Dogs in Hot Weather: How to Protect Your Dog From the Summer Heat?

Have you ever tried to run barefoot down your road in the middle of summer? It’s not fun. You appear as if you’re impersonating a kangaroo as you jump around to salvage the soles of your feet.

That’s what it’s like for your dog every time you go for a walk down the road or on the sidewalk.

Dogs can suffer fatal heat hyperpyrexia within minutes. unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat through their skin and so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool. Imagine wearing a thick winter coat on a hot summer’s day and you’ll understand why dogs succumb to heatstroke so easily.

Heat Stroke In Dogs.

Signs of heat stroke include serious panting that doesn’t resolve as the pet rests, increasing distress, a tongue color that’s dark red to almost purple, weakness or collapse, hypersalivation, vomiting and labored breathing. If you believe a dog or cat is suffering from heat stroke, move him to a cooler environment immediately and apply cool water to the abdomen, ears and foot pads. Don’t pour water over the whole animal, submerge him in a very tub of cold water or cowl him in a cold, wet blanket. Once he’s stable, get him to a vet as quickly as possible, even if he seems to be cooling down and his temperature appears normal. Things may be happening on the within that don’t seem to be obvious from the skin.

Dogs In Cars And Truck Beds

One of the most critical mistakes people can make is to leave a dog in a vehicle during hot weather. Dogs can’t perspire, as humans do, to cool down themselves off via evaporation, so they have to pant to cool themselves. If the air that they’re taking in is too hot (as it is in a parked car in hot weather), then panting has a very little cooling effect and the dog quickly overheats.

Many people assume their dog are going to be OK if they leave the windows open, but even with the windows wide open, the car will quickly become hot enough to cause heatstroke, brain damage, and even death. Your pet could pay dearly for even a couple of minutes spent in a very sweltry automobile. And you must never let your dog ride in an open pickup truck, but it’s particularly dangerous in hot weather since truck beds square measure usually dark colors, that get highly regarded.

Should I Keep My Pet Indoors?

There are certain situations when it’s probably best to keep your pet inside.

If you’re thinking of going outside with your pet, first confirm the pavement isn’t too hot for them. Dogs’ paws will simply burn on the hot ground, and a rule of thumb if it’s too hot for your hands or feet, it’s too hot for them. To test, stand clean foot on the ground for a couple of minutes and see how warm the pavement is.

“A simple test is to take your own shoes off and stand on the path. “If you are unable to keep your feet on the trail for 5 seconds, then it’s not safe to run your dog.” additionally, pale-colored dogs are significantly in danger from sunburn, as are dogs with thin or spare fur.

Options to avoid this is firstly to avoid the most popular parts of the day, or place a shirt on your dog, or apply non-toxic waterproof human sunscreen. If your dog is outside, ensure they have access to shade and plenty of water.

Keep Your Dog From Burning

According to Novartis Animal Health, there are many things you can do to prevent disaster:

• Pay attention to your pet’s exposed areas, such as around his lips, ears, and nose. Apply sunblock to the tips of your pet’s ears and also the top of the nose.
• Protect your fair-haired pet. just like individuals with pale white skin, dogs and cats with lighter-colored fur are at larger risk for getting sunburnt.
• Keep your pet within the shade throughout peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
• Get your pet to a veterinarian if he starts looking like a tomato.

Don’t Overdo It In The Heat

• Heat exhaustion will kill your pet. never leave a pet alone in a car, even with the windows down. A sunny day can flip a metal car into an oven fairly quickly. Your automobile will reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit in minutes, even if the weather is reasonable on the outside.
• Even if you park in shade, don’t assume it’ll stay that way. remember the world rotates, therefore what was shady an hour past is now sun-beaten.
• Bring many waters, a minimum of a gallon each for both you and your pet. Don’t forget the water dish.
• Don’t tie your dog up in the sun or make him stand on the road in hot weather. Keep mid-day walks to a minimum. Dogs perspire through their foot pads, so the longer he’s on the hot pavement, the less able he is to cool down. And keep in mind, he’s much closer to the hot asphalt than you’re.
• Don’t take your pet to the beach unless you’ll be able to find a cool spot for him. make sure to rinse any saltwater off too. Again, the hot sand affects his ability to cool down to a greater extent than you.
• Make sure your pet has a place to hang out when outside. a good doghouse works nice but it’s best to bring a dog, or any other animal, into the house and out of the sun.
• Always give your pet clean, fresh water. Don’t forget to check the dish to make sure it’s not empty. when replacing water, use cool water.
• Keep old and overweight animals out of the heat. snub-nosed dogs, especially bulldogs and Pekingese, and those with heart or lung disease, should be kept indoors in air-conditioning as much as possible.

Exercising Your Dog Within The Summer

Walking

Walk your dog at the cooler times of the day, either very first thing in the morning or early evening

Dogs’ paw pads will burn on hot pavements. As a general rule, if it’s too hot for your hand it’s too hot for his or her paws.

If it’s too hot for the standard long walk, keep your dog mentally stirred up by performing some brain games instead. Refresh their basic training with some sits and stays, or teach them new tricks.

Swimming

Swimming is a great exercise for dogs and a good exercise alternative to walking within the summer heat. however, keep in mind that not all dogs wish to swim, therefore if yours doesn’t then don’t force them and never throw a dog into the water.

Be cautious of tides at the beach

Drinking salt water is probably going to make your dog sick and isn’t superb for them. Bring fresh water with you to the beach.

Wash salt and sand off your dog’s coat when swimming to stop it drying and worsening their skin

Be careful to avoid heat hyperpyrexia on the beach

Watch out for currents in rivers

Check freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and canals to make sure they’re clean before letting your dog dive in. Some sorts of algae, as well as blue-green algae, are harmful to dogs. If your dog swims in algae-contaminated water, contact your vet in real time.

Dogs can and do drown in rivers and the sea. If your dog has inhaled water, contact your vet, as they can suffer complications.