Continue reading to learn how to prevent heat exhaustion in dogs and keep your pet’s body temperature stable
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Summers are here. While summers can bring a lot of joy, festivity, and adventure for both humans and their pets, they can be quite challenging too. Dehydration and heat exhaustion due to rising temperatures can imminent threats for your pets. It is important to be vigilant about the dangers of heat exhaustion during summers.
Heat exhaustion is a condition that is characterized by an unhealthy and dangerous increase in your pet’s body temperature. During heat exhaustion, the body loses the inability to regulate its body temperature. If left untreated, it can exacerbate and turn into a more dangerous condition called heatstroke.
The following easy-to-detect signs indicate that your dog might be suffering from heat exhaustion:
- Labored breathing and excessive panting
- Too much drooling
- High body temperature that exceeds 103 degree Fahrenheit
- Elevated pulse
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Weakness
- Uncontrolled shaking of the body
Prevention is the best cure. To prevent your dog from heat exhaustion, follow these practical tips.
How to Save Your Dog From Heat Exhaustion?
Don’t Leave Them Inside a Parked Car
- During summers, when a car is left in the sun, the temperature inside the car increases rapidly, even if the windows are rolled down. Do not leave your dog inside a parked car even for a small period. The elevated temperatures can cause heat exhaustion which can quickly progress to heat stroke in no time.
Remember that dogs are more sensitive to being affected by heat than humans, so take every possible precaution.
Avoid Prolonged Exposure to The Sun
- Sun is the main culprit behind causing heat exhaustion in dogs. During summers, limit your dog’s outdoor playtime and avoid exposure during peak sun hours. If you take your dog out for a walk, keep a water bottle in hand and make sure to rest in shady areas after 15 minutes of activity.
During summers, avoid taking your dog for strenuous exercises such as hiking, etc. Schedule your walks for morning and evening hours when the heat has dissipated to some extent.
Maintain Comfortable Temperatures Inside The Home
- Keep the air conditioning running on a hot sunny day if your dog is at home, even if you are not. Maintain a comfortable temperature of 75 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit indoors. The heat and hot air can cause suffocation even inside the home and this can cause heat exhaustion in dogs. If air conditioning for prolonged hours is too expensive, you should arrange for proper ventilation and set up multiple fans to keep the area cool.
Provide Fresh, Clean Water At All Times
- Water helps in regulating body temperature and combats dehydration and fatigue that may be caused due to excessive sweating and humidity. Ensure that your dog has access to fresh and clean water at all times. Keep their water bowls clean and discard stale water from time to time.
Understand Your Dog’s Medical History and Their Susceptibility to Heat Exhaustion
- For effective prevention, it is important to know your dog’s medical history as some conditions such as heart disease, breathing issues and obesity make the dog more susceptible to heat exhaustion and stroke.
Some species of dogs such as brachycephalic dogs with short noses have a higher sensitivity to heat damage. These include bulldogs and pugs.
- If your dog displays signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, take him to a vet immediately. Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center offers multiple veterinary services. We are located in Charlottesville, VA. For more information, call us at 434-971-9800.
