In very hot weather, dogs can suffer fatal heatstroke (hyperthermia) in minutes. Dogs don’t sweat through their skin so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool.
Signs of heatstroke in dogs include collapse, excessive panting, weakness, bright red tongue and vomiting, sometimes with blood.
If you suspect your dog is suffering from excessive heat, move them to a cool place, preferably with a draught, wet their coat with cool, NOT freezing water and contact your vet immediately. Once a dog shows signs of heatstroke the damage is often already done which is why it is so important to prevent it.
Make sure your dog has access to water at all times, including when out walking.
Watch for signs of overheating when out walking – stop and find a shady spot and give your dog water.
Never leave your dog alone in a car, even with the windows open. Be particularly careful with short nosed breeds such as bull breeds, boxers, pugs and older dogs. These dogs can get heatstroke simply by running around.
Apply a ‘made for pets’ non-toxic waterproof sunblock.
Take care of your dogs delicate paws. If the pavement is too hot for your hands it’s too hot for their pads!
The best prevention is to keep your dog indoors when the sun is strongest.
Grooming your dog is important in the summer months, especially for long haired breeds, to avoid matts and tangles.
A tangle-free coat will protect your pet’s delicate skin and help keep them cool.
Let your dog dig! Dog’s naturally dig their dens not out of frustration, but to find food, hide & keep cool.
Feed a high quality food suitable for your dog’s lifestyle – FourFriends is available online at Here
**Don’t forget – FourFriends offer a free next working day delivery service on all our dog and cat food for orders over £19.00 and free nutrition advice for cats and dogs **.