For most of us, summer means a time to wear fewer layers of clothing. But your dog doesn’t have that option, neither can they cool down by sweating like humans do, making it difficult or even impossible for them to regulate their body temperature.
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Heatstroke in dogs
Your dog (especially flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and French bulldogs) can have its body temperature increase to dangerous levels resulting in organ failure and even death. According to the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, dogs can develop heatstrokes even if it’s not ‘hot’.
Exercising excessively in warm weather, or being left in a warm or humid environment that is poorly ventilated can cause animals to quickly overheat.
Dogs that are too old, too young, overweight or with thick coat are at higher risk of getting heatstrokes. It is important to know the signs of heatstroke to look out for in your pup due to its life-threatening consequences.
Purina.ca also explains why panting as a way of cooling down in dogs, is not sufficient in regulating body temperature:
While panting can work to cool down your dog in the short-term, it is inefficient in lowering body temperature in the long run, because panting uses energy and generates additional heat.
Signs of overheating in dogs
Experts say dogs perform at their optimum best when their temperature is around 38C and begin to shut down when it nears 40C. It is recommended you carry a thermometer with you when you take your dog out when it’s hot, but here are some signs that suggest it may be time to move them somewhere cooler:
- If their panting turns into distressed breathing or forceful panting
- Restlessness or agitation
- They might also slow their pace and cover less ground when worn down by the heat
- Drooling, red gums or tongue
- Increased heart rate
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
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