Sizzling Summer Safety: Essential Strategies for Keeping Your Dog Cool
The dog days of summer are in full swing, and while you’re having fun in the sun with your canine companion, it’s important to protect your pooch from high temps and intense UV rays. Our team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital wants all pet families to know how to recognize heatstroke in pets and, most importantly, how to decrease or eliminate your pet’s risk.
Why is Heatstroke a Problem for Pets?
Dogs release the heat in their bodies by panting and sweating through their paw pads, but this isn’t enough to help pets keep their cool when temperatures and humidity are high.
Plus, dogs have higher “set” body temperatures to begin with—typically between 100 to 102.5 degrees—and the threshold for heatstroke in dogs is anything above 104 degrees.
Any pet can be susceptible to heatstroke when the climate is right, but some pets are more prone than others, including:
- Overweight pets
- Senior pets
- Pets with chronic illnesses
- Brachycephalic pets such as pugs and bulldogs
Signs of Heatstroke in Pets
Learning how to recognize heatstroke in pets is critical, particularly in the summer months. What does heatstroke for pets look like? Watch for the following progression of symptoms:
- Excessive panting and insatiable thirst are often early warning signs that a dog is struggling to cool down.
- Symptoms like rapid respiration or difficulty breathing are serious signs of heatstroke in pets and can escalate quickly.
- Drooling, lack of coordination, and even collapse can occur. These are signs that the situation has escalated dramatically, and immediate help is needed.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and seizures indicate that an animal is suffering from severe heatstroke, and this is a veterinary emergency.
How to Cool Down an Overheated Pet
When you spot any signs of heatstroke in pets, take these actions immediately:
- Move the animal to an air-conditioned or shaded area.
- Dab the pet’s paws, head, and neck with a wet towel soaked with cool (NOT ice-cold) water.
- Try to get your pet to drink some cool water.
- Contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic for further instructions.
How to Protect Your Dog From Heatstroke
Take these summer safety precautions to protect pets from heatstroke:
- Never leave a pet in a parked car.
- Protect your pet’s paws from hot surfaces using booties or balms.
- Walk the dog earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
- Provide your pet with plenty of water breaks in the shade when walking or playing outside.
- Always carry a travel water bowl and clean water for your pet.
- Designate a potty spot for your pet in the shade.
- Don’t leave your pet outdoors unsupervised on extremely hot days.
We want you and your pets to safely enjoy this season in the sun. Contact us if it’s time for your pet’s wellness exam or if you’d like more tips about how to recognize heatstroke in pets.