Soaring Temps in September: How the Heat Harms Your Pet
If you think the dog days of summer are hard on humans, try being a canine: It doesn’t get much hotter than ninety-degree weather when you’re already wearing a fur coat.
Of course, most pet owners are well aware of this – they know that high temperatures spell high danger for their four-legged friends. But that doesn’t mean everyone who owns a dog should pack up and move to the Arctic. There are plenty of ways to keep your pet safe even when the weather outside is flamingly frightful.
Dog versus Hot Car
There may be nothing as dangerous to your pet during the summer months as a hot car. Every year, dogs lose their lives because they’re left in vehicles by owners who assume that cracking a window is enough to keep them cool or that they’ll only run into 7-11 for a minute or two.
But cars tend to get much hotter than we realize, even reaching 170 degrees or higher. What’s more, even when it’s relatively mild out – in the 60s or 70s – the temperatures inside a car can reach triple digits. In other words, there’s not really a safe threshold for pets, which is why some states have laws that protect people who break car windows in order to free an animal trapped inside.
The safest route is to leave your dog at home when you’re out running errands. Or, if you must leave your dog in the car, leave it on with the AC running. Maybe even play some Three Dog Night and let your pooch chill in style.
Throwing Shade
Ideally, dogs will never be kept outside on hot days, but this isn’t dangerous as long as they have access to plenty of shade (if they’re forced to sit under the blazing sun all day, it can prove fatal). If your yard doesn’t have natural shade, such as a giant oak tree, add shade with awnings, shade sails, and umbrellas.
A doghouse, while it may technically provide shade, is no solution as the close quarters of the house will increase the inside temperatures, making it more dangerous than the outside.
Water Frequently
During summer, your dog should have access to two sources of water: One they drink from and one they lounge in. They’ll probably mix the two up and that’s okay, as long as your dog has a source that quenches its thirst and a source that cools it off.
A water bowl usually won’t suffice in hot weather – opt instead to set out a large bucket or pot. And make sure to check it regularly to assure it’s not dry or hasn’t been knocked over. As for the “lounging liquid”, a kiddie-pool makes the perfect option for the backyard. Refill it a few times throughout the day to prevent the sun from turning it into a jacuzzi.
Walk Wisely
Even dogs that constantly want to go for walks are deterred by the summer heat – they’d rather stay inside and lay on the linoleum floor than hike through the foothills. It’s a bit of a conundrum since your pooch still needs exercise. Fortunately, you’ll get around this by walking your dog
either early in the morning or later in the evening.
Avoid the hottest times of day (such as five o’clock in the afternoon) and stay clear of asphalt and other surfaces that get so heated they can singe paws. A good rule of thumb is this: If it’s too hot for you to walk on barefoot, it’s too hot for your dog as well.
Make a Stop at the Groomers
If your dog has thick fur or long fur, consider shaving it all off when the weather heats up. It can make a huge difference to your dog’s safety and keep them comfortable. But, before you reach for the clippers, talk to your groomer. Some dogs – such as those with double coats or those that are short-haired and prone to sunburn – won’t benefit from a shave; conversely, cutting off their fur might increase the risk of other unpleasantries.
Beware of your Breed
Some dogs are more likely to overheat than others – Chow Chows, for example, are 17 times more likely to suffer from heatstroke, likely due to all their fur. Other high-risk breeds include Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Springer Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers.
Naturally, other things play a role as well, including the thickness of your dog’s coat (as mentioned above). Your pet’s color is important too – just as you feel hotter when wearing a black shirt, black or dark-colored dogs heat up faster than any light-colored pooches.
It does not take long for the dangerous combination of canine and high-temperatures to kick in: Dogs can suffer heatstroke after minutes of exposure. Sometimes, this results in a tragic outcome, yet even non-fatal cases can cause long-term damage in your fluffy child.
Prevention, as usual, is the best option. Consider the above tips and, when in doubt, always err on the side of air conditioning.
JJ Keeler lives in Colorado with a house full of pets. She owns three dogs, two cats, and a hamster she bought as a bribe to get her daughter to ride the school bus. She has a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado and has worked as a professional writer for fifteen years. Her clothes are perpetually covered in pet hair.
