Despite all the warnings out there, some owners remain unaware of the dangers hot weather creates for their dogs. Despite the temperature reading 28degrees I still saw dogs being walked in midday heat yesterday and it’s due to be even hotter over the next few days.
Dogs are unable to control their temperature in the same way as we do as they cannot sweat through their body due to their fur. Dogs do have sweat glands in their paws and ear canals, but their primary way of cooling themselves is by panting. Although they wear a ‘fur coat’ this is designed to help them stay cool in summer and warm in winter. Dogs will pant and often seek out shade or breeze to help their body naturally cool.
Here are some top tips to help your dog in the heat
Don’t leave your dog in the car
The temperature inside a car, even with the windows open is much higher than the outside temperature. If it is 70 degrees outside, then inside the car can rise to 100- 120 in just a few minutes.
Even just a few minutes in a hot car can be dangerous for a dog and the longer they are subjected to the heat the more chance it will affect their vital organs resulting in brain damage, heatstroke or even death. Death can happen in just a few minutes! Leave them at home!
Avoid the heat
All dogs can suffer in the heat but senior dogs, puppies, black dogs and short-nosed dogs are at an increased risk of heatstroke. The sun is at its hottest between 11am-3pm, however on extremely hot days this increases and the sun should be avoided for longer.
Only walk your dog at cooler times of the day or in shaded areas. Avoid walking on pavements and roads as the ground temperature is significantly higher, remember your dog’s paws have no protection and they won’t notice their paws are burning until it’s too late. Hold your hand on the pavement or try walking barefoot, if after 5seconds It’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for their paws!
Keep Cool
There are a few things we can do to help keep our dog’s cool….
- Keep curtains closed to avoid the sun warming up the house, leave a window or use a fan to create a breeze.
- Always provide fresh water, your dog should have free access to water at all times, even when left in their crate. Keep it topped up and refresh at regular intervals.
- Provide a cooling mat or a damp towel for your dog to lay on, this will provide a nice cool spot and help to keep their temperature lower.
- Provide some cooling snacks such as a frozen kong, a frozen yoghurt treat or a doggy ice cream.
- Avoid unnecessary car journeys, limit time in the garden and stick to shaded areas. Even when its cooler it can still be humid.
- A shallow paddling poolwill allow your dog to cool their paws helping to regulate their body temperature.
How to cool a dog safely?
Overheating/heatstroke can and is life threatening and can develop very quickly. If you notice signs of heatstroke in a dog it is important to cool them slowly so as not to send their body into hypothermia. Offer them some tepid water (not cold) to drink, lay them in the cool shade or inside in a cool room. Cool their paw pads with tepid water and place a damp towel under their arm/leg pits, the groin and at the neck.
Keep cool!
Have you heard of EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)? Find out more here.