According to the RSPCA, there were over 8,000 calls made to their hotline about dogs in hot environments in just one summer (2020). This demonstrates just how much of a problem dogs overheating is. We might laugh that off, since we’re on an island that rarely sees the sun and the slightest chance of a tan is embraced every June, but dogs are different. They have a built-in coat to keep them warm, and they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke due to their smaller size and underdeveloped cooling abilities.
It’s important to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses in puppies during hot summer months. We’ve got a guide for you to make sure that your dog stays cool, calm, and happy throughout the summer months.
Signs of Overheating
To begin with, it’s good to make sure you have the signs of your dog overheating locked in your brain so you can do something about it quickly. Your dog might be showing signs of heat exhaustion and stroke if you see:
- excessive panting
- lethargy
- drooling
- vomiting
- bright red or purple tongue
- rapid heartbeat
- warm, dry skin
- diarrhoea
- collapsing
It’s urgent that you are addressing your dog overheating immediately as it can be life-threatening if it gets bad enough. If things go on, your dog might have a seizure or go into a coma if their internal body temperature keeps rising.
If you see these signs…
If you see these signs of your dog overheating, you will have to take action immediately. The first move is to move your dog into a shaded and cool area to get them out of the heat.
From there you can start cooling methods. Get your dog water to drink, but make sure it’s cool but not ice since that can cause shock when your dog is overheating.
Apply wet towels to your dog’s head, neck, chest and inner thighs to help cool them down and if necessary, you can coat them in cool, but not cold water.
Make sure not to cover or wrap the dog since that can trap more heat but remember that if the symptoms don’t improve quickly you will have to go to the vet.
Prevention
But we don’t want it to get to that point, so how do you keep enjoying the summer without worrying about your dog overheating?
Start by providing plenty of shade and cool resting areas for dogs when outdoors. Umbrella shades, patios, etc. and perhaps coax them into those spaces with their dog bed or a towel on the ground so they aren’t pressing their hot belly against the hot floor. You can even set up a kiddie pool or cooling mat for puppies to lie on.
When it comes to keeping them happy indoors, you might want to set up air conditioning or some fans in the room they sleep in to keep them cool and prevent your dog overheating.
Extra tips
So what else do you need to know to avoid causing your dog overheating?
– Hydration
It is very important to provide your dog with fresh, cool water at all times. Make sure to encourage your dog to drink frequently to make sure they stay hydrated, which is the best way to offset heatstroke. You might want to keep a water bottle in their sleeping area at night as well as their usual dinner station. You can also get collapsable bowls and water bottles to give your dog water while out exercising on walks and outings.
– Exercise and Activity
Speaking of exercise, that is still very important for your dog but you might want to tweak your routine to better suit the temperature. Go on long walks at cooler times of the day like early morning or evening or consider indoor training sessions or mental stimulation activities during the hottest hours.
– Grooming
To help things along, keep dogs’ coats well-groomed and brushed in order to thin our the coat and to prevent matting, which can trap heat. You might even consider getting your dog a trim if they have longer coats so that they stay cool in the warmer weather.
Never Leave Them in Vehicles
It should go without saying, but here we are: don’t keep your dog in a locked vehicle. It’s extremely dangerous in the hot weather, even for a short time. Sure, we Brits don’t get Californian heat, but even a 15–20-degree day will heat up a car very quickly. This can lead to your dog overheating, which, again, can be fatal.