Summer has just begun; however we have already seen a number of hot dogs on the Katy Trail. Check out these helpful tips to guide you and your four legged friend through our hot Texas summers. Please be a responsible dog owner and make sure your dog is safe when you take them out in hot weather.
Limit Exercise on Hot Days
Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing.
Be Street Smart
Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating. When the temperature is high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. If the streets or trail are too hot for you to go barefoot, it’s also too hot for your dog.
Watch the Humidity
"It's important to remember that it's not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet," says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. "Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly."
Know the Warning Signs
Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.
Who’s at Risk
Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.
How to Treat a Dog Suffering from Heatstroke
Taking a dog's temperature will quickly tell you if there is a serious problem. Dogs' temperatures should not be allowed to get over 104 degrees. If your dog's temperature does, move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over them. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
We are fortunate to have several veterinarians just a few blocks from the Katy Trail if you do find yourself in trouble.
Highland Park Animal Hospital – Katy Trail and Airline
Knox Park Animal Hospital – Katy Trail and Armstrong
Katy Trail Animal Hospital – Katy Trail and Fitzhugh
City Vet Uptown – Katy Trail and Bowen
