Symptoms like excessive salivation and increased respiration rate

Even symptoms like rapid breathing and attempts to cool down their body temperature by seeking shade or cooler areas 🎐

To manage heat stress it is essential to control the temperature in the animal's surroundings provide adequate amounts of cool water at regular intervals and take other measures to help lower the animal's body temperature 🌡️

Summer in India is brutally hot, and just like us, animals can feel the heat, too. But the main part is that they can't sweat like us, so they quickly overheat. Therefore, heatstroke poses a significant risk to animals.

But with some tips and tricks, we can control them with high heat and extreme temperature.

Keep them hydrated.

In the heat, dehydration occurs very quickly. Fill their bowl with water every 20 minutes. Also, make sure the bowl is placed in a cold place, not in sunshine. Put small ice cubes to keep the water colder for a longer time. Make sure cubes aren't too big for small pets. Some pets like licking ice cubes on their own.

If you're going for a walk or drive, then make sure to take a water bottle or bowl with you for your pets, as they get very easily dehydrated.

Avoid walking during extreme heat.

Mostly, try to avoid walking with your pet in high heat. It's too hot for their paws. It's a good rule: “If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws also.”

Try to walk early in the morning or late in the evening. When it's lower temperature and not too much heat for their paws.

Keep walks short. Even active dogs need to take it easy when it's too hot. Start to observe their signs, like panting, drooling, etc.

Never leave pets in a parked vehicle.

This is one of the major mistakes that many owners make. It's not safe for pets. The reason behind this is cars heat up in minutes. Even when windows are cracked open still, it's not safe. If you're in a hurry, then it's better to leave your pet at home.

Provide air conditions, a cooling map, and damp towels.

When you are roaming around and it's too hot for your pet, then try to sit under a tree or give them an umbrella because it works better than dog houses. In the house, keep shades on dog houses to keep them calm or allow cool places to access.

Air conditioning is a good option, but it is not necessary. You can turn on the cooler or fan for their temperature to bring it down.

Avoid ice cube baths or soaking your pet in chilled water. It causes harm because of sudden temperature changes, so try to maintain good airflow.

Summer grooming

Brushing their teeth is a good option to circulate air to their throat. But be careful…don't shave them completely.

Many breeders have both coats for colds and heat. It's very useful for heat to bring down the temperature or, in winter, to give them a warm temperature.

Keep playtime safe.

Keep their playtime very safe and low energy. Try to play with puzzles, or many dogs love to play with frozen things or ice to bring some cold.

Watch over signs.

Overheating can cause many diseases in pets, like red gums, vomiting, restlessness, collapse, etc.

Does your dog also have these symptoms?

Then, go fast to the veterinary doctor for their health checkup. Also, you can give them rest at a cool temperature. These are the signs of heatstroke.

Conclusion

Overheating doesn't have to be a misery for your pet. With a little care and planning, you can save your pet and have fun and enjoyable moments with it.

Try to keep them in cold places, take care of their hydration, and, most importantly, prioritize your pet's comfort zone.

Hey Guys,
How do you ensure your pet stays safe from heatstroke when left alone at home, in a car, or in an RV? 🐶☀️Do you use any kind of temperature monitoring device or have other safety tips to share?

do not walk dogs during daylight. Dawn and Dusk only.

Dampen a teatowel, bandana etc. with cold water and tie it around their neck. (you can buy cooling vests and collars, but this is my preference)

Cooling pads, i got mine for £10 out of B&M but im sure you can get them elsewhere.

If your pet will allow it, pools and water play.

No intense exercise or running around, provide with water.

Encourage laying on cold tiles or in damp shady areas.

Suncream is very important if its above 25 celsius.

Do not let them walk on cement, concrete etc. It will burn their paws and the places that touch the ground when sitting/ laying, eg. elbows, thighs, chin etc.

add to this as you need.

Given the current weather in the UK and some parts of the US I figured this would be useful

This was taken from https://www.facebook.com/share/1DifAnYuzM/

🐕HEATSTROKE IN DOGS🐕

We've been banging on about this for years! HEATSTROKE is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Fortunately, now more and more professionals are communicating the same message!

Whilst the need for rapid cooling with COLD water (1-15°C) has been recognised for decades in equestrian and human medicine, the dog world has lagged behind, and very poor information still circulates. e.g. "cool the paws", "cover with wet towels", "avoid cold water as it will cause shock"

THE KEY MESSAGES ARE............

💦"WET THEN VET"💦

💦"COLD WATER IMMERSION" (1-15°C)💦 (If you can't immerse, keep pouring ANYTHING COLD over the dog - hose, soft drinks, milk, etc)

💦Dogs die of heatstroke because they were NOT COOLED QUICKLY ENOUGH, NOT BECAUSE THEY WERE COOLED!

♨️RISK FACTORS FOR HEATSTROKE IN HOT WEATHER♨️

♨️Large dogs ♨️DOUBLE-COATED breeds ♨️Brachycephalic breeds ♨️June, July, August (UK) ♨️Exercise, being outdoors, left in cars

EDIT: - If a dog is PANTING, it's struggling to control its body TEMPERATURE! 💦HOSE IT TO COOL IT DOWN!💦

❤️PLEASE SHARE - Spread accurate information; potentially save a dogs life!❤️

CHECK OUT FREE RESOURCES HERE: https://askanimalweb.com/managing-dogs-in-hot-weather/

Welfare in the Heat: https://askanimalweb.com/heat-welfare/

If you don't believe me, look at the research: Beard S, Hall EJ, Bradbury J, Carter AJ, Gilbert S, O'Neill DG. Epidemiology of heat-related illness in dogs under UK emergency veterinary care in 2022. Vet Rec. 2024;e4153. https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.4153

#animalweb #animalwelfare #DogHeatSafety #HotWeatherDogs #CoolDogs #DogSummerSafety #HeatstrokeInDogs #KeepDogsCool #DogsInTheHeat #DogCareTips #HotWeatherPetTips

It's shocking to see how many people have their dogs out in the middle of the day when the dogs are clearly struggling. Not only is the sidewalk too hot for their paws, but dogs can't regulate their body temperature like we can.

Signs of Heat Stroke in dogs: Excessive panting: While panting is normal for dogs, excessive or rapid panting can be a sign of overheating. Bright red or purple gums: Healthy gums should be a pale pink color. Discoloration can indicate heat stroke. Drooling: Excessive drooling can be a sign of overheating and distress. Vomiting and diarrhea: These can occur as a result of the overheating and damage to the GI tract. Lethargy and weakness: Dogs may become weak, unsteady, or collapse. Disorientation and confusion: Dogs may appear confused, disoriented, or unresponsive. Seizures or coma: In severe cases, dogs may experience seizures or become unconscious.

What to do if you suspect heat stroke: Move to a cooler area: Get the dog out of the heat and into a shaded or air-conditioned space. Cool the dog down: Use cool (not ice-cold) water: Spray or pour cool water over the dog's body, focusing on the head, neck, and belly. Apply wet towels: Place cool, wet towels on the dog's body, especially in the armpits and groin area. Do not use ice packs: Ice packs can constrict blood vessels and hinder cooling. Offer water: If the dog is alert and able to drink, offer small amounts of cool water. Seek veterinary care immediately: Heat stroke is a medical emergency and requires prompt veterinary attention.

Prevention is key: Limit outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day: Exercise your dog in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Provide shade and fresh water: Ensure your dog always has access to cool water and a shaded area, especially when outdoors. Never leave your dog in a parked car: Even with the windows cracked, a car can heat up rapidly and become dangerous. Be cautious with brachycephalic breeds: Dogs with short snouts (like Bulldogs and Pugs) are more susceptible to heat stroke.

Basically the title. Today's temps are going to reach 33 degrees (will "feel like" 39, according to the Weather Network). I live in a really small place that heats up pretty quickly. I've covered my skylight with heat reflecting fabric (basically car window covers), closed my curtains and windows, have the fans going.

I have two elderly cats and they're quite fluffy, so I worry about their ability to thermoregulate. Yesterday we spent most of the day outside because the breeze provided more respite than the shady house did. I put cold damp towels on them to cool them down occasionally. Today I'm thinking of shaving their tummies to help with air flow (I would groom them more but I don't want to stress them out when they're already stressed from the heat).

I don't know of cooling centres where I can bring my cats and I don't have a car so I can't just put them in there and blast the a/c... I'm running out of ideas!

Any other tips to keep pets cool during this heat or least prevent them from overheating and getting sick?

Edit: Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions! Minus the person who said to put my cats in the fridge.

Tips for pets:

wet/dampen a towel and place it on the ground
Putting peanutbutter out other treats frozen in a king or like a possible. Freezing old water/soda bottles are good for pets to lie on

Pop a face/hand towel under the tap ring it out and then place in the freezer. Then place on your head or neck. Doing this infront of a fan is ideal.
STAY HYDRATED! and if you're doing a lot of physical activity, try to replace the sales you would have lost when sweating.
If you don't have block out curtains, you can place a car reflecting shield on the window and it will help keep the heat out (just make sure it's not dining right into your neighbours window).
there are these towels (about A4 size) that when you set them and then give them a good flick they fl go child. When it gets hot again, just flick it and it goes cold again. I found these on red dot but they are at a lot of cheaper stores but also camping and outdoor activity places.
A little bit of cordial in water makes it easier to drink for those who find it hard to drink water
hanging curtains up over windows help to insulate like the car reflector. You can even block small cracks like the bottom of doors or
watch out for signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion Early signs of dehydration and heat-related illness include: sweating heavily having a raised body temperature feeling dizzy or faint feeling tired and lethargic reduced appetite feeling thirsty being irritable twitching or having painful muscle cramps in the arms, legs or abdomen.<

Heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and/or salt contained in sweat. It results from exposure to high heat or strenuous physical exercise.

The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

headaches having a raised body temperature sweating heavily fatigue, weakness, and restlessness nausea and vomiting weak, rapid pulse poor coordination anxiety.<

What to do if you or someone you know is showing the signs of heat exhaustion:

stop what you are doing, go to a cool, shaded place and lie down with legs supported and slightly lifted slowly sip plenty of water or fruit juice, avoiding caffeine and alcohol cool down with a fan or an air-conditioner, cool water sprayed on skin or by having a cool shower or bath reduce body temperature by placing cool packs under the armpits, groin, or neck use massage to ease spasms or cramps, then use ice packs.<

Heat exhaustion can happen within 15 minutes, and 50 % of dogs do not survive.

How To Keep Your Dog Cool On Hot Days: -Never leave in car, hot room, or in the sun -Restrict exercise -Ensure fresh, cool drinking water -Make sure a cool, shaded spot is always available -Walk early morning or late evening -Don't leave them unattended outside

Steps To Take If Heat Exhaustion Occurs -Contact your vet immediately -Move somewhere cool -Place in the breeze of a fan -Offer small amounts of lukewarm water -Soak the fur with cool (not cold) running water

Remember, if it's too hot for you, it is too hot for them!

If you have more tips, ideas, or places that help, please comment below. Stay Safe and look after eachother.