, everything heats up…including a dog’s body. His body responds by trying to cool off and it basically attempts to use conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. He will seek a cool place in the shade to lie down to absorb the coolness (conduction). His […]

Every pet parent loves to see their dog run in grass. However, there are some wild grasses with seed awns that are extremely dangerous to dogs. Now is the time of year to be vigilant – your dog’s life may depend on it. Please check your pups carefully after every romp in the field. The following article, Foxtail Grass Can Kill Your Dogs, provides helpful tips and signs to watch for: [excerpt] The awns on foxtails are barbed, razor-sharp needles, designed to burrow into the ground with the seed. However, they can also burrow through a dog’s skin and enter soft tissue where they can cause serious injury, infection and even death. […]