With temperatures in the UK reaching an eye watering high of 29 degrees, we are glad to see lots of pooches being walked in the early or late hours when the temperature has dropped.
However, there are still a handful of dogs being walked in the afternoon and hottest part of the day.. so we hope to provide an answer to the question ‘when is is too hot to walk your dog?’.
Firstly let’s educate ourselves in dog anatomy and behaviours.
Dogs paws
The pads of dogs paws have a thick layer of fatty tissue that protects their feet from harsh temperatures such as frost and freezing cold. When these pads get cold, the arteries wishing them carry this cold blood to the rest of the body to warm back up. Amazing huh?! This amazing discovery has led scientists to believe the theory that dogs originally evolved from colder climates.
Whereas dogs paws are designed to be protected from cold temperatures, this isn’t the case for hot surfaces. Hot paths, even grass and sand can all cause a dogs paw to burn and blister in higher temperatures.
Dogs coats
Your dogs coat/fur acts as an insulator, keeping the cold out but the warmth in during winter. But also keeping them cool in the hotter summer weather.
If you own a double-coated breed such as a German Shepherd, Husky, Retriever, Pomeranian, Bernese Mountain Dog, Rough Collie (google double coated dog breeds to check for your dog) you should never shave their coat. In double coated breeds, dogs shed their inner coat which is their insulating coat, regularly. Shaving the coat to stop shedding or by thinking it will keep the dog cooler in winter, will actually get rid of the insulating layer of fur, making the dog in danger of heat stroke and can actually damage the coat growth and follicles.
Sweating and Panting
You may have noticed that you can never see your dog sweat, but have noticed damp paw prints on laminate floors or your dog panting.
Merocrine glands which function similarly to human sweat glands, are found in your dogs paw pads and help to cool them down. Hence the paw prints.
Sweating actually plays a small part in cooling your dog down. Dogs mainly rely on painting to regulate their temperature and stay cool. Panting evaporates moisture from your dog’s tongue, nasal passages and lining of their lungs which then cools them as air passes over the moist tissue. Dogs blood vessels also expand, bringing hot blood closer to the surface of their skin which allows the blood to cool before returning to the heart and regulating their internal temperature, this is called vasodilation.
Heat Stroke in Dogs
Unfortunately, panting, vasodilation, and limited sweating are not as effective in cooling dogs down as sweating is for humans.
This creates a risk of dogs being susceptible to heat stress, heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Heat stroke in dogs should be taken very seriously, especially for short nosed breeds such as Pugs, Boxers, French & English Bulldogs and Boston Terriers. These breeds are less efficient in cooling themselves due to breathing issues. Obese, dark coated and dogs that have suffered from heat stroke before are all also higher risk for heat stroke.
Heat stroke is caused by when a dogs body temperature rises and the dog subsequently overheats. If left untreated for too long heat stroke is fatal. Every dog owner must be aware of the signed off heat stress and heat stroke.
Signs:
Heavy, frantic panting
Dehydration
Body temperature over 41° Celsius (feels warm to the touch)
Excessive drooling
Bright red gums
Rapid or irregular heart rate
Vomiting
Seizures
Muscle tremors
Lack of coordination (ataxia)
Unconsciousness
(Source: www.thekennelclub.org.uk)
If you are worried that your dog is suffering from heat stress or heat stroke, you must remove your dog from the heat and immediately call your vet. You must take your dogs to a vets, in the meantime as you are getting them ready to leave/taking them, sun cool water over them in a bath/shower, from a hose, or put a cool soaked towel over them. Keep their head elevated and out of any water as well as providing plenty of cool water to drink.
Keeping Your Dog Cool
We as dog owners can help our dog to regulate their body temperature by controlling and monitoring their environment.
When outdoors, make sure your dog has plenty of shaded areas and clean water at all times, a pool and use of a hose is also great.
Even if you feel it isn’t that warm out and your dog still wants to play ball with all the energy in the world, remember your dog is wearing a fur coat!
Don’t let your dog carry a ball when the weather is warm, carry it for them so they can pant and better regulate their temperature.
As well as outside you must be aware of temperatures inside the house as well.
When at home keep your dogs cool, make sure your house is kept cool and well ventilated, use fans, close your curtains and blinds to keep the house shaded.
There are lots of fantastic items available online and at pet shops to keep your pets cool, such as; cooling mats and vests, pools, frozen lick mats and treat dispensers!
NEVER leave your dog unattended in a car or drive in warm temperatures with no windows open or air on. Not doing this event for a few minutes can cause the temperature in your car to rapidly climb and cause your dog to overheat.
Conclusion
So it is imperative as a responsible dog owner, to exercise common sense when walking your dog. A dog has never died from missing walks, however many dogs have died due to heat stroke. It just isn’t worth the risk, on hotter days stick to early mornings, late evenings when it is cooler, if they ‘must’ be walked you must make sure this is in shady, breezy areas with water available, try not to play fetch or have your dog run for extended periods of time. Lots of fantastic things are available to keep your dog cool, such as cooling mats and vests.
By learning how dogs regulate their body temperature, we can help keep them stay cool, safe, and healthy year-round.
Content sources:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/do-dogs-sweat/ https://www.petspyjamas.com/blog/top-10-facts-about-dog-paws/ https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/heatstroke-in-dogs/
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