Vet issues warning to pet owners on walking dogs in the heat & the ‘dangerous’ temperature that could cause heat stroke
WITH temperatures heating up, if you’ve got a dog and are unsure whether it’s safe to walk them, then you’ll need to listen up.
In order to keep your beloved furry friend safe this summer, a vet has shared her advice on when to walk them and when it’s best to stay home.
According to animal pro Kathleen Pohl, from Pet Health Club, there’s an ‘extremely dangerous’ temperature that could cause ‘life-threatening heat stroke‘ for pets.
Posting on social media, the vet shared when it is “safe” and when temperatures are “too hot” to take a dog on a walk.
According to this vet, the “ideal temperature to walk your dog in” is between five and 15 degrees.
She claimed that there is “no evidence of heat stroke risk at this range”, and as a result, dogs can enjoy outdoor activities and walks.
When temperatures hit between 16 to 19 degrees, the vet explained: “The likelihood of heat stroke is low – this temperature range is typically safe for most dogs, but it’s important to monitor for any signs of overheating, especially during vigorous exercise, or if your dog has any underlying health conditions, like heart disease.”
The vet shared that when things heat up and reach temperatures from 20 to 23 degrees, dogs can develop heat stroke, but the risk is dependent on their breed, age and health.
She continued: “Some dogs may handle this heat better than others, but you should always monitor your dog.”
When temperatures rise to 24 and up to 27 degrees, according to this vet: “Most dogs will find the heat very uncomfortable – while it’s not immediately life threatening, prolonged exposure can lead to overheating and exhaustion.”
As a result, the Veterinary Surgeon advised that during these temperatures, dogs should be walked early in the morning or late at night, when it’s cooler.
Not only this, but the vet claimed that temperatures between 28 and 31 degrees are “very dangerous to all dogs”.
She shared that whilst some breeds are more resilient, these temperatures can be life-threatening.
Therefore, the vet urged dog owners to avoid walking pets during these temperatures and stressed the importance of making sure they have cool places to rest.
Dog breeds most susceptible to overheating
In general, there are six groups of dogs who struggle most in hot weather...
Firstly, those with underlying health problems. Dogs can’t sweat like we can, so rely largely on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung impairments, or suffer from fluid balance or hydration issues, then this is more difficult, and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heat-stroke.
Overweight animals find it harder to ventilate, and their core temperature rises faster than you’d expect for a lean dog.
Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners should be even more cautious in hot weather.
Dogs with very thick coats, who are adapted to a colder climate. Dogs such as the Husky or Malamute – and even the Chow Chow – have been bred to keep heat in. However, this comes at the price of being less well able to cope in hot weather. Their thick double coats effectively trap heat, making it the equivalent of us going out in the July heat wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), however, the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, though, if you’re struggling to keep your dog cool, I’d personally rather have a dog with a thinner coat who’s alive than a luxuriously coated dog in the morgue.
Short-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. These dogs have been bred to look “cute”, with big eyes and flat faces. Unfortunately, the result of this has been a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal chambers and pharynx – we call this Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are highly prone to heatstroke, and as they are often overweight as well, are at very high risk in hot weather.
The animal lover claimed that this is especially important for owners that have flat nose dogs such as Pugs or French bulldogs, as well as older dogs and those with health issues.
Finally, the vet shared that anything above 32 degrees is extremely dangerous for dogs.
The vet highlighted: “At this level there’s a high risk of life threatening heat stroke. Dogs can suffer from dehydration, rapid heart rate, even organ failure.”
How to keep pets cool during hot weather
EVERYONE'S doing their best to beat the heat and stay cool as temperatures soar.
So here’s The Sun’s best advice on what you can do to keep your pet cool during hot weather.
CATS: Drop some ice cubes in your cat’s drinking bowl.
Wait until the end of the day before you play with kitty, when its cooler.
Pet your cat with a wet cloth, most cats don’t mind some moisture on their fur.
DOGS: Give them a wet towel to lay on.
Avoid walking on hot pavements and consider getting booties for them to insulate their toes.
Avoid exercise at the hottest parts of the day.
As a result, the animal pro advised pet owners to always provide a cool spot for dogs indoors, with plenty of fresh water nearby.
Issuing an urgent warning to dog lovers, the expert concluded: “Remember, a dog has never died from skipping a walk, but they die every year from heat stroke. Don’t walk your dog in the heat.”
PET OWNERS REACT
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @thepethealthclub, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 990,300 views.
Social media users were thankful for the advice and were keen to express this in the comments.
One person said: “We love this advice! Thanks for sharing.”
This advice is mainly directed at our dogs who are not used to hot weather
Pet Health Club
Another added: “Thank you for educating!”
Meanwhile, a third commented: “We’re in a flat with no garden so I have to take mine to the field right next to where I live but always make sure they’re kept in the shade and if the floors are too hot then I carry them to the grass.”
To this, the vet replied and confirmed: “Quick and calm toilet breaks are fine.”
The vet later shared: “We’re a UK account, this advice is mainly directed at our dogs who are not used to hot weather.
“Dogs in other countries are acclimatised to the heat and can deal with it a lot better.”