We have enjoyed some beautiful weather recently and our dogs have had a lovely time soaking up the sun ☀️
As we move into the summer, it’s likely that we have more warm weather to come, and with heatwaves becoming increasingly common we want to talk about heat and how it can affect our dogs. We all love a sunny day, but it’s important to keep an eye on our four legged friends in hot weather and take steps to keep them safe.
Walk your dog at cooler times of day
On hot, sunny days, it’s safer to walk your dog during the early morning or evening when it’s cooler.
How to recognise overheating
If your dog is panting heavily and seems lethargic, they may be overheating. If this happens, move somewhere cool and shaded with more breeze and encourage them to rest. Offer your dog cold water to help them cool down.
Heatstroke – signs and first aid
Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s temperature becomes dangerously high because of their environment, excessive exercise or sometimes both.
Signs of heatstroke in dogs include:
- Purple gums or red skin
- Collapse
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Excessive panting
- Dribbling
If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, it’s important that you take immediate action to help. You should:
- Immediately stop any physical activity
- Move somewhere cooler
- Offer them water
- Encourage them into cool water if possible and gently run water over them, taking care to avoid their face
- Call a vet and take their advice
Some dogs are more likely to overheat than others
Brachycephalic (flat faced), overweight and large dogs are at a higher risk of overheating, even at lower temperatures. At temperatures of 23°C or more, high risk dogs should not be taking part in any exerting activities and at 25°C or more, keeping cool should be a top priority.
Sunburn
Did you know that dogs can get sunburnt too? Breeds with light fur coverage and light skin are particularly susceptible to sunburn. Areas with little to no fur – such as the bridge of the nose, belly and groin – are the most likely to get burnt, so you may want to apply dog-safe suncream if your dog is out and about in the sun or sunbathing for longer periods.
Signs of sunburn include:
- Red or pink skin
- Dry or cracked skin
- Ears that curl at the edges
If you spot signs of sunburn on your dog, here are some ways you can help them.
- Move somewhere shaded
- Apply dog-safe sun cream
- Consider talking to your vet if the sunburn looks particularly bad
Muzzles
- Fit comfortably
- Allow for a full pant (where your dog has their mouth wide open)
- Allow your dog to drink through it
