Scorching temps could be deadly for your dog! Eight tips to keep your pet safe this summer

With temperatures around the country set to reach into the twenties this week, Dogs Trust Ireland is issuing a warning to dog owners that too much exercise in hot weather can be dangerous and potentially fatal for dogs.

The charity is also reminding the dog-loving public that even warm, humid days without sunshine can be enough to cause heat-related issues for canines.

Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs are especially vulnerable in hot weather and recent research found English Bulldogs are fourteen times more likely to suffer heat-related illness compared to Labrador Retrievers.

The research, carried out by the Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University also found that over a third of owners of flat-faced dogs reported that heat regulation is a problem for their pet.  

However, Dogs Trust is warning owners that any dog can suffer from heatstroke. The Pet Emergency Hospital in Dublin reported that each dog presented to them with heatstroke between June and August required hospitalisation and sadly, the fatality rate can be as high as 93%, depending on the severity of the case.

Here are eight top tips to keep your dog happy this summer.

• Provide shade and water - Make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day. You can place a damp towel in their shady spot that they can lie on to keep them even cooler. Don’t forget to replace or rewet it regularly though as it can dry out quickly. Never place a damp towel over a dog as it could actually cause their temperature to rise.
• Plan your walkies - Walk your dog in the early morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This will reduce their risk of heatstroke. Be particularly careful if your dog is old, overweight, suffers from breathing difficulties or is a flat faced breed like Pugs, French Bulldogs or English Bulldogs.
• Familiarise yourself with signs of heatstroke and cooling first aid - The ability to identify if your dog is overheating and knowing how to administer cooling first aid could be lifesaving. Keep reading to learn more about this. 
• Do the five-second tarmac test - Tarmac can get very hot in the sun and could burn your dog’s paws. Check the pavement with your hand before letting your dog walk on it – hold your hand down for five seconds, if it's too hot for you, then we recommend walking your dog later when it’s cooled down to avoid burning their paws.  
• Don't let your dog get burnt - Keep your dog out of direct sunlight where you can. Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your dog’s skin, like the tips of their ears and nose. Ask your vet for more advice if needed.  
• Check ahead for adventures - If you're planning a day out somewhere, check whether dogs are welcome, always plan for plenty of water and toilet stops too. 
• Consider not using the car - Think twice about any car trips with your dog, avoid congested roads or busy times of day when they could overheat in the car if you are caught up in traffic. Avoid long car journeys in hot weather, if you need to travel, avoid the heat of the day and use a car sunblind for shade. 
• Book in a trip to the groomers - It can be a good idea to trim back particularly hairy dogs’ fur on consultation with your groomer, so they won’t get so hot.

Niamh Curran-Kelly, Veterinary and Welfare Manager, Dogs Trust Ireland advises: "Dogs can really struggle to regulate their body temperature in the heat and are quite susceptible to heatstroke. Watch out for heavy or continuous panting even when they’ve stopped exercising, difficulty breathing, lethargy or drowsiness, uncoordinated movements, excessive drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea, seizures, or collapse.

"If you notice any of these signs, immediately move your dog to a cooler area and call your vet as soon as possible for advice, as the faster they receive treatment, the better their chance of making a full recovery."