June 29th, 2020 by Amy Varley

We often hear stories of dogs being left in hot cars on hot days, resulting in serious cases of heatstroke, but did you know there are many other factors that could cause your pooch to suffer from heatstroke? Even taking a short walk on a hot day can be a killer for some dogs, and with our British summers seemingly getting hotter and hotter, you may be wondering If your dog is at risk, and how you can help your four-legged friend cope with the heat.

Is my dog at risk?

To put it short, yes! All dogs may be at risk of heatstroke, however, there are a number of factors that can affect the amount of risk. Age, breed, weight or existing medical conditions can all affect the amount of risk posed by heatstroke to your pooch

Age

Very young or very old dogs are the age groups most at risk of suffering from heatstroke and/or heat exhaustion. This is because they have a decreased ability to regulate their own body temperature compared to dogs of adult age.

Weight and Size

Overweight dogs are more at risk of heatstroke than dogs with an ideal weight, and generally speaking, any large-breed dog is more at risk than average and smaller sized breeds. Dogs such as Great Danes and Newfoundlands are high risk simply because of their weight, regardless if they are overweight or not.

Brachycephalic Dogs

‘Flat-faced’ breeds of dog are at very high risk of getting heatstroke due to the way their breathing system is structured. Breeds included in this are pugs, bulldogs (French, British and American), Pekingese and Boxers, as well as other similar faced dogs and crosses of the above.

Coat

The type of coat your dog has can affect their risk of heatstroke. Dogs with thick double coats such as Huskies and Malamutes can be affected as their coats were designed to keep them insulated and warm in the coldest climates! Dogs with darker coloured coats are more at risk than those with lighter coloured coats, as the heat absorbs more into dark colours.

Existing Medical Conditions

Dogs that suffer from any sort of respiratory problem are high risk for heatstroke as they may find it difficult to breathe normally anyway, so anything that will cause them to pant, such as a hot day or exercise will cause them to suffer. Many heart conditions can be affected by an increase in temperature, as can orthopaedic conditions such as arthritis.

How can I help my dog?

If your dog is affected by any of the above factors, and even if they aren’t you may still be wondering how you can help your dog to keep cool in the hot weather, so don’t worry – there are plenty of things you can do for your pooch!

Keep your dog cool and hydrated

Keeping your dog in the shade as much as possible and providing them with plenty of water is definitely something you can do for any dog on a hot day. A wet towel laid on the ground for them to lie on is also a great way for them to keep cool, as are cooling mats and toys that are readily available from all pet shops. Putting ice cubes into your dog’s water bowl is another great idea to keep them cool, as is a doggy paddling pool, or how about freezing a Kong full of natural yoghurt for your dog to lick, keeping them calm and still as well as cool!

Only exercise if it’s cool enough to

You may think your dog needs to be walked every day, however in reality this is not the case. It’s true that dogs like routine, but on hot days, missing a walk is not the end of the world, and is actually what your dog would probably prefer. There are plenty of ways to keep your dog entertained at home if they seem to be full of energy, however on those really hot days you may find your dog just wants to laze around and not really do a lot anyway. Taking your dog for a walk early in the morning or last thing at night when the temperature will be lower is the best time if you really feel your dog needs a walk.

Avoid travelling where possible

I’m sure we all know the feeling of getting into a car that’s been sat in the sun for a few hours – it’s like a sauna! And until you can get the air-con blasting it’s so uncomfortable for us, so imagine how your dog feels in their fur coat! Taking your dog out in the car in hot weather is not so much a problem if you keep the vehicle well ventilated the whole journey, but leaving your dog in the car for ANY period of time is a massive no-no. Dogs can suffer terribly in only a few minutes of being left in a hot car so it is never worth the risk, leave them at home unless completely necessary!

What if I think my dog has heatstroke?

If you think your dog could be suffering from heatstroke, moving your dog into the shade or somewhere cool will help them to cool down, as will spraying or sponging their body with cool (but not cold) water, especially taking care to wet their belly and armpits. While it may seem tempting to dunk your dog into a cold bath or give them ice in this instance, this will not help their ‘core’ temperature to go down and could instead cause them to go into shock, worsening their condition!   If you do suspect that your dog could be suffering from heatstroke (excessive panting, drooling, loss of balance, vomiting and diarrhoea), you must contact your vet immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal if not treated properly and your vet will be able to help your beloved pooch better than anyone!

Take care

If you take all the necessary precautions there’s no reason as to why you can’t enjoy the sun with your furry best friend – so keep them cool and enjoy the summer!