Dog Warm Weather Safety Tips
It’s another scorcher today and it looks set to stay pretty warm over the coming weeks. So what better time to remind you of what to do and what not to do to keep your dogs cool, happy and safe during the warmer periods.
- Encourage them to stay in shaded areas away from direct sunlight
- Ensure they have access to plenty of clean drinking water
- DO NOT take them for a walk during the hotter part of the day – wait for the evening or take an early morning walk
- Where possible, circulate the air using fans and keep curtains drawn and blinds closed in a room for them to retreat to
- Put down damp towels for them to lie on, or if you have one, fill a paddling pool (in the shade) for them to cool off in
- DO NOT leave them in a car!
- If necessary, apply dog-friendly sun cream to the sensitive areas of your dog (nose, lips, tips of the ears and belly)
- DO NOT leave them in a car!
- No exercise – wait until the cooler evening or early morning
- DO NOT leave them in a car!
By not following these tips, you increase the risk of them suffering from heatstroke.
Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs
- Panting heavily
- Drooling excessively
- Appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
- Vomiting
- Collapsing
If your dog is showing any of these signs, follow emergency dog first aid and contact your nearest vet.
For the best chance of survival, they will urgently need to have their body temperature lowered. That said, it must be done gradually or they can go into shock.
In milder cases;
- Move them to a cool, shaded area.
- Pour small amounts of room temperature water onto them.
- You can also use wet towels but make sure to re-apply water regularly and not to keep the dog constantly covered.
- Allow the dog to drink small amounts of room temperature water.
- Continue to pour small amounts of room temperature water onto the dog until their breathing starts to settle but not so much that they start to shiver.
Once the dog is starting to get cooler and their breathing is settling down, call the nearest veterinary surgery so they can be checked over.
One last thing… DO NOT leave them in a car!
