Heatwave deadly for dogs as owners urged not to walk their pets – Kent Live

This weekend it is expected to be upwards of 35C in the south east
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Dog owners are being urged not to walk their dogs in the heat as it is potentially deadly. The RSPCA has received countless reports of dogs falling seriously ill with heatstroke during the recent heatwave.
This weekend's temperatures are expected to be upwards of 35C in the south east, similar to the heat of the infamous 1976 heatwave. When a dog’s temperature gets too high, it can trigger the start of irreversible damage to the brain and internal organs.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable if they are overweight, very old, very young (under six months), high energy, have a longer and thicker coat, are a large breed (over 50kg), a brachycephalic breed with a shortened snout such as bulldogs, pugs and mastiffs or have pre-existing health conditions.
Canine expert, Anna Bain, from leading raw dog food brand ProDog Raw, shared her advice for keeping your dog healthy and happy in the heat. Anna told The Mirror : "Generally speaking, hot weather is not the time for walkies. Instead, take your dog out when temperatures drop, make sure they’re drinking sufficiently, protect their paws, and consider their unique needs in the sun."
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Dogs' paws can very easily burn on hot pavement – just as our skin can. You must check the temperature of the pavement to ensure it's not too hot to be walking your furry friend.
Thankfully, this can be done easily. Begin by placing the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can hold it in this position for five seconds without burning, the pavement isn't too hot for your dog's paws.
Every dog is different so when it comes to time in the sun, a 'one size fits all' approach certainly won't work. Are they older? Do they have underlying health conditions? Are they a brachycephalic breed?
All of these factors make dogs more susceptible to the heat, meaning they should be spending less time in the sun. Similarly, if you own a puppy who's an uncontrollable bundle of energy, then you will need to limit and monitor their time outside. Puppies are more likely to exhaust themselves and overheat without realising.
On hot days when the afternoons are stifling, you ought to consider when to walk your dog. Always start with the five-second test (this is essential), but then think about how humid it is.
If it's simply too hot, opt to instead walk them in the morning and/or evening, when temperatures are cooler.
It's vital that your dog is drinking lots of water on hot days, so make sure fresh water is always within easy reach. Meanwhile, don't let your dog spend too long in direct sunlight – where possible, encourage them to relax in the shade or inside with aircon.
Heatstroke is a risk for any dog and whilst cases can range from mild to more severe, every instance can be dangerous. If your dog is lethargic, restless, uncoordinated, has a high heart rate, diarrhoea, is excessively panting and drooling, and/or seems hotter than usual, be sure to call a vet as soon as possible.
DO NOT walk your dog during the hottest part of the day – “If in doubt, don’t go out.”
DO give your dog exercise every day – but walk your dog in the morning or evening when it's cooler to reduce the risk of heatstroke and burning their paws on the pavement.
DO check your dog for signs of burnt pads – these include limping or refusing to walk, licking or chewing at the feet, pads darker in colour, missing part of the pad, blisters or redness.
DO take water with you when you go out for a walk – offer a small amount of water every 15 to 20 minutes.
DO NOT leave a dog in a car on a hot day – even parked in the shade, or with the windows open, or for a few minutes.
DO check that pavements are not too hot – check by holding the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds.
DO ensure they have access to shade and refill water bowls throughout the day – water makes up more than half our body weight but it makes up 80% of our pets’ making fluid replenishment even more important for their health. As a guideline, your dog needs 70ml of water daily for every 1kg of their weight – so a 10kg dog such as a Westie should drink around 700ml or just over a pint in 24 hours and a 30kg dog such as a Labrador should be drinking 2.1 litres in the same period.
DO keep the water bowl clean – it encourages dogs to drink more and helps prevent any bacteria or mould from growing and entering their systems.
DO add a little water to your dogs’ food – this is a simple and effective way to introduce more water to your dogs’ diet, especially if they usually eat kibble which has very low moisture content.
DO offer a paddling pool – but not all dogs like water so DO NOT force them to use it.
DO offer a cooling mat to give your dog a way to keep cool – cooling mats are especially good for older dogs who may suffer with arthritis as they can reduce inflammation and keep them comfortable.
DO put a damp towel down for your dog to lie on but DO NOT place a damp towel over your dog as this can trap in heat.
DO NOT make the water ice cold as this could lead to shock – cool or room temperature is ideal.
DO use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your dog’s skin such as the tips of their ears and nose to avoid sunburn – this is especially important if your dog has white or light-coloured fur as they can be very vulnerable to getting burnt.
DO groom your dog regularly – brushing away any dead or excess hair leaves your dog with a less dense coat which is better for staying cool.
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