Hot weather and dogs

Hot Weather

Unfortunately it's that time of year again when we are preparing to endure heat waves and unpredictability in the weather.

There's lots of fantastic information out there to keep dogs safe in the heat and a lot of information can be conflicting.

If you're in doubt, worried about your dogs behaviour for example sickness, diarrhoea, constipation, lethargy, weakness, changes in colour in the gums, extreme and excessive panting or any changes in your dog you know is not their normal behaviour, please call the Vets immediately.

People are still being seen walking their dogs in the heat, please don't. Not only can this cause heat strokes but also burn their pads, ears and noses and dogs with less fur, short white fur for example can be at a higher risk of the effects of the sun especially on their skin.

Please leave your dogs at home with a fan, plenty of fresh cool water and research frozen dog treat recipes. There are lots and lots available across all search engines and even Facebook. Please do not take them out in vehicles unless to the Vets as an emergency and follow the directions of the Vets on the phone before leaving. This is vital to your dogs health to follow instructions to the letter.

Never give ice cubes to a dog suspected of suffering the effects of heat stroke, call the vets immediately for individualised instructions of next steps.

Utilising swimming pools and spray mats can be really beneficial to them if they choose to use them, keep them out of the sun and in the shade only should they choose to go outside, prevent access to conservatories.

Encourage late evening play in the garden instead if they want to, keep activities calm such as enrichment over running around and bouncy play.

Be especially kind to them, dogs can soon become grumpy, grumbly, growly and agitated in the heat just like us. Remember they have a thick coat that is biologically designed to cool them but is still a thick coat.

Keep walks to very early morning 4/5/6am and to the late evening 10/11/ midnight for example.

Utilise floor fans and cool wet towels, do not leave cool mats from commercial stores with chewers unattended!

Keep cool, stay safe and if in doubt call the vets!

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