June is here and so is summer heat. Time to think about the higher temperature and how it affects our pets. A cat /dog’s normal body temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5 F. This puts them more at risk for heatstroke, which occurs when their body temperature reaches 106 F./ 41.4 C. It only takes an increase of 4 degrees in “normal” temperatures for your dog (cat) to die from heatstroke. Humidity makes it harder for dogs to cool themselves and can develop heat stroke even in moderately warm but highly humid days.
Cats will generally find a cool spot in the home to chill out. Ensure you have plenty of water sources left out for your cat. You can also provide extra cooling spots for them like: wetting small towels for them to use if they choose and even leaving a fan on for your cat.
I am going to focus more on a dog’s reaction being outside in summer heat as most people do not take their cats on walks, if you do, then all this applies to cat walkers/owners also.
Beside a difference in “normal” internal temperatures than humans, dogs cannot sweat through their skin. They rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature. Dogs have a small number of sweat glands on their paw pads, but they do not contribute significantly to heat loss. Because dogs primarily pant rather than sweat, they are much more sensitive to heat than humans.
Heat stroke occurs when a dog has an abnormally high temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. Understanding the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is crucial for timely intervention that could save your dog’s life. (A) Heat Exhaustion / Stress occurs when the body temperature is between 103°F and 105°F., (B) Heat Stroke: The body temperature exceeds 106°F. At this point, the risk of permanent brain damage, multiple organ failure, or death becomes very high. Unfortunately, the death rate of dogs from heat stroke is estimated to be around 50%.
Certain breeds are more susceptible to heat stroke due to their physical characteristics or coat type, they include: (A) Brachycephalic Breeds: short flat nosed, wide faces – French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers – difficulty panting effectively, (B) Thick-coated Breeds: Siberian Huskies, Shepherds, etc.. can overheat quickly in hot weather, (C) Overweight Dogs: Extra fat act like insulation impeding the body’s ability to cool itself. According to one study, the mortality rate due to heat stroke in dogs nearly tripled for obese pets, (D) High-energy Dogs: Puppies and very active breeds can tire quickly with greater risk of overheating, (E) Older Dogs and Puppies: They often have less efficient temperature regulation and may have other health conditions that increase their vulnerability, (F) Pets with non-pigmented skin -smooth/thin hair and white-colored ears or noses, can be more susceptible to heat, sunburn and skin cancer.
Things you can do to avoid heat injury: (A) Avoid walking your dog during the hottest time of the day: 10AM – 4PM. Besides the direct heat to their body, you can cause burns on the feet/pads. Asphalt/concrete absorbs and retains heat on a 77°F day, asphalt can heat up to 125°F, causing foot burns in rapid time. Even dry grass and dirt can be too hot to walk on. Even on a pleasant, breezy day, the ground temperature can rise to 52°C / 125F between 10A – 4PM. Reduce the intensity and the length of your dog’s walk,. (B) Do NOT EVER leave your dogs alone/unattended in the car, even if parked in the shade and windows open. Your car can become an OVEN in minutes, your dog can suffer: dehydration, Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Suffocate, and Die! Car interiors heat up rapidly, reaching dangerous temperatures even on seemingly “mild” days. At 70 degrees outside, your car can hit 89 degrees in just 10 minutes, and 104F in 30 minutes! The hotter it gets outside, the faster the car heats up inside. Running into the store “just for a minute” can cost you your dog’s life. (C) Provide consistent easy access to water, with more than one water source available in case they knock over a bowl. Never leave your dog outside [alone] without having available shade available and water access.(D) Groom Appropriately – Trim long hair but avoid shaving your dog completely, as their fur helps protect against sunburn, (E) Consider, do you really need to take your dog with you when you run errands, be in people crowded places, like the tianguis, on hot days? They will be better staying home where it is cool. Think of him/ her and THEIR well-being.
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