Dogs and warm weather

Summer is in full swing. While most people are actually enjoying the lovely warm summer weather, for many dogs it is mostly an uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous time.   So don't dogs enjoy these hot summer days? The answer is: no. This is mainly because dogs are prone to overheating in hot weather. Their ability to cool off is much more limited. This is largely due to their well-insulating coat and their limited ability to sweat (primarily through the soles of their feet).

During hot weather, dogs try to lose as much heat as possible by conduction (lying stretched out on their stomach on a cold surface) and by panting (evaporation of fluid at the level of the tongue and lungs). A dog's normal body temperature is between 38 and 39°C. When the temperature is 40,5°C or more, is is referred to as overheating (or fever). Dogs that are overheated may show the following symptoms: panting, feeling hot, vomiting, excessive drooling, racing heart, red or purple gums, lethargy, loss of consciousness, ... 

If overheating is suspected, the dog should immediately be taken to a shady place and cooled as quickly as possible. This can be done by placing a wet towel on the belly or by rinsing the dog with fresh but never cold water.  Place the towel only on the belly and not on the entire body, otherwise your dog will not be able to release its heat. Try offering some cold water. The next step is to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

In conclusion, it is particularly important as a dog owner during the hot summer days to prevent your dog from getting too hot! Here are 5 practical tips to help you do that!

Walking

Try to avoid physical activities with your dog during the warmest hours of the day. Early in the morning or late in the evening, when the temperature has dropped significantly, it is usually possible and even pleasant to go for a walk with your dear four-legged friend. Also keep in mind that on hot days certain surfaces such as asphalt, sand, … can become (and remain) dangerously hot because they absorb heat from the sun. At an outdoor temperature of 25°C, the temperature of asphalt can quickly reach 50°C. Dogs can literally burn their paw pads. You can easily check if the surface is too by putting your hand on it, if the surface is too hot for your hand then it is also too hot for your dog’s food pads! Wooded areas are the ideal place to walk the dog in warmer weather. Finally, dogs also need to drink enough during exercise and especially on warmer days. It is estimated that a dog’s water requirements more than double when exercising in warm temperatures. So in addition to a drinking can for yourself, be sure to foresee plenty of water and an appropriate drinking bowl for your faithful four-legged friend when you hike in warmer weather.

Make sure there is plenty of water and shade

In summer, it is important for both humans and dogs to stay well hydrated. So make sure that your dog always has plenty of fresh, cold drinking water available. During very hot days, you can add ice to the water. Drinking cold water helps dogs cool their bodies from the inside out. Make sure the dog always has the opportunity to lie down in cool place, either outside in a shady place or inside the house somewhere cool. 

Cooling

There are also a number of items you can purchase to help cool your dog, such as a cooling mat or a cooling collar. Letting the dog lie on a cool wet towel is also a very easy way to cool down a dog. Is your dog a real water fan, then a paddling pool in the garden during hot summer days is also a good idea. When dogs stand and walk with their paws in cold water, it helps lower their body temperature. Swimming is also an excellent way for a dog to cool down and also get rid of some extra energy. Rinsing a dog for cooling purposes is also an option, provided tepid water is used and never cold water. Cold water would cause all the blood vessels in the dog’s skin to contract, reducing the ability to release heat. Dog ice cream not only provide cooling, but is also a tasty reward for your dog. 

Car

Never leave your dog in the car on a hot day. Not even for 5 minutes or with an open window. People often underestimate how quickly the temperature in a car can rise. Even if it doesn't feel that hot outside, the temperature inside the car rises quickly. For example, at an outside temperature of 21°C, the temperature inside the car can be 32°C after just 10 minutes, and 40°C after half an hour.

Pay extra attention to high-risk individuals

Some dogs are just a little more sensitive to the heat than others. Dogs most at risk belong to brachycephalic breeds or breeds with a short snout, such as the English and French bulldog, pug, Pekinese, boxer, amongst others. As mentioned above, dogs rely primarily on their respiratory system to dissipate heat. Breeds with a short snout all have difficulty breathing to a greater or lesser degree and therefore at greater risk of overheating.

Older dogs, dogs with heart problems, overweight dogs and dogs with thick and/or dark coats are also more susceptible to overheating. Thus, it is essential that owners with a dog belonging to these high-risk groups take extra precautions during hot days and minimize the dog's activities in order to keep the dog safe and happy even during hot summer days.

Extra Tip: Studies have shown that a healthy weight is very important for a dog's well-being. Overweight dogs overheat faster and take longer to cool down. This is because heat conduction and radiation from the skin is less efficient (an increased layer of fat under the skin acts as insulation), and effective cooling via respiration can be impeded. Using Olly & Molly In Shape can not only help your dog achieve a healthy weight, but also help them better cope with the higher temperatures of summer.