Recognize these 5 signals that imply it's overly warm to amble with your dog, essential for all canine caretakers.
Walking a pooch in the blazing heat can be a paw-lectic disaster, leading to heatstroke or discomfort. Even if your dog's breed thrives in scorching temps, knowing when to hold off on the leash is fundamental for a happy, healthy hound!
First things first: take a chill pill, doc! Vet Dr. Hannah Godfrey, who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011, advises drive-by doggers to heed the warm weather warnings. "Dogs are prone to heatstroke when it's hot, especially young, elderly, fat, or flat-faced furballs," she says. "And don't forget about those poor pup paws! Scorching surfaces can cause some serious, ouchie burns."
So, when the sun's beating down, what gives? Let's break it down with some signs that it's doggone too hot to hoof it!
1. Scorching surfaces
Ever tried walking barefoot on a smoking hot deck or patio? Ugh, right? Same deal for your fur-kid's tender toe beans. "If you can't take the heat, don't force your dog to," warns Dr. Godfrey. "Test the ground every now and then to avoid blistered pads."
2. Temperature takes a turn for the summer
Keep your pooch's pores in check, mate! Dr. Godfrey points out that the best times for a walk are before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when temperatures are below 81°F. Look, it's not always gonna be a walk in the park, but hey, at least it won't be a sizzler!
If you insist on a muggy afternoon stroll, Dr. Godfrey suggests ensuring tender paws, breathless beasts, and sun-baked strawberries have access to plenty of water, shady spots, and rest time.
3. Pant-astic panting
It's not just '70s disco music that makes you hot and bothered, it's excessive panting from your pup, too! Dogs pant to cool down, so if your furry friend's already sweating it out at home, postpone that outing until temps drop and panting tapers off.
4. Sun-worshipper from the shade
Smart or not, even dumber-than-a-box-of-rocks pooches understand the importance of finding the right spot to chill. "If your dog's out here hotter than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest, seeking shade is their body's SOS," says Dr. Godfrey.
5. Too hot for you, too hot for your hound
Utilize empathy, my man! If even the simple notion of going for a walk in the heat exasperates you, it's undoubtedly the dog daze for your canine companion, too. "Dogs can't sweat like we do, so we need to take it upon ourselves to keep them cool," Dr. Godfrey advises.
Remember, prevention is always fur-tunate. Dr. Godfrey underlines that the fewer times you expose your pet to the stifling summer sun, the less likely you'll have to deal with the fury (and potential disaster) of heat exhaustion.
Now, go forth and walk like a wise pet parent! If you still wish to let your dog frolic in the sun, there are plenty of options to keep things cool, like setting up a doggy swimming pool or an air-conditioned den. And always remember: Sniff safe, stay safe, and cool down those good boys and girls!
What should you do if you suspect your four-legged friend has heatstroke? Check out our article, "Am I Looking at Heatstroke in Dogs?"
About the expert: Dr. Hannah Godfrey, a qualified vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011, has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry. She excels in her practice, showing that even though veterinary medicine has four legs, it still requires a finely-tuned brain!
- Dr. Hannah Godfrey, a veterinarian, advises against walking dogs in hot weather, as they are prone to heatstroke, especially young, elderly, overweight, or brachycephalic dogs.
- The risk of heatstroke can be increased by scorching surfaces that can cause burns on a dog's paw pads, so walkers should test the ground before letting their pets walk.
- According to Dr. Godfrey, the best times for a walk are before 8 AM or after 6 PM, when temperatures are below 81°F, to avoid heatstroke.
- On days when it's too hot, Dr. Godfrey suggests providing plenty of water, shady spots, and rest time for dogs to stay cool.
- Excessive panting is a sign that a dog is overheating, so walks should be postponed until the panting subsides.
- When a dog seeks shade, it's a sign that they are overheating and need to cool down.
- Dogs need extra care in the heat, as they can't sweat like humans, so pet owners should take measures to keep them cool.
- To prevent heat exhaustion, Dr. Godfrey advises limiting exposure to the sun as much as possible, and providing cool options like a doggy swimming pool or air-conditioned den for dogs to play in.
