It's getting hot here in Vegas...

I notice Smokey especially sit in the hottest part of the yard for long spells of time. When they've had enough of the sun/heat they come to drink some water.

I've never really heard of a dog getting heat stroke when doing nothing; is it possible? And i don't mean when a dog is left in an enclosed area like a car? Will a dog know when he is over heating simply lounging in the sun? Or should I move them into the shade myself and wet them down?

I'm not really asking for the signs of heatstroke...but are there preheatstroke signs like panting, hot to the touch fur (Smokey feels smoldering when he lounges in the sun) etc...

How can I get my dogs to drink more water? Is there something i can add to water that'll make it more appealing to drink? Or do dogs know when they're getting dehydrated? Heatstroke is associated with dehydration right? Not necessarily with too much sun/heat? Or is this wrong?

Not sure about the pre-signs, but make sure they have plenty of water at their disposal. Kiddie pools are great for this - when it gets really hot, make sure that the tub is filled with cool water (since it can get hot due to the temps). It doesn't really get too hot over here, so that's good enough for Stark. I know there are also things you can buy that you soak in water overnight and tie around their neck. There are beads that retain the moisture and stay cool for about 24 hours after - it works, I've tried it on me before.

I really am not sure about heatstroke.. MY husky lays in the sun during the heat of the day for about 15-20 minutes., If he is getting hot he will move to the shade. You need to keep cool water outside for them. and check on then often. Now my female husky she will sunbathe also but not near as long as the male she had fluffier and more fur than he does. In the real hot part of the summer I will add ice to the water and add ice to the kiddie pool I know it doesn't last long but it give them some relieve.

Other suggestions I have hear if you freeze their food add a small amount of water to it they enjoy the cool food.

I'm not sure about the pre-signs either. Though I know my dogs love to bask in the sun and often know when it's 'enough', when they need water, or to seek shade. When we lived in Phoenix, Dakota LOVED the mister system we had on the back porch. He'd lay under that all day happy as can be. He did also really enjoy the kiddy pool and we re-incorporated the pool idea with our dog yard here in WA, thought we don't see the same kind of temps they still really enjoy the pool

This is a really cool idea for a kiddy pool posted on one of my FB groups-


Since mine is a lot deeper being a 300gal stock tank we didn't lay it all the way into the ground- I may dirt berm it to the lip in the next year or two (don't tell the hubby!)



Now I will add- that my oldest Mal-mix does seem to be more susceptible to the heat now that he's coming up in age. When he was younger nothing phased him, now I have to be sure he is drinking, he is seeking cooling in the pool, shade, or dirt pit cooling. So something to watch more closely as they hit their senior years.