Not all owners realize the seriousness of heat stroke and sunburn in dogs, nor the dangers faced by their pet due to the lack of canine sweat glands and inability to maintain a normal body temperature if left in the heat for too long.
I am lucky enough to live in a region of the world where the thermometer very rarely dips below 35 ºc. One of the great things about living in a tropical country is its consistently hot climate and the benefits it has for your health. However, if you live in an area where temperatures regularly exceed 30 ºc it is essential that you also ensure your dogs health too.
Not all pet owners realize the seriousness of heat stroke, nor the dangers facing our canines, who don't have sweat glands like humans and are therefore unable to maintain a normal body temperature if left in the heat for too long. Their two main cooling systems are located on the tongue and on the paws. For this reason, cool surfaces to lie on and cool water to drink can make all of the difference to their comfort and wellbeing.
Adapting your Dog to the Heat
With more and more of us leaving our native land and choosing to live in foreign climes, if you and your dog have recently relocated to a hot country then it is vital that you acclimatize him slowly. Let your pooch adjust by letting him out in the heat for short periods every day and then longer and longer ones. Be aware that pets can also get sun burnt. Pale dogs and those with short haired coats are particularly vulnerable, so you may even have to invest in a sunscreen available from local pet suppliers or online. Your pet needs protection against the heat and sun and must rely on you to take care of him. If you have decided to expatriate him too, then he also needs to be well looked after and have a period of readjustment.
Daily Care for your Dog in the Heat
Make sure your dog has a constant supply of fresh, cool water. Top up and change the water regularly. If you have a breed like Siberian Huskies who love to dig in their water then you are constantly topping up. You may find it better to provide a number of smaller bowls than a large one, as they are less inclined to dig in restricted spaces.
Do not leave water bowls in the sun; place them in shaded areas, perhaps in different places around your garden and yard. If you are out for much of the day, remember the sun moves around so what is in shade in the morning may not be so in the afternoon. Avoid metal water dishes as they get hot.
Ensure your pooch has a shaded area to lie in. Trees, plants, patio, terrace or porch can all provide necessary shade. If you have just moved into a new house then plant some trees or put up a tarpaulin - it's a lot cheaper than a vet bill and putting your dog's life at risk.
Exercise you dog when the heat and humidity is lower. The early part of the day, late afternoon and early evening. When exercising outside be mindful that concrete, tarmac pathways can get very hot and therefore can be painful on paw pads, just as it would be for you if you walked in bare feet.
If you must tether your pet then make absolutely sure he has plenty of room to move around to shady areas. A dog's leash can get wrapped around objects easily and he may be unable to move to a shady area - a disaster waiting to happen if he is forced t lie in the sun for a long period of time.
If you have a swimming pool, the prospect of a refreshing swim may appear very tempting to your pooch. Never leave you dog unsupervised around the pool. To avoid the chance of him drowning, make sure you train him how to get out in an emergency, and during its construction, some people actually get the pool steps purpose built with this in mind. Alternatively you can fence off the pool, or have it in a separate enclosed area where your dog cannot roam freely.
Hot cars can kill. Don't let him stay in the car unless you leave the air conditioning on. Many dogs are exposed to these serious dangers all too often. Dogs often get locked up in cars while their owner just runs into to the shops for a “minute". That "minute" (which can be more like 10 or 15) can mean the difference between life and death for your beloved pooch. On a hot day with an outside temperature of 25°C (77ºF), the inside vehicle temperature can reach 35.6 ºC (96ºF) within ten minutes. It's the same even if you've parked your car in the shade with the windows partly open. In twenty minutes it will reach a temperature of 41.1°C (106°F) and 43.3°C (110°F) within half an hour. No matter how good your intentions, most errands often take at least 10 minutes. Your dog could be dying of heat stroke while you're in a cool, air-conditioned environment. Leaving your pet at home is kinder!
In the heat of the day don't travel with your dog in the back of a truck if surface is metal. It can seriously burn your dog's feet and metal gives off additional heat making it very hard for your dog to cool down. With the sun beating down on him he can also suffer from heat stroke or sunburn, particularly if you are stationary for any amount of time. Put your dog in the cab if you can.
Good article. Very informative. You didnt mention the amount of exercise for a dog in a new climate may have to be changed though, probably reduced, as too much exercise in hotter climtes for some dogs can interfer with the thermoregulation of the dogs system. This can actually result in hypothermia (I think I got my spelling correct there). Apart from that, great bit of information for anyone with dogs. Or any animal for that matter.
