Dog Over-Heating Safety Tips
How to support your dog during the summer
Diagram adapted from Tufts Animal Condition and Care weather scale.
As the temperatures heat up, how can we prepare our doggos for the Summer ahead? And scroll down to read about the signs of Heatstroke to watch out for…
The most important thing is to cool down your dog as fast as possible when you notice they are becoming hot. Immerse then in water or from the hose/shower and get their fur to free flow with air from a breeze or fan.
Popping a cooling coat on them in milder heat examples can help prevent them from becoming over heated.
Image of Pixie by Kyra Bartlett of yummy Murphy’s Munchies
TOP TIPS:
Cooling coats or neckerchiefs. These range in price and effectiveness. The best one I have found it Ruffwear but it is pricey. However it has lasted 6 years and is very effective in cooling my furry boy.
Cooling mats for the car and at home. I love the banana cooling mat I bought online which has an inbuilt head rest.
Driving in the car can be very uncomfortable for your dog once the temperature rises over 18 degrees and even less for certain dogs. A cooling coat and cooling mat in the car can help.
NB avoid putting cooling mats in direct sunlight as the surface of them can become hot under the sun (a bit like leather car seats) so you don’t want to inadvertently burn your dog.
Always carry water obviously.
Try not to throw the ball or do strenuous activities between the midday to 3pm high sun overhead. And if you are out at these times - set up or find a shady spot for them and have water readily available. On hot days when it is unsafe (see diagram above) we do not recommend you take your dog out until late evening when it cools.
Dogs cool from under their paw pads, stomach and inner thighs where the blood vessels are larger, so popping them in a paddling pool, rivers, the sea (if safe) to drench their undersides helps considerably. I have drenched these areas with a bottle of water failing all else.
Note that throwing the ball into rivers and the sea for your dog means that they will likely be swallowing a considerable amount of the water with an open mouth carrying the ball back. It may be an idea not to overdo this especially in polluted waters. However, swimming is an excellent way to cool them down.
Paw balms for chaffed feet. Foot health is important to help our dogs expel the heat. Check the condition of their paw pads.
Don’t leave dogs in cars obviously. We have a directory of dog friendly shops and cafes you can bring your dog with you www.dorsetdogs.com/dog-friendly
Shaving dogs is not advisable if you have a double coated or long haired breed as it could make them more prone to heatstroke so do your research carefully. Have a read here
The five second rule (although I can’t find a source for this) it is something I personally do. It’s the back of your hand against the pavement for 5 seconds to judge how hot it is and if you can’t keep it there comfortably for 5 seconds think how hot it will be for your dog’s paw pads.
REMEMBER: all dogs are individuals and we have a policy of no judgment on our Facebook group. A friendly show of support is different to telling people what they “should do” especially if you are telling a parent of a double-coated breed to shave their dog. Lol.
Read more below about the signs of Heat Stroke…
Here is a useful infogram adapted from Tufts Animal Condition and Care
Tips for Keeping Dogs Safe in Hot Weather
To ensure the safety of dogs during hot weather, dog owners should consider the following tips:
1. Avoid Leaving Dogs in Cars: Never leave your dog in the car, even for a few minutes. The risks far outweigh any convenience.
2. Plan Ahead: Use resources like the Dog Friendly Places directory at dorsetdogs.com/dog-friendly to find over 500 locations where dogs are welcome and to help plan trips without leaving dogs in the car.
3. Cooling Measures in Transit: When travelling by car, ensure the vehicle is cool. Use cooling vests and cool mats, keep the air conditioning on, and ensure windows are down enough for ventilation while keeping dogs secure.
4. Shade and Hydration: Park in shaded areas and provide ample water to keep your dog hydrated. This is crucial even for short trips.
5. Stay Vigilant: Constantly monitor your dog for signs of overheating, such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, or uncoordinated movements. If any of these signs appear, seek veterinary help immediately.
SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE:
Excessive panting
Excessive thirst
Glazed eyes
Hyperventilation
Increased salivation
Dry gums that are pale or grayish
Bright or dark red tongue or gums
Rapid or erratic pulse
Weakness, staggering, confusion, inattention
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Rectal bleeding
Collapse
If you think your dog has heat stroke, you must take immediate action. Heat stroke can cause permanent organ damage. if your dog doesn’t cool down, his breathing can slow or stop. He may have seizures or fall into a coma. So, what should you do if you think your dog has heat stroke?
1. Move to Shade Get your dog out of direct sunlight and into a cooler spot quickly. A grassy area under a tree is ideal.
2. Cool with Water Apply water to their inner thighs, stomach, and paw pads. If near a sea or river, immerse them immediately. If using a garden hose let the water run for a few seconds to cool down in case its been sitting in the sun.
3. Air Out Keep your dog in the open air to let water evaporate. Avoid covering them with wet towels. If available, use a fan or air conditioning.
4. Keep Moving Encourage your dog to stand or walk slowly to help circulate cooled blood. Obviously no time for this in an absolute emergency.
5. Offer Cool Water to drink. Give small amounts of cool (not cold) water to prevent vomiting or bloating. If they refuse water, offer chicken or beef broth. But there may be no time for this. Having a syringe handy to syringe some water and get them to the vets.
6. Visit the Vet Once your dog starts cooling down, take them to the vet right away to avoid hypothermia.
Even if your dog seems fine, they’ll need a veterinary exam. There may be underlying damage to their organs that you can’t see. The effects of heat stroke can continue for 48 to 72 hours. The most common cause of death following heat stroke is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). This happens when the blood coagulates throughout the body. It can occur hours or days after the heat stroke episode.
The Importance of First Aid Knowledge
Knowing how to respond in an emergency can save your dog’s life. Dorset Dogs offers a
First Aid course dorsetdogs.com/dog-first-aid designed to equip dog owners with essential skills to handle emergencies, including heatstroke.
The course covers:
Recognising Symptoms: Learn to identify the signs of heatstroke and other commonailments.
Immediate Actions: Understand the immediate steps to take if your dog shows signs of distress.
Practical Skills: Gain hands-on experience with CPR and wound care techniques.
Preventive Measures: Learn how to prevent common emergencies through proper care and vigilance.
Book a place on our next course here dorsetdogs.com/dog-first-aid
Visit Dorset Dogs www.dorsetdogs.com/summer-tips for other areas of concern like what to do if an adder bites and sea water swimming etc.
Thank you to Sam Taylor the Comms Bee for the write-up.