Heat Stroke: Dogs with health issues, less energy, small breeds, and flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs or Pugs need extra care. Also, dogs that stay outside in the hot sun for a long time need special attention.
In this instance, I will introduce when there is a potential for heat stroke, and what measures are advisable to prevent dogs from experiencing heat stroke.
Did you know that you can get Heat Stroke indoors as well as outdoors?
There are times when I leave my dog at home and come back to find it exhausted.
A dog may have heat stroke if its breathing is heavy and unusual, its pulse is fast, it can’t settle, is unsteady, drools a lot, collapses, trembles, has seizures, or its tongue turns blue.
Even indoors, if the conditions align, the risk of heat stroke becomes high. I will now introduce measures to prevent your beloved dog from getting heat stroke indoors.
You Can’t Be Careless Because It’s an Indoor Dog!
“We have an indoor dog, so we’re safe from heat stroke precautions! That’s not entirely true.
Whether you live in a standalone house, an apartment, or a condo, there’s a risk of heat stroke.
Especially in tightly sealed apartments, dogs are susceptible to heat stroke. Don’t be careless just because they’re indoors.
As a preventive measure, the first thing to do is ensure that your dog can drink water easily and avoid dehydration.
If your dog doesn’t drink much water, you can help by adding some water to their meals. During hot times, you can also give them wet food or dilute vegetable soup or yogurt with water. Make sure to offer them fluids often to keep them hydrated.”
Next, here are some ways to lower your dog’s body temperature.
On hot days, some dogs prefer the coolness and may move to the bathroom or the entrance, seeking relief. To allow your dog to move freely indoors, consider using heatstroke prevention items like cool boards or marble boards. If possible, it’s recommended to turn on the air conditioning for additional measures.
You Need to Be Careful While You Are at Home!
While you’re away, make sure to implement comprehensive precautions to prevent your cherished canine companion from experiencing heat stroke.
Leaving your dog alone for extended periods with closed windows and no cooling increases the likelihood of heat stroke occurring.
Throughout the summer season, ensure your well-behaved dog can move around freely to locate cooler spots instead of being confined to just one room. To avert heat stroke, you might want to consider utilizing cooling mats or marble boards. Furthermore, switch on the air conditioner or utilize a timer.
Exercise caution with the remote control for the air conditioner. If your dog accidentally interacts with it or chews on it, it could result in unexpected actions.
Even if you’ve set a timer, if your dog bites the remote and inadvertently triggers the heater, it could lead to significant problems. Therefore, always position it out of your dog’s reach.
If your dog is left alone in a kennel, make sure they have access to water, regulate indoor temperatures, use air conditioning when necessary, and ensure proper ventilation before you depart.
In the event that your dog accidentally tips over the water bowl while playing in the enclosure and can’t access water until you return, using a water bottle attached to the enclosure is also a recommended solution.
Thanks to advancements in information technology, you can now acquire web cameras that enable real-time monitoring of your dog’s well-being via smartphones, tablets, or PCs.
These web cameras serve as convenient accessories for your dog, enabling you to verify if your beloved pet is at risk of heat stroke.
Aside from heat stroke prevention, these cameras are also invaluable for assessing your dog’s condition during illness or discomfort, as well as ensuring they aren’t getting into trouble.
Setting the air conditioner temperature too low out of concern during your absence, directing cold air directly at the enclosure, or activating motion sensors can result in your dog becoming excessively cold due to prolonged exposure to cold air.
Understanding how the air conditioner functions to circulate indoor air and maintain a temperature that prevents heat stroke (around 25°C to 28°C), without allowing the room to become overly hot or cold, is essential.
Doesn’t the Fan Make Sense? ?
A fan is an item that enables humans to comfortably spend the summer. However, unlike humans, dogs lack sweat glands all over their bodies and do not regulate their body temperature by sweating.
Dogs primarily regulate their body temperature through respiration (panting).
While sweat glands in their noses and paw pads also contribute to temperature regulation, the effects are minimal.
Therefore, constantly directing air onto a dog’s body in the hopes of achieving the same effects as with humans doesn’t make much sense.
It is recommended to use an air conditioner, and by placing a fan in a position that circulates the indoor air, you can elevate the cool air that has gathered at the bottom to the top and achieve better overall cooling.
Absolutely No Answering Machine in the Car! !
Leaving a dog inside a car and forcing them to wait amidst the scorching heat of midsummer is completely prohibited.
Even if you adjust the window to a height that prevents the dog from leaping out, and even if you leave the window fully open, the temperature within the car under the blazing sun will only increase.
Leaving the engine running and deserting the car is hazardous. Moreover, even if you switch off the engine and operate the air conditioning, it will merely result in the circulation of hot air, which is counterproductive.
Even if it’s only for a brief period, thoughtlessly leaving your dog in the car could lead to a severe heat stroke, putting your cherished pet’s life in jeopardy.
Throughout the summer, if you must leave your dog in the car, seek out a shaded parking area. Search for a roof to shield from the sun, a concrete parking lot, or a spot beneath a tree. Ensure it’s cool and well-ventilated. And make sure to return to the car within a short time span.
Please grasp that leaving your dog unaccompanied in a car during the summer heat is categorically prohibited.
Introducing Measures Against heat stroke Outdoors
Since there is a risk of heat stroke even indoors, the likelihood of heat stroke increases even more when outdoors.
On hot days, let’s be mindful of our dog’s condition and act accordingly. Next, I will introduce measures to prevent heat stroke in dogs outdoors.
Measures for Outside Dogs
Dogs that have been living outside for a long time may be used to different temperatures. Nonetheless, should they not be provided with appropriate nourishment and hydration amidst the summer’s heat, and if their cleanliness is not upheld, their energy might decrease, leaving them vulnerable to heat stroke.
To prevent heat stroke in outdoor dogs, it’s best to avoid keeping them in places where they are exposed to direct sunlight from sunrise to sunset.
A doghouse with a roof, which serves as the dog’s sleeping area, is necessary.
During the summer, place the doghouse in a location with good airflow and shade. Change the fresh water frequently, sprinkle water around the doghouse to lower the ambient temperature, and regularly observe the dog’s condition throughout the day.
Measures Against heat stroke When Taking a Walk
Even in the summer, it’s necessary to take dogs for a walk.
However, it’s best to avoid going for walks during the hot hours of the day.
Humans live at a higher level, but dogs walk closer to the ground. So, in addition to the temperature and UV rays, dogs also directly feel the heat reflecting from the ground.
If you touch the asphalt that has become hot on a scorching day, you’ll understand just how hot the roads are that dogs are walking on, in addition to the already high temperature.
On hot days, before setting out for a walk, please touch the road once to check.
For heat stroke prevention during walks, in the hot season, avoid walking during the hottest hours and instead go for walks in the early morning or after sunset when the temperature is lower. If you notice your dog showing signs of summer fatigue, shorten the length of the walk.
Furthermore, try to avoid hot asphalt roads as much as possible. Walk on slightly cooler soil, grass, or lawns during the walk. Carry a bit more water with you for hydration during the walk and to cool down your dog’s body by spraying them with water if they suffer from heat stroke. These are recommended measures for preventing heat stroke.
heat stroke Prevention Goods
To prevent heat stroke in your beloved dog, using heat stroke prevention goods can be highly effective.
Since various heat stroke prevention goods are available, I will now explain which goods are recommended in practice.
heat stroke Prevention with Dog Clothes
Some people may have resistance to dressing clothes on dogs with fur.
Indeed, dogs are covered in fur all over their bodies. However, thanks to this fur, the delicate skin of the dog is protected from direct sunlight and intense ultraviolet rays, preventing them from hitting the skin.
If the dog is cut short all over with a summer cut, you can protect the skin from UV rays by dressing them in clothes with good breathability and UV-cut functionality.
Speaking of clothes for preventing heat stroke in dogs, there are highly functional dog garments.
These clothes use the same fibers and technologies as those for humans. There are different types of cooling fabrics. Some feel cool, are breathable, or stay wet. They can be worn or have ice packs.
Take Measures Against heat stroke with Food and Drink!
I have explained how to establish an environment in which dogs are less prone to suffering from heat stroke.
To minimize the risk of heat stroke, the key is to consistently maintain the dog’s well-being.
When a dog is in an unfavorable condition, it becomes more vulnerable to heat stroke.
Whether the dog is indoors or outdoors, it’s crucial to actively provide them with water throughout the summer.
If dogs aren’t consuming much water, you can incorporate water into their food or opt for wet-type food. Switching to wet-type food also functions effectively.
To keep dogs’ digestive systems content, it’s advisable to offer them fruits and vegetables with high water content. You can also provide them with plain vegetable soup, chicken soup, or broth occasionally. Another possibility is to give them sports drinks formulated for pets. These can aid in maintaining a balance of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals.
If you don’t have pet-friendly sports drinks available, you can use commercially accessible sports drinks meant for humans as a substitute. However, due to their elevated levels of salt and sugar, they are excessively concentrated for dogs. It’s suggested to dilute them to approximately three times their standard potency before administering them to your dog.
Summary
Preventing heat stroke in dogs is an achievable task due to the constant presence of the owner.
By carefully observing the condition of the dog and swiftly recognizing any deviations, such as signs of heat-related fatigue during the summer, their fluid consumption, and their state after a walk, you can take proactive measures to prevent heat stroke.
Considering that summer days consistently bring high temperatures, dogs instinctively pant more often. By routinely assessing their breathing rate (panting) and the heart rate after walks, you can easily identify changes in their condition.
