Heat is Dangerous for Dogs!
Heat can be very dangerous for dogs. Read how to keep a dog cool and avoid heat stress/stroke in the summer.
Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors are most susceptible to heat illnesses. Dogs do not sweat, the only way they have of expelling heat is through their pads and through their tongue, and it is an extraordinarily inefficient system. A dog that goes outside and runs around the yard for just a few minutes can dramatically increase its body temperature.
The symptoms of heat stress in a dog include disorientation, excessive panting and not wanting to eat or drink. Although it needs water, it refuses to drink.
If you sense that your dog is experiencing heat stress, you need to step in and help it cool down. Putting it next to a fan or air conditioner can help. Another effective method is to put the dog in a bathtub with lukewarm water and then slowly add cool water. Because the heat is expelled through the foot pads, you only need a few inches of water in the tub.
It’s extremely important that you start with lukewarm water and then cool the water gradually. When pet’s body temperature increases, the blood flow to the body increases as well. If you put cold water on a pet’s body, the capillaries are going to instantly constrict, which can cause a potentially life-threatening blood clot.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke or Heat Stress
If possible, keep your dog in an air conditioned house during the hottest weather. If that isn’t possible, you can try putting your dog in the garage with air conditioning or with open windows and a fan to allow some circulation. Remember to remove anything from your garage that might be dangerous to a dog, such as mouse bait, antifreeze, fertilizer, or used motor oil.
If you are unable to keep a dog in the garage, keep your dog tethered in a shady area of the yard. To keep your dog hydrated, use a frozen ice chunk. Simply fill a large plastic container with water and keep it in the freezer overnight. Put the ice chunk into the dog’s water bowl in the morning. As the ice melts, the dog drinks the cold water, which helps keep it cool throughout the day.
Keeping a dog cool in hot weather can take some forethought. Plan ahead to make sure your dog stays cool, whether it’s outdoors all day long or just for short periods of time.
When your dog is travelling with you in a car, never leave him/her alone in the car! In a few minutes the dog can get a heat stroke.
