With summer coming in hot, we will inevitably spend more time outdoors with our furry friends. The hottest months of the year can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for dogs. To prevent your pet from overheating, you must take extra precautions for their safety.
Here are a few hot weather safety tips for your dog this summer!
Don’t leave Your Dog in the Car
Never leave your dog in the car, even when the car is running, and the air conditioner is on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. For example, on a 29°C Day, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 38°C within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 48°C. Your pet could suffer irreversible organ damage or die under these conditions.
Limit Exercise
Be cautious when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours and avoid the game of fetch unless it’s in the water and only for a short time. Be especially careful with pets with white-coloured ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.
Know the Symptoms of Overheating
Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke in dogs are:
- Heavy panting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Difficulty breathing
- Glazed eyes
- Excessive thirst
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Profuse salivation
Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. If you notice signs of heat stroke in your dog, move them to the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest or run cool (not cold) water over them. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes and take them directly to a veterinarian!
Remember that if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog. It’s important to take extra care of your animal’s health and well-being during the summer months so they stay safe and comfortable.
If you’re looking for a furry companion to make lasting memories with this summer, Copper Canyon Labradoodles is the place to search! Review our expected litter’s page and fill out our online puppy adoption application if you are interested in parenting a beautiful Australian Labradoodle for years to come!