The summer brings us endless days of sunshine and soaring temperatures. Well maybe not, but even on warm, humid days it's important you're aware of the effects that the warmer temperature can have on your dog.
You need to be aware of the effects of heat sooner than you might expect. If the temperature is above 20 degrees centigrade, be aware of the impact the warm weather might be having on your dog, and when the mercury reaches 25 degrees, great care should be taken to prevent your dog from getting too hot and risking heatstroke. Individual dogs will respond differently to the heat because of age, fitness, health and how used they are to the conditions, but all dogs rely on us to protect them from the effects of the sun.
Dogs aren't aware of the dangers the heat can bring and need you to keep them safe and protected from some of the dangers of hot weather. Remember - monitor your dog closely, particularly if they're older.
When we are hot we sweat in order to expel excess heat. Dogs, however, only perspire around their paws, so to cool down, they pant. This enables them to take air through their nasal passages, picking up excess heat from the body, which is then expelled through the mouth. The ability to do this is severely affected in high humidity or when the dog is confined, for example in a car. Even on a mild day, with the windows open, the temperature inside can reach around 49 degrees celsius in less than 30 minutes.
Heat exhaustion can rapidly progress to heat stroke and become an emergency situation. Be aware of the following signs:
If you think your dog has heat stroke you must act quickly and calmly. Seek veterinary advice immediately and alert your Dog Welfare Specialist via Guide Line. If possible, move your dog to a cool, shaded area. If your dog is having difficulty breathing, ensure their airways are clear. Your dog’s temperature needs to be reduced gradually. This can be done by applying towels soaked in cool water to the dog, ensuring that they cover the hairless areas (groin and feet) as these areas are sensitive to heat and will quickly help reduce the dog’s temperature.
Dogs’ pads are covered with hard layers, but they can still suffer burns to their feet. Artificial grass is becoming more popular but is made of plastic, and under bright sunshine it heats up very quickly which risks burning dogs’ paws. Remember, Tarmac and pavement surfaces can become dangerously hot on sunny days, and retain the heat later into the evening. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog!
Many dogs love swimming, but be especially careful in the hot weather:
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Dogs need their exercise, but on warm days they can overheat very easily – and heatstroke in dogs can be difficult to reverse. In warmer weather: