School is out and summer has officially begun! While summer brings fun, it also brings dangerous heat and humidity, especially for our furry friends. Learn about the dangers, signs you should watch for, how to beat the heat, and more below!
Heat Guidelines
Central Illinois is known to have summer heat that can get as high 117 degrees (2023)! When the temperature is that high, it is pretty obvious that no one should be outside for extended periods of time. But when does the danger start?
Some dogs are built for the cold, while some are more tolerant to the heat, but it is recommended you start watching your pups closely at just 70 F! If the real feel is above 80 F, dogs should only be taken on short walks; just enough to stretch their legs and go potty. Any time the real feel is over 85 F, your furry friends should only be let out long enough to take care of their potty businesses!
Many institutes recommend following the guidelines that best match the heat index or “real feel” outside. This is because the heat index takes the humidity in the air into account. Humidity greatly affects your dogs’ ability to cool themselves as one of their go to methods is panting. When a lot of humidity is present, it is difficult for them to pant as their bodies aren’t nearly as efficient as ours when breathing humid air.
The Danger Heat Poses
According to PetMD, a dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 100.5 – 102.5 F, quite a bit higher than a human’s. This, in addition to their fur, increases their risk of heatstroke. Heat stroke occurs in dogs when their body temperature increases by just four degrees, at 106 F!
Heat stroke is a life threatening condition that requires immediate intervention and vet attention. There are three stages of heat stroke: heat stress, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat stress can be identified by excessive panting, increased thirst, and lethargy. If a dog is not cooled down, it will progress to heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is characterized by all of the above as well as weakness, reddened gums, diarrhea, and vomiting. It is imperative that the dog cools down before it progresses further. The final stage includes disorientation and seizures that can be life threatening.
If your dog is showing any symptoms of heat stroke, it is highly recommended that you take steps to cool them down while on your way to the vet. (It can increase your pets’ chances of survival by 50 to 80%!)
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Heat stroke isn’t the only heat related sickness/injury your dog can experience! Walking on hot pavement can cause extensive damage to their paw pads. Before walking, take a second to check if the pavement will be too hot for them- try the Five Second Pavement Test! Just lay your hand on the pavement and wait five seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them! If the pavement is too hot for a walk you can always opt for the grass or even invest in a pair of doggie booties for your pup!
Cooling Methods
Cooling your dog off, and doing it safely, is extremely important. While it may seem like a quick solution, you should never use ice packs on your furry friends. The sudden coolness of ice packs can increase their risk of shock and hypothermia. The best options involve water and cool air that decreases their body temperature over a short period of time.
If you’re unable to get your pup inside and in the air conditioning or by a fan, you should move them into the shade and offer them a cooling blanket, if you have one.
If your dog is still warm, break out the water! Grab your hose and douse your pup with cool, not cold, water. Or make a game out of it! Train your pup to “bob for apples” by dunking their head in a bucket of water. This method was proven to have the most measurable temperature drop within the first 30 seconds.
While a good majority of dogs like water, some prefer to stay dry. If this is the case, you can place a wet cloth on them, but be sure to replace them often as they will absorb heat quickly.
Working Around The Heat
There are many ways to work with/around the heat to still enjoy your time outside. For example, you can walk your dog earlier in the morning, or later in the evening to avoid the intense afternoon heat. Go for shorter walks and give your pup time to cool off after each one. To make up for the lost mental stimulation the walks provide, you can include different mental exercises into your fur babies day!
Some simple ones are puzzle toys or snuffle mats, but you can also make a frozen treat or a lick mat to give them a treat that can help cool them off.
While the summer heat can be daunting, you and your furry friends can still enjoy time outside. Take a morning or evening walk and play outside, but know the signs of overheating. When your pup is hot, switch to inside play and other mental stimulation! Have a safe, fun, and active summer!
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