Dogs are encouraged to exercise during earlier and later hours, or shadier areas to avoid potentially being overheated and burned during days of extreme heat (File photo/northeastNOW Staff).

By Aaron Schulze

Hot Dogs

Animal owners encouraged to avoid exposing pets to extreme temperatures

Jul 24, 2019 | 10:00 AM

Dog owners are encouraged to take extra precautions for their furry friends during days of extreme heat.

While dogs cool off differently than humans – mainly by breathing, panting, and sweating through their paw pads – Dr. Victor Kernaleguen from Gateway Veterinary Services in Melfort said they’re still prone to the same risks associated with heat such as burns and heat stroke.

He said the biggest precaution dog owners can take is making sure their pets exercise outside earlier in the morning or later at night, especially when the concrete and pavement on the roads and sidewalks have been absorbing heat for hours.

“If you can’t hold the back of your hand for more than five seconds, you don’t want to be walking your dog because they’re in contact with that pavement all the time,” Kernaleguen told northeastNOW. “Stick to grass areas for walks because they can get burns and blisters to their feet from the pavement like we do from a stove top.

“If your pet is outside, make sure there is fresh water everyday and make sure there’s some shade where there’s some airflow as it does get pretty heavy and muggy. If they are in the house, put them in a cool area, like the basement, if you don’t have an air-conditioned house. The cooler the air, the better chance they’re going to be less prone to overheating.”

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Because of risks of overheating, Kernaleguen also urged pet owners to be careful if they’re taking their animals in a vehicle. He recommends owners to leave the vehicle parked in a shadier area with air-condition running if the animal has to stay in it at all.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca