MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Dogs and heat don’t always mix, and there are some things that pet owners should look out for.
“Pet owners know their dogs more than others, you know, the know their dogs best,” Dr. Connor Sindel with the Moffett Road Veterinary Clinic said.
Dr. Sindel said a pet is brought to her office with some sort of heat-related illness once or twice a week.
“Every dog is different,” Dr. Sindel said. “There’s definitely some facts about your dog that can make heat stroke more likely for them.”
Dogs cool off by breathing, and according to Dr. Sindel, flat-faced dogs who have breathing difficulties are more likely to have a heat stroke. Older dogs and smaller breeds are also more likely to be affected by heat.
Dr. Sindel said 70% of cooling in a dog is done by releasing heat through the skin.
“Overweight dogs more so with heat stress than maybe a thinner dog,” Dr. Sindel said. “Think about a seal, the fat acts as a layer of insulation and prevent cooling from the skin same thing with a really fluffy dog with a hairy coat.”
Dr. Sindel said a healthy body temperature for a dog is about 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the American Kennel Club, a dog can have a heatstroke when their core body temperature rises above 105 degrees.
Signs and symptoms to watch for include:
- Heavy panting or rapid breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Dry, bright red gums
- High heart rate
- Lethargy
- Fainting
“A lot of people I think, don’t realize how hot the pavement gets,” Dr. Sindel said.
While the paws are usually the last thing Dr. Sindel checks for when a pet comes in with heat stress, it’s still an important part of a dog’s body. It’s where they sweat.
“Their dogs will sometimes sit down on a walk or not continue walking because it does hurt their feet,” Dr. Sindel said.
If you need to cool your dog off, Dr. Sindel says it’s best to cool them off slowly and not spray them with cold water.
She says it’s best to put water on their feet to cool them down.
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