Summer safety for dogs: heat, hot pavements and barbecues

Dogs don’t sweat the way we do. They cool themselves mainly by panting, which works poorly when the air is warm and humid, and hardly at all in flat-faced breeds. On a hot day, a dog can overheat on an ordinary walk long before its owner feels uncomfortable.

Who is most at risk

• Flat-faced breeds: Pugs, French Bulldogs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boxers.
• Overweight dogs and older dogs.
• Thick-coated breeds such as Huskies and Chow Chows.
• Dogs with heart or breathing problems.
• Young, enthusiastic dogs who don’t know when to stop.

Walk smart

Walk early in the morning or late in the evening. On hot days, a shorter sniffy walk in the shade beats a long run. Carry water.

Try the five-second test: press the back of your hand to the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, it is too hot for paws. Tarmac and artificial grass can burn pads badly.

Never in the car

On a 22°C day, the inside of a car can reach 47°C within an hour. Cracking a window makes little difference. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call the emergency services.

If your dog overheats

1. Move them into the shade or a cool room.
2. Pour cool — not ice-cold — water over their body, especially the belly and legs. Research has shown cool water is safe and effective; the old advice to avoid it has been revised.
3. Put them in front of a fan or in a draught. Don’t cover them with wet towels, which trap heat.
4. Offer small amounts of water.
5. Keep cooling on the way to the vet, and call ahead.

Barbecue season

Corn cobs cause blockages. Kebab skewers can pierce the gut. Cooked bones splinter. Onion and garlic are in marinades and burgers, and fatty scraps trigger pancreatitis. Keep the grill area off limits and put a lid on the bin.

Summer is a wonderful time to be a dog. A little planning keeps it that way.