KEEPING YOUR DOG SAFE IN THE HOT SUMMER WEATHER

Dogs can’t sweat through their skin, they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool.

The following signs will tell you if your dog has heatstroke excessive panting, dribbling, less energy and collapsing. If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a cool place, ideally with a draught and shade, gradually wet their coat with cool, not freezing water, and contact your vet immediately.

To prevent heatstroke

• Walk your dog early morning or late evening, and always carry water, paw pads can burn on hot pavements if it’s too hot for your hand it’s too hot for their paws.
• Avoid taking them in a car as a car can become an oven very quickly, even when it doesn’t feel that warm. When it is 22°c outside - within an hour - the temperature in a car can reach an unbearable 47°c, never leave your dog in a car for any length of time in warm weather
• Freeze carrot sticks or apple slices and give them to your dog as a snack to cool down.
• Having a dip in the water is great; however remember to rinse the salt water and sand from your dog’s coat after to avoid drying out and irritating their skin.
• Apply no toxic/waterproof sun cream on your dog, especially pale coloured dogs who are vulnerable to sunburn, particularly on their ears, noses and sparsely haired areas

Hope this helps, stay safe everyone!