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Could dogs live outside in all seasons?
The dog in the backyard soon became a thing of the past. A few decades ago, it was common for dogs to live outside the suburbs and urban courtyards. But as we continue to develop knowledge about canines, we have learned that 24 hours of sleep is not harmful to the health of dogs.
The list of potential hazards is long and varied: toxic plants, toxic antifreeze puddles, sharp gardening tools, deadly pesticides, cruel teenagers and vengeful neighbors. Even if the dog is kept in a fenced yard, it is not safe, because other wild animals are still easy to enter. Think of yellow jackets, vipers and hungry coyotes.
But the most dangerous thing is the weather. Dean Wexman, a veterinarian at the Evans Eastern Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado, says dogs can freeze or suffer from high temperatures like people.
Any dog that suffers from staying outside at very low temperatures will suffer, but short-haired dogs like Labrador Retriever, Weimaraner, Hound and Greyhound, as well as young, old or sick dogs are the most vulnerable. The effect of low temperature, this is a potentially fatal disease with body temperature below normal. Symptoms include tremors, lethargy, and lack of coordination. As the disease progresses, the dog may stun and die.
The warm climate poses other challenges for canines, especially short-nosed (short-headed) dogs such as Shiga, bulldogs, boxers and pugs. Like other short-headed animals, they are more prone to heat stroke because they can't effectively eliminate excess heat from the body. Older pets are also prone to overheating. Symptoms of heat stroke include excessive asthma, drooling, and redness of the gums. If left untreated, overheated pets may die.
In general, most experts agree that it is best to leave the dog indoors for a number of reasons – and it is best not to leave the dog outdoors for long periods of time. But when the temperature reaches high and low, it is especially important to keep the dog inside. Waxman recommends bringing puppies, kittens and short-haired dogs indoors when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius). Larger, more furry varieties adapt to outdoor life in cold conditions, can cope with cold temperatures better than short-haired varieties, but when thermostats reach minus Fahrenheit (minus 17.7 degrees Celsius) or lower, they should still not Stay outdoors.
Waxman told the Animal Planet reporter that most healthy dogs can tolerate high temperatures as long as they have shade. But the humanitarian community in Santiago pointed out that long-haired varieties like huskies and chowder are more sensitive to heat. Moreover, anyone living in the damp southeastern part of the United States and the western sands can confirm that the summer is extremely hot, and people without air conditioning and pets will die. In addition, there are individual sensitivities, so some dogs, regardless of their ancestry, are more susceptible to hot and cold than other dogs.
If you have to keep your dog out for a long time, take extra steps to protect his or her health.
In warm or tropical climates, the dog needs a place to stay cool throughout the day, even if the sun moves in the sky, while still providing fresh drinking water. To prevent the lightweight bowl from falling, dig a hole in the ground and place a bucket inside. Then add the same amount of ice and water to the bucket. When the ice melts, it provides cool drinking water throughout the day. A high outdoor bed is also a must to prevent dogs from smoldering surfaces such as concrete and landscape rocks, and safe from the ground where insects breed.
Protect your pet from the wind or the snow during the winter months – both of which absorb heat from your body. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine recommends that an insulated kennel with a waterproof roof and weatherproof door leaf provide the shelter needed to withstand the harsh external environment. Consider buying a kennel heater (some models are cool in the summer) or put a heated bed or mat inside to make it more comfortable.
"In addition, we must remember that the bigger is not always the better," Waxman said. A house that is just enough to raise a dog can warm it faster than a too big house to better retain heat. “The structure should be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around comfortably. For a multi-dog family, each pet needs his own house.
Finally, dogs also need access to drinking water in the winter. "I recommend hot water bowls," Vickers said. "And the owners often give them water."
The list of potential hazards is long and varied: toxic plants, toxic antifreeze puddles, sharp gardening tools, deadly pesticides, cruel teenagers and vengeful neighbors. Even if the dog is kept in a fenced yard, it is not safe, because other wild animals are still easy to enter. Think of yellow jackets, vipers and hungry coyotes.
But the most dangerous thing is the weather. Dean Wexman, a veterinarian at the Evans Eastern Animal Hospital in Denver, Colorado, says dogs can freeze or suffer from high temperatures like people.
Any dog that suffers from staying outside at very low temperatures will suffer, but short-haired dogs like Labrador Retriever, Weimaraner, Hound and Greyhound, as well as young, old or sick dogs are the most vulnerable. The effect of low temperature, this is a potentially fatal disease with body temperature below normal. Symptoms include tremors, lethargy, and lack of coordination. As the disease progresses, the dog may stun and die.
The warm climate poses other challenges for canines, especially short-nosed (short-headed) dogs such as Shiga, bulldogs, boxers and pugs. Like other short-headed animals, they are more prone to heat stroke because they can't effectively eliminate excess heat from the body. Older pets are also prone to overheating. Symptoms of heat stroke include excessive asthma, drooling, and redness of the gums. If left untreated, overheated pets may die.
In general, most experts agree that it is best to leave the dog indoors for a number of reasons – and it is best not to leave the dog outdoors for long periods of time. But when the temperature reaches high and low, it is especially important to keep the dog inside. Waxman recommends bringing puppies, kittens and short-haired dogs indoors when the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius). Larger, more furry varieties adapt to outdoor life in cold conditions, can cope with cold temperatures better than short-haired varieties, but when thermostats reach minus Fahrenheit (minus 17.7 degrees Celsius) or lower, they should still not Stay outdoors.
Waxman told the Animal Planet reporter that most healthy dogs can tolerate high temperatures as long as they have shade. But the humanitarian community in Santiago pointed out that long-haired varieties like huskies and chowder are more sensitive to heat. Moreover, anyone living in the damp southeastern part of the United States and the western sands can confirm that the summer is extremely hot, and people without air conditioning and pets will die. In addition, there are individual sensitivities, so some dogs, regardless of their ancestry, are more susceptible to hot and cold than other dogs.
If you have to keep your dog out for a long time, take extra steps to protect his or her health.
In warm or tropical climates, the dog needs a place to stay cool throughout the day, even if the sun moves in the sky, while still providing fresh drinking water. To prevent the lightweight bowl from falling, dig a hole in the ground and place a bucket inside. Then add the same amount of ice and water to the bucket. When the ice melts, it provides cool drinking water throughout the day. A high outdoor bed is also a must to prevent dogs from smoldering surfaces such as concrete and landscape rocks, and safe from the ground where insects breed.
Protect your pet from the wind or the snow during the winter months – both of which absorb heat from your body. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine recommends that an insulated kennel with a waterproof roof and weatherproof door leaf provide the shelter needed to withstand the harsh external environment. Consider buying a kennel heater (some models are cool in the summer) or put a heated bed or mat inside to make it more comfortable.
"In addition, we must remember that the bigger is not always the better," Waxman said. A house that is just enough to raise a dog can warm it faster than a too big house to better retain heat. “The structure should be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around comfortably. For a multi-dog family, each pet needs his own house.
Finally, dogs also need access to drinking water in the winter. "I recommend hot water bowls," Vickers said. "And the owners often give them water."
