Regardless of your dog’s breed, we all need to be vigilant in hot weather. Excessive heat is dangerous for dogs and can be life-threatening. It is essential to be able to detect symptoms quickly and protect your dog. This will allow you to act quickly and avoid further problems.
If you own a brachycephalic or short-nosed dog (Pug, French Bulldog, Pekingese, etc.), you must be extra careful in hot weather. Pets’ noses play a vital role in keeping them cool. They do this by releasing excess body heat into the air when they exhale. Due to the reduced space inside the noses of flat-faced breeds, they cannot dissipate heat effectively this way. This puts them at very high risk of heat stroke, even in cooler weather. Their heat tolerance is much lower than ours and that of their long-nosed friends. In hot weather, it is important to be able to spot the symptoms of heat stroke. I’m constantly asking myself “how can I keep my dog cool?” » is essential to avoid problems in hot weather.
![dog in car](https://pet-gp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/dog-in-car-edited.webp)
NEVER leave your dog unattended in a car. This is true even in cooler weather, as the car can heat up quickly. Be especially careful when taking your dog in the car in hot weather
Signs of heatstroke:
- Loud panting.
- Increased breathing noise – even more so in flat-faced dogs.
- Visible distress.
- Bright red tongue or gums.
- Rapid heart rate or pulse.
- Excessive drooling.
- Tremor.
- Loss of coordination.
- Confusion.
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Weakness and/or collapse.
- Semi or complete loss of consciousness.
- Seizures.
- The death.
This may seem like a long and scary list of symptoms. Your dog may have one or more of these if he overheats. Spotting them quickly will help you take quick action to cool your dog down and call your veterinarian. Prevention is better than cure. How can I keep my dog cool? Try to avoid finding yourself in a situation where your dog is exhibiting these symptoms. If you feel they are overheating, follow these tips.
Cool your pet safely
If you think your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, it is important to start safely cooling him down immediately. These are emergency first aid measures. If you suspect heatstroke, call your veterinarian and immediately begin actively cooling your pet.
- Remove your dog from the heat in a cool, well-ventilated environment, a fan is always beneficial.
- Avoid stress. Keep your dog calm with a calming tone of voice.
- First provide your dog with cool but not freezing water.
- Never use iced or very cold water to cool your dog, this could cause shock. Use lukewarm or cool but not cold water.
- Place your dog on a damp towel, again not freezing. Slowly start wetting their ears, feet, and fur. A spray bottle can be useful for this
- Continue to actively cool your dog during the trip to the vet, ideally in an air-conditioned car.
Most importantly, plan your walks and exercises, keep your dog cool in hot weather. Choose a well-ventilated area with plenty of access to fresh water. Keep them entertained – but not active, and keep them safe.