Heatstroke in dogs is a very real risk this summer. It’s important to remain vigilant with our pets. Here at Tailster, we recommend NOT walking your dogs in unsafe heat.
Read on for Tailster Tips on how to avoid heat stroke in dogs…
Prevention is better than cure
Prevention is a lot easier than treating heatstroke in dogs and much more comfortable for your pet! Whilst dangerous, heatstroke is easily avoidable when you follow our tips. Read on to find out how to avoid heatstroke in dogs this summer.
Skip the walk
Your dog will be absolutely fine if they miss a walk in this heat. The damage you can do taking a dog out in high temperatures can be irreversible as once their internal temperature increases it can be impossible to cool them down. You could book a Tailster carer to come and visit your dog if you’re worried they’ll be bored without their regular walk. Any temperatures over 18-20 degrees could be too hot for some breeds such as brachycephalic breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs and Boston Terrier.
Get your dog summer ready…
Prepare your pet for the summer by trimming their fur if they have a long or heavy coat. Most importantly, bear in mind that you should never shave your dog’s fur, especially if they have a double coat. The bottom layer traps air and insulates your dog. This helps them keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The top layer is made up of tougher guard hairs that protect your pet from the sun and insect bites.
Hydrate!
Make sure your dog has easy access to multiple water bowls around the house. In the event that your dog is willing to stay hydrated, keep the bowls topped up with cool (not cold!), freshwater.
If you struggle with ensuring your pet drinks enough water, one common solution is to invest in a water fountain designed especially for dogs. Research has shown that they prefer water from a running source to stagnant water from a bowl. Feeding your dog wet food is a great way of getting more fluids into your dog’s diet during hot weather.
Know the signs – Symptoms for heat stroke include:
- Heavy panting
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Weakness or collapsing
- Drowsiness
Treating heat stroke in dogs
Once you spot signs of heatstroke in your dog, get to your local vet. In order to make their journey to the vet more comfortable and minimise any damage, you can begin cooling your dog down by soaking their body with cool water – not cold water as it can shock their system. To be sure your dog is comfortable, focus on cooling their head, neck, and underneath the front and back legs.
If you have a cooling vest, this can help cool them down on your way to the vet. Alternatively, you can run a t-shirt or towel under some cool water, wring it out and place it on the back of the neck and body. With this in mind, if you are travelling by car, check out this blog post for Tailster’s Tips on keeping your pup comfortable.
Work, family, and social commitments mean that there often aren’t enough hours in the day to give our pets the attention that they deserve. Click here to find out how Tailster can put you in contact with hundreds of pet carers in your local area, meaning that you can rest in the knowledge that your pets are being well looked after.