With soaring temperatures in Australia, it is important to keep both ourselves and our pooches safe from the blistering heat. But how do we know when it gets too hot for our canine buddies?
While nothing beats the Aussie summer, even the mildest summer days can be dangerous for both ourselves and our dogs. Humans are able to tolerate this heat and regulate our body temperature by sweating all over our bodies. However, the only sweat glands that dogs possess are located on their paws. Given that their paws represent only a miniscule fraction of their body surface area, this doesn’t dissipate much heat for them.
However, the main way that dogs reduce their core body temperature is through panting. This involves the animal breathing in oxygen through their nose and mouth in order to draw in the cool air. This evaporative cooling process is similar to how humans cool themselves down through sweat. However, the surface area of a dog’s mouth and nasal passage is significantly smaller than our skins. Thus they are not able to cool themselves down as much as we can.
When is hot too hot?
So when is it too hot? Well, that depends on the situation and also the characteristics of your dog. Personally, I would urge you to reconsider taking your dog outside in temperatures over 30 degree Celsius. For older dogs or those with long hair, you might want to be cautious in temperatures over 28 degree Celsius. Also keep the humidity in mind. If it’s too humid, then your dog will have a more difficult time in regulating their body temperature.
Factors that influence your decision.
As previously mentioned, the decision whether to take your dog outside or not depends on the situation and the characteristics of your dog. If the walking path or location is well shaded, then your dog should be able to cope with the higher temperatures. Similarly, windy or low humidity days should also be ok for your pet.
You will also need to consider your dog’s own characteristics when determining if you should be taking your dog outside. For example, larger dogs, as well as overweight ones, will have more difficulty in regulating their body temperature. Older dogs, and those with underlying health problems, will also have trouble keeping themselves cool.
Older dogs, and those with underlying health problems, will also have trouble keeping themselves cool.
As panting is the main method of keeping themselves cool, dogs with shorter faces might also have trouble adjusting to the warmer temperatures. Those with longer noses will have more surface area to keep themselves cool.
The coat
As you would expect, dogs with thicker coats will shed heat slower than those with shorter coats of hair. Dogs from historically cooler climates such as Newfoundlands will have thicker coats in order to insulate themselves from the cold air, while those from warmer climates will have thinner hair.
For dogs with heavier coats, such as Newfoundlands, it might be a good idea to shave off some hair.
For dogs with heavier coats, it might be a good idea to shave off some hair. The heavy coat that insulates their body from the cool air in cold climates also prevents heat from escaping their body during the warmer times. Shaving some of your dog’s hair during the warmer months has other benefits too. Trimming your dog’s coat can keep their coat tangle free while removing the dead and shedded hairs. However, remember not to clip the hair too short. Otherwise, your dog’s skin could potentially be exposed to sunburn.
How to tell if your dog is overheating.
There are some telltale signs that your dog is getting too hot. This includes:
- Excessive panting even when they’re not active.
- Reluctant to move around/out of a shaded area.
- Regularly seeking out water, either to drink or to bathe in.
To protect your beloved pet during the warmer weather, you should do the following.
- Always ensure that there is sufficient water in their water bowl, and continuously top it up throughout the day.
- Keep a large container filled with water around the home (best to place it outside in a shaded spot) for your dogs to take a dip in and cool down.
- Walk and exercise your dog early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it’s relatively cool outside. Try and pick a shaded area if you decide to let your dog run around.
- Never leave your dog alone in a car. Even if your car is parked in a shaded spot, with the windows rolled down, your car’s internal temperature can still reach deadly levels. Read more about it here.
- Pay attention to their panting rhythm. If they are always panting non-stop, they might be having trouble keeping themselves cool.
- Keep a lookout for signs for heat distress. This includes excessive frothing at the mouth, vomiting, limping, and struggling to maintain balance on their feet. If you notice any of these signs, seek veterinarian help immediately.
The best place to keep your pet is simply at home, or any place with plenty of shade and water. Also remember that your dogs’ paws are very sensitive and can burn very easily. So make sure to keep your dog in a cool shady spot, with a mat or towel to protect them.
