As the weather warms up, many of us are looking forward to longer days outdoors with our pets. A few simple habits can keep them comfortable and safe as the temperature climbs.
Try the five-second test
Before heading out for a walk, press the back of your hand to the pavement or concrete for five seconds. If it’s too hot for you to hold it there, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Hot surfaces can burn paw pads quickly, so stick to grass and shaded paths where you can, and walk in the cooler parts of the day, early in the morning or in the evening.
Air temperature matters too. Take extra care when exercising your pet once it reaches the mid-20s, especially in humid conditions or direct sun. Always carry water for your dog, and if it’s a scorcher, some indoor play is a much safer option.
Take extra care with flat-faced breeds
Dogs with short noses (brachycephalic breeds), such as pugs, French bulldogs, boxers and shih tzus, find it harder to cool themselves by panting, so they can overheat much faster.
Puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs and those with thick coats or health conditions are also at higher risk. For these dogs, it’s best to keep exercise gentle and stay inside on hot days.
Know the signs of heatstroke
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Watch for:
- Heavy panting or excessive drooling
- Tiredness, drowsiness or reluctance to move
- Vomiting
- Wobbly or uncoordinated movement
- Collapse or seizures
If you notice any of these, move your dog to a cool, shaded spot, offer small amounts of water, and cool them gently with cool (not ice-cold) water. Then call your vet straight away. Even if your dog seems to be recovering, they should be checked.
Never leave your dog in the car
Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can climb to dangerous levels within minutes, and cracking the windows or parking in the shade doesn’t fix it. Minutes matter.
The NSW Government has also introduced legislation that would make it an offence to leave a dog in a hot vehicle, so this is an issue that’s firmly on the community’s radar. The simplest rule is the safest: if you’re taking your dog out, take them with you, or leave them at home.
Water and shelter are a must
Providing fresh water and shade isn’t just good care, it’s the law. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, a person in charge of an animal must provide it with food, drink and shelter that is proper and sufficient, where it is reasonably practicable to do so. On hot days, that means plenty of cool, clean water in a bowl that won’t tip, and shelter from the sun that stays shaded as the day moves on. This applies to all animals, from backyard chickens and rabbits to cats and dogs.
Our friends in the shelter and in our foster homes will be keeping cool, and we hope your pets are too. If you’re ever worried about an animal’s welfare, you can contact the AWL NSW Inspectorate on 02 8777 4444 or report online at www.awlnsw.com.au/report-cruelty.
