Sunny summer days seem to incite all sorts of fun activities with your dog: from playing fetch in the park to frisbee on the beach. Unfortunately, as temperatures soar, the hot weather also brings with it some very specific hazards such as sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Good news, these threats to your pooch are PREVENTABLE.
Protecting Your Dog from Sunburn.
Just like humans, dogs can be burned by the sun, especially the nose, tips of the ears and around the lip area. Common sense dictates that you keep your dog in the shade during the hours when the sun's rays are most intense - usually between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. However, if you need to be outside during these times, it's okay to apply sun-block to your dog's nose and the exposed skin on the ears. It's a little risky to apply sun-block around the lips so instead just keep a close watch and make sure that the area doesn't get too pink. If you notice that any portion of your dog's skin is reddened or blistered, contact your veterinarian right away.
Protecting Your Dog from Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke.
Leaving a dog in a parked car during summer weather is something that you should never do. The temperature inside a parked car can reach one and one-half to two times the temperature outside the car. Leaving your dog in your parked car on a warm day is the leading cause of heat stroke, and it frequently leads to the death of your dog. Dogs can also suffer heat exhaustion or heat stroke if they exercise too heavily on a hot, humid day or, if they live outdoors and don't have shelter from the sun. Dogs are also susceptible if they are overweight or suffer from lung or heart ailments. Older dogs are less tolerant of heat and may succumb to heat strokes more readily than younger dogs.
In many jurisdictions, it is against the law to leave your dog unattended in your car during hot weather or very cold weather. Due to the large number of dogs that die of heat stroke from being left unattended in a vehicle, the courts frequently assess large fines, jail time or both.
A few simple actions on your part can help protect your dog from heat exhaustion and heat stroke:
Don't take your dog with you on errands if you need to leave her in the car. However, if you're traveling with your dog and must make a stop, even for the shortest period of time, consider leaving the air conditioner on.
If you're accustomed to taking your dog with you when power-walking, jogging or cycling, don't push her on exceptionally hot days. If she falls behind, let her take a break. Or, better yet, switch your time to either later in the evening when the heat of the day is past, or earlier in the day before the heat has had a chance to build up.
For dogs who live outside, make sure to provide "all-day shade" such as a ventilated doghouse, large beach umbrella or overhang that will remain shaded even when the sun shifts throughout the day.
Keep older dogs and those with lung or heart conditions inside your home on hot days. If you don't have air conditioning, keep a fan running.
Avoid any situations that force your dog to stand on sun baked surfaces such as cement sidewalks, a truck bed or beach sand. The extreme heat can cause blisters on her pads (if your dog gets blisters on her pads, get her to a veterinarian as soon as possible). If you simply must walk your dog in the heat of the day, tread on grassy areas as much as possible.
Water, Water, Water!
And last but not least . . . like you, your dog needs to hydrate frequently so be sure to provide unlimited access to cool, clean, refreshing drinking water.
Until next time,
Teia
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