Walking your dog on hot summer days

In the hot days of summer, when temperatures soar, walking dogs can be a risky business. Dogs cool themselves by panting, they use the moisture evaporating off their tongues as a means to lower their body temperature. Anything overwhelming this natural cooling system can lead to heat stroke.   

Be aware that hot pavements can burn paw pads, and because dogs' bodies are much closer to the hot asphalt, there is a chance they can heat up quicker.

Dogs can only sweat through the pads of their feet and their tongues, which is why the latter dribble so much in very hot weather. All dogs overheat faster than people and have a harder time cooling down.  

 Some ideas of how to cool down a hot dog:  

·        Carry water bottles for your dogs, even when walking in the morning and evening. Dogs die from dehydration and heat prostration   

·        Walk in places where there is plenty of shade  

·        Soak a towel in cold water, wring it out and place it across the dog's shoulders and back or on their head   

·        Outdoors - encourage your dog to a slow moving stream/river   

·        Indoors, put your dog in the bath and gradually add slightly cool water.  Let the water get up to belly level and keep the dog in the tub until the panting stops. NB: Do not use ice or extremely cold water.  Although this seems logical, this can shock your dog.  Getting the surface too cold can cause blood vessels to contract, forming an insulating area that traps heat in the body, delaying the cooling of the vital organs.   

·        If you leave your dog outdoors, during the day, make sure they can find shady, cool places and cool water to drink.  How about an outdoor pet drinking fountain  

 Dogs who succumb to heat stroke, must be taken to the vet immediately.  They can show the following symptoms:

·        Panting excessively  

·        Collapse, or weakness when standing  

·        Thick, ropy saliva  

·        Foaming at the mouth   

·        Bright red mucous membranes, although some dogs may show pale or even muddy gums

At the end of the day, you know your dog best.  I regularly see a cocker spaniel who’s tongue hangs out of his mouth, this happens even in the winter, because he is so happy to be out and about.  

It is important to be sensitive to old, overweight, short/snub nosed dogs and those with heart or lung diseases. 

However, dogs that are young, active and fit won't be happy with missing a walk just because it's hot out. Dogs that get regular exercise should do ok in the heat with a little common sense from their handlers.   

Browsing the internet, I found a dog cooling vest.  An interesting product I thought, they even make them for humans!