The summer months have arrived and that means we’re reaching the stage of the year known as the Dog Days of Summer.
But, do you know when and where that famous phrase of the Dog Days of Summer comes from?
Why do they call it the ‘Dog Days of Summer’?
The term ‘Dog Days of Summer’ traditionally refers to a period of very hot and humid weather which occurs in the Northern Hemisphere between July and August.
In Ancient Rome, the Dog Days of Summer were when a period of drought, bad luck and unrest along with heat would drive dogs and people mad.
The period of hot weather coincides with the year’s heliacal (meaning “at sunrise”) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star.
Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris – the “Greater Dog” – which is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name of Alpha Canis Majoris.
How you can keep your pets safe during the Dog Days of Summer?
Whilst these ancient terminologies are good to learn about and understand, the phrase Dog Days of Summer is now more focused for many people on ensuring that your pet is safe in the hot weather.
There was a boom in dog ownership when the COVID-19 pandemic began, as those who lived alone became isolated and needed companionship, or others realised it was a great opportunity to train a dog and bond with it whilst working from home.
Even before that, dog ownership was extremely common in many countries all over the world. Owning a dog comes with big responsibility, though, as they must be looked after through different seasons.
There are many fairly simple ways to ensure your dog is not overheating, and one is to trim the hair of dogs with long hair, but don’t shave them.
Also note that paw pads can burn very easily on hot concrete.
Exercise should be limited as dogs will happily run around and exhaust themselves, and drinking plenty of water is of course a must.
The most important is to never leave a dog in a hot vehicle, even if the windows are down.