Summer and warm temperatures are approaching and with that our concerns about how to take protect our dog during this time of year.
It is quite obvious that neither you nor I like to put on a bunch of clothes when it’s +30 degrees centigrades, but the dog’s coat actually gives him relief from the heat. Acting as insulation, a dog’s coat keeps it from getting too cold in the winter, but it also keeps it from overheating in the summer.
The coat is the dog’s thermostat and slows down the process of heat absorbing.
With the shedding in warmer seasons, dogs are adapting their coats to be better suited for protection against heat rather than conserving it. The thick undercoat needed to trap body heat in cold weather is not needed in hot weather. But in fact, the remaining outer shell is optimal for handling heat, as long as it’s not extreme.
For this reason, experts agree, it can be a mistake to shave or drastically trim a dog’s coat in the summer. Although it may seem that we would give it more cooling, it can actually heat up the animal more. The coat also provides protection against insect bites, which are very common during summer.
Come on – dogs have developed their coats for a reason. It is a barrier between the dog’s skin and the sun. The more heat and sun reaches the skin, the warmer the dog will be.
In a high environmental temperature, the dog will suffer with or without a coat and maybe we have to help him with internal or external relief. But a dog with a preserved coat has a much lower risk of suffering heatstroke from sun exposure. The coat does not keep your dog cool, but it protects him against rapid rises in body temperature.
By definition, insulation reduces the transfer of energy through the insulating material in any direction, whether the temperature on one side is cooler or warmer than the other.
For example, insulating a house will keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Likewise, the insulation inside a thermos will help maintain the temperature of any hot or cold liquids that are put into it. So, by extension, an animal with a shaggy coat should lose less heat in cold conditions and gain less heat in a hot environment. That is, the insulation helps isolate the animal’s own body temperature from the external ambient temperature.
We sometimes hear arguments that this conflicts with our own experience, but simply extrapolating our physiology to other animals can be problematic. If you wear a thick winter jacket in summer, you will quickly overheat, especially if you also do some exercise while wearing it.
But this is one of those cases where paring the dog with the human is clearly wrong. What’s missing here is the difference between how dogs and humans regulate their body temperature in hot environments. Our main way of losing heat in hot conditions is through the evaporation of sweat from our skin. Putting insulation on the skin, or simply preventing air from flowing over it, stops our ability to lose heat and therefore we quickly get too hot.
In hot environments, dogs don’t lose much heat by sweating. Like us, they still lose heat by evaporating water, but that water comes from panting, and the fur doesn’t prevent that process. Dogs can also lose heat by lying down on a cold surface, and the coat doesn’t prevent this either: the dog’s coat collapses and loses its insulating properties as trapped air is forced out of it.
So, like in most mammals, the dog’s skin does not interfere with active heat regulation. Instead, it defends body temperature from a potentially changing external environment, and in this case, we humans are unique, since we rely primarily on sweating to keep us cool.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke occurs when dogs’ normal body mechanisms are unable to maintain body temperature in a safe range. Dogs sweat only through their paws and panting can’t always completely cool a dog down, when he’s getting overheated.
The normal body temperature of a dog is about 38 to 39 degrees centigrades. A body temperature of over 41 degrees centigrades is deadly and requires immediate veterinary assistance.
Signs of heatstroke include:
- Rapid panting
- Bright red tongue
- Red or pale gums
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Suffocation
- Weakness and dizziness
- Vomiting, sometimes with blood
- Decomposition
- Shock
- Coma
Keep in mind that any dog that can’t cool down, is at risk of heatstroke.
What can I do to prevent my dog from suffering a heatstroke?
- In high temperatures, do not let the dog stay on hot surfaces such as asphalt and cement. Being close to the ground can quickly heat up the body and is also an invitation to burn sensitive paw pads. Keep walks on these surfaces to a minimum.
- Access to fresh water at all times. Make sure an outdoor dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water.
- Cold therapeutic bones. For example, a frozen cow’s knee is an excellent remedy.
- Restrict exercise when temperatures rise and don’t muzzle your dog as it inhibits his ability to pant.
- Many dogs enjoy swimming, splashing in a pool, or running through a sprinkler. This can help to lower body temperature.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car, even if it’s parked in the shade or “it’s only going to be a couple of minutes.” The temperature inside a car can reach oven-like temperatures in a matter of minutes. They often reach temperatures above 60 degrees centigrades. These ranges of temperatures can turn into disaster and could be lethal.
If you suspect your dog is suffering a heatstroke, quick action could save his life. Take him out of the hot environment immediately. Wet him well with fresh water and try to ventilate the air around him.
Do not use ice or very cold water: it can be counterproductive as cooling too quickly can trigger other life-threatening conditions. Allow free access to water, but do not force him to drink, as he may inhale it or choke.
Even if the dog seems to be recovering, always take him to the vet as quickly as you can. Dehydration is just one of the complications of heatstroke that your vet will need to address. A dog with heatstroke should be monitored for shock, respiratory distress, kidney failure, and cardiac abnormalities and treated accordingly.
Keep in mind that dogs are, by nature, our protectors. As responsible carers we must return the favor by protecting our dogs from the dangers of excessive heat, so that they can safely enjoy this pleasant and warm season.
Be your dog’s best friend and take care of him – in the summer as well…
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