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Dogs are much more prone than people to develop heatstroke, because they are only able to sweat through their foot pads and can cool off only by panting. Even the healthiest of dogs can succumb to heat-related illnesses if pushed too hard or left in a confined space. Dogs with medical problems are even more vulnerable.
Help keep your pooch safe with these tips from the Humane Society of the United States, and veterinarian Ira Roth, director of the Community Practice Clinic at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Protecting Your Dog From the Heat
Here are three things to keep in mind during these intense summer days:
Limit time outside. During extreme temperatures, it's a good idea for everyone -- man and beast -- to be inside if they can. But short-nosed dog breeds who naturally have more trouble breathing -- such as Boston terriers, pugs, English bulldogs, or boxers -- should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. The same goes for dogs with renal or cardiac failure, or other health disorders, says Roth. If you can't keep your dog inside, make sure it has ready access to fresh water and shade, like in a dog house.
Reduce physical activity. Keep exercise short with just a walk in the early morning or evening hours. Taking your dog out to "do his business," or letting him walk with you to the mailbox in the middle of the day is probably fine. But it's easy to overexert a dog without realizing it, Roth says.
"If your daily routine is to come home and throw the ball and play catch for a while, you want to eliminate that or drastically reduce it," Roth tells Paw Nation. "Dogs will push themselves to exhaustion." It's up to you to recognize when your pet has had enough activity.
Never leave a dog in car: We know you've heard this before but we will say it again and again because even if you're parked in the shade, the inside of your car can quickly reach 120 degrees. "Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone 'just a minute' that your pet will be safe while you're gone," the Humane Society of the United States says in its Summer Care Tips guide. Also, don't leave your dog in the back of a pickup truck. The bed can get hot enough to scorch a dog's feet or belly.
What to Do if Your Dog Becomes Overheated
Quick action is the key to treating your pet.
If you suspect heatstroke, call your vet immediately. If your dog is panting excessively, staggering, seems disoriented or has reddish-purple gums your pet is in serious trouble. Fast treatment is critical to avoid life-threatening complications like blood-clotting abnormalities or multiorgan failure, Roth says. "Time will be an important factor," Roth says. "Many [overheated dogs] will die even with very, very aggressive treatment."
Cool your dog down. After contacting your vet, the Humane Society recommends that you move your pet to the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply cool (not cold) water over his body to gradually lower his core body temperature. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet's head, neck, and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes.
By staying alert and taking action quickly, you can keep your dog safe. Of course not all pet owners will be as vigilant as you so if you see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, alert the management of the store where the car is parked, and if the owner doesn't return, call local animal control or the police department.
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EXCELLENT ARTICLE! Thanks for posting.
I see far too many people "jogging" with their dog on a hot day (totally oblivious to their dog's painful expression, or efforts to stop), or who walk their dog in the middle of the afternoon.
Hot pavement scorches their foot pads (ever walk barefoot on pavement? That's how it feels to a dog, too).
Small dogs are closer to the ground/pavement, and it is even more blistering hot down there.
Also, do people know that they should never use a muzzle, or a "Halti" which does not allow them to open their mouth wide to pant, in warm weather?
Its bad enough in cold weather, but in hot weather, their inability to pant can overheat their body quickly, and die.
Lastly, when will people GET IT that you cannot leave your dog in a car even for a minute, even with the windows "cracked"?
Lets all put ourselves in our pet's place to see how they might feel, as they can't speak like we can. Also- stay alert to your dog...their communication with you is subtle. It is our job as a pet guardian to be responsible and step up.
I hope all dog owners read this and pay attention to the article. I have called the
police many times when I saw a dog left in a car unattended. I also see people
jogging with their dogs on really hot days and wonder what they are thinking. This
summer is very hot in all parts of the country, so please be a good guardian to your
pets and keep them safe.
People you see jogging in 90 degree heat probably aren't doing it the first time that day. They are fanatics. Also, they probably didn't chose that 95 degree day as the first time to take their dog on their run. The dog most likely runs with them all the time. As such, the dog is used to the exertion and can "take the heat" as well as the person. Don't just drive by and judge; watch awhile and see the person share their water bottle and when arriving home, water the dog prior to hydrating themself.
Your comments were more informaive and more down to earth than the actual article. Thank you for putting the advise into terms even the newest dog owner can understand. I live in Florida and the things I see people do to/with dogs as far as activities in the heat is ridiculous. Taking your dog to the ocean isnt good either. The sand stays hot for hours after the sun goes down and the salt water isnt good for your pet. Just like we shouldn't drink it, they dont know better and a lot less does a lot more damage to them.
Halti collars allow dogs to open their mouths wide if they are fitted properly. My dog wears one and is perfectly fine to pant as she needs to.
How to prevent your dog from heat stroke???
Who the hell writes this crap?
How about "How to protect your dog from heat stroke"...or "How to prevent heat stroke for your dog"?
Does anyone proofread this stuff?
I use a halti colar and if fitted properly a dog can pant, drink water and eat. Also it can pick up a ball. But, like I said it has to be fitted properly. Also if leaving in a car, lock it and leave the air conditioning on.
im soo glad i read this!!
ppl are soo dumb
but question
i leave my small dog
chihuahua in my car when i go in to get mcdonals but the air is on is that still bad
Thank you for the great article. It is the first I have seen in the media since our heatwave began.
I agree,extended jogging with a dog in the summer heat and even on a warm day in the other seasons is excruciating for the animal but our loyal friends will literally die to keep up and be with us.
Hot pavement not only hurts and burns it can cause dry cracked pads that later become infected. It is also true the air heat close to the ground is much more intense than at human height.
For those that like the head collars, they're useful when you are dealing with "pullers" please get the HALTI it'sdesign is the best it allows the dog topant. Whereas the Gentle Leader is always tight cuts too close to the eyes and is taunt on jaw and nose bridge and is very uncomfortable for most dogs.
Take care of your pet they trust you to protect them.
Another thing you can do for dogs w/ long hair...shave thier tummy's...up to in between their front legs...I was a groomer for 17 yrs..many of my clients wanted thier pets cooler..i told them..1. they have thier own thermostats,,2. to help them maintain it they need to let thier skin breathe,, they need not shave all the hair off the body if they brush them to keep built up under growth from preventing the air getting to thier skin..they stay cooler and happier...
I was at a Walmart in Maryland in the middle of the day today when the temp was in the nineties. Someone had left their dog in a car, no shade, windows only cracked. He was barking, which caught my attention. I contacted the Walmart security truck in the parking lot, and told them. They weren't very helpful. I then called 911 for the police to come. About 15 minutes went by, no police.The dog was now on the floor of the car, trying to find some breathable air. Then the owners returned to their car and were quite insulted that I was so upset at their dog having been left. They said "oh, he has water" How stupid can they be. They don't deserve to have a dog. I have their license # and have reported them to the local animal authorities.
As an emergency vet tech in southern California, heat stroke was a common problem seen this time of year - sometimes a dozen in one shift. Most dogs don't survive.
Best protection - keep your dog from becoming overheated in the first place. When it's hot, keep your dog indoors. Keep clean, cool drinking water available at all times. If you must keep them outdoors, make sure they have shelter that isn't in the sun. If they have a dog house, make sure it's shaded as well - a dog house in the sun is nothing but a sweat box for your dog. Make sure any outside drinking water is kept in the shade as well.
DO NOT take dogs out into the severe heat, then return them to air conditioning repeatedly - this will cause heat stroke. One of the most heartbreaking cases I saw was a police dog that died of heatstroke because his partner kept putting him back in the air conditioned car for "breaks" while on patrol at a concert. The constant change of temperature only exacerbated the problem and his dog died in his arms as he rushed him into our clinic.
Also, short nosed dogs are especially susceptible to heat stroke. Dogs like pugs, bulldogs, etc, are prone because of their anatomy. Please take extra precautions with these breeds.
If your dog becomes sluggish, disoriented, begins breathing heavily, begins panting excessively and you notice the tongue becomes dark pink or red rather than the normal pink...these are all signs of overheating. Dogs normal internal temperatures can run as high as 102.5, but they stroke out at 106, just like humans. What this means is that there is very little room to go from just being hot, to developing heat stroke. And since the dogs only sweat glands are on the feet, walking your dog in the heat is the worst thing you can do. You are cooking your dog's only defense against heat stroke with every step it takes on hot pavement.
If your dog develops symptoms, find a vet immediately. If you can cool them down by hosing them off or giving them ice cubes, that's great, but TIME is of the essence. Don't waste time looking for a hose. Those few minutes can mean the difference between your dog surviving heat stroke and you dog dying before you reach your vet.
Do NOT contact your vet first.
Get your pet into cool water, quickly.
There is not time to waste.
Call the vet on your cell, after you have put your pet in cool water or have someone else make that call.
The one exception is that if you vet is closer than cool water, put you pet in an air conditioned car and get to the vet.
I totally get that you shouldn't exercise your pet in the heat of the day but my boys (Lab & Husky), insist on walking everyday at 5 when I get home from work. I live in the Midwest so it is still very hot at 5, but they go crazy if they don't get their walk at the appropriate time. I swear they tell time. But we don't walk on pavement only in the grass and we stop several times in the shade of the very large, old trees that line the elementary school field across the street from our home to stay cool. (And yes I pick up after them.) When we return home they always play in the sprinkler sans collar (naked) so they can cool off before they eat dinner. They love their afternoon schedule and even keep to it on the weekends. Dogs love routine and who am I to question them. It just works for us.
Put the backside of your hand down on the pavement/sidewalk. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for the dog's paws. Please don't burn their feet because of a misguided belief that they need a walk.
i feel sorry for these people flying down county and state roads with the dogs hanging out of these pickup trucks. worst of all when they say the dog loves it. what the dog told them that. seen dogs jump out. to many small egos plus puts the animal at risk and the people who try to avoid hitting them . so foolish
I agree. I was sitting in a vet's office one day, & a man ran in, carrying his dog, who had been riding in the back of his pickup truck. The dog had jumped out (at 40 mph, & it tore off all his paw pads, leaving a bloody, agonizing mess, among other, probably internal injuries. I think the vet had to end up putting him down. Imagine the guilt you'd feel!
I love the PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my will-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends and your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
Twice in my apartment the electric power shut off and my dog was very hot and I rubbed with cool water and started paper fanning him. Then it hit me ok I was able to cool my dog down because I am home to do so but what if I wasn't home or couldn't get someone to check on my dog, any suggestions?
make friends with more than one person in your apartment complex that is home on a regular basis and ask them to call you at work or on your cell when the power goes out. maybe a senior citizen can use $5 to make the call and you can have more peace of mind.