![Skipper, a golden retriever service dog, wears a pair of sunglasses as he waits for an eye exam during the National Service Animal Eye Exam Event, at the UF Small Animal Hospital, in Gainesville FL. May 20, 2022. For 15 years UF has hosted the Service Animal Eye Exam Event, giving free and life saving exams to service and therapy animals. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun]Flgai 052022 Servicedogeye 04](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f695636cf6b74d54bc9ccdaba876f7c49f2ea0baa8d12b38ec553d1f23ecd01a.jpg "Skipper, a golden retriever service dog, wears a pair of sunglasses as he waits for an eye exam during the National Service Animal Eye Exam Event, at the UF Small Animal Hospital, in Gainesville FL. May 20, 2022. For 15 years UF has hosted the Service Animal Eye Exam Event, giving free and life saving exams to service and therapy animals. [Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun]Flgai 052022 Servicedogeye 04")
Everyone gets overheated especially your dogs but sometimes, it’s not easy to spot. That’s why acclaimed dog trainer, Joe Nutkins and Canine Cottages decided to share some tips with us.
While some states in the North and Eastern part of the US are headed into fall, other places are not. Whether you’re from the South or just around the globe, everyone wants to make sure their dogs are safe.
Even though it might seem like you’re an expert on your dogs and their behaviors, sometimes the signs aren’t as easy to tell. If anything, these tips might be exactly what you’re looking for to help out your four-legged friend.
If you’ve ever experienced this, I’m sure you know how scary heat stroke can be for you and your dog but these tips from Joe Nutkins are great for knowing what to do and making sure your pups are safe.
Canine Cottages and Joe Nutkins share tips on recognizing heatstroke in dogs.
In a study shared from the two, there is one stat worth mentioning and it’s that 1 in 6 pet parents don’t know how to spot heatstroke in their dogs. Frankly, that doesn’t surprise me yet is something that needs to be talked about. If you know how to handle a situation, the better it is for you and your dog.
While you do know your dog, it’s best to gauge the temperature with yourself if you plan on walking your dog. You have shoes but your dog has paws which can get hot since they have no sweat glands. With that being said, just make sure to think about that before you begin to head out for a walk.
If you are walking or your pup is outside, then there are some heatstroke signs to look for which include panting/elevated breathing, reddish and prickly appearance inside of ears, dry, sticky, or abnormally colored gums, seizures and your dog being lethargic or disorientated. Nutkins also shared that the worst place to leave your car in the heat is in the car which is something you should never do.
Heatstroke can be deadly for dogs as 50% of dogs affected do not survive. If you believe your dog has suffered from heatstroke, make sure to get them to a vet ASAP. You can also make sure to give your dogs a shaded space to place, making sure they have plenty of water and cooling mats for them. You could also switch up their walking schedule to a cooler time of day, giving them a frozen treat or even shaving their coats a bit shorter to keep them cooler.