Summer is a
great time. The kids are out of school, the weather is beautiful, you get to do
fun outdoor activities, eat lots of ice cream, go swimming, and so much more.
One very important thing to keep in mind is heat safety, not just for you and
your family, but for your pets as well. Humans are well adapted to dealing with
intense heat. We have larger surface area to dissipate heat from, and sweat
glands all over our body. When our bodies are warm, we produce sweat, which
then evaporates from the skin, helping to cool us down.
Other
animals cool differently. Dogs only have sweat glands on the pads of their
paws. The main mechanism for thermoregulation in dogs is panting. Panting helps
circulate air through their body to help cool down. Wild canines tend to be
active in the cooler parts of the day, before and after the sun goes down, or
at night when there is no sun. During the hottest parts of the day, wild
canines are usually snoozing in the shade.
This is
very important to remember when doing outdoor activities with your dog in the
heat. If you like to go for runs or walks with your dog, try doing them in the
morning or the evening, when the heat isn’t so oppressive. This will probably
be better for you as well, even if humans are better with dealing with heat. Dogs
also cool by drinking cold water or lying in cool water. If you’re going on a
long outing with your pet make sure there is drinkable water where you are
going, or be sure to bring some along. If you’re going hiking with your dog,
try to find bodies of water your dog would be able to swim in if he likes.
In the heat
of the summer, NEVER leave your dog unattended in a car, even for a few
minutes. The temperature in a car can climb extremely quickly. Don’t believe
me? Shut your car off for a few minutes with a window cracked, as you might do
for you dog, and sit there. You’ll
quickly find out how uncomfortable it is and how hot it gets. The picture below outlines the temperature
the interior of a car can reach based on the outside temperature.
It is
important to be mindful of the pavement temperature when walking your dog as
well. The pads of their paws are sensitive and can become burnt from walking on
hot pavement. Make sure your walking route has grass or dirt your dog can walk
on if they want to. If the route you walk has a lot of pavement, touch the back of your hand or your own foot to the pavement to check
the temperature. If it’s uncomfortable for you, your dog will feel the same
way. Here at The Good Dog Spot, we spray down our outdoor space with cool water
before letting dogs out, and continue to cool it down as long as the dogs are
outside. Again, early morning or late evening walks may be your safest bet during the summer months.
It's important to always make sure your dog has access to shade and cool water during the summer, and not to over-exert itself in the intense heat. Brachycephalic breeds, like pugs and bulldogs, are even more at risk of heat stroke, because of their shortened snouts. The onset of heat stroke can be extremely quick, which is why it is so important to prevent your dog from becoming overheated. Signs of heat stroke include heavy panting, difficulty breathing, bright red tongue and mucous membranes, thick saliva, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. As the condition worsens, the tongue and mucous membranes turn gray, and the dog may collapse, have seizures, go into a coma, or in severe cases, die. If you notice heavy panting and difficulty breathing in your dog, it's important to remove them from the heat source right away, preferably into an air conditioned space. You could start spraying cool water on them, especially on their underside. Do not put them in ice cold water, as you may shock their system. If you suspect your dog has suffered heat stroke, it's important to contact a vet right away.
Also, all dogs can get sun burnt! Shorter haired dogs with light colored skin are most at risk, but even thick furred dogs have some risk of sunburn. The bridge of the nose, ears, and lips are prime spots. Good news though, you can find pet-friendly sunscreen at your local pet store. These sunscreens are made from natural ingredients so it's not harmful if your pet licks it.
We hope that these tips on summer safety ensure you and your pet have a happy and safe summer! As always, we are happy to answer and questions or concerns here at TGDS! Happy Father's Day!
