"Summer Safety Guidelines for Your Dog: Preventing Heat Stokes in Canines"
In the sweltering summer months, it's essential to ensure our furry friends stay safe and comfortable. Here's a guide to recognising the signs of heatstroke in dogs, preventing it, and cooling them down effectively.
Heatstroke in dogs can be a serious threat, particularly for enclosed spaces without shade, balconies, or unventilated rooms that become thermal traps. The symptoms to watch for include excessive panting, red gums, weakness, vomiting, staggering, or loss of consciousness. Other signs may include heavy panting, noisy or rapid breathing, collapse or weakness, confusion or disorientation, drooling (thick and sticky), increased heart rate, muscle spasms or shivering, seizures, and dehydration signs such as a dry nose and sunken eyes.
Preventing heatstroke is possible with simple changes in routine and common sense. Provide plenty of shade and water for your dog, limit exercise during hot weather, never leave them in cars, and avoid walking them during peak heat hours. It's crucial to pay attention to walking hours, offering fresh water constantly, and knowing the first symptoms to prevent heatstroke. At-risk breeds, such as flat-faced dogs prone to breathing difficulties, should be monitored closely.
When cooling a dog down during heatstroke, it's essential to avoid common mistakes. Soaking the dog completely with cold water can cause shock or constriction of blood vessels. Instead, apply cool (not ice-cold) wet towels to the dog's body, especially the neck, chest, and paws, and offer small amounts of cool water to drink if the dog is conscious. Move the dog to a shaded, ventilated area and seek immediate veterinary care if symptoms are severe.
To help understand dogs better, their reactions, body language, and needs, you can tune in to the TV show "Dog House" which airs every Tuesday at 22:50 on La 1 and can be watched on Play. The show offers insights into dog behaviour and can be watched complete whenever and wherever you want on the platform. You can also download the app on your mobile or Smart TV and register to enjoy all the content on "Dog House".
Brushing your dog frequently can help remove dead hair and allow better natural ventilation, keeping them cooler in the summer. It's also crucial that dogs always have access to a cool and well-ventilated place, especially during the hottest hours of the day. During the hottest days, it's common for dogs to reduce their appetite, and this is not always a cause for concern. It's recommended to offer them food during the coolest hours of the day - in the morning or at night - to avoid discomfort and help them stay active and healthy.
By following these tips, you can help keep your dog safe and comfortable during the summer months, ensuring they enjoy the season just as much as you do.
The average temperature increase can trigger signs of heatstroke in dogs, such as excessive panting, red gums, weakness, vomiting, staggering, or loss of consciousness. To prevent this, it's essential to provide a cool and well-ventilated environment for them, limit exercise during hot weather, and offer plenty of fresh water.
