We’ve had some toasty days this summer, hot enough to remind us to make sure we’re prepared and safe to enjoy every moment with our furry family members. As the temperatures soar, we humans change our shoes from clunky snow boots to carefree sandals. We know better than embarking across hot pavement barefoot, and we know to keep water handy to avoid getting dehydrated. It’s common sense, really. But, what about your furry friend? Dogs walk around bare-pawed all the time. And although their paws tend to be rough and calloused, they are susceptible to burning just the same. There’s an easy enough test to make sure your pup is safe to walk on a summer day: Simply touch the pavement with your bare hand. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pup to walk on. Wait until the pavement cools to take that walk or go out in the early morning before it heats up.
“It’s not just the temperature of the pavement you need to worry about.”
Our Daisy really loves car rides, but unless we’re adventuring out early, she’s simply safer staying home in the cool protection of the house and shady yard. She gives us the look, of course. You know the one with the pleading eyes that is nearly impossible to resist, but she doesn’t know we’re doing the safe thing by leaving her behind.
It’s not just the temperature of the pavement you need to worry about. Summer heat in the air can affect your dog and cause health problems, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which are serious conditions. If you do manage to find yourself out in the heat with your pup, the following are the warning signs of heat exhaustion in your dog, according to Noah’s Ark Veterinary Hospital:
• Excessive panting: heavy, labored breathing
• Profuse salivation: unusual drooling
• Reddened gums: bright or dark red gums
• Vomiting or diarrhea: may contain blood
• Lethargy: weakness, lack of energy
• Confusion or disorientation: may appear dazed or uncoordinated
• Stumbling or collapse: difficulty standing or walking
• Increased heart rate: rapid heartbeat
• Elevated body temperature: over 104 degrees
• Dehydration: dry mouth, tongue and nose
• Muscle tremors: involuntary muscle contractions
• Seizures: in severe cases
The warning that follows is that the symptoms can escalate quickly and can be life-threatening. It is recommended that veterinary care be sought immediately if you detect any of these symptoms in your dog. You can try to counteract symptoms by applying cool (not cold) water and directing a fan on them away from the sun, and by contacting the veterinarian as soon as possible. Severe or persistent symptoms should be treated as an emergency.
Keeping cool is especially important for dogs who are stuck wearing a fur coat year-round. Making sure they don’t spend too much time outside, particularly in the heat of the day, and making sure they have cool water to drink are essential practices. A lot of dogs enjoy a summer plunge in water. A plastic kiddie pool is an easy set up for dogs to cool off in, providing they actually use it. Some are indifferent, but some go bananas with a little water to play in. Many dogs can be found hopping in and out, biting at the water and rolling in it, frolicking like the kids the pool was made for. Before we had Daisy, we always shared our home with Labrador Retrievers, a breed that is notoriously fond of water. One of our Labs loved it so much, he’d sneak off any chance he got, making his way to our neighbor’s property to wallow in their horse trough. There he would jump in and crouch down to immerse himself fully in that mossy and pungent coolness. We fondly called it ‘hippo-ing.’ One whiff of him when he returned gave away his whereabouts and immediately initiated a bath. We took to carrying a dog towel in the back of the car because it wasn’t uncommon for him to whine so insistently on a car ride that we’d pull over, assuming he was desperate to relive himself. We quickly learned that it was all a ruse to be let out. He had smelled water and was keen to get at it. We learned this driving through Kittredge one day. He began pacing and whining, and after pulling over at the nearest safe spot, we found ourselves chasing after him down a steep embankment, where we discovered him crouched in a little pond in Bear Creek. He managed to sniff out the creek in record time and made a beeline for it. We had to physically get down into the water to wrestle him out. He was sopping wet and muddy, of course, and we were forced to do our best to wipe him down using dried grass before putting him in the car. We wouldn’t be caught off guard like that again. Thus, the towel(s)—one for him and one for us.
The other important preparation to ward off heat is to make sure to have plenty of drinking water available for your pup. There are some great gadgets out there to tote along with you on walks. Do some research to land on the best watering system for your lifestyle. We found a metal canister with a flip and fill lid system that seems to work great for car rides. But, unless it’s a cool day (under 70 degrees) or early in the morning, our furry Daisy does not get to come along in the summer. Sometimes the best preparation is preparing to leave your pup out of the outing altogether. With a little preparation, you can enjoy this summer with your canine family members safely.
