Keep a close eye on your dog in the heat, says Grantham expert Sara Barnes of Who Lets Your Dog Out Ltd - 27 August 2023

Ok, so we may not have had a real heat wave so far this summer, but that is good for us and our pets, writes Sara Barnes of Who Lets Your Dog Out Ltd

Most people understand that when the temperatures outside are hot (I’m thinking 25 degrees C or more) that we shouldn’t be out walking the dog, especially on roads and pavements which can be even hotter.

But do you know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion or hyperthermia when it comes to your dog, and more importantly what to do to stop the situation getting worse?

Simple facts:

Hyperthermia or heat exhaustion can occur in dogs in as little as 30mins, when they are exercised in hot humid weather and not given the chance to rest, cool down or get out the sun and hide in the shade for a while.

The only way dogs have to self-regulate their body heat is panting, and a few sweat glands in their feet and around their nose. So, if they are panting it’s a safe bet they are either anxious or getting warm. If accompanied by a rasping sign they are likely to be over heating, even more serious is if they stop panting and they have been working/exercising.

If your dog is seeking shade or lying on the ground in a frog position they are trying to cool themselves down, so take the hint. If they are drooling excessively this is another sign that things aren’t good.

If you ignore these early signs then your dog may become lethargic, start staggering around, or begin to vomit and have diarrhoea

Once you notice your dog is or might be suffering from hyperthermia the important thing is to cool them down. This does NOT mean submerge them in cold water, as this could put them in to shock. Cooling should be done with damp towels soaked in cold/cool water, placing you dog in a draft or near a fan and once they have cooled down get them to the vets to be properly checked over.

Don’t skip the last step, the vet will be able to check what if any internal damage has occurred, and if they need further treatment.