Dogs Trust, a UK animal welfare charity, has urged dog owners to be cautious when exercising their pets in hot weather. According to a 2020 veterinary study commissioned by the charity, 74% of severe heat stroke cases were caused by dogs being exercised by their owners. The charity has recommended walking dogs in the early morning or late evening, avoiding elevated temperatures during the day. Common signs of heat stroke in dogs include excessive drooling, heavy panting, vomiting, appearing lethargic, or collapsing. Veterinary attention should be sought immediately if heat stroke is suspected. Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as humans can and rely on panting or releasing small amounts of heat through their paw pads. If a dog overheats, owners should try to move them to a cooler location and contact their vet immediately. They should also offer the dog cool, but not cold, water to drink and pour small amounts of water on their body. The charity recommended never leaving dogs alone in a car on a warm day. Even parking in the shade and leaving windows down does not keep the temperatures low enough to prevent heat stroke. It suggested placing a damp towel in a shaded spot for the dog to lie on, keeping the towel wet to ensure it does not dry out quickly.
The Dogs Trust has also advised owners to avoid walking older, overweight, or dogs with squishy faces in hot weather as it may be more exerting and dangerous for them. Sitting outside in hot weather can also lead to heat stroke in these dogs. In heatwave weather, the charity recommended walking dogs very early in the morning, after sunset, or avoiding walks altogether. The charity also reminded pet owners to control their dogs’ sun exposure. Dogs can get sunburnt too, especially dogs with white or thin coats. Black-coated dogs may also absorb too much heat from the sun. Pet owners should be mindful of the tips of their dogs’ ears and the bridge of their nose. It may be beneficial to trim the fur of particularly hairy dogs’ fur on consultation with a groomer to keep them from getting too hot. Freezing some of the dogs’ favourite toys in water can encourage them to lick the ice and stay hydrated.
The charity also warned that heat stroke in dogs can be fatal, and owners should be mindful of their pets’ wellbeing when temperatures rise. Currently, Dogs Trust has 300 dogs in its care. In conclusion, it is vital to take extra precautions when taking your furry friends outside in times of high temperatures, especially in a heatwave. Pet owners must pay attention to their dogs’ behavior and make an active effort to prevent heat stroke, which can lead to dangerous complications.
