With summer just around the corner and a mini heatwave looming, it's important all dog owners know how to respond if their pet starts to overheat
Thankfully, a pooch lover has shared a number of warning signs owners should look out for - and advice on what to do should the worst happen.
Kaylin Bergeson regularly shares advice with thousands of followers on her popular TikTok account @lavenderlattekaylin, and one of her latest videos is devoted to what is potentially a life-saving lesson.
In the video, Kaylin explained there are mistakes 'lots of people' make that could be 'harmful to your dog's health,' when faced with the panic-inducing problem.
Fortunately, she went on to offer advice should you notice your dog is drooling a lot or panting excessively, both of which she gives as signs your pet could be overheating.
As you'd expect, it's important to cool the animal down, but you need to do so in a safe way.
Kaylin said: "When you're cooling your dog down, you definitely want to douse them with water, but you don't want it to be cold water.
"If you use cold water it causes their blood vessels to constrict which actually takes them longer to cool down."
She added: "Once you've doused them with lukewarm water don't try to make them drink. If you make them drink it actually takes away from them trying to breathe. They will drink on their own if they can."
It is also worth moving them to a cool space if you can, according to the owner. However, she doesn't advise excessive movement or travelling to the vets straight away.
"Don't take your dog to the vet until they've cooled down to a temperature of 103°F (39°C) because the stress and the movement could cause them to overheat more."
Similar advice is available on The Canine Training Center's website. "If your dog's temperature is 105 degrees (40.5°C) or more, take immediate action. Always cool the dog off at home before travelling to the vet's office," it states.
"Continue all cool down attempts until the panting stops. Stop cooling once the dog's temperature gets to 103; cooling any further could lead to hypothermia."
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear all about it. Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
