Keeping our canine friends safe this summer!

Our canine friends are particularly well known for panting and they do this as they lose heat from their bodies in this way. The only other way they are able to lose heat from their body is by sweating, however they are only able to do this via their paws. As a result, dogs can be particularly vulnerable to suffering from sunstroke and so it is particularly pertinent to consider the best ways to protect your dog in the warmer weather Hopefully our tips below can help:

• When it is a particularly hot day, only walk your dog in the early morning or late evening as it tends to be cooler at these times.
• In warmer weather, before taking your dog out, place your hand directly onto the pavement and see whether you are able to leave it there for 5 seconds. If you cannot or it feels uncomfortable on your skin, this means the ground is too hot for your dog to be walking on and their walkies are best left until a cooler time of day.
• Never go for a run/jog or cycle with your dog when it is hot outside.
• Avoid leaving your dog in the car even for short periods of time as temperatures inside a car can rise incredibly quickly.
• Always ensure your dog has access to a fresh supply of cool water.

It is also incredibly important to keep an eye on your dog for any signs of sunstroke and ensuring to contact a vet if you are worried they may have it. Signs include:

• heavy panting
• excessive drooling
• lethargy
• drowsiness
• uncoordinated movements
• collapsing 
• vomiting

Let's keep our dog's safe this summer time!