Simply the Pets

HOT WEATHER

HOW TO ENSURE YOUR DOG STAYS HAPPY & HEALTHY

Did you know...?

That whilst a dog does have sweat glands on their paws, they do little in the way of aiding heat release and sweating like they do for us humans! In fact, a dog’s primary way of controlling their body temperature is through panting.

Because of this dog’s can quickly overheat which can lead to heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition. Knowing how to spot the signs and how to act can be the difference in having a happy and healthy dog or a seriously ill one.

How to spot if your dog is too hot!

Excessive panting
Red gums
Thick, ropey saliva
Hot to touch
High temperature – above 40 degrees

How to protect your dog from overheating

Conduct walks during the cooler parts of the day; first thing in the morning & in the evening
Provide your dog with a cool place to rest, or if you must be outside, ensure there is plenty of shade & water
Don’t let your dog walk on hot pavements. If you can’t touch it with your hand it’s too hot for their pads!
Give them a cool, wet towel to lay on
NEVER leave your dog in a hot car and if you must travel make sure to turn on the air con

Are there dogs which are more susceptible to heat stroke?

YES! Brachycephalic breeds (boxers, pugs, bulldogs etc), obese, elderly and dark coloured dogs are more likely to experience heat stroke.

HELP! I think my dog has heatstroke

Heat stroke is a serious condition and can take effect very quickly, so it is important to be proactive and call your vet straight away. They are likely going to ask you to bring your dog in so that they can cool your dog down gradually and may put them on a drip to replace lost fluid and minerals. On the journey to the vet try to cool them down but be careful not to bring their temperature down too quickly (i.e. Immersing them in cold water) as this can cause them to go into shock. Ask your vet for the best way to do this.