With the warm weather showing no signs of letting up, walking your dog can become a tricky task with pet owners understandably concerned for their pets. While many of us will enjoy basking in the sun, for our four-legged friends the heat can prove dangerous if they are not looked after properly.
Experts have warned that dogs begin to feel uncomfortable once the thermometer reaches temperatures of just 20C. Although 20 C may sound manageable for humans , it’s more than enough for our dogs to start feeling hot and uncomfortable.
But there are some things that pet owners can do to make sure their dogs are comfortable in the heat, especially when it comes to taking them out for their walks. Darren Beale, founder of Years.com said: “As soon as the temperature hits 20 degrees we need to be thinking about our dogs and how we can keep them cool. Many of us long for sunny days but we don’t realise they can be really tough for our four-legged friends who can quickly become dehydrated and tired due to the warmer weather. It’s important to do what you can to keep your dog cool throughout the day and doing things like wrapping them in a cool towel or giving them a frozen chew toy are great ways to help regulate their body temperature, something which an electric fan won’t necessarily do.
“Whatever you do, just be careful not to put your dog in cold water as this can cause shock to their bodies. Giving them cool water will be more than enough.”
Here are some things you need to know about walking your dog in hot weather and how to keep your furry friends cool:
1. The five-second rule for walking your dog in hot weather
A top tip to know whether it is too hot to walk your dog is to use the five-second rule. The general theory is that if the pavement is too hot for the back of your hand to be rested there for five seconds then it is too hot to walk your dog. A dog's paws are just as sensitive as human feet and are therefore susceptible getting painfully burned and can suffer these burns even on days you wouldn't consider overly hot.
2. Walk your dogs at cooler times of the day
Temperatures above 20C put your dog at risk of heat stroke, an illness that occurs when dogs are no longer able to self-regulate and keep their body temperature down. Many of the most severe emergency cases seen by vets are caused by dogs exercising too vigorously in the middle of the day when temperatures are at their highest.
As a result, it is best to walk your dog at cooler times of the day, mainly early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler. Generally any temperature up to 19C is suitable.
3. Lay your dogs on cool towels
Soak a towel in some cool water and ring out any excess before using it as a mat for your dog to lay on or wrap it around their body. Always avoid using freezing cold water as this can cause shock. This can be especially soothing after being out in the dun.
4. Put their favourite chew toy in the freezer
Pop your dogs favourite chew toy into the freezer and in a few hours they’ll be able to keep themselves occupied whilst regulating their body temperature.
5. Invest in a paddling pool
If it’s not too hot outside, find a shady spot and set up a paddling pool for your dog to splash about in. Not only is this a great way for them to cool down but it’s also a fun activity. Even better, set this up in a shady spot.
6. Know the symptoms of sunstroke in dogs
As well as sunburn, dogs can suffer from sunstroke so it’s important to understand the signs. Dr Samantha Webster, vet at Joii Pet Care said: “Sunstroke happens when a dog or pet is unable to effectively regulate their body temperature. Unlike humans, who can sweat from just about anywhere on the body, dogs are only able to sweat through their paws.
"To keep cool, they expel heat by panting, but as temperatures begin to rise, it becomes harder for the dog to cool down by panting as they are drawing in warmer air than they are releasing. Their fur coats add to this problem by retaining heat and preventing heat loss.
“Your dog is most at risk of sunstroke when exercising on hot days. If your dog is experiencing sunstroke, there are some clear tell-tale signs to look out for. These include excessive panting, drooling, bright red gums, shaking and vomiting.
“If your dog is showing any of these signs you should act immediately. Begin by taking them to a shaded area so they can start to cool down. Place cool, wet towels over their body, paying particular attention to the neck, armpits and between the hind legs. You can also wet their ears and paw pads with cool (not ice cold) water.
“Ensure your pet has access to water, but don’t allow them to drink too quickly as there is a risk they may inhale it. If they won’t drink, keep their tongue wet by putting water on it carefully.
"The most important thing to remember is to never give ice to a dog suffering from sunstroke, as this can cause their system to go into shock. Once you’ve followed these first aid steps, take them to a vet as quickly as possible to seek expert advice.
“Once temperatures reach 24C, sunstroke becomes a high possibility and extreme caution should be taken, particularly with large, very young or flat-faced dogs. At 28C, the heat becomes dangerous for all dogs, but life-threatening for larger breeds, puppies or flat-faced dogs again. You should never walk a dog or allow a dog to sit in the sun once it becomes 32C or hotter as at this temperature, sunstroke is a major risk for all dogs regardless of condition, size or breed.”
