As the heat continues across southern Manitoba, local pet care expert Rachelle Dion is urging dog owners to take extra steps to keep their animals safe and cool.
Dion, who owns The Farm Pet Retreat just outside Portage la Prairie, says dogs can overheat quickly, even during everyday routines.
Watch for signs of heat stroke
“Just remember that the dogs are always more sensitive to heat than we are,” Dion notes. “They cool themselves mainly by panting and through their paw pads.”
She says heat stroke is a serious risk during summer and can come on quickly.
“It can set in quickly during walks, car rides, even just playing outside,” she adds. “Sometimes you still have to be really careful.”
Pavement and sand are another hazard.
“The pavement, the sand, all that stuff can burn paws in seconds,” Dion remarks. “I always say, like, do a hand test; if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog.”
Stick to cooler parts of the day
At The Farm, Dion adjusts outdoor time based on temperature.
“We exercise the dogs early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are lower,” she says. “Stick to shaded areas, avoid overexertion, and always have fresh water handy.”
She continues, “We often have those little kiddie pools. Just going in there and getting their paw pads cool will bring down their heat.”
Skip the workouts, play brain games
When it’s just too hot to move, Dion swaps exercise for enrichment.
“We’ll do like mental games indoors or light shaded walks or sniffing sessions,” she says. “It’s mental stimulation and it tires them out just as much.”
Frozen treat puzzles are another safe way to help dogs stay busy.
“I usually try and do [those] during the heat peak of the day,” Dion mentions. “Then, early mornings, later nights, that’s when we’ll do more of the exercise just to make sure that they’re safe.”
Keep water handy and cooling tricks ready
Dion says hydration is key, even on short walks.
“Bring a FannyPack, they’re back in style, put some water in there,” she says.
She also recommends cooling bandanas soaked in water.
“We just drench them in cold water and put them on the dog,” she continues. “Those kind of things go a long way.”
Know when it’s an emergency
Dion says it’s important to recognize the early signs of overheating.
“Heavy panting, bright red gums, excessive drooling, sometimes vomiting, lethargy or wobbliness,” she explains. “If you see any of those in your dog, you want to move them to a cool place immediately, offer water and gently wet them down with lukewarm water, especially on the neck, belly and paws, and then contact your vet.”
She adds that brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds and dogs with thick coats are especially vulnerable, and should be kept indoors during extreme heat.
“Honestly, I always say if you’re not sure, just go out for pee times and everything and do more enrichments in the house until it’s cool outside,” Dion remarks.
From shady walks to frozen treats, Dion says working with the weather, not against it, makes a big difference.
“Every dog has different needs,” she says.
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