Keeping Your Dog Safe from Heatstroke During the Summer

During the summer months, you need to be most vigilant to ensure that your precious pooch receives ample fresh water and has access to a shady or cool spot. Otherwise, your dog may get heatstroke, which can be fatal if not treated correctly. Be sure to contact your vet very quickly.

Traveling with your pet can also mandate extra precautions, as your car's temperature becomes excessively high when parked. Even with a slightly opened window, the heat elevates at a rate of about 30 degrees per minute. Your dog should never, ever be left in a parked car.

Your pet’s exercise routine may need to be altered to early in the morning or the mid-evening on the sultry summer days. The hottest hours of summer days are mid-morning to mid-afternoon, but on extremely hot days, this is extended on both ends. If your dog is heavily panting, end your games. The older the dog, the more likely they may experience heatstroke. If your dog is up there in years, keep it a cooler location on days with intense heat. Keeping your pet’s water dish filled on humid summer days may require you to refill the dish very frequently.

Extra care needs to be taken with your dog's grooming. If you have a shaggy or long haired dog, it is recommended that you clip their coat to one inch in length. This leaves their natural insulation intact while increasing air flow. Snarled patches of fur retain the sun’s heat, so be sure to keep the fur snarl free.

Hosing your dog down, providing a shallow pool of water, or taking your dog for a swim will help to reduce its body heat. When your dog enters the water, be sure you keep close tabs on it.