Do Akitas Do Well in Heat?

As dog breeds vary, so does their body build-up, which determines the weather conditions that they are likely to do well in. Akita is a double-coated dog; this should give you an idea of the condition they will thrive in. 

At the peak of summer, I noticed that my fluffy Akita hardly stays in the house I constructed for it in the afternoons. And so, when I come to give it lunch, I notice that it always retreats to a cool corner where it can lay comfortably on the tiled floor.

It became a pressing thought that I needed to figure out if my dog was facing a threat in the kennel, I built for it. In the end, its discomfort was traced to the rising heat that blazed from the sun in the afternoons. Your Akita may have a more comfortable kennel than mine, but it can become so hot after a tiring exercise.

This article was put together so you can know the best weather conditions for your Akita. Simply read on to gain insight. 

Do Akitas do Well in Heat?

On a general basis, a double-coated dog like Akita does not cope so well in hot conditions, except if they are exposed to an environment that can keep them cool. Akita has a thick coat that makes it difficult for it to thrive in hot conditions, and so they ultimately don’t thrive in hot conditions unless you provide an enabling environment for them in hot conditions.

Which Weather Condition is Best for Akitas?

Akitas have an undercoat and a topcoat, which is one of the reasons why people shave their Akita in hot conditions which is not recommended. Akita is a healthy dog that can be used for a variety of purposes, including security, hunting, rendering services, keeping company, and so on. It has a wooly undercoat that always keeps it insulated in cold weather. The skin of Akita enables it to withstand cold, while it needs coping mechanisms during hot conditions since it does not always tolerate heat.

Behavioral Signs of Heat Stress in Akitas

There are clinical ways to know that your Akita is suffering from heat stress. Since it may be easier for you to detect behavioral signs, here are a few that you can take note of: 

• Moving at a slower pace than before.
• Tired look and lazy movement.
• Excessive panting 
• The body temperature feels so warm.
• Protruded tongue with pasty saliva.
• Usual thirst
• Seizures, shock, comma, collapse, and lack of urine. 
• Weakness 

How to Make Your Akita Comfortable in Hot Conditions 

Akitas tend to shed more in hot weather conditions due to climate reactions, while when the temperature is cooler, they develop a tougher undercoat. However, you can put in efforts to ensure that your Akita is comfortable when they transition from cold to heat and during hot conditions. There is a list of things below that you can put in place to ensure that your Akita is comfortable during hot conditions. However, it is strictly based on what they are suffering from. So, you need 

Keep it hydrated

It is so important to keep your Akita hydrated all the time. And so, this means it is not negotiable to keep it hydrated when the weather is hot. As established previously, you need to create ways in which your Akita will cool off easily, and keeping it hydrated will save you a lot and keep their health in check to an extent, especially from heatstroke, hot spots, dehydration, and other related illnesses.

Use artificial means to keep it cool. For instance, an air conditioner.

When the weather is so hot and you have tried to keep your dog hydrated by employing several means of keeping it cool and it’s not working, you can try an artificial means, which is to make use of an air conditioner. You can try a fan or any other temporary way to keep your Akita cool, especially when they are so hot. 

Ensure its kennel is properly positioned to permit cross-ventilation.

Your Akita may likely suffer from hot conditions if its kennel is not properly built and positioned to permit cross-ventilation. So, first, ensure that your Akitas kennel is properly structured, with windows, a door, and the proper materials. Secondly, your Akitas kennel should be positioned in a place where it can receive cross-ventilation to cool off.

Build a portable oasis where it can cool off periodically.

Constructing an oasis would be a great idea for your dog, especially if your Akita is not frequently hot but feels the impact of the hot condition severely when hot. If you have the means to, you should build a portable oasis somewhere around your house for your Akita. Before then, you should try your Akita to see if they would love to cool off in an oasis or not before you embark on constructing the oasis.

Place ice around its kennel when the weather’s too hot.

It’s great to try something different and interesting, especially regarding your Akita well-being. Like Mr. Motose, you can place ice strategically around your Akitas kennel to make the environment feel cooler. 

Final Words 

The natural climate may pose a challenge to Akitas, but its owners and handlers can provide a more conducive environment for it. There are artificial means of keeping your Akita in a more comfortable manner, which you can consider. You can also employ strategies like walking shorter distances with your dog, less exercising, and more hydrating.