Canine Heat Exhaustion Prevention

During warmer temperatures, heat exhaustion for your dog can be a concern. It's important to keep an eye out for it and to know how to prevent it from happening.

Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

This is when your dog is exposed to too much warmth. You'll notice this occurring because your dog will start panting more than usual, his flesh will become flushed and he may become weak or fatigued.

It is very easy for a dog to suffer from heat exhaustion and it's also easy for it to slip into heat stroke, which is a very serious condition that requires medical attention immediately.

Preventions

For as easy as it is for a dog to suffer from heat exhaustion, it is also easy to prevent it from happening in most instances. There are many things that you can do in order to keep your dog at a comfortable temperature and keep him healthy and sound.

Dogs and Cars

It is important to never leave your dog alone in a car for any amount of time. Even temperatures as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit can be enough, with the right amount of humidity, to be fatal to your dog. If you absolutely must leave your dog unattended in the car, leave the air conditioner on so that he will not become overheated.

Being Outdoors

All dogs need exercise and there are a great number of ways to accomplish this, such as running or walking with your pet. It is important, however, to consider temperatures when you are planning these activities. Generally, it is best to take your dog out in the morning or the evening, as the afternoon will be the hottest and thus the most dangerous to your dog. You should also consider the humidity levels before you go out with your pet, as humidity can make everything a lot worse.

Types of Dogs

Some dogs are more prone to suffering from heat exhaustion than others. Take dogs that have dark-colored coats, for example. They will soak up sun and heat a lot quicker than light-colored dogs, so their chances of getting too much heat are increased.

Another type of dog that is more prone to heat exhaustion are those that have short snouts, such as mastiffs and pugs. These dogs will overheat much quicker than other dogs, so you should be especially careful when going out with them during warm temperatures.

Water

A good and easy way to help prevent heat exhaustion in your dog is to always make certain that he has fresh, clean, cold water. Make sure to replenish his water supply often, not just so that he does not run out, but also so that the water he has available to him is cold.

Other Tips

A few other things to keep in mind about preventing heat exhaustion:

  • Never leave your dog tethered up outside. Even if the weather is cool at the time, it is possible that the temperature could raise and your dog could suffer as a result.
  • Take your dog swimming. This is a good way to cool your dog off and it can be a lot of fun. Of course, don't ever leave your dog unattended in a body of water, as dogs can very easily drown no matter how we ll they might swim.
  • Keep in the shade. If at all possible, keep your dog in the shade while you're out. This will help keep him cooler and keep his paws from getting burned by the hot sidewalk, as well.
 

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