The summer heat waves put a strain on dogs' organisms on several levels: circulation, fluid balance and digestion come under pressure at the same time. Those who only think about shade and water often overlook the crucial factor – stable feeding and an intact intestinal environment.
Neulengbach. If temperatures rise significantly above 30 degrees, a dog's organism has to use additional energy to regulate its body temperature. This puts a strain on the circulatory system and immune system, especially in older animals. At the same time, many dogs change their eating behavior: They eat less, more slowly or at unusual times – and this is exactly where a connection begins that is often overlooked.
When the intestines get out of balance
Heat, stress and changes in food intake have a direct effect on the sensitive intestinal environment. The intestines, metabolism, immune system and circulation are closely related – if one of these areas gets out of sync, the entire organism often feels it. Soft stools, diarrhea or sensitive digestion are therefore more common during hot periods than usual.
This is exactly where the Austrian family business Calapo comes in, which specializes in natural supplementary feed for animals. “Stable digestion does not protect against overheating, but it is an important basis so that the organism can better cope with such stress phases,” says Daniela Vadehra, founder, product developer and feed consultant of Calapo. “We always think of health from the gut – especially when the organism is challenged by external stress such as heat.”
Fermentation – plant diversity rethought
Plant components contain many valuable ingredients, but are not always optimally digestible for dogs. This is exactly where fermentation comes in: microorganisms prepare the plants before feeding and produce, among other things, organic acids, enzymes, vitamins and amino acids. This makes herbal ingredients easier for dogs to use and can support digestion and the intestinal environment in a natural way.
“You can imagine it as a pre-digestion process. Since dogs can only digest plant components to a limited extent, we rely on fermentation in order to better prepare them before feeding. The ingredients are therefore in a form that fits into the natural processes of the organism,” explains Daniela Vadehra. What is important to her is the distinction: Fermented supplements are not protection against overheating or heat stroke, but rather a building block for a stable, well-tolerated feeding routine – especially in stressful phases such as a heat wave.
Why dogs react sensitively
Dogs can only regulate their body temperature to a very limited extent via sweat glands on their paws – heat is released mainly through panting. Heavy panting in turn increases fluid loss and puts additional strain on the circulation. Older, very young, overweight, short-nosed and pre-existing dogs are particularly at risk.
A common misconception also plays a role: Contrary to popular belief, dense fur or a thick undercoat does not protect against heat – on the contrary, affected dogs often overheat more quickly. In such cases, shearing the undercoat can be useful.
What owners can do
Important basic rules help dogs get through heat waves: walks, training and physical exertion belong in the cool morning and evening hours. Fresh water must be available at all times and in several easily accessible places; it should also be offered regularly when on the go.
The feeding itself is just as important: on hot days it should remain as constant, high quality and well tolerated as possible. Abrupt changes in food, large meals and food that is difficult to digest can place additional demands on the already stressed organism – so dividing the daily ration into several small portions is recommended.
Drinking alone is often not enough
In contrast to wet food, dry food hardly provides any additional liquid – especially for dogs that drink little, the total liquid intake must therefore be taken into account. Dry food can be soaked or offered with additional water. Unseasoned meat broths suitable for dogs can also promote voluntary fluid intake. “Our fermented juices for dogs can be easily integrated into everyday life – for example with food, mixed with water or on hot days as an ingredient for homemade dog ice cream. Experience has shown that they are very happy to eat,” adds Daniela Vadehra.
Sufficient amounts of water, simple aids such as moist meals or fermented additives, and an attentive look at behavior help dogs get through heat periods well. “Anyone who only reacts when significant circulatory or digestive problems occur often reacts too late and a trip to the vet is mandatory,” says Daniela Vadehra. Regular, well-tolerated feeding is therefore often more sensible than hectic food changes in the middle of a heat wave. If you are unsure about individual feeding, Calapo also offers free feeding advice.
The company
Calapo is an Austrian family business based in Neulengbach, Lower Austria. The company develops and produces natural supplementary feed and care products for horses, dogs and cats – currently over 60 products, all manufactured in Austria according to high quality standards. The focus of the product philosophy is working with natural ferments, which help to bring ingredients into an easily usable form. The range is supplemented by free, personal feeding advice that focuses on the animal. More information at www.calapo.com.
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