Can Dogs Get Sick From Weather Change? How Supplements Can Help
Have you ever heard someone say their joints “ache like rain is coming”? Chances are, you’ve seen firsthand how shifting weather patterns can affect humans. But can dogs get sick from weather change as well?
The answer is yes! While humans and dogs experience different effects depending on the weather, your canine companion isn’t immune to the mood and health changes that can occur when the temperature drops or rises.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of ways the weather can affect your dog and how certain supplements, such as bully puppy supplements from XDOG, can help improve your furry friend’s health.
How the Weather Can Affect Your Dog’s Health and Mood
No matter the breed, your dog’s physical and mental state likely shifts with the weather. However, certain breeds are more susceptible to illness and negative mood changes if not properly accommodated.
Your canine companion may struggle in warmer or cooler temperatures depending on their breed’s ability to tolerate varying temperatures. If you’re concerned about your dog’s health due to weather changes, the following tips may help you better prepare and build an action plan that suits your pup.
Joint Stiffness Due to Cold Weather
Just like humans, dogs can experience joint stiffness due to winter weather. When the temperature drops, there is a decrease in barometric pressure. This drop in atmospheric pressure can sometimes trigger inflammation around the joints, causing the surrounding tissue to swell and create discomfort.
Likewise, your dog may be getting less exercise outside during winter. For senior dogs especially, this decrease in activity can result in increased joint pain and more severe arthritis symptoms.
How to Address It
To prevent joint stiffness in the wintertime, keep your pup active. Set aside time each day to walk, play, or get some form of movement into their schedule. If it's too cold outside for a stroll around the neighborhood, try to find a game or exercise they can do inside to get their blood pumping.
For additional joint support, consider purchasing a joint performance supplement to help them maintain healthy joints all year round. For example, XDOG's Hip & Joint Formula provides the high-quality ingredients dogs need to maintain healthy joints, tendons, and ligaments.
Inability to Regulate Body Temperature
Young, healthy dogs can usually regulate their body temperatures just fine, but senior dogs may have some trouble. Dogs that suffer from long-term health problems such as Cushing's disease, hormone issues, or heart problems may need additional accommodations when the temperature rises or falls.
Overheating during the summer months can cause heat exhaustion, a heat stroke, or vomiting and diarrhea. On the opposite side of the spectrum, an abnormally low body temperature can disrupt function in the kidneys, the immune system, and the heart.
How to Address It
Some dogs may require extra care to ensure their health and safety. If your canine companion tends to overheat in the summertime, be sure to bring them inside and turn on the air conditioning to help them lower their body temperature. When it's cold, try to avoid leaving them outdoors for very long.
Increased Aggression Due to Overheating
If you've been wondering "Can dogs get sick from weather change?" you may not have considered the ways heat and cold can affect your dog's mood. It's common for pet owners to worry about the physical consequences of overheating, but certain dog breeds may experience significant mood changes due to heat intolerance.
For example, bulldogs and pugs typically struggle in hot weather because the heat makes it difficult for them to breathe. Large dogs and longhaired breeds likewise may suffer from heat intolerance. While your dog may only exhibit signs of discomfort, it's possible for them to become aggravated and even aggressive in extreme heat.
How to Address It
There are many things you can do to help your pup beat the heat. If you notice your dog seems to have less energy or is showing signs of heat aggression, consider the following tips:
- Monitor your dog’s breathing and heart rate to avoid overheating and heat exhaustion
- Be sure to provide your dog with cool water throughout the day
- Turn on the air conditioning or a fan
- Avoid leaving your dog in the car during warmer months
- Be sure to check sidewalks and pavement before taking your dog for a walk to avoid excessive heat on their paws
Respiratory Illnesses
Of course, we can’t talk about dogs and cold weather without mentioning the risk of respiratory illnesses. Like their human companions, dogs may come down with the canine equivalent of the common cold if exposed to chilly weather for too long.
Luckily, many dogs can recover from these infections quickly without any lasting issues. However, you should definitely see your vet if any symptoms arise to avoid any lasting complications.
How to Address It
The good news is that an illness like this is usually easy to detect. If your dog has come down with a respiratory infection, they’ll likely display one or all of the following symptoms:
- Running nose or excess snot
- Low appetite
- Refusing food
- Fever
- Low energy
Young, healthy dogs may be able to fight these symptoms without antibiotics, but it’s usually safer to take your dog to the vet if you suspect they’re getting sick. You can also invest in a high-quality supplement to boost your furry friend’s immune system and help them fight off illness.
How Supplements Can Improve Your Dog’s Health
The most effective protection against weather-related illness and pain is prevention. Whether you have a senior dog, a high-energy hound, or a certified couch potato, investing in high-quality supplements can improve your dog’s overall health and better prepare them for dramatic shifts in the weather.
If you’ve been searching, “Can dogs get sick from weather change?” and feel uncertain how to protect your pup, look no further than XDOG. Browse our selection of supplements and vitamins today to keep your dog feeling strong all year long, or check out our blog to learn more about common health problems in senior dogs.