Operation News – August 2025

We’re full swing into the “Dog Days of Summer,” which has nothing to do with a dog. The term originated from ancient Greece and Rome, where it was associated with the heliacal rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. One of our SA Greys Alumni is named Sirius, but I digress. Ancient civilizations believed Sirius’ proximity to the sun during this time contributed to the intense summer heat.

Whatever you want to call it, it’s just plain old HOT! You may notice that your hound is not eating as much, or the all-important “greyhound poop” is not as firm as we would like it to be. Your hound may prefer to lie on the tile as opposed to their bed. Activity levels have decreased, while panting has increased. Here are a few helpful tips to keep those hounds cool, calm and collected.

Limit those walks! Stick to short walks in the early morning or evening. Avoid walking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., typically the hottest part of the day. Check the pavement: Pavement gets significantly hotter than the surrounding air temperature, often 40-60 degrees hotter. On a 100-degree day, the pavement can reach up to 160 degrees. Consider booties to protect those pads. One of our favorites is Hunnyboots, specially made for greyhounds.

Keep them hydrated. Make sure your hound has plenty of water throughout the day. Consider adding ice cubes to keep the water cooler. A small bit of watermelon (rind and seeds removed) is a greyt treat.

Watch out for sunburn. Our lighter colored hounds are more prone to sunburn. Keep them out of the sun during peak hours or consider applying sunscreen. There are many canine-friendly sunscreens available for our four-legged friends. **Do not apply human sunscreen to your dog.** Dark-coated hounds, as well as very young and older hounds, are at higher risk for heatstroke. That dark fur mimics a solar panel.

Know the signs of overheating. Dogs cool themselves by panting, but on hot, humid days, that may not be enough. Watch for non-stop panting, excessive drooling, hot skin, weakness and lack of coordination.

Know how to cool them down

*Move them to a cool area and encourage them to drink a small amount of cool, not ice-cold water.

*Apply a cool, damp towel to their neck, armpits, and groin. Place a fan on the hood to help evaporate the water and speed up the cooling process.
If no towels are available, use a hose (ensure it’s set to cool water) and mist the hound’s body.

Know when to get veterinary help

*Excessive panting or drooling
*Bright red or pale gums
*Vomiting or diarrhea (especially with blood)
*Lethargy, confusion or weakness
*Collapse or seizures
*Body temperature over 105°F determined with a thermometer

The good news is this won’t last forever, and a few simple tips can keep you and your hound comfortable during the “Dog Days of Summer.”

Always moving forward,

Nancy

Nancy Lynberg is the Operations Director of Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption and can be reached at nancy@sagreys.org.