Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and are now bringing with them record-breaking temperatures. North York, Toronto is no exception. The extreme heat that lasts for lengthy periods can and does take a health toll on people but more, it affects dogs who are more susceptible to the effects of heat than people are. In fact, some dog breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to the heat and need particular care during these times.
With that in mind, we have outlined our Top 10 Tips for keeping your dog cool in the event of a heatwave.
- Be sure to have lots of ice on hand. Not only is it great for us to have ice cold water on a hot day, but your dog will also be drawn to cold water to help them keep cool. Keep the water bowl filled with ice.
- Have a couple of towels handy that you can dip in some of the icy water. A cold wet towel can make all the difference between a heat-stressed dog and a comfortable pal.
- Many people keep one of those small plastic pools, especially for hot days. If it’s hot enough, even a dog that generally avoids water will be happy to take a dip.
- Keep out of direct sunlight. Move your outdoor furniture to a shady spot. If you don’t have shade nearby then consider building a sunscreen for your pet.
- A cooling vest. Cooling vests are used by people who must work on very hot days and these vests are made for pets too. They tend to be more effective and their ability to cool lasts longer than a wet towel.
- Stay off the streets and sidewalks. Though a dog’s paw pads seem tough, they can be severely burned if they spend any amount of time on hot asphalt or pavement.
- Exercise your dog in the early morning or late afternoon hours. Take your dog for a walk in the cool of the morning or when it is cooler in the late afternoon/evening is your best bet to keep your animal cool and safe from the heat.
- Keep a close eye on their drinking water, refill and re-ice regularly.
- Weight and age are factors. Like people, if a dog is overweight or aged then they are more susceptible to the heat. While you can’t do anything about their age, you can help your pet lose weight before the heatwave season hits.
- Stay indoors. Staying indoors and running a fan will help your dog stay cool. Humans sweat to cool down and dogs pant. If you don’t have air conditioning, then having icy water and a fan nearby is the next best thing.
Our dogs are important to us, so planning ahead for a heatwave and having some basic supplies on hand to help keep them cool will help your best friend fight the heat on even the hottest days.
