When temperatures start to rise, it’s a great opportunity for us to get outside, soak up some sun and enjoy the warm weather. But it’s also the time when we have to pay particular attention to our dogs. Check out our cool solutions for hot dogs so that you can enjoy both your dogs and summer. What’s the big deal about dogs and hot weather?
Well, unlike humans, dogs have trouble keeping themselves cool. Dogs can overheat very quickly, and it can be life-threatening. Dogs can’t sweat through their skin as we do, so rely on panting instead. Although they can also release some heat through their paws and their nose, it just isn’t enough to keep your dog cool in hot weather.
What happens if a dog gets too hot?
Because dogs can’t sweat in the same way we do, they rely on panting to keep cool. Panting and similarly sweating work in that they use the process of evaporation to cool the body down. As dogs pant, saliva and moisture on the tongue evaporate in the warm air cooling it down. This cooler air then circulates through the dog’s body and prevents them from overheating.
But what happens when panting isn’t enough? A dog’s normal body temperature is 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit. It only takes a small two-degree spike in body temperature for dogs to suffer heatstroke.
What are the signs of heatstroke?
Heat stroke is dangerous and can be fatal, so recognizing the warning signs is vital. If your dog is showing any of the following symptoms, take action immediately;
- Rapid and heavy panting
- Bright red and swollen tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting, with or without blood
- White or extra thick saliva
- Weakness or confusion
- Red or pale gums
- Fatigue
- Muscle tremors
- Refusal to walk
Two of the most common causes of heatstroke in dogs are vigorous exercise in the summer heat and dogs left in a hot car.
So here are our summer safety tips for enjoying your dogs in hot weather.
Keeping Your Dog Cool- do’s and don’ts
Do
- Walk your dog early morning or late at night when it’s cooler.
- Limit the amount of running around your dog does. If your dog loves to chase a ball, put it away on hot days.
- Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water. Water bowls both inside and outside the house should be kept clean and regularly filled with fresh water. Also, don’t forget to take water out on your walk for both you and your dog.
- Give your dog access to the coolest room in the house. Many dogs will seek out cold floors like bathroom tiles when it’s hot.
- No tiles? Offer your dog a damp towel to lay on
- If your dog spends a lot of time outside, make sure they have plenty of shade.
- Limit exercise. Give your dog a day off from their walk on hot days. There are other ways to keep dogs entertained, and it’s a small price to pay for the safety of your dog.
- Invest in a kiddie swimming pool so your dog can cool off whenever they want
- Protect your dog’s paws. If the pavement is too hot for you to stand on barefoot for five seconds, it’s too hot for your dog. Dogs may have hardened paw pads, but they still burn quickly on hot asphalt.
- Create a digging hole in your garden if you have space. Dogs cool themselves by digging down to cold earth and laying in it.
- Apply sunscreen. Yes really! Dogs with light-colored or white noses and ears can suffer serious sunburn.
- Keep your pet cool by investing in cooling gear. Cooling vests and beds are affordable and help really help your dog stay fresh.
DON’T
- Never leave your dog inside a car in hot weather, even with the windows open, or you’ve parked in the shade. Every year dogs die in hot cars. The temperature can rise exceptionally quickly and can double within an hour.
- The same goes for conservatories, caravans, and any room without adequate ventilation.
- Be careful with vulnerable dogs. Shortnose dogs like pugs and bulldogs are susceptible to over-heating. Also, be wary of young dogs who are energetic and older dogs that are more sensitive.
- Don’t forget to groom your dog. Keep your dog’s coat mat and tangle-free so that any air can flow through the fur. It may be tempting to clip or shave a dog with a thick double coat, but the downy undercoat is an important part of a dog’s way of cooling them.
- If your dog stops during a walk and refuses to walk, don’t ignore them or force them to walk on. It could be the early signs of heat exhaustion. Try to move them to a shady area and offer your dog plenty of fresh water.
- Don’t feed your dog in the hottest part of the day. Digestion generates body heat, so keep your dog’s dinner for cooler times.
How to cool a dog down
So what happens when, despite all your precautions, your dog is too hot. Although it can be tricky to recognize the early symptoms of heatstroke, don’t take any risks. Heatstroke is an emergency and can be fatal. So if your dog is showing any signs of illness, visit your veterinarian immediately.
You must cool your dog down as much as possible but do it safely. Follow these simple steps and get your dog to the vet as soon as you can.
- Move your dog to a shady place or cool room.
- Soak your dog with water (never use ice cubes or cold water as this can cause shock)
- Never immerse your dog in cold water.
- Offer your dog cool water to drink, but don’t allow them to gulp it
- Keep soaking your dog with cool water until your dog’s breathing settles down. Then stop the cooling process so as not to over-chill your dog
Once at your vet, your dog is likely to be put on a drip to replace lost fluids. The sooner you cool down your dog and get treatment, the better the chance your dog has of surviving.
How hot is too hot for a dog?
The Summer months are a great time to be out with your dog, enjoying the long days and warm weather. But every year, vets treat dogs for signs of heatstroke.
So how can you tell when it’s too hot for your dog? Petplan has done a handy infographic that gives an idea of how hot is too hot.
But there isn’t a hard and fast rule, so always monitor your dog in warm weather. Some dog breeds will struggle more than others when it’s hot.
Extra care needs to be taken in hot or humid weather for;
- Short-nose pets like Pugs and Boston terriers
- Dogs originating from cold climates like Huskies and Malamutes
- Giant breeds like Great Danes and Newfoundlands
- Older dogs
- Puppies
- Obese dogs
Dogs and summer
Summertime should be an opportunity to have fun in the sun with your dog, but don’t put your dog’s health at risk. If you have any doubts about whether your pet is suffering from heatstroke, contact your vet immediately. But with a bit of planning and care, there’s no reason why you and your dog can’t stay healthy and enjoy the warmer months and long days safely.