Summer is here – the hot, humid, scorching summer! This does not only affect us but also puts a serious strain on our pets’ bodies. There are several important things to pay attention to during this period.
Nowadays, summer temperatures often reach 35–40°C (95–104°F), sometimes making it difficult to cope even in the shade. It is essential to ensure that your pet always has access to shade and a sheltered place where they can retreat from the heat. Fresh, clean drinking water must be available at all times, and it should not heat up or evaporate in the sun. For this reason, replace the water several times a day.
Water is important not only for drinking. If possible, provide your pet with a tub or container filled with water. At first, show them how to use it—later they may enter it on their own to cool down. If not, place them in it several times a day and gently wet their coat to help lower their body temperature.
Dogs in particular often dig holes in shaded areas to cool themselves down. These spots, along with the surrounding area, should be watered with cold water several times a day. This changes the ground temperature and humidity, allowing the animal to find a more comfortable resting place.
If your pet is kept in a kennel, it is crucial that there is always a shaded area available. It is also recommended to regularly hose down part of the kennel and its surroundings to reduce the trapped heat.
For indoor pets, try to reduce incoming heat by lowering blinds or shutters, or drawing curtains to keep sunlight out. Creating drafts several times a day or keeping the apartment ventilated can also help. If you have air conditioning, use it—remember, a temperature that is comfortable for us is generally suitable for our pets as well.
Exercise can also become problematic in hot weather, whether during travel or walks. Longer walks should be scheduled early in the morning, with shorter walks late in the evening. Compared to normal routines, reduce the amount of physical activity. Running or training is strictly forbidden in extreme heat! While what feels comfortable for us is often tolerable for pets, this is breed-dependent: for example, molosser-type dogs can barely be exercised during this period.
(We began one summer treating a heatstroke in a greyhound after a group of greyhounds ran for about 15 minutes. One collapsed upon returning, and despite emergency treatment at the clinic, including 1.5 hours of cold-water enemas, the water coming out was still lukewarm. Unfortunately, the run ended tragically.)
It is better to exercise less, but more frequently.
If your pet is overweight, heat affects them even more severely. Their circulatory system and heart are forced to work much harder. Therefore, it is especially important that pets lose any excess weight gained during winter before summer, helping to prevent many serious problems.
If your pet suffers from any illness—especially cardiovascular or respiratory conditions—they should be kept almost exclusively in an air-conditioned room during hot weather.
Heatstroke in Dogs
Heatstroke, or pathological overheating (hyperthermia), can be fatal for dogs. It is strictly forbidden to leave your dog in a closed car even for one minute during summer heat! Not even with the windows partially open—and often not even in the shade. When traveling, do so only early in the morning or with continuous air conditioning, and stop every hour for a short break so your dog can relieve itself and drink water.
Signs of heatstroke:
- Faster and more intense panting than usual
- Dilated pupils
- Heavy drooling with thick, foamy saliva
- Bluish or purplish tongue
- Vomiting
- Dizziness, collapse
- Diarrhea
- Fainting, coma
If you notice any of these symptoms or similar signs, immediately soak your pet’s four limbs and head thoroughly with cold water, and seek veterinary care as soon as possible at the Kisállat-Ambulancia in Szeged.
