Dogs in hot weather

Dogs lose heat mainly by panting and cope with hot weather much less well than people. Heatstroke can kill within minutes and happens every summer in Britain, often on days that do not feel especially hot.

How dogs overheat

The Royal Veterinary College lists two main causes: exercise in warm weather, and being shut in a warm, humid or poorly ventilated space such as a car, conservatory or caravan. Its research on dogs treated by British vets found that exercise, including ordinary walks, accounted for most cases.

Dogs most at risk

• Flat-faced breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs and bulldogs, whose airways are too narrow to pant effectively.
• Overweight dogs.
• Dogs with thick or dense coats.
• The very young and the old.
• Dogs with heart, lung or airway disease.
• Large, energetic dogs that do not stop when they are hot.

Signs of heatstroke

Early signs are heavy, noisy panting, restlessness, drooling, a bright red tongue and gums, a racing heart, and vomiting or diarrhoea. As it progresses the dog becomes lethargic, confused and unsteady, and may collapse or have seizures.

First aid

The advice from the Royal Veterinary College is to cool first and transport second.

• The dog is moved into shade or a cool, ventilated place, and a fan is used if there is one.
• A young, healthy dog can be immersed in cold water up to the neck, in a paddling pool, stream or bath.
• For an older dog or one with health problems, water cooler than the dog is poured or hosed over it continuously, with air moving across the wet coat.
• Small sips of water are offered, not forced.
• The vet is telephoned as soon as cooling has begun, and the dog is examined even if it appears to recover, because organ damage can show later.

Ice-cold water is not recommended, since it narrows the blood vessels in the skin and causes shivering.

Walks

In warm weather dogs are walked early in the morning or late in the evening, at a gentle pace, and ball-throwing and running beside a bicycle are left for cooler days. A dog can miss a walk without harm. Pavements, sand and artificial grass in full sun burn paws; a surface too hot for the back of a hand held on it for several seconds is too hot for a dog.

Cars

The temperature inside a parked car rises within minutes to far above that outside, even in shade and with the windows open. Dogs are not left in cars in warm weather for any length of time. A person who sees a dog in distress in a car is advised to call 999.

At home and in the garden

• Shade and fresh water are available at all times, with extra bowls in several places.
• Conservatories, greenhouses and south-facing rooms are closed to the dog.
• A paddling pool, a damp towel to lie on or a cooling mat helps; a wet towel is not draped over the dog, where it traps heat.
• Thick coats are groomed to remove dead undercoat. Whether to clip depends on the breed, and a groomer or vet can advise.
• Frozen treats and food-filled toys from the freezer give occupation without exercise.

Water and other summer hazards

Blue-green algae form a scum on lakes and ponds in warm, still weather and can kill a dog that swims in or drinks the water. Dogs are kept out of any water with a green or blue-green surface or a warning sign.

Dogs with white or thin coats and pink skin burn on the nose, ear tips and belly; sun cream made for pets is used on those areas. Grass seeds lodge in paws and ears in late summer and need veterinary removal. Barbecues bring cooked bones, kebab skewers and corn cobs, all of which cause blockages or injury if swallowed.

Travel

On car journeys the dog travels in a ventilated part of the vehicle with sun blinds and regular stops for water. The safest plan for a hot day out is often to leave the dog at home in a cool room.