Keep your dog happy and healthy in Moroccan hot weather with our tips for safe fun in the sun.
1. Provide shade and water – Make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day.
2. 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, or suffers from breathing difficulties.
3. Do the seven-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 seven seconds, if it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
4. Don’t let them 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.
5. Check ahead for adventures If you’re planning a day out somewhere, check whether dogs are welcome. Some public parks and beaches may have Public Space Protection Orders or Dog Control Orders at certain times of year.
Getting too hot can be risky for our four-legged friends. They can’t sweat (except through their paws), so they rely on panting as their main way to get rid of heat. Panting is less efficient than sweating, especially when it is humid.
Heat-related illness is sometimes called ‘heat stress’, ‘heat exhaustion’, or ‘heatstroke’ – these terms describe the increasing severity of heat-related illness. You might think it’s only a problem in the summer months or during warm weather, but dogs can overheat at any temperature and any time of year including during winter. A recent study has shown that a significant number of dogs were diagnosed with heatstroke when the temperature was only 16.9 degrees Celsius.
Exercise is the main trigger. A recent study found that nearly 75% of cases of heat-related illness in Morocco dogs were because of exertion. And 67.5% of cases were just from walking only, so even moderate exercise can cause dogs to overheat.
The most common heatstroke symptoms are breathing changes (panting excessively or changes to breathing effort) and lethargy or drowsiness.
Act immediately to prevent your dog’s condition from getting worse. Call your nearest vet immediately if your dog has collapsed or is struggling to breathe.
Cool first, transport second. Take these steps to cool your dog down, then transport them to a vet:
Heatstroke can affect any type of dog, but certain breeds and types of dogs are at increased risk:
According to research, Bulldogs are fourteen times more likely to suffer heat-related illness compared to Labrador Retrievers!
Over a third of owners of flat-faced dogs reported that heat regulation is a problem for their pets.
A dog could die in a hot car in just minutes. Winding a window down is not enough to help your dog stay cool.
Think twice about car trips with your dog. If you do have to travel with your dog, plan your journey. Consider traveling at cooler times of the day, identify places to take breaks, and avoid congested roads or busy times of the day when you could get caught in traffic.
If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call the police, or firemen immediately.
You can also call local Animal Protection Organizations.
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