The scorching heat in South Africa require pet owners to be vigilant.
To keep your dog safe, one can walk their dog during the cooler time of the day, either early morning or late afternoon.
Pet owners should provide ample shade outside. Make sure they have protection from heat and sun and plently of fresh cold water. When it is extremely hot, add icecubes to their drinking water.
Tree shade and tarpaulins are ideal, because they don't obstruct airflow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat, it makes it worse.
Offer cooling treats, such as ice licks, refreshing smoothies and frozen Kong recipes.
Extremely hot temperatures have the potential to cause heatstroke and pet owners should look out for warning signs, which include:
Heavy Panting
Glazed eyes
Rapid heartbeat
Difficulty breathing
Excessive thirst
Lethargy
Fever
Dizziness
Lack of coordination
Profuse salivation
Vomiting
A deep red or purple tongue
Seizures
Unconsciousness
Animals are at particular risk for heatstroke if they are very old, very young and overweight, not conditioned to prolonged excercise, or have heart or respiratory disease.
Some breeds of dogs - like Boxers, Pugs, Shih Tzus and dogs and cats with short muzzles - will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.
Do not walk your dog on hot pavements, as their paws could easily burn.
Brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs, Bulldogs and Boxers, as well as senior and obese dogs are at higher risk of heatstroke.
To prevent heatstroke, move your pet to a shady or airconditioned area. Put a cold towel around his head, neck and chest and run cool (NOT COLD) water over them.
Ice water will close the dogs pores and make the problem worse
Question: Is it too hot to walk your dog?
TEST IT: Hold your bare foot on the ground for 7 seconds
Answer: If it is too hot for bare feet, it is too hot for their bare feet.
DO NOT leave your dog in a hot car. Researchers learned that when it’s a sunny 21 degrees celsuis, the temperature in a parked car with windows cracked rises at least 40 degrees in 30 minutes.
Use a kiddy pool (clam shells work well) or sprinkler to cool them off if they like water.
Unlike humans, dogs cannot sweat through their skin. They rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature. If they cannot cool down, they will quickly develop heatstroke.
Dogs can get sunburn – especially light colored dogs with short fur. There are sun protection lotions specifically formulated for dogs. Don’t use human sunscreen on your pet; many of the chemicals are toxic to them.
All dogs are at greater risk of sunburn during the sunny seasons. But breeds with light fur coverage or light skin are particularly susceptible. Areas with little to no fur – such as the bridge of the nose, belly and groin – are the most likely to get burnt. Look out for:
- red or pink skin
- dry or cracked skin
- ears that curl at the edges
DO NOT shave your dog because he’s panting. If you have a double coated breed their fur is actually providing relief from the heat, and shaving it will make it worse.
Stay on top of daily grooming as matted fur can prevent dogs from regulating their own temperature.
First aid measures in case of heat stroke:
- Regardless of whether the dog is conscious or already unconscious, bring the dog to a cool area (shade).
If the dog is conscious:
- Carefully cool the dog down with fresh water (do NOT use ice cold water).
- Starting at the paws and limbs, before cooling down the loins, lower abdomen, and neck.
- Offer water to drink.
- Contact a veterinarian immediately!
If the dog is unconscious:
- Bring the dog into a stable side position (on its right side – to decrease strain on the heart),
- Stretch the neck forward and up,
- Pull out the tongue,
- Cover the dog with moist towels if possible,
- Contact the veterinarian immediately!
