In Idaho, the summer months can get very hot and dry which can be dangerous for both us and our pets. Here are some helpful tips to help protect your pets from the dangers of overheating during those hot days.
Test the Ground
Before taking your pet out for a walk or hike, especially if the walk/hike involves cement, asphalt, or rocky ground, touch the ground with the palm of your hand or with your bare feet. If you can’t touch or stand on the cement or asphalt for more than a few seconds, then it is too hot to walk your pet.
Remember that pavement temperature is about 40-60° warmer than air temperature. At 77°F air temperature the pavement temperature can be 125°F. Burns to your pet’s paws can occur at ground temperatures above 130°F, which is usually around 80°F air temperature.
Always choose shady areas and grass/soil over pavement for you walks with your pet on a hot day. If there is no alternative route to walking your pet on the hot ground, then dog shoes/booties are effective ways to protect your pet’s paws from injury.
Try to walk your pet earlier in the morning or later in the evening if the temperatures are too warm.
Ample Water Supply
Always carry an extra water supply when going on walks, hikes, or camping with your pet. Having a collapsible water bowl to pour the water into for your dog to drink from is a great item to hang from your belt or backpack.
Dogs can become dehydrated quickly when panting in warm temperatures. The main way that dogs lose body heat to cool down is through panting, which results in the loss of water through evaporation. Certain breeds of dogs are more predisposed to becoming dehydrated in the heat, i.e. brachycephalic breeds, due to their shortened muzzle, stenotic nares, and elongated soft palates.
Don’t Shave the Haircoat Down to the Skin
The research and information for shaving or against shaving the haircoats of double-coated dog breeds continues to evolve and change. Researchers argue about the interpretation of the thermal images of a dog’s body temperature at shaved and unshaved portions. Most of the new research shows that a shorter coat will make the dog feel cooler but the risk of coat damage in some breeds need to be weighed in. What everyone can at least agree upon now is that shaving any dog’s haircoat down to the skin predisposes them to excessive sun exposure potentially leading to sunburns.
Hairless areas, such as the groin and armpit area, and pink noses are also more predisposed to developing sunburns from excessive sun exposure. Used dog-approved sunscreen to help protect your pet.
Never Leave Your Pet in the Car
It is best to leave your pet at home rather than in your car during the heat of the day. Even after a few minutes the car will get hotter and hotter, and your pet will suffer from overheating. Between 1,800 and 2,000 dogs die annually from heat-related deaths being left in cars. The numbers may be higher as most cases go unreported. These deaths are 100% preventable by just leaving your pets home.
Increased Risks
Pets that are overweight are more at risk of overheating due to their fat insulating them more and generating more heat from exercise.
Brachycephalic breeds are more likely to get heat stroke because of their short skulls and smaller/more narrow airways. It makes it harder for them to breathe and cool down.
Pets under 6 months of age and geriatric pets over the age of 7 years have a harder time regulating their body temperatures and are at higher risk of overheating.
Signs of Overheating
In dogs, signs that they may be overheating include:
- Excessive panting
- Disorientation or confusion
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Rapid breathing and pulse
- Stumbling or staggering
- Collapsing
- Bright red tongue
The symptoms above can be a little more subtle in cats. Open mouth breathing and panting are not normal behaviors in a cat.
Pets that have prolonged exposure to heat can suffer from organ failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (serious blood clotting disorder), and death.
Please seek emergency veterinary care if your pet is not responding to attempts to cool down their body.
Resources:
Pets in vehicles | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org)
The U.S. States with the Most Heat-Related Pet Deaths – One Vet