Darrell Phillips, a veterinarian from the Mississippi Animal Care Center, shared tips for dog owners.

In hot weather, it is especially important to monitor the health of pets. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can seriously harm dogs. Unlike humans, they are not as well adapted to high temperatures. So don’t take your four-legged friend for a day run.

Just because you can run in the heat doesn’t mean your pet can do it yourself, Phillips says. “Dogs don’t sweat as much as we do because of their fur. The only way to cool them down is to breathe faster, and even that helps for a short time.” It is especially difficult for large breed dogs: they have to cool down longer.

The normal temperature in dogs is higher than that of humans. Therefore, they overheat faster in the heat.

Take your dog for a walk at dawn and after dusk, or as close to this time as possible. If you are walking in the heat, be sure to bring water for your pet, preferably with ice. If you have to leave your dog outside, find a place with shade.

Buy a special cooling mat or make one yourself. To do this, place a cold, damp towel on a plastic bag.

While walking in the heat, monitor your pet’s condition. “If a dog is breathing heavily, is anxious, salivating or changing gum color, these could be signs of heatstroke,” says Phillips. “And if the temperature rises to 40℃, it’s time to take action.”

First of all, try to cool the animal. Phillips advises wiping your paws with a cloth soaked in cold water, or better yet, putting them completely in the water. Sprinkle cool water over the dog’s neck. Try to bring the temperature down to 39.4℃ and contact your veterinarian.

Source: https://lifehacker.ru/sobaka-v-zharu/

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