Dog owners urged to carry out 5-second test to protect pets during the hot weather
THE weather is hotting up and whilst us humans love it, our furry friends might not.
Especially when you drag them out on a walk during the midday sun.
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If you own a dog, there's a five-second test you need to carry out every day before grabbing the lead.
The RSPCA endorses the "five-second pavement rule" to judge if the ground is too scorching for a dog's walk.
Place the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds, and if it's too hot for you, then it's too hot for your dog's paws.
When temperatures hit 25°C outside, a pavement can reach 40–50°C.
On a 30°C+ day, the pavement temperature may hit 55–60°C, according to the UK Met Office, and therefore, your dog's paws can burn in under a minute.
The best time of day to take your dog for a walk is early in the morning, or late at night when the sun has set and the pavements are cooler.
This advice applies equally to cats and any other pets you might consider taking for a walk.
VetsDigital also suggests walking in shaded areas, like forests, and grassy routes like parks, and bringing water along for your pooch.
Whilst your dog might want to run around chasing a ball, it's best to limit strenuous exercise to maintain their body temperature.
And most importantly, make sure you look out for signs of heatstroke: excessive panting, drooling, wobbling, or vomiting.
Other ways to keep your dog cool in summer
When at home, there are plenty of ways to ensure your dog keeps cool.
1. Cooling accessories
Retailers across the board are selling pet essentials for the summer, including Lidl's £4.99 dog cooling mat.
A cooling mat works by incorporating 'pressure-activated gel technology' that aids in balancing heat exchange and conduction between the pet's body, the air, and the mat itself.
They absorb the animal's body heat, helping to fend off dehydration and overheating during sweltering weather.
But if you don't want to spend money, then a good alternative is to dampen a towel and freeze it. Place it on a hard surface like the kitchen tiles, and your pet can lie on it throughout the day.
The RSPCA's dog first aid for heatstroke
Warning signs of heatstroke:
Heavy panting and difficulty breathing
Excessively drooling
The dog appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
Collapsed or vomiting
Emergency first aid for dogs:
Move the dog to a shaded and cool area
Immediately pour cool (not cold to avoid shock) water over the dog. Tap water (15-16°C) has been found to be the most effective at cooling dogs with heat-related illnesses. In a true emergency, any water is better than nothing.
Wet towels placed over the dog can worsen the condition, trapping heat. In mild cases towels can be placed under the dog, but never over, and in a true emergency water immersion or pouring water with air movement is ideal.
Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water
Continue to pour cool water over the dog until their breathing starts to settle, but not too much that they start shivering
Dogs that have lost consciousness will stop panting, despite still having a very high temperature, these dogs require urgent aggressive cooling as a priority.
Throughout the treatment of heatstroke try to avoid pouring water on or near your dog's head, as there is a risk of them inhaling water which could lead to drowning, especially for flat-faced and unconscious dogs.
Once the dog is cool, take them to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency.
Some types of dogs are more prone to heatstroke, like very old or young dogs, dogs with thick, heavy coats or dogs with very short flat faces like pugs and bulldog types. Dogs with certain diseases or on some types of medication are also more at risk.
Information taken from RSPCA.org.uk
2. Doggy dips
When walking in the morning or evening, VetsDigital encourages pet owners to allow their dogs to take a supervised dip in a river or lake to cool off.
But this can also be achieved with a paddling pool in the garden, or even a washing up bowl filled with water.
Aldi is selling a paddling pool just for dogs for £6.99.
Alternatively, when there isn't a hosepipe ban, you can hose down your dog occasionally.
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3. Shady spots
Some dogs love to sunbathe but it's not recommended, so ensure there is lots of cool shady spots both inside and out to avoid sunburn and the sweltering heat.
To encourage them to sit in the shade, move their bed and favourite toys to the area.
The RSPCA advises cooling down your pet as much as possible at home before rushing them to the nearest vet if you suspect they are suffering from heatstroke.
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