May
Keeping our dog’s cool in the warmer weather
The weather is getting warmer and we all love being out in the sunshine. We find it easy for us to cool down in hot weather. However we need to be mindful of the risk of your dog suffering from heatstroke which can be fatal.
Every dog is different and they may cool down differently to others. To help your dog stay cooler in the warmer weather, they need grooming regularly, ensuring their coat does not become too thick and heavy during the summer months.
Some dogs are lucky and have their own paddling pool set up in their gardens to cool them. Or you can simply put down damp towels for them to lie on. You can even buy cool pads along with frozen treats for your dog.
We love a stroll in the sun but that is not a wise idea with your dog. The recommended time to walk your furry friend is during the morning or evening, when its cooler outside. They should be encouraged to stay in shaded areas during the the midday sun, or anything more than 24-27 degrees. Please take extreme caution when walking your dog on roads, pavements and tarmac. If these surfaces feel hot to us, then it will certainly be hot for them, and harm their foot pads. If we walk from the house to the end of the street bare footed, we would feel extreme discomfort and start running/ tip-toeing to prevent your feet from burning. Dogs cannot tip toe or rush to get some shoes on.
Even though 20 to 23 degrees is not as hot, you are still advised to take precaution as there is still a substantial risk of heatstroke in dogs. Walking in shady places will give your dog the chance to cool off and give you peace of mind that they will not have any issues with their pads too. Another wonderful place for a walk is somewhere with a water source, where your dog can lie in a river or swim in a pond to cool down. Ensure you always have a bottle of water and a bowl, and the places you are visiting are dog friendly, and have a café for you to rehydrate too.
We all know the famous 'Do Not Leave Your Dogs In Hot Cars' as they can quickly overheat and die. If you see a dog in a hot car, dial 999 immediately. Make sure to take videos and pictures of the dog in the car and screenshot the temperature. If the dog is not suffering from heatstroke, you can take the details of the vehicle and inform the police on a non-emergency number.
If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, you need to act fast with placing cold wet towels to their head, chest and neck and give them water to sip. Never place them in cold water as they can go into shock. Contact your vet as soon as possible.
A bit of forward planning will make all the difference to keep you and your dog healthy and happy.