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Should you take your dog out
from Edition 231
by WXPG.com
Should you take your dog out for a walk in summer?
Fresh air and exercise is important, but routines should be adjusted to suit outside conditions, and how your pet responds to the heat.
Heat can be hazardous for people and animals, heatstroke, sun burn and dehydration can severely harm dogs, even being fatal in some cases. Hay fever is also a concern at this time of year, affecting about 10% of the canine population.
Walks in hot weather are generally safe but take care if it’s over 20 C Temperatures above 24 degrees can be high risk for dogs who are large, obese, flat-faced or very young. At 28 degrees is dangerous for all dogs, and potentially life-threatening for the aforementioned categories. Once you surpass 32 degrees, heat stroke is a major risk. Pay close attention to how your pet is coping, and provide it with ways to stay cool.
When it comes to heatstroke, note the following symptoms as signs of danger:
Heavy panting Glazed eyes Rapid pulse Excessive salivation Lack of coordination Vomiting or diarrhoea
If your dog is suffering from many of these symptoms, you should act fast to cool your pet, for example with wet towels, ice cubes and drinking water.
