Dogs Trust issue warning over walking dogs in hot weather

With temperatures set to soar, Dogs Trust Ireland is reminding the public to keep their furry friends safe in the sun. The charity is urging owners not to take any risks when it comes to their dog’s safety in hot weather, especially when it comes to exercise.

A veterinary study commissioned by Dogs Trust in 2020 found that the most common cause of potentially fatal heatstroke is dogs being exercised by their owners. This can include dogs walking, playing, or running with their owners.

The study revealed that 74% of heatstroke cases are caused by exercise, and 68% occur from simply walking in hot weather. Dogs Trust is appealing to owners to avoid taking their dogs out during the hottest times of the day. The charity recommends walking dogs early in the morning or late in the evening instead.

Common signs of heatstroke to watch out for in dogs include panting heavily, drooling excessively, appearing lethargic, drowsy, or uncoordinated, vomiting, collapsing or diarrhoea. If heatstroke is suspected, seek veterinary attention immediately. The sooner this happens, the better chance the dog has of making a full recovery

Niamh Curran Kelly, Veterinary and Welfare Manager of Dogs Trust Ireland, explains: "Dogs aren’t able to cool themselves down as effectively as people, and they have to rely on panting or releasing small amounts of heat through their paw pads. When the air and ground temperatures rise, it becomes much more difficult for them to do this. So, they can overheat very easily."

"If you think your dog might be suffering from heatstroke, it’s vital that you quickly move them to a cooler location and contact your vet immediately for advice. Describe your dog’s symptoms to your vet, while making an active attempt to cool them down. Offer them cool, but not cold, water to drink and pour small amounts of room temperature water on their body. The main goal is to return their body temperature to normal as quickly as possible, but not so quickly as to cause shock.”

Corina Fitzsimons, PR & Communications Manager, at Dogs Trust Ireland, continues: "While many of us look forward to the warmer weather, we are able wear lighter clothes, but dogs don’t have this option. That’s why it’s safer to leave your furry friend at home in the shade if you’re heading out for a day in the sun."

"It’s especially important not to walk older, overweight or dogs with squishy faces in hot weather as it’s more exerting and therefore more dangerous for them. For these dogs, even sitting outside in hot weather can lead to heatstroke. In heatwave weather, we would advise walking very early in the morning, after sunset, or avoiding walks altogether.”

The charity is also reminding dog owners of the ever-important message: never leave your dog alone in a car on a warm day. Just a few minutes in a hot car can be fatal to your dog, with temperatures inside rising from 22 to 33 degrees in just 10 minutes. Contrary to what some people may think, parking in the shade and leaving windows down does very little to keep temperatures low, so please don’t put your dog’s life at risk.

Dogs Trust has issued the following advice to keep dogs safe and well on hot days:

Don’t over-exercise your dog and bring plenty of fresh water with you if you’re going for a walk.

Make sure your dog has access to plenty of cool, fresh water when at home.

Make sure your dog has shaded areas to cool off in, both indoors and outdoors.

Place a damp towel in a shaded spot for your dog to lie on to keep them even cooler. Don’t forget to replace or re-wet it regularly as it can dry out quickly

Don’t allow your dog to get too much sun. Just like people, they can get sunburnt too – especially dogs with white or very thin coats. Dogs with black coats also need to be vigilant as their dark coat absorbs the sunlight. Areas to be particularly mindful of are the tips of their ears, and bridge of their nose. It can also be a good idea to trim back particularly hairy dogs’ fur on consultation with your groomer, so they won’t get so hot.

Be extra vigilant with very young, old, and overweight dogs. Dogs with shorter muzzles or flatter faced dogs and dogs with breathing difficulties are more prone to overheating.

Freezing some of your dog’s favourite toys in water or making a dog friendly ice-pop with frozen treats inside can encourage them to lick the ice which will hydrate them!

What to do if you see a dog alone in a car on a hot day:

If you see a dog alone in a car, first have a look around for the owner. If you cannot see the owner and you are worried the dog may be suffering from heatstroke, contact the local Garda Station and give them details of the situation. Stay with the dog until the Gardaí arrive. Once the dog has been safely removed from the car, seek veterinary attention immediately.

For more tips on making sure your dog has a cool summer please visit: www.DogsTrust.ie/HotWeather

You can find Dogs Trust on Facebook and Instagram or follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #CoolDogs