Signs of overheating:
You can spot whether your pooch is having problems in the heat by looking out for these
Your pup is panting heavily
Their gums and tongue might be bright pink or red
Their mouth may be dry and tacky, allowing mucus to build
A flopping, lolling tongue hanging out of their mouth
They might lie down more than usual or refuse to walk
Vomiting
They may lift their feet awkwardly if the floor is too hot and their paws may blister
They might seem dizzy and stumble as they walk
Helping your hound:
Make sure they can always access plenty of fresh water
But don’t let them drink too much too quickly or them may throw up
Avoid walks around midday – when it’s likely to be the hottest
Avoid strenuous exercise between 11am and 4pm
Move your dog somewhere cold and shaded if they too hot and sponge cool water on their abdomen, armpits and feet
If you leave them inside, ensure they can access a shaded area
Avoid walking your dog on dark, hot surfaces that absorb sunlight
Don’t feed your pooch within an hour either side of a exercise as this could cause bloating and gastrointestinal problems
If your dog doesn’t have much hair, apply sun cream to exposed skin – particularly around their ears
If your dog has a lot of hair, consider trimming its coat to help it cope with the warmer temperatures
Cooling coats are also an option – these are jackets that can be refrigerated and worn by your dog to keep them cool
Things worth noting:
Dogs might lose their appetite in the heat. This is not necessarily a problem unless they consume significantly less food or vomit after eating
Dogs with black or brown coats will absorb more sunlight and overheat more quickly
Dogs with lighter coats, however, ware more likely to get sunburnt
Don’t annoy or irritate your dog in hot weather – like humans, they are more irritable in the heat
Breeds that typically overheat include: pugs, bulldogs, greyhounds and any thick pup with thick fur – but any dog can suffer in high temperatures
NEVER lock you dog in the car, no matter what the weather as this can severely dehydrate and overheat them
Conservatories are susceptible to greenhouse effects and can get unbearably hot in the sunlight, so avoid locking your dog in there