The Romans measured their seasons based on the stars. Near the end of July, during the peak of the summer heat, the star Sirius, also known as the dog star, would appear before the sun. It was named the dog star because it was the tip of the nose of a constellation that looked like a dog (hence the name Sirius Black for all you Harry Potter fans) This would mark what was known as “the dog star days of summer.” Eventually it was shortened to “dog days,” as it is now known.
History lesson aside, the “Dog Days of Summer” certainly isn’t kind to our four-legged friends.
As temperatures heat up, it’s important to know how to keep your animals cool. They depend on us to keep them safe and healthy. Knowing how to keep them cool and knowing the signs of overheating and how to treat it can save your pet’s life. Here are a couple of tips on how to keep your pets cool and protect them from hot weather.
Pets can get dehydrated quickly so make sure to give them plenty of fresh, clean water. It sounds obvious, but it’s important. Dogs will drink significantly more on hot days and their water bowls will empty quicker than usual. Remember, what may not feel hot to humans is still dangerous for dogs – they’re wearing a fur coat – and things like fans don’t cool dogs the same way they do humans.
It’s not just heat but humidity that can be dangerous for pets. According to the humane society, “Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.” So keep an eye on humidity levels, not just the temperature.
Exercise is the most common trigger of heat related illness in dogs.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7459873/) Keep walks to early in the day before the asphalt heats up. When the temperature is high, keep your dog off the asphalt. Your dog’s body is closer to the ground so it’s going to absorb the heat quickly, plus asphalt is murder on a dog’s sensitive paws. Dogs primarily sweat through their feet so when they’re walking on hot asphalt it’s a double hit to their system. When it’s a mere 77 degrees out, the asphalt temperature is 125 degrees. At that temperature, skin damage can happen in just 60 seconds. A good rule of thumb is if it’s too hot for your hands, it’s too hot for your dog’s feet.
Never leave your pet in the car during warmer weather. Ever. It only takes 10 minutes for the inside of the car to reach 102 on an 85-degree day. You may have every intention of making your trip short, but distractions happen, and pets and children die. Cracking the window isn’t going to change this. Shady spots offer little protection on hot days and move with the sun so don’t think you’ve found a loophole.
Some good ways to prevent overheating is to keep your dog inside when it’s hot out. If you go outside with your dog, try playing in the water with them too cool them off. Don’t just spray them with the hose, make it a game and it will be a fun bonding experience for both you and your dog. If you have kids, they can join in. If your dog is comfortable with it, you can always have a water gun fight between your dog and your kids. You can also coax them into a baby pool to cool off their feet.
Tile floors and hardwood are significantly cooler than carpet so make sure your dog has access to a place to lay that will help cool down their body. There are also electric cooling pads that are basically like a reverse heating pad on Amazon if that’s a route you want to go.
Know the symptoms of overheating in pets:
- Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
- Increased heart and respiratory rate
- Glazed eyes
- Excessive drooling
- Excessive thirst
- Dizziness
- Lack of coordination
- Mild weakness
- Lethargy
- Bright red, gray, purple or bluish gums
How to treat an overheated pet:
- Move your pet into the shade or an airconditioned area
- Apply icepacks or cold towels to their head, neck, chest or underbelly
- Run cool (not cold) water over them
- Let them drink small amounts of cold water or eat ice chips and then increase water intake as their temperature goes down.
- If you suspect your dog has suffered heat stroke, it’s still a good idea to have them checked out by a vet. Heat stroke can cause long term kidney and liver damage and may require lifelong treatment.
Often you can treat the condition at home and get their body temperature lower, but if you see severe symptoms including collapse, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomit, and elevated body temperature of 104 degrees, you should go to the vet immediately.
Overheating is dangerous but can be prevented with a few easy steps. High temperatures are hard on all of us, so just make sure you’re taking your dog into consideration when you’re trying to keep cool. And remember, prevention is always easier than treatment.
