Dog acclimatization: what the owner needs to know

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The health and well-being of a dog is largely dependent on environmental conditions. And if something changes in them, our four-legged friend has to adapt to new circumstances. This is called acclimatization. How does it go dog acclimatization?

In general, dogs adapt well to almost any living conditions, but much depends on the breed. For example, for dogs with a short muzzle (and therefore short airways), heat can be fraught with heat stroke (even death). A short-haired pet (for example, a Doberman or a Weimar Pointing Dog) is unlikely to feel comfortable in the Arctic. Therefore, before taking the dog to a different climate zone, be sure to think: can the pet adapt to the new weather conditions?

As a rule, the dog’s ability to acclimatize decreases with age, so it will be easier for a young pet to endure moving. But in any case, it is worth choosing the most favorable period for the climate zone that has attracted you.

Our pets are also greatly affected by the composition of the air they inhale. For example, if the oxygen content drops to 15%, it will cause oxygen starvation, and a level of 7% can be fatal. If the carbon dioxide content rises to 0.09% and higher, the dog will also feel unwell.

High humidity can cause fatigue, lethargy, or shortness of breath. High temperatures pose a risk of overheating and heat stroke, and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause sun stroke.

You can help efficient dog acclimatization. If, for example, you went with a dog to hot countries, be sure to bring a bottle of clean drinking water and a drinking bowl (you can find them on sale), do not leave the dog alone in a locked car in the heat even for a short while, and if you get to the beach, grab something that might create a shadow for your pet (such as a beach umbrella). Do not let the dog run a lot in the heat and watch her well-being. If, despite all the precautions, the dog is injured, you need to know how to give it first aid.

Many also wonder whether it is worth shaving a dog in the heat. Experts say: not worth it. And there are reasons for that.