Is your dog at risk of heatstroke? Here's how to prevent it!

June 29, 2023|Dog cool coats, Dog health

Dogs can get overheated very quickly. If they are supposed to work or compete, they can't be at their best if they're too hot. A cool coat can help keep their body temperature under control so they can focus on the task at hand.

What is heatstroke?

If you have a dog, you’ve heard about heatstroke and how it’s dangerous for your dog. But what does it look like, exactly?

Early signs of heatstroke include:

– Panting
– Drooling

If you’re paying attention, you can probably cool your dog down and have no lasting problems. When the symptoms are mild, a dog cool coat or other cooling methods can help. 

As your dog’s condition gets more serious, you could see these symptoms.

– Decreased responsiveness
– Dark red gums
– Confusion and/or anxiety
– Glazed eyes
– Rapid heart rate
– Labored breathing
– Temperature above 103
– Vomiting or diarrhea, possibly with blood in them

A cool coat like this one that uses evaporation can decrease your dog's body temperature by several degrees, making a big difference in their comfort and safety.

What do you do if you are concerned about overheating or heatstroke?

 

If you see the above symptoms, you need to try to cool your dog off a.s.a.p.!  What you can do:

– Get them out of the heat
– Let them stand or lay in cool water and bath them in it
– Encourage them to drink cool (not ice cold) water

If these steps don’t get your dog to normal quickly, or if you see seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, or minimal consciousness, you need the vet’s help as quickly as possible. Organ damage quickly starts in and makes rescue much more difficult.

Any dog can get too hot, but older dogs are especially at risk since their bodies can't regulate as easily. Providing extra measures, such as putting a cool coat on them, can help your older dog stay safe from heatstroke.

Which dogs are at risk?

Since dogs can't sweat except through the pads of their feet, any dog can become overheated and suffer from heatstroke.  However, some dogs are at increased risk due to their physical makeup.

Dogs at risk:

– Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like pugs or French bulldogs
– Darker colored dogs (since black absorbs heat)
– Heavily muscled dogs (since muscle produces extra heat)
– Very young or very old dogs
– Dogs with other pre-existing health issues
– Very high-drive dogs that don’t self-limit

Showdogs are supposed to be energetic, enthusiastic examples of their breed. If they're too hot, they look more like wet noodles. A cool coat can help them stay energetic while looking stylish.

How do you prevent heatstroke?

Heatstroke can be prevented if you are prepared. Since any dog has the potential to suffer from heatstroke, it’s a good idea to be aware of the weather and risk factors.  If your dog is especially prone to overheat, this becomes vital.

To make sure your outing doesn’t turn into a tragedy, pay attention to your dog and:

– Plan extreme activity for cooler times of the day
– Offer plenty of water
– Limit activity to shorter periods of time during the hot part of the day
– Provide a kiddie pool or other water for cooling off
– Use cooling mats, cooling coats, etc. to keep body temperature at a healthy level

Working dogs like this service dog do their work to the best of their ability. However, when the temperatures are too much for them, they can lose focus. Keeping your dog comfortable helps them perform efficiently.

Consider buying a cool coat

A cool coat like the ones I make is an effective option for helping keep your dog safe from heatstroke.  Just soak in water, wring out the extra, and put on your dog for hours of cooling. If you'd like to find out more about Made by De cool coats, please check out my website, www.madebyde.com.  While you're there, don't forget to sign up for the Insider Group so you'll receive your coupon for 20% off all products. 

Dark-colored and/or smooth-coated dogs feel the heat more than other dogs. These guys are much more likely to need help to prevent heatstroke.